Leeds United vs Newcastle United: Simon Jordan's Bold Claim Stirs Up a Fan Firestorm

Jordan’s Challenge to the Traditional View

During a lively talkSPORT segment, ex‑Premier League owner Simon Jordan dropped a bombshell: Leeds United is a bigger club than Newcastle United. He warned that his remark would infuriate Magpie supporters, and he wasn’t wrong. Jordan, who ran Crystal Palace for a decade, said the discussion should move beyond just ticket numbers and look at heritage and cultural footprint.

He pointed out that Leeds spent 17 years out of the top flight, yet still commands a fierce identity. "There are clubs that would look at Newcastle and say they’re smaller than Leeds," Jordan argued, sparking an immediate backlash on social media and fan forums.

Fans Dig Into the Numbers

Newcastle fans responded with a data‑driven counter‑attack. Their all‑time average attendance places them fifth among English clubs, while Leeds sits at 12th. The Magpies also hold several firsts: they were the first English side to average over 30,000 fans per game, later breaking the 50,000 mark, and they remain the highest‑average‑attendance club when relegated.

Leeds, by contrast, saw its average drop from about 28,000 in the first Championship season after relegation to roughly 22,000 the next year. Supporters of both teams used these figures to argue their side of the "bigger club" equation.

• Newcastle’s top‑flight attendance record: over 50,000 average.
• Leeds’ highest recent average in the second tier: 28,000.
• Newcastle ranks 5th all‑time in average attendance; Leeds ranks 12th.
• Both clubs have passionate global followings that extend beyond match‑day crowds.

The crux of the debate isn’t just numbers. Some fans argue that heritage – the stories, the rivalries, the community impact – outweighs pure attendance. Leeds supporters point to a century‑old rivalry with Manchester United and an iconic “Elland Road” atmosphere that has survived multiple promotions and relegations.

Newcastle fans, meanwhile, highlight the club’s role in revitalising the city’s economy after the recent takeover, the record‑breaking merchandise sales, and the cultural imprint of icons like Alan Shearer. They argue that a club’s size should factor in its influence on local identity and global brand.

In the end, Jordan’s comment turned a routine talk about club stature into a full‑blown saga of stats, sentiment, and soccer pride. Whether you side with the Magpies’ attendance pedigree or the Whites’ historic grit, the discussion underscores how personal football loyalties can shape what we consider "big" in the beautiful game.