'A journey that links generations' - how the walk to Elland Road led to a career
- Published
1995 was my first trip to Elland Road.
My grandad Denis had been a season ticket holder for many years but ill health meant he could no longer go to games. As a result I then forced my dad, who is not a football fan, to take me and my mate on the half-mile or so walk down from our home in Wortley to the stadium.
Personally, I owe a lot to that trip - a lifelong passion, friendships lasting decades... oh, and my entire career.
After a couple of campaigns of match-by-match attendance, the holy grail of a season ticket was finally affordable. Away games, on the other hand, were a distant dream and would not become a reality for years.
Listening to the away games on BBC Radio Leeds ultimately resulted in me ending up in the role I find myself in today.
The craft of commentators such as Ian Dennis (now of BBC Radio 5 Live) bringing the action into my house from hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away bred a love for radio that still exists to this day.
It is a huge privilege to be part of the team doing that for supporters today. Not one I ever take for granted. Not only covering the games for those fans who cannot be there, but holding the club to account is something we all take pride in.
Jonathan with daughter Cleo at Elland Road
So, 30 years on from that first trip - a trip I have now made with my daughter and will do with my son - the journey to Elland Road is still my favourite to make. It is a journey that links generations. Telling my five-year-old about her great-grandad while walking through the Lowfields tunnel was an emotional one.
Dad still is not a 'football fan', and has not stepped foot inside Elland Road since those early days, but he knows about all the ups and downs of Leeds United's fortunes - more so than he would like to admit!
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