Across the Irish Sea: How Leeds United Found a Second Home in Ireland
Darragh, Rocco and friends enjoying the Camden last season - Can’t beat a last minute away winner!
Why Ireland Loves Leeds United
Few English football clubs can match Leeds United’s connection with Ireland. From iconic players to loyal supporters’ branches, the bond spans generations and geography - a relationship built on shared history, working-class pride, and some unforgettable footballing moments.
Roots in the 1960s and 70s
The link took shape during the Don Revie era. In the 1960s and 70s, many Irish families had ties to Leeds through migration, work, or relatives who had moved to West Yorkshire. English football’s TV coverage in Ireland was dominated by the teams winning and playing in big matches - and Revie’s Leeds were always there.
At the heart of that great side was Johnny Giles, the Dublin-born midfield general who joined from Scum (Manchester United) in 1963. Giles was central to Leeds’ rise, winning league titles, FA Cups, and making the club a force in Europe. For Irish fans, he was proof that one of their own could shape the destiny of one of England’s biggest teams.
Generations of Irish Heroes
That connection didn’t end with Giles. Leeds became a home for a line of influential Irish players:
Gary Kelly (Drogheda) – One-club stalwart with over 500 appearances.
Ian Harte (Drogheda) – Free-kick specialist and Champions League semi-finalist.
Stephen McPhail (Dublin) – Stylish midfielder of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Robbie Keane (Dublin) – Short spell in 2001, but a boyhood Leeds fan.
The presence of Irish players across decades meant there was always someone for fans back home to cheer for - the connection could only grow
Supporters Across the Sea
Leeds United Supporters Club branches in Ireland have been active for decades, with members travelling in their thousands to Elland Road each season. Many fly over for Saturday games and return the same night, a routine that’s part pilgrimage, part social ritual.
Our fellow Irish presenter Darragh mentioned this on a recent podcast episode where a Wolves fan was flabbergasted as to why so many Leeds fans were in Dublin airport. The response, ‘It’s matchday’.
For many Irish Leeds fans, following the club isn’t just about football - it’s about the people. Trips to Elland Road have become family traditions, with parents passing on their passion to children, and grandparents swapping stories from the days of Giles and Bremner. Supporters’ club coaches and flights double as social gatherings where strangers become friends, and friends feel like family. Over the years, these connections have created a tight-knit community stretching from West Yorkshire to West Cork.
The appeal goes beyond footballing success. Leeds have long been seen as a club with grit and passion - traits that resonate strongly with Irish sporting culture
A Relationship That Endures
Today, Leeds shirts are still a common sight in Irish towns and cities. The chants, the colours, the stories - they’ve been passed down from the fans who fell in love with the club in the 70s to their children and grandchildren.
And when Leeds play in Ireland - as they will against AC Milan in Dublin this weekend - it feels less like an away day and more like a reunion.
A reminder that Elland Road’s roar can carry far beyond Yorkshire, across the Irish Sea, and into the heart of Irish football culture.
Article by James Weller