Rob Conlon
@robconlon.bsky.social
Writer of words, talker of shite — @thesquareball.net, @realclass.co.uk
Subscribe to the free Real Class rugby league newsletter and podcast http://realclass.co.uk
Subscribe to the free Real Class rugby league newsletter and podcast http://realclass.co.uk
Reposted by Rob Conlon
Been back in the studio for the first Real Class podcast of the year, chatting all things Super League in 2026
open.spotify.com/episode/3y90...
open.spotify.com/episode/3y90...
We're back! Super League 2026 preview
open.spotify.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Been back in the studio for the first Real Class podcast of the year, chatting all things Super League in 2026
open.spotify.com/episode/3y90...
open.spotify.com/episode/3y90...
Been back in the studio for the first Real Class podcast of the year, chatting all things Super League in 2026
open.spotify.com/episode/3y90...
open.spotify.com/episode/3y90...
We're back! Super League 2026 preview
open.spotify.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Been back in the studio for the first Real Class podcast of the year, chatting all things Super League in 2026
open.spotify.com/episode/3y90...
open.spotify.com/episode/3y90...
Reposted by Rob Conlon
'“I used to hang out with [Amy Winehouse] and jam sometimes, late nights at her house, doing the exact same stuff that she was doing." Within months of Winehouse’s death, Gary Jarman had enrolled at a boxing gym.'
The Cribs’ Jarman Brothers on Their Love of Boxing
buff.ly/TVKu3mH
The Cribs’ Jarman Brothers on Their Love of Boxing
buff.ly/TVKu3mH
February 11, 2026 at 3:03 PM
'“I used to hang out with [Amy Winehouse] and jam sometimes, late nights at her house, doing the exact same stuff that she was doing." Within months of Winehouse’s death, Gary Jarman had enrolled at a boxing gym.'
The Cribs’ Jarman Brothers on Their Love of Boxing
buff.ly/TVKu3mH
The Cribs’ Jarman Brothers on Their Love of Boxing
buff.ly/TVKu3mH
Can only apologise for the shambles of last night’s Match Ball. Can’t promise this makes much more sense either.
Chelsea 2-2 #LUFC: Perfectly normal
The best compliment you can pay this Leeds team is that however fraught they make us feel, they have a handy knack of frying the brains of opposition players and managers much worse.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
thesquareball.net/leeds-united...
The best compliment you can pay this Leeds team is that however fraught they make us feel, they have a handy knack of frying the brains of opposition players and managers much worse.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
thesquareball.net/leeds-united...
Chelsea 2-2 Leeds United: Perfectly normal • The Square Ball
Seriously, Leeds. What the hell?!
thesquareball.net
February 11, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Can only apologise for the shambles of last night’s Match Ball. Can’t promise this makes much more sense either.
I make a little appearance in the final episode of this new podcast series on MF DOOM and how he ended up living in Leeds.
The soundtrack is by Matt Helders, so I'm counting it as fulfilling my childhood dream of collaborating with Arctic Monkeys.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The soundtrack is by Matt Helders, so I'm counting it as fulfilling my childhood dream of collaborating with Arctic Monkeys.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
MF DOOM: Long Island to Leeds - Introducing... MF DOOM: Long Island to Leeds - BBC Sounds
How did reclusive rap icon MF DOOM come to live in obscurity in the north of England?
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 4:00 PM
I make a little appearance in the final episode of this new podcast series on MF DOOM and how he ended up living in Leeds.
The soundtrack is by Matt Helders, so I'm counting it as fulfilling my childhood dream of collaborating with Arctic Monkeys.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The soundtrack is by Matt Helders, so I'm counting it as fulfilling my childhood dream of collaborating with Arctic Monkeys.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Rob Conlon
#LUFC 3-1 Notts Forest: Difference maker
A season of pleasant surprises has taken its latest twist: Keep Calm and Give It To Gruev.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
A season of pleasant surprises has taken its latest twist: Keep Calm and Give It To Gruev.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
Leeds United 3-1 Nottingham Forest: Difference maker • The Square Ball
A season of pleasant surprises has taken its latest twist: Keep Calm and Give It To Gruev.
thesquareball.net
February 9, 2026 at 7:17 AM
#LUFC 3-1 Notts Forest: Difference maker
A season of pleasant surprises has taken its latest twist: Keep Calm and Give It To Gruev.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
A season of pleasant surprises has taken its latest twist: Keep Calm and Give It To Gruev.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
Keep Calm And Give It To Gruev
February 6, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Keep Calm And Give It To Gruev
I had a nice day anyway, and obviously that's all that matters.
