The great Muhammad Ali had a deep affinity with Leeds. An association that began after his mother Odessa bought him a membership of the Leeds United Supporters Club as a young boy led to him moving to the city following his exile from the United States of America for refusing to take up arms in the Vietnam War. Comparing Yorkshire folk favourably to the behaviour of those at home, he famously declared, "they never lynched you, never put dogs on you, never shot your leaders" as he quietly took up residence at 17 Belvedere Avenue, Alwoodley. It came as no surprise, then, when Roundhay Park was chosen as the venue for his fight against the late George Foreman, following the unavailability of Kinshasa due to the exorbitant demands of James Brown and his vocal troupe. With Bebop Deluxe and The Grumbleweeds deputising for Brown, the crowd was in a frenzy as Ali and Foreman took to the ring. Ali, adopting his legendary "rope-a-dope" strategy, emerged victorious from that scuffle, now immortalized as "The Lark in the Park."
Any attempts by Yorkshire Amateurs to adopt a similar strategy against Menston Rangers proved fruitless on a blustery Sunday in the park. There was plenty to play for in this semi-final of the League Cup, but the pitch, dry and uneven, did its best to hinder the enjoyment of contestant and supporter alike. Menston managed to gain an advantage as Macauley struck after a quarter of an hour and endeavoured to play their typical stylish football, with Imran and Fleming, in particular, looking assured. The opposition keeper kept out a couple of goalbound efforts and the first half ended with a traditional 1-0 to the Menston.
Playing downhill and with an unhelpful breeze, the second half was notable for a record number of throw-ins and little else. Both sides tried hard but a combination of the pitch and the elements meant there were few real opportunities. Barker, Casey and Hutchinson were towers of strength and when Texel was finally drawn into action, he produced a fine save to deny the 'Ammers a leveller. With time nearly up, Boughan got on the end of a Macauley cross to secure victory and a place in the final.
"It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am", said Ali as he left the Roundhay ring in 1974. The Menston players may not have uttered those words as they left the park this afternoon, but they are beginning to believe it.