Jermaine Beckford is a rare specimen in recent times. After the much publicised alleged 'poaching' of Leeds United Academy's elite youth team players by Roman Abramovich's Chelsea, Beckford has bucked the trend, being a product of the Chelsea Academy who is now serving United's frontline with distinction. His brace against Swindon Town at Elland Road last week put him in double figures in his first full season as the clubs number 9, and also hoisted him to the top of the League One goalscoring charts.
The 23 year old Londoner was snapped up by non-league Wealdstone after being released by Chelsea in 2003. He hit 35 goals in just 40 appearances during his time with the Stones and alerted the scouts of a number of Football League clubs including Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic, Sunderland, Southampton and Watford. But it was then Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell who won the race for the 6 ft 2 in striker in March 2006. After making his first team debut in the home defeat to Crystal Palace the same month, Jermaine found his first team opportunities limited, and joined Carlisle United on a month's loan deal. He scored on his debut and would make a total of four appearances before returning to Leeds to see out the remainder of the season.
The start of the 2006/07 season saw much upheaval at Elland Road, with shocking form on the pitch and a quick succession of managers off it. Soon after the appointment of Dennis Wise as permanent boss Beckford was sent out on loan again, this time to promotion-chasing Scunthorpe United of League One, for the remainder of the season. The striker flourished in his new surroundings, hitting 8 goals to help secure promotion for the Iron. But whilst Scunthorpe were heading up, Jermaine's parent-club Leeds United came crashing down to replace them, being placed into administration to boot.
An enforced transfer embargo throughout the majority of the close season meant Leeds were unable to buy or sell players, a situation which would ultimately prove crucial to Beckford remaining at the club. Had United not been operating under such restrictions it was highly likely that the striker would have had his move to Scunthorpe made permanent. However, the turmoil being endured at Elland Road was turning the tide to the young strikers advantage, suddenly he was becoming a key figure in the rebuilding of the side.
United's well documented 15 point deduction for breaching Football League rules in their exit from administration seemed to indicate that another dire season of struggle was ahead. But with a reborn Beckford spearheading United's frontline, the penalty was wiped out with five straight wins. Jermaine's first senior goal for the club came in the 4-1 hammering of Southend United at Elland Road. Goals continued to flow as did Leeds victories, culminating in the hitman's double to see off Swindon Town last weekend and propel the Whites into the top four. Jermaine will now surely be aiming for promotion, 20 league goals, and the coveted divisional golden boot to fulfil a unique personal hatrick.
