Liam: Ending Leeds’ 16-year wait for EPL feels incredible
Liam Cooper has fulfilled a boyhood dream after leading Leeds United out of the doldrums and back into the Premier League.
And Brentford’s defeat at Stoke yesterday means they will be going up as champions.
That means the world to the Scotland star after he and his Elland Road team-mates f inally ended Leeds’ 16- year exile from England’s top fight on Friday night.
They can underline the fact they are the best in the division when they travel to face Wayne Rooney and Derby today.
Captain Cooper – a life-long Leeds fan – has led from the front.
And after a rollercoaster two decades that saw the Lillywhites plunge from Champions League semi- finals into the third tier of English football and finally make their way back to the top via a number of near misses, Cooper is delighted he has also been able to deliver silverware.
The 28-year-old said: “It’s unbelievable. Our club, our fans and our players we’ve sacrificed so much, been in the doldrums for 16 years.
“To be part of this team and lead this team back to where we know we’ve always belonged is unbelievable.
“I’m so proud of these boys, they’ve sacrificed so much, worked so hard and they deserve it. “We’ve been the best team in the league all season on a consistent level and we’ve got the job done.
“I’m a 28-year-old man who is now fulfilling his boyhood dreams. This smile is going to take some wiping off my face.”
Leeds secured promotion and then the t it le without kicking a ball when second placed West Brom lost 2-1 to Huddersfield on Friday night then third-placed Brentford – the only side who could still have caught them – slipped up away to Michael O’Neill’s Potters yesterday.
Full-on celebrations for the players had to be held back on Friday but Marcelo Bielsa’s stars – including Cooper’s fellow Scot Barry Douglas – will let loose after the clash with Derby today.
Cooper also has his eye on a spot in Steve Clarke’s Euro Championship play- off squad after making his debut in the double-header against Russia and Belgium last September.
But for now it’s all about celebrating a landmark season with champions Leeds.
He told the BBC: “We set out to be promoted and now we are champions and can lift that trophy.
“With this group of players I feel unstoppable.”
Meanwhile, former Scotland and Leeds defender Dominic Matteo says his old club have given him one of his best moments in football this season.
The former Liverpool star was a part of the Leeds side that lost to
Valencia in the semi-final of the Champions League in 2001 and hailed their promotion. Matteo said: “This is one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.
“Bi e lsa and the team have been incredible. Everything they have done from start to finish has been done the right way. “What Bielsa has brought to this football club has been outstanding. He’s got a bit of magic and you can see the passion in his body. “He brings the best out of everyone and makes every player better. All credit to him and his staff.”
Striker Patrick Bamford also hailed the Argentinian gaffer for working his magic. Bamford, who is desperate to add to his 16 goals this season at Derby, said: “Celebrating promotion was a big moment, not only for me, the players and staff but for the whole city. “It’s a big moment in history for the team. We’ve done what we had to do, even though it feels like it has been one hell of a long season.
“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been getting nervous recently but we have handled it quite well.
“The boss has been filling us with positive thoughts before every game and he has kind of relieved any pressure which might have been there. He has done a great job.”