Charitable Leeds pay out to benefit everyone but themselves...was it all worth it?

As the dust settles on the Leeds United v Football League 15 point deduction saga, it has come to light that the club were ordered to pay the legal costs incurred by the league in defending the action. Without knowing the exact figures it is clear that these costs, added to United's own, will run into many thousands of pounds.

The failed action has served to highlight that the present administration rules regarding CVA's are far from satisfactory, and no doubt the Football League will now look to put measures in place so that HMRC and individual clubs come to a more suitable arrangement regarding Inland Revenue debt. Lord Mahwinney himself stated that '...discussions with HMRC will continue.' This will probably ensure that no other club incur the 25 point total penalty that Leeds United's administration cost them.

Luton Town, themselves at risk of a further 15 point deduction, are happy that Leeds United had the financial 'muscle' to challenge the decision and highlight the problem. Stephen Browne, director of LTFC2020, saying: 'If nothing else what it's done for all football clubs is it has gained a commitment from the Football League to clarify and write down rules for what the situation is.' It therefore appears that the Whites have been fighting a crusade which will ultimately only benefit other clubs.

So after all is said and done...was the appeal worth it? Give your opinion in our online poll.

'Et tu, Brute?' - Leeds must learn from fate of Julius Caesar

And here we were thinking that everyone was against us! Seemingly not... On the day that Leeds United's appeal against their 15 point deduction for breaching Football League insolvency rules was rejected, the 'black sheep' of football was welcomed back into the most disfunctional collective since the days of the Addams Family. Morticia Addams, today played by Football League chairman Lord Mahwinney, attempted to draw a wonky line under the whole sordid affair.

Her, sorry his, statement read: 'On behalf of the Board and the League I welcome the panel's findings in its entirety. It has found that the actions we took were reasonable and appropriate in these unprecedented circumstances and that we had the power to act as we did. Now I believe we should draw a line under the whole process.'

(It is unclear whether the next part of the statement was read with tongue in cheek) 'Leeds United are a valued member of the Football League family. We should all now get back to the business of football and enjoy the climax to what has already been an exciting season.'

So apparently all is well in the world again. Leeds United in the play-offs is sure to be a huge money-spinner for the Football League, and the rest of their 'family'. However, United and their supporters will not be taken in by their new found friends, for, as Julius Caesar found out to his cost, there are backstabbers in every 'family'. As we enter the play-offs it seems the siege-mentality that has served the club so well is our only real ally. Leeds United against the world is the order of the day. So, thank you for patronising comments Sir, but we'll take our chances on our own.

In an ideal world...do we want our points back?

English football has seen a media frenzy over Leeds United's battle to overturn the 15 point penalty imposed by the Football League for an alleged breach of insolvency regulations. With a huge amount of uncertainty regarding the outcome, and several League One teams potentially affected, what outcome would Leeds United fans prefer as the perfect end to one of the most eventful seasons in our history?

Should the arbitration panel decide in the Whites favour, and return the club's 15 points, United could be celebrating being crowned Champions next Saturday. However, if the Football League's penalty is upheld, Leeds would have to navigate through the play-offs, with a potential promotion-clinching performance at Wembley in May. So which scenario would give greatest satisfaction to United fans? The return of the points and the League title? Or, stuff the fifteen points, we'll go up despite them? Make your feelings known in our exclusive poll.

He who laughs last...time to dispatch Gillingham through the League One trap door

Leeds United's faultless seven game winning start to the 2007/08 league season came to an abrupt halt in a stormy encounter against Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium last September. Despite having both Jermaine Beckford and fellow striker Tresor Kandol red-carded, the nine men were closing out a 1-0 victory courtesy of a Seb Carole goal, when the Gills salvaged an added-time equaliser.

Gillingham's outspoken chairman, Paul Scally, had earlier felt the need to confirm his support of the Football League's unprecedented 15 point sanction against United for exiting administration without a CVA in place. 'I don't need to hide behind anonymity or a secret vote,' said Scally. 'I voted with the League's board and I think I was right to do so. I wasn't responsible for deciding whether Leeds should be punished, or what their punishment should be. Neither were any of the clubs. The board took that decision, and we were simply asked to back one party or the other using the evidence in front of us.'

'The League's explanation seemed very convincing to me and, to be honest, I thought Leeds United's case was really poor. I asked a couple of questions and got answers from Leeds which I felt were completely unsatisfactory. There wasn't any real doubt about which way I should vote.'

On Saturday Leeds United 'welcome' Paul Scally and his football club to Elland Road. The Gills currently occupy a relegation place and must win the game to have any chance of surviving the dreaded drop. Back in September Mr Scally must surely have thought that by supporting the 15 point deduction he was ensuring that his club would get another two big pay-days against the Whites next season. Should Leeds get their way, there will be two divisions separating the clubs come the end of May.

