Leeds United welcomes 'hero' Ukrainian boys football team to city

Since the Russian invasion began, Leeds has been twinned with Kharkiv, a city in north-eastern Ukraine just 20 miles from the Russian border.

A young football team of Ukrainian “heroes” have come to Leeds to play The Whites’ youth team as part of a visit organised by MP Alex Sobel.

Since the Russian invasion began, Leeds has been twinned with Kharkiv, a city in north-eastern Ukraine just 20 miles from the Russian border.

It has been a major target of Vladimir Putin, yet bravely continues to resist the tyrant’s invading forces.

Mr Sobel, the MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, has travelled to Ukraine several times, including in his role as Government trade envoy.

He has set up a charity, Leeds International Aid, and its first project is to bring Kharkiv’s under 15 boys football for a week in the city to train with United.

They started with a training session on Monday with Leeds and Sheffield United legend Brian Deane, who scored the Premier League’s first ever goal, and today will play the Whites’ under 15s at Boddington.

"We are incredibly proud to welcome these young players and their coaches to Leeds,” Mr Sobel said.

“The children of Kharkiv have lived through circumstances that no young person should ever have to experience, and we hope this visit gives them a week of friendship, enjoyment, and lasting memories.

“It was fantastic to join the team for Monday's training session with Leeds United legend Brian Deane. His support gave the players a special experience and was a brilliant way to begin their week in Leeds.

“Football has a unique ability to bring people together across borders, languages and cultures.

“This visit strengthens the growing friendship between Leeds and Kharkiv and proves that our support for the people of Ukraine stays steadfast.

“We're hoping to see loads of new Leeds United supporters in the city of Kharkiv and maybe the next project will be setting up a Leeds United supporters club in Kharkiv.

“It's part of our twinning arrangements and maybe Leeds United and Khakiv Metal can have their own twinning.”

Mr Sobel also paid tributes to the young Ukrainians, who he described as “heroes”.

“I went to Manchester Airport to meet the young people and the coaches and they were such a lovely group of people.

“They traveled 25 hours from Kharkiv to get to Manchester, and then the motorway was closed on the way back to Leeds.

“These kids will have been born not long before … the war in the Donbas started, which is very near Kharkiv.

“Their families chose to stay in Kharkiv. Kharkiv is called, by President Zelensky, by the Ukrainian people, hero city, the hero city of Kharkiv.

“These young people are heroes. They've lived through war all of their you know conscious life.

The fact that they're coming over here … I think it's a great thing.

“Leeds took in 1,400 families when the full-scale invasion started. This is just part of that ongoing commitment.”

Mr Sobel thanked the organisations that made the visit possible. Jet2 paid for the flights, while student accommodation provider, Unipol, has given them a place to stay for free.

Leeds United and the club’s foundation have also donated to the trip.