Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu has issued a special message to the tens of thousands of Whites supporters making the trip to Wembley this weekend.
Daniel Farke’s captain has led the team to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, a feat last achieved in the 1980s.
Ampadu has played in each of the previous rounds, helping Leeds to overcome Derby County, Birmingham City, Norwich City and West Ham United.
Though the midfielder has represented Leeds at the national stadium previously, in an ill-fated Championship play-off final against Southampton, he and the club roared back from the heartbreak.
He has now played 120 times for Leeds, winning the Championship title and helping to put the club in a fantastic position in their Premier League survival fight, so he’s well accustomed to the size and fervour of the fanbase that soundtracks each achievement.
Ahead of an invasion of Wembley by more than 30,000 Leeds supporters, Ampadu has told them to do what they do best while the team try to make more history.
“Honestly, just be themselves,” he said. “Wherever we go, no matter what stadium, no matter how far they’ve got to travel, they are always there in their numbers with their loud voices.
“We know it’s going to be exactly the same at Wembley. We know they are going to enjoy the day, enjoy the occasion and we have to give them something to enjoy.
“It’s not just going to be going out there for a day out, but we will be there to get into the final. My message to them would be to be themselves, be loud, get behind us because we are going to try to make it another special day.”
While the Wembley fever hit Elland Road as early as last weekend after Wolves were dispatched 3-0, Ampadu and the players still had a job to do in midweek at Bournemouth. But he readily admits there is no hiding from the size of the occasion or what it means to everyone involved at Leeds United. And he’s out to make it a memory to treasure forever.
“It’s massive,” he said. “We are in this to make memories, to have those moments with the fans.
“As many as we can create and enjoy with the fans, that’s going to be very special for this club.
“The end of the game you can hear them singing about Wembley so we know they are going to be excited for it. That’s why I said for them to just be themselves and try to enjoy the occasion and we will try to bring our best to make these nights happy for everyone.
“In every game we go, we want to try to win. We understand the opposition and the level is very high, but we are going into every game with the confidence to try to win every one.”
