Leeds United have confirmed that tributes will be paid before and during our match with Swansea City a week tomorrow.

The official Leeds United website have confirmed that a series of tributes will take place on Saturday March 29th, the closest home game to the 25th anniversary of the killing of Kevin Speight and Chris Loftus.

The two Leeds fans were brutally murdered on the eve of Leeds Uniteds UEFA Cup semi final clash against Galatasary in Istanbul. The actual date of the killings falls on the same day as our away match at Luton Town. It is understood that dialogue is ongoing for some form of tribute at Kenilworth Road.

But the club have confirmed chairman Paraag Marathe will lay a wreath at the memorial plaque for the two men which is situated putside the Jack Charlton East Stand, before the game. There will be further wreath laying and a minutes applause before the game. Then in the 25th minute an image of the two fans shall be projected on the big screen to mark the quarter century since their passing.

No doubt like many, I cannot believe its been 25 years since the two men died. It is also confirmed that their relatives will attend the game.

The events of that night will remain vividly in the minds of those who were around in those days, especially those who attended the first leg in the Ali Sami Yen stadium and were in Istanbul when the tragedy took place.

I remember going to the second leg at Elland Road after two weeks of posturing, the Turks furious that UEFA backed our ban on Galatasary supporters for safety reasons, accusing us of trying to gain an advantage. In the end the game finished 2-2 on the night, Galatasary going through to the final 4-2 on aggregate and eventually winning the competition. Not that it mattered, its been said before and I'll say it again that nobody should go to a football match and never come home.

Justice for the two men was painfully slow too, with the original man charged Ali Demir convicted of murder in 2002. Initially sentenced to 15 years but he was freed on appeal in 2003 following a change in the law. Three other men were convicted and received sentences of ten, six and six year

Photo: Action Images

Leeds United Polls