Leeds fans show no respect to Best - comment

By Andy Baggott
November 28 2005

Leeds found themselves in the headlines for all the wrong reasons again on Saturday. Despite a 3rd win on the bounce, the press all reported on the lack of respect during the minutes silence to mark the sad death of George Best.

Firstly, the actions were of a minority of the 1,300 fans. Behind the madness though, there was a tiny bit of method as to why it wasn’t observed. Obviously Leeds fans have no time for the men in red from Old Trafford, and, in my honest opinion, a minutes silence for Best wasn’t properly thought out. Although a remarkable footballer, it’s difficult for Leeds fans to see why the whole country should pay their respect to a man who’s genius was clearly flawed. It has become far too easy these days to get a minutes silence, and in days gone by would have been reserved for only very special people – managers of England, members of the Royal Family etc. It seems these days that everyone bar the tea lady gets a moment. Best was a legend in Manchester, and a silence, or applause, should have been limited to there, Fulham and one or two other clubs where he played.

However, and this is a big however. Just because I, and the majority of Leeds (and dare I say one or two other) fans don’t think there should have been a minutes silence, does not in any way excuse what happened. If people don’t agree with it, was it too much to ask that they were quiet for such a short period. If they didn’t agree, stay downstairs a bit longer, or do as others did, and turn their back, or read a programme. The players and management of the club were clearly shocked by what went on, and the name of Leeds has been dragged through the mud again. The fans should have no excuses, and even if they didn’t respect Best, they should have at least shown some dignity, and respect for the wishes of the players and management of the club.

Hopefully lessons can be learnt. The FA can learn that enforced silences aren’t always appropriate, and personally thought applause was a much better idea. The fans can maybe see that their actions were wrong – very wrong.