#LUFC 0-4 Arsenal: Keep it light
As far as significant results that will determine the course of Leeds United’s season go, another thumping at the hands of Arsenal is not one of them. Friday, on the other hand...
by @robconlon.bsky.social
thesquareball.net/leeds-united...
As far as significant results that will determine the course of Leeds United’s season go, another thumping at the hands of Arsenal is not one of them. Friday, on the other hand...
by @robconlon.bsky.social
thesquareball.net/leeds-united...
Leeds United 0-4 Arsenal: Keep it light • The Square Ball
As far as significant results that will determine the course of Leeds United’s season go, another thumping at the hands of Arsenal is not one of them.
thesquareball.net
February 2, 2026 at 6:31 PM
I had a nice day anyway, and obviously that's all that matters.
Good thinking. Nobody will ever figure we're after, say, a striker.
DF: "If I said we needed a No 8 (we don't), it alerts the selling club in our negotiations. No public statements from me on what I think we need. I can assess the window for you when it is closed. We are relaxed and happy we have Facundo here." #lufc
January 29, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Good thinking. Nobody will ever figure we're after, say, a striker.
Got to hand it to Nmecha, coming off the bench and scoring the winner while clearly pissed out of his head
January 17, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Got to hand it to Nmecha, coming off the bench and scoring the winner while clearly pissed out of his head
Reposted by Rob Conlon
Featuring my first article for about 4 years! So don't miss it!
The Square Ball: Season 36, Issue 05
On sale for Fulham tomorrow, 80 pages of #LUFC including:
- Discredited autobiographies
- Meeting Mat Klich
- Wilko in a beret
plus much more, like apologising to Brendy
Cover by Emily Tartanella
On sale for Fulham tomorrow, 80 pages of #LUFC including:
- Discredited autobiographies
- Meeting Mat Klich
- Wilko in a beret
plus much more, like apologising to Brendy
Cover by Emily Tartanella
The Square Ball: Season 36, Issue 05 • The Square Ball
This is the fifth issue of The Square Ball's 36th season and Leeds United's 2025/26 definitely-not-ending-in-relegation campaign.
thesquareball.net
January 16, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Featuring my first article for about 4 years! So don't miss it!
Reposted by Rob Conlon
The Square Ball: Season 36, Issue 05
On sale for Fulham tomorrow, 80 pages of #LUFC including:
- Discredited autobiographies
- Meeting Mat Klich
- Wilko in a beret
plus much more, like apologising to Brendy
Cover by Emily Tartanella
On sale for Fulham tomorrow, 80 pages of #LUFC including:
- Discredited autobiographies
- Meeting Mat Klich
- Wilko in a beret
plus much more, like apologising to Brendy
Cover by Emily Tartanella
The Square Ball: Season 36, Issue 05 • The Square Ball
This is the fifth issue of The Square Ball's 36th season and Leeds United's 2025/26 definitely-not-ending-in-relegation campaign.
thesquareball.net
January 16, 2026 at 4:52 PM
The Square Ball: Season 36, Issue 05
On sale for Fulham tomorrow, 80 pages of #LUFC including:
- Discredited autobiographies
- Meeting Mat Klich
- Wilko in a beret
plus much more, like apologising to Brendy
Cover by Emily Tartanella
On sale for Fulham tomorrow, 80 pages of #LUFC including:
- Discredited autobiographies
- Meeting Mat Klich
- Wilko in a beret
plus much more, like apologising to Brendy
Cover by Emily Tartanella
Do we have to enter the FA Cup every year?
January 11, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Do we have to enter the FA Cup every year?
Hate football. Absolutely hate it. Especially when it's objectively brilliant.
Newcastle United 4-3 #LUFC: How the other half live
One of the best and wildest games of football I’ve ever been to. Sitting on my hands in the home end, I hated every second.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
One of the best and wildest games of football I’ve ever been to. Sitting on my hands in the home end, I hated every second.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
Newcastle United 4-3 Leeds United: How the other half live • The Square Ball
One of the best and wildest games of football I’ve ever been to. Sitting on my hands in the home end, I hated every second of it.
thesquareball.net
January 8, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Hate football. Absolutely hate it. Especially when it's objectively brilliant.
