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Harry Kewell has signed for Turkish signed for Galatasary and sent hard core Leeds fans into a fury of indignation.  The reason is that 2 Leeds fans were killed by Galatasary fans back in 2000 prior to a UEFA Cup match.  They therefore see Kewell’s move as a slight on their club.

OK time for a few hard facts.

First of all the supporters that were killed were reportedly in the wrong part of town, drunk and apparently abusing a local girl.  Now this in no way condones what happened to them, but they have to accept a certain amount of responsibility. No doubt had the shoe been on the other foot and it been Turkish fans in Leeds city centre behaving in a similar fashion, then local justice would have been meted out.

Secondly Kewell owes Leeds United nothing.  Yes he came to prominence while playing for them and subsequently moved to Liverpool where he cashed in on his reputation.  However, the argument that Leeds made him the player he is, is rubbish.  If he had crashed and burned at Leeds, then these same die hard fans would have been calling for him to be sold on and giving him a hard time every time he set foot on the pitch.  They can’t have it both ways.  There is no loyalty from fans to managers or players, you only have to see the way ex-players and managers are treated if they ever return to a former club to understand that.  Therefore players owe nothing to the clubs that pay their wages.  They are paid to do a job and they do that job - and that’s what it is a job, albeit very well paid.

Thirdly, Leeds fans are not whiter than white. Over the years they have had more than there fair share of trouble.  One incident in particular saw them ripping up seats and throwing them, actually hitting their own disabled fans sitting at the front.  Hardly the behaviour of rational level headed human beings.
Fourthly Kewell is in the twilight of his career, and footballers only have a finite time to cash in on their ability.  No club in the UK will pay him anywhere near the £40-50000 per week that Galatasary are reported to be paying him.  He needs to earn as much as possible in the last few years as he can and nobody should blame him for that.

Finally, Leeds fans should concentrate on getting behind their team and hoping they get back to top flight football, where they can enjoy more European nights.  From what I’ve seen they are fickle beyond belief  - I will never forget the year they played Pompey at Elland Road.  They were outsung by 2000 travelling fans and many were jeering the players and leaving 10 minutes before the end, even though they were only trailing 2-1, in a game they needed to win to try and avoid relegation.  That’s not the behaviour of loyal fans who want to see their team do  well.  It’s easy to support a side that’s winning - the sign of a true fan is one who will try and lift the players when things are not going so well.
So let the past go and concentrate on the future, and getting into the Championship next season.