Ian Wright has hailed the “affinity” he has with Leeds United fans and revealed he has his “fingers crossed” the club will return to the Premier League.
United are top of the Championship after eight of the 46 matches, securing five wins and three draws under new manager Marcelo Bielsa.
Speaking on the Sky Sports debate programme on Wednesday night, the Arsenal legend spoke warmly of Leeds and how much he wants them to end their extended spell in the lower leagues.
“Going to Leeds back in the day was very tough, it was hard, they were very vociferous in the stick them used to give [me]. Then, to a man and a woman, they stopped,” Wright told the Debate programme (47:40).
“I’ve always had an affinity with them and wanted them to up because they’re that size of club. Johnny Giles, Billy Bremner, I’ve watched a lot of Leeds and I’ve always wanted Leeds to come back, especially since they showed me so much love in the letters.
“The fact is they deserve to be in the Premier League – the town, the team, the size of the club. I’d love to see them back. Fingers crossed.”
OPINION
Leeds fans of a certain age will remember Wright getting sent off for West Ham against their team back when they were among the Premier League elite. The referee’s door took a pounding that day, Wright subsequently admitted. But the United faithful had huge admiration for the ex-Arsenal and Crystal Palace forward, despite the success he had playing for rival clubs. Wright was known for his hair trigger temper, but Leeds supporters know quality when they see it and they recognised in his anti-establishment brilliance and gift for the spectacular as well as the mundane that he was the real deal. The pundit’s revelation of the huge numbers of gushing letters he received from Leeds fans is proof of how some players can cut across club rivalry. His appearance on Sky Sports last night is being shared hugely today by the vast United fan base.