OPINION
Journalists aren’t often the news, just the people who deliver it. But, for Leeds fans, Phil Hay is more than just a journalist. He’s a rock for Leeds news, ultra-reliable where other sources are more scattergun, intelligent and measured.
That’s why Leeds fans are so distraught after Hay announced that he would be leaving the club after 13 years at the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Hay announced the news on his personal Twitter account on Thursday morning and it means that Leeds fans will have to get their fix of transfer news/rumour-busters from somewhere else.
After 15 years at the YEP, I'm leaving the paper next week. Thirteen years home and away with Leeds United, which has been some adventure. They say you get less for murder but you get less for winning the lottery too. I'm grateful for all of it.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 13, 2019
Leeds fans flocked onto Twitter to wish him luck and to plead with him not to go.
A couple of fans said they’d rather lose Jack Clarke than Phil Hay – testament to the brilliant job he’s done and the connection that he’s built up with the fans.
One bit of good news came a bit later when Hay revealed that his next job would keep him on Twitter and covering Leeds United – we’re expecting it to be on a national.
Normal service will be resumed after this story, but for now we’d just like to spend a few minutes with a tribute to Phil Hay from the Leeds fans.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans:
In a strange way, we’ve lived our Leeds United life’s through the tweets of this man. Be it the summers awaiting transfer news or the in game tweets. A sad day. Cheers for it all @PhilHayYEP #lufc https://t.co/y8y1EWRlNw
— Halifax Whites (@HalifaxWhites) June 13, 2019
Is this some kind of sick joke Phil?! Who the hell are we going to trust now amongst all the other bullshit stories?! #lufc https://t.co/Glbhu6NjR4
— Lliam Brocksom (@lliambrocksom) June 13, 2019
Your not leaving us are you @PhilHayYEP you're part of Bielsas plans #lufc #mot pic.twitter.com/IAOWI3ORzj
— Josh Holden (@JoshuaHolden93) June 13, 2019
Best local newspaper football writer/reporter in the country by a distance. We've been *extremely* lucky to have him write about our club for the last 13 (largely terrible) years. Good luck on the next move, Phil, and hopefully a national is in the pipeline. #lufc https://t.co/qq0G3Vyrha
— EastStandUpper (@EastStandUpper) June 13, 2019
Sad ? #LUFC #MOT #PhilHayStay https://t.co/ClZiM9uNYr
— Moeen's doosra (@pelepele1) June 13, 2019
Don’t you do this to us @PhilHayYEP. I’d honestly rather sell Philips, Roofe and Clarke than lose you ??? #LUFC https://t.co/ae4Oj55q5P
— MJ (@elland_toad) June 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/MarkLeedsFoster/status/1139120596665675776
No Phil nooooooooooo!!! ???? #LUFC pic.twitter.com/m26wMgfHVz
— Nigel Hirtsch ?? (@Hirtschy) June 13, 2019
Worst news possible #lufc https://t.co/y8y1EWRlNw
— Halifax Whites (@HalifaxWhites) June 13, 2019
Am in shock! This is worse than losing KP #LUFC ??? https://t.co/P8XBeToKeI
— Joe Wainman ? (@WainmanJoe) June 13, 2019