A special moment unfolded at Elland Road as Leeds United icon Mick Jones received a unique honour on the pitch, and the club legend used the occasion to praise the Whites supporters as the “best in the country.”
The former striker was recognised during the club’s Premier League fixture against Brentford, with fans witnessing a special presentation celebrating his contribution to one of the most successful eras in Leeds history.
It marked the first time a former Leeds player had been awarded both a Lifetime Achievement Award and a Heritage Cap, creating a moment many supporters had never previously seen at the historic stadium.
Elland Road presentation honours Leeds icon
Jones, now 80, was welcomed onto the pitch at half-time where he was presented with the award by Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe.
The recognition celebrates a remarkable career in which the striker made 312 appearances and scored 111 goals for the club between 1967 and 1975.
Signed from Sheffield United F.C. by legendary manager Don Revie, Jones became a key figure in one of English football’s most formidable teams.
During that era, Leeds lifted multiple trophies including the First Division titles in 1968-69 and 1973-74, the 1972 FA Cup, the 1968 League Cup, and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups.
Jones even scored the decisive goal in the 1968 Fairs Cup final, securing the club’s first major European honour.
Mick Jones praises Leeds fans as “best in the country”
After receiving the award, the Leeds legend spoke emotionally about returning to Elland Road and the connection between the club and its supporters.
“Brilliant, I wish I was playing,” said Jones about the crowd’s energy. “There's something about Elland Road.
“We had a great team, great lads, the supporters here are the best in the country, there's no doubt about that. Just as good in our day as they are today.”
The comment drew huge applause inside the stadium, underlining the enduring bond between Leeds fans and the stars who defined the club’s golden era.
Elland Road remains one of English football’s most iconic venues. First opened in 1897, Elland Road has long been known for its intense atmosphere and passionate home support.
The stadium has hosted some of the most memorable moments in the club’s history, particularly during the Revie years when Leeds became one of Europe’s dominant sides.
Despite modernisation over the decades, the ground still retains the identity that helped make it famous, something Jones clearly still feels strongly about whenever he returns.
FGG Says
Moments like this show how important football heritage is to a club’s identity. Leeds could easily have kept the presentation quiet, but putting Jones front and centre at Elland Road allowed an entire generation of supporters to reconnect with the legends who built the club’s reputation.
With redevelopment and expansion plans often dominating stadium discussions today, celebrations like this are a reminder that history and atmosphere are just as important as bricks and seats when defining a football ground.