'It's been a crazy old season' for Jonny Howson and Leeds United

Leeds United's hard fought victory over Millwall at the New Den yesterday pushed the club closer to clinching the final all-important play-off place. Goals from David Prutton and Andy Hughes gave the Whites their 25th league win of the season, and showed that the players at least are totally focused with matters on the pitch.

Gary McAllister's side have now collected four wins from their last five matches, a sequence which has seen them play just one of those games at Elland Road. Leeds can confirm their place in the play-offs with a win at Yeovil Town on Friday evening. There would then be a real possibility that one of the clubs strangest ever seasons could end at Wembley.

Leeds born midfielder Jonny Howson, a key part of the new boss's side, believes the players now have the confidence to go all the way. 'It's been a crazy old season and it would be nice for me, but I'm not going to think about it too much until we get there,' he said. 'Our aim is to get out of this division no matter what and the more games we're winning the more you can see the team growing in confidence. When you aren't winning, you don't believe. You might not make a pass like you know you can and play safe instead. When you do get a few wins, you go to play the difficult passes and they come off. It is all about confidence. We had our bad patch just after Christmas and now we're coming into form. We're performing like we know we can.'

Even making the play-offs will be a phenomenal achievement considering that the club began the season 15 points adrift at the foot of the League One table. Should the arbitration decision go against Leeds there would be no sweeter moment than achieving promotion on one of the biggest stages in world football. The Football League gave United a mountain to climb the size of Everest, yet now the summit is very clearly in sight.

Four weeks until Leeds arbitration decision

The arbitration hearing into Leeds United's 15 point deduction could take up to four weeks to reach a verdict, according to a report on the Yorkshire Evening Post website. The independent tribunal had been expected to finish on Friday, with the verdict to be announced before Saturday's game at Millwall.

However, both parties final submissions are now due to be presented in London on Monday, and any decision could be delayed for another month, way past the end of the regular season. With the divisional play-offs due to take place in early May a quick decision is vital to prevent further chaos, confusion and disruption, in what has already been a long and drawn out process.

Unfortunately Leeds United fans have been all too accustomed to such delays and uncertainty over the past few years, and the coming weeks promise to be no exception! Once again it's all eyes on Leeds.

The most hated club in football? Who cares! Just give us our 15 points back...NOW!

The arbitration hearing into the validity of the 15 point deduction handed out to Leeds United finally swung into action in London today. The three-man independent tribunal is expected to reach a decision by the weekend, and already shockwaves are being felt throughout the footballing community.

Should the Football League be found to have acted in breach of the law the Whites could have all of their points returned, catapulting them into the automatic promotion places, and pushing many noses out of joint in the process.

Already rival teams are using the situation as a vehicle by which to vent their hatred of the club. Swansea City, who arrogantly celebrated 'promotion' at the weekend, may well have begun their party too early. Manager Roberto Martinez weighed into the 'Leeds United' debate spouting: 'I think they may get some points back. But it would be unfair from a football point of view if their position in the table suddenly changed and, if I’m honest, I can’t see that happening. Leeds are in a play-off position and I think they should stay in a play-off position. If anything else happens you won’t have heard the last of it because teams like Tranmere, Southend, Nottingham Forest, Doncaster, Carlisle and ourselves will all be affected. Everyone will take their own route and it would be a massive war.'

Leyton Orient manager Martin Ling had also been looking for a fight before his side began waving the white flag in their push for promotion, stating: 'Rest assured that if we finish sixth and lose the final play-off spot to Leeds on a courtroom appeal, we'd be straight back in court and the whole episode would drag on.' Unfortunately the O's are dropping faster than a stone and seemingly now lack the stomach for the battle.

Doncaster Rovers are another club experiencing 'squeaky-bum time' at the thought of Leeds being given back the points which are rightfully theirs, Dons Chief Executive Dave Morris saying: 'If Leeds are given all 15 points back we would have to look at the situation, as all the other clubs who have a chance of promotion will do. We would review our position then and at this stage are not sure what our options will be. Leeds agreed not to appeal against the 15-point deduction, but have gone ahead and done it.'

Should the arbitration hearing go against Leeds, a new and dangerous precedent will have been set. Recently both Luton Town and AFC Bournemouth have failed to exit administration with a CVA in place. Therefore both teams would begin next season, possibly in League 2, on minus 15 points, and in very grave danger of dropping out of the league altogether. Should that be the case few in Leeds will shed a tear. After all, both clubs were part of the Kangaroo Court which tried to strangle the life out of United earlier in the season. I wonder which way the two clubs would vote now?