The Whites, located in LS11 are the biggest one club city in the UK and one of the biggest in Europe. One of the many perks of being a one club city, is the artwork that can be created to show the passion the city has for the club!
Leeds United have recently found themselves back in the Premier League after two years of Championship football and missing out on promotion, losing in the playoff final last year.
Whilst over the past couple of years, many things around the club have been changing, whether that’s players coming and going, different managers and new ownership. One thing has been a constant is the fans.
The Leeds fans are known to be one of the best set of fans in club football around the world, sticking together throughout the ups and downs.
They are the only club in the city, which means there are no rivals to compete with. One way the fans show their appreciation to the club, is by the incredible artwork that gets created across the city in West Yorkshire.
There are endless amounts of murals you can go and visit, some big and some small, but all have been made with the intention that the fans have something to be proud of.
Ranging from fan favourite players, iconic moments, the best managers to take control of the club, you name it and it will be painted.
We will take a deep focus into a handful of the artwork created and look at why they are important, and what makes the player or manager worthy of deserving to have a masterpiece created of them.
Below are the locations on the map where you can find the pieces on display and appreciate the art in its finest form!
Vinnie Jones was part of the Leeds side that were crowned champions of the Second Division in the 1989-90 season, playing in every game bar one to send Leeds to the First Division of English football.
Despite only playing for Leeds United for one season, Jones was a cult hero and adored by many fans of The Whites.
When he made his debut for Leeds against Middlesborough coming on in the 87th minute, he caused carnage. Forcing an own goal from Gary Parkinson after a misplaced pass, which sent Elland Road into mayhem.
Once the full-time whistle blew, Jones ran straight to the Kop a climbed the fence. Resulting in what is one of the most iconic photos in the history of Leeds United.
The response Jones received from Leeds fans made him feel “immortal” and was the start of something special, even though it was a brief time that Jones was at the club for.
The no-nonsense midfielder scored some important goals in his only season at Leeds. Scoring against Ipswich Town in his second appearance, adding to his tally against West Ham to put Leeds in charge of the title race. As well as the incredible volley against Hull City, which was regarded as one of his best performances for Leeds.
He embraced the fans like he was from the city himself, constantly doing the fist pumping ‘Leeds Salute’ was a signature move that made the Elland Road faithful go crazy.
Fast forward to 2022, and the love from the Leeds fans has been transferred into this masterpiece, created by Tom Crowe from Northern Mural Co.
JERMAINE BECKFORD LUCAS RADEBE JAMIE STEWARd ADAM DUFFIELD
Lucas Radebe, ‘The Chief’, is regarded as one of the best defenders to grace the white shirt of Leeds United and has gone down as one of the greatest ever players to lead the Whites onto the Elland Road pitch.
He was a rock at the back for Leeds, and was worshipped by fans due to his leadership, passion and his loyalty for the club, especially after he turned down interest from top European sides like Manchester United and AC Milan, to cement his legacy at Leeds.
He was made captain of the Whites in 1998. With his tenure as the skipper seeing Leeds finish third in the Premier League and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2000/01 season.
After retiring in 2005, he made his love for Leeds well known, and it was certainly well reciprocated by the fans. With this wonderful mural ‘The Chief’, created by Adam Duffield.
Adam Duffield designed and painted this wonderful piece of artwork on the side of Sweeney Todd Barbers in Chapel Allerton, where Radebe was a regular at the shop, and close friends with the owner Richard Dwyer.
There are a few important features to the design that some people might not have noticed or maybe know the reasons behind.
The phrase, “This is my hero”, was used by the Nelson Mandela describing his feelings towards the former Leeds United defender.
Also, the small handprints in the bottom right corner, are from children called Lucas, who were named after the South African himself from Leeds fans across the city.
This piece was created to celebrate diversity in football, highlighting Radebe’s anti-racism and educational work during his time at Leeds United.
‘January 3rd, remember the date...’, the man behind the chant. Jermaine Beckford has one of the best moments in modern Leeds history, knocking rivals Manchester United out of the FA Cup, beating them 1-0.
Beckford was pivotal for Leeds during his time at the club, scoring 71 times in 126 appearances. He was part of the side that got promoted from League One to get to the Championship, scoring 31 goals across all competitions in the 2009/10 season.
Beckford constantly shows his passion for Leeds and openly speaks on his love for the club. Something the Leeds fans will always want to hear from former players, especially ones like Beckford who have created memories for people that will last a lifetime.
To show their appreciation for him, this mural was created to honour Beckford’s time at Leeds United.
Jamie Steward, ‘Cortisol Kid’, is the one who created this mural of Beckford celebrating his FA Cup goal against Manchester United.
This artwork is located on the side wall of Edmund House Club on Pontefract Road and is now a focal point of the community.
Having had to apply to have it be placed on the side of the social club, it became the 14th Leeds United mural in the city.
It wasn’t the easiest of murals to create however, Steward had to “battle with the conditions”, as the painting of the mural was happening through the winter months.
It went from bad to worse for him as well, the cherry picker he was using broke down meaning he ended up being two days behind schedule. In the end, the piece was finally revealed and well received by fans by the summer of 2023.
CHAMPIONS WALL first division title winners
The Champions wall was created in 2020, after Leeds United were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years.
Located just beside the stadium, this piece holds great sentimental value to the club, as it was a collaboration between Adam Duffield and ex Leeds star Mateusz Klich.
