Pass the Whiskey

Words by: Dean Smith
Artwork by: Lee Shackleton

‘Twas the summer of 2004. The sun felt relentless that July as I chose my subject options for GCSEs ahead of starting in Year 10. My optimism was at an all time high, no doubt? The vast expanse of potential was stretching out before me as I looked into the future?!

Enter Leeds United. Alan Smith was sold to Scum, Kevin Blackwell was confirmed as our manager, and for the first time in my life we would be playing in the second tier of English football, having been pathetically relegated at the end of the previous season. Just because the Football League rebranded ‘Division One’ as ‘The Championship’ in time for us to be gracing the competition it didn’t feel any more glamorous. You can roll a turd in glitter, lads, but it’s still a fucking turd.

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