‘Former big club’ is a tag that haunts sides from lower tiers of football after they’ve tumbled from the loftiness of the Premier League.
It is a term that is plaguing Leeds United, with it being uttered at many a turn and is often used as a stick to both beat a club with and as some sort of yardstick to measure performances and expectations.
Leeds United are a Championship side with Premier League support, a fan base that follows their side in their many thousands game after game, both home and away. It is this combination of fanatical support and the fact that they are a former big club that both adorns and, at the same time, damns Leeds United.
Leeds United, through the combination of their history, former successes and more-than-enthusiastic fan base are a side who represent rich pickings – and don’t Sky Sports, the paymasters of football, know that.
Already having been on Sky Sports extensively prior to this international break, including last time out against Sheffield Wednesday, the Whites will see themselves appear five more times between now and the start of December.
Starting with a game against Sheffield United at Elland Road on Friday 27 October, the Whites have further Sky Sports games against Brentford (away – November 4), Middlesbrough (home – November 19), Barnsley (away – November 25) and Aston Villa (home – December 1).
Such is the regularity with which Leeds United find themselves appearing on the nation’s screens that some fans have taken to calling for a dedicated Sky Sports Leeds United channel.
Joking aside, Leeds United fans have been saying much, much more over on Twitter about the latest tranche of Leeds United games to end up before the glare of the TV cameras.
Whites fans comment on Twitter over ‘Sky Sports Leeds United’ fixtures
Sky sports: killing football since 1992 #lufc
— Roberto. (@Rdickinson1987) October 6, 2017
Success = dicked about by Sky. Can’t wait for the Prem….
— Tim Peacock (@RedBadgerSol) October 6, 2017
I wonder when the new sky channel – ‘Sky Sports Leeds’ is revealed #lufc https://t.co/fD9awr4UfI
— Otto (@otto_mendi) October 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/zak_page/status/916380775402131461
Think that's 10 out of 20 league games on Sky now after Villa announcement. 50% of our games on TV is madness! #lufc
— Wayne (@wayneleedsfan) October 6, 2017
Not great for those of us who work in the haulage industry and work late on Fridays . Hate Sky tv #lufc #annoyed
— Moocat7 (@moocat7) October 6, 2017
#lufc fans moaning about Villa game being moved, anybody with half a brain knew this fixture would change due to SKY SPORTS!
— Nico Davies (@NormyNico87) October 6, 2017
Sky TV is f****** sh**!
— Dave (@Chappersdad) October 6, 2017
Stop putting us on tv Sky!! We lose when you do. Maybe it’s a conspiracy……..
— Julie Moore (@juliebegood76) October 6, 2017
And in other new water is wet !!
Why don’t you just announce the Leeds fixtures that you won’t be changing and showing on Sky ?!! #Lufc
— Martin Threadgold (@FredgoldMartin) October 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/s90rny/status/916295950829871109
I don't have Sky but I've been paying for the day passes to watch #lufc Prob works out cheaper to get a package based on how much we're on!
— Ryan Mallinson (@mallin_son) October 6, 2017