Reposted by Rob Conlon
"If you’re going to kick anyone you’d want to kick Wayne Rooney or Gary Neville. I’d have been happy with either."
An oral history of January 3rd, 2010: Manchester United 0-1 #LUFC
thesquareball.net/leeds-united...
An oral history of January 3rd, 2010: Manchester United 0-1 #LUFC
thesquareball.net/leeds-united...
An oral history of January 3rd, 2010: Manchester United 0-1 Leeds United • The Square Ball
"Ankergren was diving around, Kisnorbo was headbutting people’s feet." The coaching staff, players, fans, and reporters remember a glorious day.
thesquareball.net
January 3, 2026 at 11:39 AM
"If you’re going to kick anyone you’d want to kick Wayne Rooney or Gary Neville. I’d have been happy with either."
An oral history of January 3rd, 2010: Manchester United 0-1 #LUFC
thesquareball.net/leeds-united...
An oral history of January 3rd, 2010: Manchester United 0-1 #LUFC
thesquareball.net/leeds-united...
Reposted by Rob Conlon
MATCHDAY MERCH
We'll have a big ol' merch table in the Lowfields Tunnel for tomorrow's #lufc match, so get down and get your Christmas shopping ticked off if you're heading to Elland Road!
Shopping bags provided if required also, like true bloody pros
We'll have a big ol' merch table in the Lowfields Tunnel for tomorrow's #lufc match, so get down and get your Christmas shopping ticked off if you're heading to Elland Road!
Shopping bags provided if required also, like true bloody pros
December 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
MATCHDAY MERCH
We'll have a big ol' merch table in the Lowfields Tunnel for tomorrow's #lufc match, so get down and get your Christmas shopping ticked off if you're heading to Elland Road!
Shopping bags provided if required also, like true bloody pros
We'll have a big ol' merch table in the Lowfields Tunnel for tomorrow's #lufc match, so get down and get your Christmas shopping ticked off if you're heading to Elland Road!
Shopping bags provided if required also, like true bloody pros
Reposted by Rob Conlon
Free to read from Issue 04 — My mate, Gary
When @brynlaw.bsky.social started covering #LUFC, he could always rely on his friend Gary Speed to help him out.
The mag will be on sale at Elland Road tomorrow.
thesquareball.net/leeds-united/my-mate-gary/
When @brynlaw.bsky.social started covering #LUFC, he could always rely on his friend Gary Speed to help him out.
The mag will be on sale at Elland Road tomorrow.
thesquareball.net/leeds-united/my-mate-gary/
My mate, Gary • The Square Ball
When Bryn Law started covering Leeds United, he could always rely on his friend Gary Speed to help him out.
thesquareball.net
December 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Free to read from Issue 04 — My mate, Gary
When @brynlaw.bsky.social started covering #LUFC, he could always rely on his friend Gary Speed to help him out.
The mag will be on sale at Elland Road tomorrow.
thesquareball.net/leeds-united/my-mate-gary/
When @brynlaw.bsky.social started covering #LUFC, he could always rely on his friend Gary Speed to help him out.
The mag will be on sale at Elland Road tomorrow.
thesquareball.net/leeds-united/my-mate-gary/
Reposted by Rob Conlon
Issue 04 has arrived and pre-orders are being posted out in time for Santa coming!
Stickers and mags of that #lufc '92 midfield. Glorious.
Get yours: thesquareball.net/shop/2025-26...
Stickers and mags of that #lufc '92 midfield. Glorious.
Get yours: thesquareball.net/shop/2025-26...
December 18, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Issue 04 has arrived and pre-orders are being posted out in time for Santa coming!
Stickers and mags of that #lufc '92 midfield. Glorious.
Get yours: thesquareball.net/shop/2025-26...
Stickers and mags of that #lufc '92 midfield. Glorious.
Get yours: thesquareball.net/shop/2025-26...
Reposted by Rob Conlon
Ⓝ TIRO ISSUE 1_NAPOLI Ⓝ
ON SALE NOW: a zine celebrating Napoli: the football, culture, and everything else in this incredible city, and football club.
Orders to ship from 12/12, also available in digital format!
