Leeds United tweeted out a happy birthday message to former manager Howard Wilkinson, which was met with huge uproar over the clubs lack of recognition towards the 76-year-old.
Wilkinson started his management career at Mossley AFC before then managing Notts County and Sheffield Wednesday. After these three roles, he then landed the Leeds United job, where he stayed in charge for 2889 days in total.
Despite his accolades, the former England manager is yet to receive any recognition by way of stand name, statue or stadium name, which seems to be something that really bothers these fans and rightfully so.
Happy 76th birthday to former #LUFC manager Howard Wilkinson! During his 8 years with the club, Sgt. Wilko led us to First & Second Division titles, and the Charity Shield! pic.twitter.com/jMjyCd7yhi
— Leeds United (@LUFC) November 13, 2019
Legend. Needs more recognition from the club. Any new training ground should be named after him
— Damian Staniforth (@Damo_1983) November 13, 2019
Announce statue
— Barney © (@BarneyStuart21) November 13, 2019
I’ve long thought the club should name the East Stand after him. Wilko’s achievements are fairly under acknowledged at Elland Road, so honouring him through the stand that he helped get built would be fitting.
— Peter Lythe (@pjlythe) November 13, 2019
The Sir Howard Wilkinson East Stand please!
— IAIN PLENDERLEITH (@IPLENDY65) November 13, 2019
The naming of the East Stand seems to be a big suggestion and is also a very easy way for Leeds to keep many fans happy for a while.
Legend, should have a stand and a road near the ground named after him. Do it while he is alive aswel so he can appriciate it
— Fletch. Lufc. ALAW (@Davefle43086532) November 13, 2019
And still hasn’t got a befitting tribute at Elland Road. Announce the Howard Wilkinson Stand.
— Mike (@Mike_J4mes) November 13, 2019
When is this icon going to have a stand named after him.Already long over due.
— Keith Walton (@KeithWa15914187) November 13, 2019
What Do We Think?
Surely naming a stand isn’t that hard to do? As mentioned above this would make so many fans and Wilkinson himself so happy, it would be made even better if he had a stand named after him in a Premier League stadium.
With all this investment talk maybe this fan request will eventually happen, although we can’t understand why it hasn’t happened already.