Leeds United fans suffer more Wembley disappointment but FA Cup exit only strengthens survival focus
Leeds United fans descended on Wembley but didn't get the win or goal they dreamed of.
It’s the 8:05 train from Manchester to London Euston and there are Leeds United fans onboard. There will be Leeds United fans on most trains heading to the capital at this time in the morning - and for good reason.
Not since 1973 have Leeds fans travelled down to Wembley for an FA Cup match. They had a semi-final meeting with Coventry City 14 years later but that was at Hillsborough. For 39 years since, this has been uncharted territory.
There is a faint sound of cans being cracked open further down the carriage. Fair enough. A few more fans jump on the train from Stockport, and a few from Crewe too. Leeds really are everywhere, aren’t they? That hum of anticipation intensifies. There’s a confidence.
“I’ve been to Wembley a few times but not usually with Leeds,” Jeff from Guiseley tells the YEP on his way out of Euston. He had a 2025/26 shirt custom-printed with ‘Wembley 26’ on the back: “I didn’t make the [Championship] play-offs. I’m excited because I think it’s going to be a win. Chelsea aren’t great. I think we’re going to win.”
For a lot of this season, the FA Cup has been viewed as a distraction - welcome or not - from Leeds’ main goal but with 40 points on the board and four games left to add to it, that goal feels all but achieved. With it, this cup run has come to the fore.
Around Euston is packed on London Marathon day but amid all the signs and supportive family members, there is a smattering of white, yellow and blue. The Leeds presence is more notable and becomes dominant outside Wembley. It’s lighter in mood than usual, too.
Leeds United in a lighter mood for FA Cup semi-final
“It seems much more bubbly today,” Cathryn Hutchinson says, having travelled down from York. “There doesn’t feel so much tension, there's more people laughing and dancing.
“For a just promoted team, given the history that they never get through, the last time was 39 years ago. It’s amazing.”
Pauline Ward and her husband, Phil, are among those taking it in from the periphery. They came down on a coach with 52 others as part of the Keighley Whites. Again, there is confidence despite Leeds not even scoring at Wembley since 1992.
“I think we’re flying high at the moment,” Pauline says. “We’ve got a really good team, a good manager. From a supporter’s point of view, everything seems to be right. I hope we just get a goal.”
That confidence is reflected in the stands, with the 34,000-or-so Leeds fans making noise far greater than their number. A spine-tingling rendition of Marching on Together is bellowed out as a sign reading ‘at least until the world stops going round’ is unfurled and thousands of scarves are twirled.
Chelsea dominate early possession and do their bit to quieten the Leeds end midway through the first-half, Enzo Fernandez heading home Pedro Neto’s cross after an error from Pascal Struijk. It works for a few minutes but Farke’s side are pushed on by their following to at least end the half strongly.
A change of formation helps them start the second-half even stronger and when substitute Anton Stach rifles an effort goalwards, the Leeds end goes up a decibel or 10. They take it up again when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez - helpfully informed by teammate Fernandez - realised an injury and Ethan Ampadu entered Chelsea’s touchline teamtalk.
Chelsea slowed things down from there, however, and Leeds fans didn’t get their moment to celebrate. Many stayed behind after full-time either way and Farke’s squad received a warm reception. This will not knock them off course in the Premier League. Onto Friday and onto Burnley.