Joe Gelhardt loving life at Leeds United as teen reflects on journey so far and future ambitions

By Lee Sobot
Published 16th Apr 2022, 04:45 BST
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Joe Gelhardt had big reservations about Elland Road upon his first steps inside Leeds United’s famous ground as a player.

In a Championship clash of February 2020, a 17-year-old Gelhardt was on the Wigan Athletic bench and the teenage forward was more than happy to stay there.

Gelhardt explained: “It’s the only one game where I’ve thought, ‘I don’t want to come on here’ because it was absolutely rocking.”

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The striker didn’t come on but Wigan Athletic still won although it didn’t stop the Latics from going down and the Whites from going up as champions.

ELLAND ROAD ERUPTS: Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt pounces to convert Raphinha's cross in the 94th minute of last month's Premier League clash against visiting Norwich City, his first home goal sealing an epic 2-1 victory. Picture by Tony Johnson.ELLAND ROAD ERUPTS: Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt pounces to convert Raphinha's cross in the 94th minute of last month's Premier League clash against visiting Norwich City, his first home goal sealing an epic 2-1 victory. Picture by Tony Johnson.
ELLAND ROAD ERUPTS: Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt pounces to convert Raphinha's cross in the 94th minute of last month's Premier League clash against visiting Norwich City, his first home goal sealing an epic 2-1 victory. Picture by Tony Johnson.

Then, come the summer, Gelhardt became a Leeds United player.

Two years on from wanting to stay on the Wigan bench, the irony is that Leeds United’s fans are now continually calling for the teen to be brought off the Whites one.

Times have certainly changed for the 19-year-old forward who is loving every minute of life at Leeds and now warmly embraces the motivational Elland Road roar.

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Casting his mind back to before his Whites move had even materialised, Gelhardt told the YEP: “The first time I went to Elland Road I was playing against them and that’s when I first experienced the atmosphere.