GRAYSON FERVOUR
SIMON GRAYSON was overcome with “pride and relief” after masterminding Leeds United’s last promotion a decade ago – and he insists their Premier League return is long overdue.
The Yorkshireman, 50, began his career at his boyhood club and steered them out of League One after a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers at a raucous Elland Road in May 2010.
The Whites have been stuck in the Championship ever since but are on course to finally return to the promised land after a 16-year absence ahead of today’s trip to Swansea.
Grayson has won promotion to the second tier with Blackpool, Leeds, Huddersfield and Preston and is keen for a return to management.
He said: “As Leeds boss, I was responsible for the hopes and dreams of a football institution and a city.
“When I signed for Leeds aged 14 never once did I think I would one day get them promoted and follow in the footsteps of Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson while breaking some of their records along the way.
“But I enjoyed that pressure and it’s why I became a professional sportsman. It was a rollercoaster season but we went into that final game knowing we would go up automatically if we beat Bristol Rovers.”
Yet disaster struck for Leeds when winger Max Gradel was sent off before half-time and then Rovers led shortly after the restart. Grayson added: “In the dressing room at half-time Max’s head was all over the place and he was falling out with a few players. “We decided we had to get him out of the way to clear everyone else’s thoughts and concentrate on the game. “It was another kick in the teeth conceding just after half-time but Jonny Howson came on for us to equalise and Jermaine Beckford scored the winner. It was like we were playing with 12 or 13 men and Bristol with nine or 10 – the crowd was electrifying.
“When the final whistle went, it was a feeling of huge relief but also immense pride as a boyhood Leeds fan. You watch the footage now and there are grown men on their knees kissing the turf, which shows just how much that day meant.”
Promotion capped a special season which also saw Leeds dump bitter rivals Manchester United out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.
Yet Grayson was axed by Ken Bates in 2012 before achieving promotions with Huddersfield and Preston prior to spells at Sunderland, Bradford and Blackpool.
Grayson said: “Leeds have such a large, passionate following and the renewal of rivalries with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool will be fantastic for the Premier League and is long overdue.
“Everyone can see the impact Bielsa has had on the city because there is a huge connection between the club and the supporters again.
“They could have won automatic promotion last season but I can’t see them being stopped this time.”