Klich has a rich background in graffiti writing and street art, and he wanted to give the fans something to look back on. Something to remember the great moments the club has created in its modern history.
He was one of the heroes that won Leeds the Championship title, and is adored by thousands who support the club for his passion and ultimate ‘Klichhousery’.
He will be remembered for years for his endless contributions to the club. With the fans honouring him with the song that still rings around Elland Road to this day, ‘20 yards or 30 yards, everywhere we go, 40 yards or 50 yards, Klich is scoring goaaaals!’
eddie gray
Eddie Gray MBE, the first of the Gray dynasty at Leeds United, is one of the many icons that have emerged from the clubs’ history. This is the ‘Mr Leeds’ mural created by Adam Duffield and Rhys Lowry
This is the mural that celebrates Leeds’ last major trophy, the First Division title which was won in the 1991/92 season.
Designed by Leeds based illustrator and muralist Jameson Rogan, it was voted in after the Leeds United Supporters Trust raised nearly £5,000 to fund the artwork.
This mural features five legends of the club, the manager down the middle Howard Wilkinson, surrounded by the midfield four of David Batty, Gary Speed, Gary McAllister and Gordon Strachan.
It was specifically designed with the players and manager facing the stadium, so it can emulate the fans walking side by side with their champions on the way to Elland Road.
Now that Leeds have made history by winning the league on 100 points this year, fans will be hoping for a third mural to show their appreciation to Daniel Farke and his players for creating history that has never been seen before at Leeds United.
Eddie Gray is up for debate to be one of the best players to grace the pitch at Elland Road, he won 6 major trophies during his time at the club, spending his whole career at Leeds tallying 454 appearances and scoring 52 goals.
In one of his best seasons at Leeds United, he was part of the side that won the League Cup and the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (UEFA Europa League) in 1968.
That season saw Gray score two winning goals in both semi-finals of each competition, setting the foundations of his everlasting legacy at the club.
‘Mr Leeds’ was created to honour the career Gray had at Leeds United, and for what he achieved at the club. It was chosen to be on the side of this house next to Elland Road because it is the only place it should be, next to home.
As this iconic mural had to be done to perfection, it was a big collaboration piece. Adam Duffield was the artist, and it was designed by Rhys Lowry. Alongside the two, it was completed with Jamie Steward and Luke Nunn.
Eddie was the first of the Gray’s to play for Leeds, his brother Frank was the second, followed by Franks son Andy, and then his two sons Archie and Harry.
Harry is now the last of the dynasty, and there are high hopes for his journey at Elland Road. If he has half the career his great-uncle had, he could have his own mural one day, potentially cementing the Gray’s as one the best footballing families to ever exist.
MARCELO BIELSA BURLEY BANKSY
Andy McVeigh, the ‘Burley Banksy’, is one of the most well-known artists in Leeds, especially to Leeds fans due to his numerous murals he has done based on the club around the city.
McVeigh has a trademark piece of artwork, which is the telecommunication boxes that he paints to represent the city of Leeds. He has done a lot of these, with the vast majority aimed at his club, Leeds United.
These three here are the ones that are right outside of Elland Road, giving the ground that little extra character on matchdays showing off the club’s colours.
He started off doing these little pieces to keep on top of his mental health and keep him occupied during his spare time, he has now built quite the reputation since then.
It hasn’t been the smoothest ride for McVeigh since his rise to becoming a household name across Leeds. In 2019, there were 14 pieces of his art that were ruined by a group who claimed he was ‘vandalising’ the city with these football themed murals.
At first, McVeigh contemplated quitting, but after backing from the club he chose to carry on and continue bringing joy to the city, giving something for the people to smile at when going about their day to day.
Now, he has done work on things he never would have dreamed doing. Working for the Leeds United foundation, designing beer cans with Kirkstall Brewery, and designing merchandise that is getting sold in the Leeds United superstore.
To support Andy and his work, you can find his shop in The Merrion Centre, or visit his online store @ burleybanksy.com/shop
Marcelo Bielsa, also known as ‘El Loco’, is widley cosidered as one of the greatest managers in world football. Below is ‘Bielsa the Redeemer”, painted by Nicolas Dixon and the ‘Burley Banksy’ Andy McVeigh.
Marcelo Bielsa, the man who is considered as ‘God’ in Leeds, transformed the whole city and brought everyone together by creating a unity that the fanbase was missing for many years.
He did the impossible with Leeds and took them back to the Premier League and led them to a 9th place finish in their first season back in the top flight, just 6 points off Europe.
Located in Wortley, this mural was created by artists Nicolas Dixon and Andy McVeigh. It was commissioned by the owner of the shop it is painted on and took only one week for the pair to finish the completion of the project.
There are a vast number of murals dedicated to the Argentinian, but this one sums him up perfectly, ‘the Redeemer’, bringing the life and soul back to Elland Road.
The text on the mural which says ‘marchando juntos dos mil veinte’, means ‘Marching On Together 2020’ in Spanish.
When the Leeds fans watched that first game under Bielsa, it was hard to see how that squad from the season before were playing such good football, but it was all down to his aggressive style of play, something English football wasn’t too familiar with.
Bielsa has left the club a legend, despite how it ended for him, and his successors haven’t been able to reach the heights that he did.
The fans will always be grateful for the memories, and they will forever welcome him back with open arms. If there is one thing they want from him, it will be to see him back at Elland Road, to have the chance to witness ‘Bielsaball’ under the lights, just one last time.
