Today is the funeral in Canada of Leeds United’s first black footballer. Mr Gerry Francis .
I thought that I would share a few of the days memories with you all.
Author, Ian Thornton & Ex Leeds United player Aidan Butterworth.
R.I.P. Gerry.
Mr Gerry Francis (RIP).
Livestream for the funeral, Monday 19th May.
https://my.forever.link/register/arbormemorial-glenoaks/gerald-francis
Book of condolences
https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/glenoaks/obituaries/gerald-francis/141711.html#Guestboo“
The Bridge (Marcelo Bielsa)
Chairman of Leeds United Iberia & Leeds United Valencia
I’ve known Stix for a long time – longer than he’s known me because for many years I was one of the hundreds of people he helped out with access to players, advice on overseas trips, ticketing issues etc; too many people for Stix to remember individually but for each one of them, Stix was an essential link into the club. Marcelo called him the Bridge.
So, when I established Leeds United Valencia, Stix was the man I turned to when, from 2,000km away, we wanted to present our annual Player of the Season award. But Stix, being Stix, didn’t just hand something over and leave it at that; he went the extra mile, without being asked, so my signed photo and video message from Raphinha is thanks entirely to him.
Could it get any better? Well, yes! When I established Leeds United Iberia, an umbrella federation of supporters groups from across Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar, and Andorra, Stix was the man I turned to, once again, to help me find a route to Marcelo Bielsa – the man we wanted to ask to be our Honorary President. Stix opened a route for me to write, and eventually to talk to Marcelo, who accepted our offer.
Stix Lockwood is a true gentleman; happy to help, generous, and genuine. He was Marcelo’s bridge, and our bridge to Marcelo, and Leeds fans across all of Iberia owe him a debt of gratitude.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United 2025 promotion request and 16-minute ‘out of the blue’
Graham Smyth, YEP.
I am so sorry to have just received the news of the passing of Leeds United’s first black player.
A gentleman who I saw play and had the pleasure to meet on many occasions.
Mr Gerry Francis (91), a shoe maker born in 1933 in South Africa. He joined Leeds United in 1959. A gentle mild mannered lovely man.
My thoughts are with Mrs Francis and their family.
RIP Gerry.
What a day.
Not only did we go up to the premiership as the Championship League Winners, ole ole. Our granddaughter Quinn, was the player of the match in her fixture.
Mirco Antenucci.
At 40yrs of age, Mirco Antenucci has retired from football. Mirco was one of the five Italian players brought into Leeds United by Massimo Cellino in 2014.
At his last game for his present club SPAL, they gifted him a very special football shirt with all the clubs that Mirco has played for on it.
