Former Leeds skipper Jonny Howson hopes disappointed Whites fans will understand his decision to leave his hometown club.
The 23-year-old's £2million move to Norwich, which was completed on Tuesday, led to an angry demonstration by several hundred Leeds fans ahead of Saturday's home win over Ipswich over a perceived lack of investment in Simon Grayson's squad.
Howson, who would have been free to leave Leeds for nothing when his contract ran out in the summer, told the club's official website: "It makes it harder because when you see a reaction like that you realise you mean something to them, and you don't always realise.
"I was the club captain and from the area, but it was me that was still wanting to play in the Premier League and from the club's point of view I would have done the same thing if I was in their shoes.
"It was a case of getting something a few months before rather than nothing at all in the summer and if you look at it that way, rather than `homegrown lad who was captain' you understand it more."
Howson added: "This is the sort of chance that doesn't come around that often and it's a chance I feel I have to take while it's there."
Comment 1 - 15 of 15
As I keep saying until we start showing some ambition why should our better players and New players of Calibre want to come to Leeds?
IF NORWICH GO DOWN ITS FOR 1 OR 2 SEASONS, NOT LIKE LEEDS 8 OR 9 SEASONS.
norwich city is a better run club than leeds utd, always was, i am a leeds fan, but its true.
see you johnny on the way down the ladder.
Until were a premier league club all our best players will leave. Next to go will be Snoddy and Clayton. We can't pay premier leugue wages while in the championship.
all the best john i cannot blame you leaving
I`LL TELL YOU WHAT I UNDERSTAND MR HOWSON
YOU`VE JUST PUT YOUR CARRER ON HOLD AND IF YOU THINK MOVING TO NORWICH IS A STEP UP
WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AS FOR LOYALTY ! SO MANY THOUGHT THEY COULD DO BETER THAN LEEDS UNITED AND THEY DID NOT...... AS FOR KEN BATES IT DOES`NT MATTER WETHER YOU LIKE HIM OR NOT HE PULLED OUT OF THE S%&%T WHEN NO ONE ELSE WAS INTERESTED .SOME PEOPLE WOULD DO WELL TO REMEMBER THAT. LUFC MOT.
From what Jonny's saying here it sounds like he's certain we won't be promoted this season. Is that just a best guess based on the current squad and league position or does he have info we can only speculate about? Whichever it is the club will continue to do business in the same way.
Enjoy your pay rise Judas Howson
johnny howson, will be moving to a bigger club than norwich, they are just a stepping stone for him. hes young, talented and ambitious. good luck to him, and im sure we will still make the play offs. long way to go yet. MOT. alan, brighton. leeds
Big mistake lad, you could have waited and played prem football with a big club like Leeds, Norwich will be back in the championship within 2 seasons, at least when we get there we will maintain our position remember Leeds fans bates saved us from winding up. Love Leeds hate moron fans. MOT
Sad thing is, in a couple of years he will be playing against Leeds in the championship
Just like the other traitor playing for Leicester, who left to go to a bigger club!
The only tears that would be shed if Bates left would be tears of joy! Best of Luck me lad!
I fully agree with Tom, good luck Jonny.
No regrets Jonny lad, you owe Leeds and Bates nought. Time to move on and best of luck in your move. I hope it works out well for you.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account