Fans of Leeds United have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which Phil Hay shared a segment of Victor Orta’s open letter to the departing Barry Douglas.
Following the confirmation of Douglas’ departure on a season-long loan deal to Championship side Blackburn Rovers, the Leeds United director of football, Orta, penned an open letter to the 31-year-old to share his personal thanks for all the left-back did during his time with Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
In the letter, which was shared in full by Leeds Live, Orta praised Douglas for being a ‘positive influence’ on the side, as well as stating that many people ‘credit Marcelo [Bielsa] with changing the culture of Leeds’, but that ‘a lot of people also believe that [Douglas’] arrival at the club sparked a change in the dressing room too’.
So, what did these Leeds fans make of Victor Orta’s open letter to Barry Douglas?
Love this ..
Love our Leeds United . This is the club that makes us proud. It’s being run properly again .
Best wishes Baz
— Zac Berrycloth (@ZBerrycloth) October 16, 2020
seriously stop trying to make me cry
— DJ ? (@PovedaSZN) October 16, 2020
I love my football club. Orta, Douglas… Phil Hay…. what a culture, what a club. MOT
— Smokin Joe (@smokinjoe8487) October 16, 2020
Brought a tear to my eye. One club. One city. One family! Good luck Douglas!
— Bradcousins (@Bradcousins5) October 16, 2020
Following his move to Leeds from Wolverhampton Wanderers in what was a £3.06 million deal back in 2018, Douglas struggled to hold a place down in Bielsa’s starting XI, being hampered by injury in his first season at the club, before falling behind the likes of Gjanni Alioski and Stuart Dallas in the left-back pecking order during the club’s 2019/20 campaign, in which he made just six Championship starts.
Do you think allowing Douglas to leave is a good move by the club?
Yes
No
However, despite making just 44 appearances during his spell with Leeds, it would appear that many of the Elland Road faithful have grown fond of Douglas, and seem extremely pleased that Orta took the time to thank the defender.
What a lovely letter and a nice, classy touch from Victor. Barry deserved that.
— Barry Mc (@Barrymc07) October 16, 2020
You could see he was well liked, Touch of class that from orta ??
— Robert James (@Robjkas10) October 16, 2020
I’m not crying you are
— James Hughes (@hugheswhite) October 16, 2020
All in all, it would seem as if the majority of these Leeds fans are delighted that Douglas has received the recognition they quite clearly feel he deserves for his contributions to the club, while many also wished the defender the best of luck for his future.