Leeds MP tables motion in Parliament congratulating Leeds United and its supporters on Championship win
A Leeds MP has tabled a motion in Parliament congratulating Leeds United and its supporters on their "outstanding achievement" in winning the Championship.
Richard Burgon, Labour MP for East Leeds and avid Leeds United fan, tabled an early day motion in Parliament to draw attention to the Whites' win and calling for manager Marcelo Bielsa to be granted Freedom of the City, along with legendary manager Howard Wilkinson.
The MP's motion, which was supported by five other MPs, congratulates "Leeds United, its manager Marcelo Bielsa, its owner Andrea Radrizzani and its incredible supporters in Leeds and around the world on winning the Championship in the club's centenary season".
It goes on to say it is a fitting tribute to Norman Hunter, Trevor Cherry and Jack Charlton who passed away this year and notes that Bielsa is the fourth Leeds manager to win the second-tier title.
In the motion, the MP says he believes Bielsa can now "go on, like Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson, to win the top flight title with Leeds United" and called on both Bielsa and Wilkinson to be granted Freedom of the City.
Mr Burgon told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "I brought this motion to Parliament because, as a Leeds fan, I feel Leeds United has never really got the recognition that the club and fans deserve.
"As someone who went to my first Leeds match when I was ten years old, as an MP for our city I wanted to do my bit to help change that.
"We have a proud history and the best fans in the world.
"It was great when the Freedom of the City was given to the Don Revie team. I strongly believe that Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa, our most successful managers since Don Revie, should now be given freedom of the city too."
He added: "Both Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson made Leeds top flight champions after being champions in the old second division. I believe Marcelo Bielsa can go on to do the same."
The early day motion in full reads: "That this House congratulates Leeds United, its manager Marcelo Bielsa, its players, its owner Andrea Radrizzani and its incredible supporters in Leeds and around the world on winning the Championship in the club's centenary season; believes that this outstanding achievement is a fitting tribute to Norman Hunter, Trevor Cherry and Jack Charlton who sadly passed away this year; notes that Marcelo Bielsa becomes the fourth Leeds United manager, after Arthur Fairclough, Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson, to win the second tier title; believes Marcelo Bielsa can now go on to, like Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson, win the top flight title with Leeds United; welcomes the Don Revie team being granted the Freedom of the City of Leeds in 2019 and believes the same honour would now be appropriate for Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa.”
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Thank you
Laura Collins