Reading striker Shane Long has revealed that he supported Leeds United during his childhood.
Leeds, who were managed by Long's fellow compatriot David O'Leary at the turn of the century, had Irish internationals such as Gary Kelly, Ian Harte, and Robbie Keane in their ranks.
That Irish connection resonated with Long, and the former West Brom, Hull City and Southampton star built up an affection for Leeds as a result.
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"I was a Leeds United fan. It sounds a bit random, but when I was young, there were a lot of Irish [players] there," Long told Kay and Ash: Share Your Voice podcast.
"David O'Leary was manager, and they had Gary Kelly, Ian Harte - who I had the pleasure of playing alongside later in my career - and Robbie Keane so there was a bit of an Irish connection.
"I started following them and they ended up reaching the Champions League semi-finals and became an unbelievable team. That was my team as a kid."
All four of Long's meetings against Leeds ended in a draw, as he was left on the bench for Southampton's 1-0 win over the Whites last season.
But Long has fond memories of his first game at Elland Road as a 19-year-old for Reading in April 2006. The Royals were trailing 1-0 when Long replaced Kevin Doyle 12 minutes from time, and snatched a point via Stephen Hunt's 85th minute equaliser.
Despite Reading being guaranteed a place in the Premier League at the time, Long embraced the occasion, and fired a cheeky request towards one of his childhood heroes, Gary Kelly.
"In the first year when I came over here, I got to play at Elland Road which was incredible for me, being a Leeds fan," he said. "I asked our kit man - being shy and young - if he could ask their kit man for Gary Kelly's shirt, and he said no problem.
"Five minutes later, there was a knock at the door and the kit man said 'Shane, there's someone at the door for you.' I went out and Gary Kelly was standing there and we talked for about 20 minutes.
"It was just incredible that one of my idols had taken the time to come and speak to me and give me his shirt. It speaks volumes about the man and I still have that shirt."
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