The 14th of May 2000. I can't remember any of that day bar a few minutes. But those few minutes are etched deep in my memory. I can picture it as if it was yesterday.
I ran out to my father, who was milking cows at the time, to inform him that his beloved Leeds United had just qualified for the Champions League. Bradford City had beaten Liverpool - ironically thanks to a David Weatherall goal off a Gunnar Halle cross (two former Leeds players) - which meant that not only did they stay up but Leeds finished ahead of the Scousers, in third place.
My dad was obviously overjoyed and the 12 months that followed were filled many more magical moments as they marched to the Champions League semi-final. Other flashbacks include not just watching games but a few nights glued to teletext, as we furiously refreshed to see if they could hold onto a lead against Barcelona and the like.
The funny thing was that I was actually a 10-year-old Man United fan at the time and to this day my favourite team is that side of 1999. However, with that being said, how could you not be swept away in the enjoyment that filled our house around that great Leeds adventure? Or the story of their fabled FA Cup win in 1972, which causes my father to immediately repeat the radio commentary of the winning goal every time you mention the match. Every single time.
Lorimer to Jones, to Clarke ... 1-0!
So as I grew older I would have always described myself as a Man United fan with a soft spot for Leeds. Of course that would get the same response from everyone: 'How the hell can you support Man United and Leeds? I mean of all the clubs!?'
Indeed the longer time has gone on the stronger my affection for Leeds grown. Like some sort of anti-glory hunter my favourite days of football came not when United won the Premier League but from days such as the time Mark Viduka scored an infamous goal to beat Arsenal 3-2 and guarantee Leeds' survival.
After two relegations, one promotion and an amount of farcical events that a club usually wouldn't expect over the course of 110 years, never mind 10, I've come to the conclusion that if I still love Leeds now there's a strong possibility that my affection will never wane.
On the other hand, when it comes to Man United, my interest in their fate has become more and more diluted as the years went on. Don't get me wrong, I wish them well but I realised that my passion was not for the club but for that team of 1999 and the few years that followed it. As those players left or eventually retired I couldn't summon the interest in their replacements.
Their troubles in recent years have left me unaffected, just like many of their league titles in the seasons previous. I couldn't have given any less of a fiddlers when they were beaten by Arsenal last week.
Now I want to declare myself a full-blown Leeds United fan but apparently I'm not allowed. Apparently I made my bed 20 years ago and I still have to lie in it. So here I am, asking the football world for permission to fully change allegiances.
And before you give your verdict, I beg please don't give me some crap about only being a true Leeds fan if you hate Man Utd. I'm from Cavan, not north west England for Christ sake.
Anyhow, I feel I've presented my case well. The rest is up to you.
Also read: Alex Ferguson Dismisses One Of The Biggest Myths About Himself