SHOP HERE: shop.tirofootball.com/
ON SALE NOW: a zine celebrating Napoli: the football, culture, and everything else in this incredible city, and football club.
Orders to ship from 12/12, also available in digital format!
SHOP HERE: shop.tirofootball.com/
December 8, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Ⓝ TIRO ISSUE 1_NAPOLI Ⓝ
ON SALE NOW: a zine celebrating Napoli: the football, culture, and everything else in this incredible city, and football club.
Orders to ship from 12/12, also available in digital format!
SHOP HERE: shop.tirofootball.com/
ON SALE NOW: a zine celebrating Napoli: the football, culture, and everything else in this incredible city, and football club.
Orders to ship from 12/12, also available in digital format!
SHOP HERE: shop.tirofootball.com/
Reposted by Rob Conlon
ISSUE 04 | '92 MIDFIELD BUMPER SPECIAL
25 December is the birthday of our Lord and saviour, Gary McAllister, so what better way to celebrate than a magazine devoted to the midfield that defined #LUFC becoming the Last Champions?
PRE-ORDER: thesquareball.net/shop/2025-26...
25 December is the birthday of our Lord and saviour, Gary McAllister, so what better way to celebrate than a magazine devoted to the midfield that defined #LUFC becoming the Last Champions?
PRE-ORDER: thesquareball.net/shop/2025-26...
December 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM
ISSUE 04 | '92 MIDFIELD BUMPER SPECIAL
25 December is the birthday of our Lord and saviour, Gary McAllister, so what better way to celebrate than a magazine devoted to the midfield that defined #LUFC becoming the Last Champions?
PRE-ORDER: thesquareball.net/shop/2025-26...
25 December is the birthday of our Lord and saviour, Gary McAllister, so what better way to celebrate than a magazine devoted to the midfield that defined #LUFC becoming the Last Champions?
PRE-ORDER: thesquareball.net/shop/2025-26...
Reposted by Rob Conlon
#LUFC 3-1 Chelsea: Wash yer mouth out
The best thing I can say about Wednesday night is that I was still recovering on Thursday morning.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
The best thing I can say about Wednesday night is that I was still recovering on Thursday morning.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
Leeds United 3-1 Chelsea: Wash yer mouth out • The Square Ball
The best thing I can say about Wednesday night is that I was still recovering on Thursday morning.
thesquareball.net
December 4, 2025 at 4:17 PM
#LUFC 3-1 Chelsea: Wash yer mouth out
The best thing I can say about Wednesday night is that I was still recovering on Thursday morning.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
The best thing I can say about Wednesday night is that I was still recovering on Thursday morning.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob Conlon
Some news:
You've read all the facts about Leeds United you will ever need to know, now read the fiction.
I've written a coming-of-age novel about male friendship rooted in football & counterculture. It's called 'Days of Treacle'.
You've read all the facts about Leeds United you will ever need to know, now read the fiction.
I've written a coming-of-age novel about male friendship rooted in football & counterculture. It's called 'Days of Treacle'.
December 1, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Some news:
You've read all the facts about Leeds United you will ever need to know, now read the fiction.
I've written a coming-of-age novel about male friendship rooted in football & counterculture. It's called 'Days of Treacle'.
You've read all the facts about Leeds United you will ever need to know, now read the fiction.
I've written a coming-of-age novel about male friendship rooted in football & counterculture. It's called 'Days of Treacle'.
Reposted by Rob Conlon
#LUFC 1-2 Aston Villa: Creeping death
After all that has happened at Leeds over the last decade, I left Elland Road on Sunday reminded of just how little has changed.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
After all that has happened at Leeds over the last decade, I left Elland Road on Sunday reminded of just how little has changed.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
Leeds United 1-2 Aston Villa: Creeping death • The Square Ball
After all that has happened at Leeds over the last decade, I left Elland Road on Sunday astounded by just how little has changed.
thesquareball.net
November 24, 2025 at 12:19 PM
#LUFC 1-2 Aston Villa: Creeping death
After all that has happened at Leeds over the last decade, I left Elland Road on Sunday reminded of just how little has changed.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
After all that has happened at Leeds over the last decade, I left Elland Road on Sunday reminded of just how little has changed.
by @robconlon.bsky.social
Reposted by Rob Conlon
Still, good news about the ground redevelopment that's never going to happen.
November 23, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Still, good news about the ground redevelopment that's never going to happen.