ARCH ENEMIES UNITED IN PASSION
Smith risks Leeds fury over comparison of clubs
ALAN SMITH has risked angering Leeds fans again by claiming that the Elland Road club are similar to Manchester United.
Leeds fans loathe the Red Devils and many felt betrayed when Smith quit Elland Road to move to Old Trafford in 2004 after the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
Smith spent three years there, picking up a Premier League winner’s medal in 2007, and says both sets of fans are very passionate about their club.
The two sides will renew their fierce rivalry in the Premier League at Old Trafford on December 19, and Smith said: “Leeds fans don’t like me for saying it, but the characteristics of both clubs are very similar in terms of the beliefs, the history, the people who are involved in it, the styles.
“The passion of the fans is very similar. You know the passion that both clubs have and that’s why I loved playing for both clubs, just because they are very similar.
“That’s why it made my transition quite easy in that first year. And you’re surrounded by world- class players, which makes it a little bit easier as well.”
Smith, 39, who quit playing two years ago when he left Notts County, remembers being angry when Eric Cantona joined Manchester United from Leeds in 1992 and was at Elland Road when Rio Ferdinand made the same controversial switch 10 years later.
Yet the boyhood Leeds fan, who was born in Wakefield, says he did not feel like a traitor because he had given the club his all during 13 years with them. His
£ 7million transfer fee and his generous gesture in waiving his loyalty payments helped Leeds stay afloat, and he believes the fans should have been proud to see one of their own do well.
“I was a kid when Eric went to Man United and I was probably one of those throwing stones at the team bus when he came,” he told the UTD Podcast. “No, I don’t think I did that, but you understand what I mean.
“I was there as a player when Rio left the club and it was a bit different for me because I was one of their own players. I’d been there from 10 years old, so it was big for them that I chose the destination that I did.
“But as I look at it, they should be proud of one of their own young players going on to whatever destination it was, in terms of the calibre you go to.
“That should not be forgotten just because it’s a Leeds- Man United rivalry. It didn’t really bother me because it was a decision that I made purely based on the good of Leeds United financially and myself footballing- wise.”