Nahki Wells has become somewhat of a pantomime villain for Leeds United supporters over the last 10 years.
Wells earned that nickname during stints at Bradford City and Huddersfield Town, and on Saturday afternoon, Bristol City will play Leeds for the fifteenth time in his career.
During that time, the 34-year-old has scored three goals against the Whites, the most recent of which was in January 2020 while playing for Queens Park Rangers.
Having scored both goals in Bristol City’s 2-2 comeback draw away at Stoke City on Tuesday, he probably has a lot of confidence going into this match.
Nevertheless, Leeds has a far better defensive record than Stoke this year, and in his pregame press conference, Robins interim manager Chris Hogg praised the Whites as a “top” team.
Wells on his ‘secret’ about Leeds
Wells’ tenure at Huddersfield Town, especially after scoring in a 4-1 victory away at Elland Road in 2016, is primarily to blame for the abuse he has experienced from Leeds fans.
Ahead of this afternoon’s meeting, Wells was questioned why his relationship with Leeds supporters is the way it is in an interview with the Yorkshire Post.
“False rumours” that he actually declined a move to Leeds in preference of joining Huddersfield Town, he feels, are the source of hatred.
Rather, Wells maintains that if given the option, he would have “jumped at the chance” to go to Leeds—a “secret” he has never previously shared with anyone.
“The last time I was at Elland Road, I hurt my ankle, limped around the field, and Leeds supporters threw themselves at me,” he added. However, I understand why people treat me badly. The Bradford connection, the Huddersfield connection, and the unfounded rumors that I had rejected Leeds are all there.
“It appeared that I had left Bradford for Huddersfield rather than Leeds, which didn’t go over well, but if only they knew the truth.” This has been my little secret—I didn’t even have the choice to turn Leeds down.
“As a student at Thomas Danby College in Leeds when I first arrived in England, I attended a match at Elland Road and was bowled over by the venue.”
“I’ve never said this before, and I won’t lie, I was struck by the first impressions and thought that I would really love to play for this club.”
They were in League One at the time, and I was jealous of them as I lived in the city and saw their players everywhere. It was not to be, even though I really wanted to play for Leeds.
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