Leeds fans accuse Smith of betrayal

ALAN SMITH’S impending £7 million move to Manchester United has been described as an act of betrayal by bitter Leeds supporters.

Smith’s controversial transfer will be confirmed to the Stock Exchange this morning with Danny Pugh heading to Elland Road as a makeweight in the deal.

In the wake of Leeds’s relegation to the first division many fans appreciated Smith’s sentiments when he said he needed to move to enhance his career, both at club and international level.

It is why Smith was feted following the final whistle of the club’s last home match of the season earlier this month, a 3-3 draw against Charlton during which the 23-year-old scored from the penalty spot.

Never in their wildest dreams did the fans believe home-town hero Smith, seemingly a life-long Leeds supporter, would end up joining bitter rivals in Manchester United.

Simon Jose, of the Leeds United Independent Fans’ Association, said:

“It’s a stab in the back for all Leeds fans. But it reflects football as it stands today. The people at the highest level are in it for the money. It’s about making as much as possible in as short a time as possible.

“There’s simply no compassion or empathy with the fans any more. There are very few who seem to have any respect for the club or the badge.

“You cannot say you’re a Leeds fan and then go to Manchester United. No Leeds fan would be seen dead in a Man U shirt, so Smith cannot be a Leeds fan.

“He will now go down on a long list of people who have betrayed Leeds United, and as for him saying he would one day come back, there’s no way that will ever happen,” he said.

It is a sentiment echoed by the chairman of the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust, John Boocock, who added: “You can’t rub the faces of the Leeds fans in it any more.