Leon Constantine - Leeds United No.10

Leon Constantine's first few months at Leeds United could hardly have been more frustrating, both for the player and the club. After announcing he was to leave Port Vale at the end of last season Leon was linked with a number of clubs, but agreed a contract in principle with Leeds whilst the club was still in Administration. He was one of the group of players who paid out of his own pocket to take part in the pre-season programme in uncertain times for everyone connected with the club. By the time Constantine officially signed for United on their exit from Administration, the player had incurred a complex ankle injury in the friendly at Slovan Liberec which would keep him out of the teams 13 match unbeaten league start.

The 29 year old Londoner made his first and only appearance for Millwall in September 2000. After undertaking brief loan spells at Leyton Orient and Partick Thistle he moved to Brentford in August 2002. But, after failing to establish himself, Leon joined Southend United a year later, and began to show his true capabilities. The 6ft 2in marksman hit 21 goals in his first and only season before rejecting a new contract and moving to Peterborough United. After only 11 games, yielding 1 goal, Constantine joined Torquay United in December 2004 for a club record fee of 75,000 pounds.

After 42 games producing 10 goals Leon was on the move once more, this time to Port Vale, where he hit a rich vein of form. Last season he became the first Vale player to hit 18 goals prior to Christmas. Despite finishing the season with 26 goals in all competitions he became a target of the boo-boys, who questioned his overall work rate. The abuse clearly affected Constantine, saying at the time, 'I have never been at a club where I have scored goals and heard the crowd boo.' He decided to seek pastures new, and Leeds boss Dennis Wise made his move.

To date Leon's career has been filled with ups and downs, success and failure in equal measure. However, his strike rate at both Southend United and Port Vale speaks for itself, 115 games producing 53 goals overall. The early season form of Tresor Kandol and Jermaine Beckford, added to the performances of the team as a whole, have reduced the pressure on the Leeds backroom staff to rush Constantine into the fray. However, he is now stepping up his training regime and his official first team debut does not look too far away, providing some healthy competition up front. League 1 run for cover, Dennis Wise is about to add another weapon to his artillery.

LUFC Trivia: European Attendance Record

The European Cup Semi-Final of 1970 between Celtic and Leeds at Hampden Park was watched by a record attendance for a European Club Competition game. A staggering 136,505 supporters witnessed the occasion, a record which still stands today and is unlikely ever to be beaten!

And The Whites Go Marching On!

There's never a dull moment at Elland Road and scarcely a day goes by without United being all over the media. The last few days have seen Gus Poyet confirm his exit to Spurs, Dennis Wise receiving a 3 game touchline ban for his part in the Gillingham controversy, not to mention a comprehensive 'thumping' of a Millwall side who showed more fight on the match day buses than their team did on the pitch.

It has also been confirmed that Leeds first ever appearance in the First Round of this seasons F.A. Cup, which is also our first meeting away at Hereford United, has been brought forward to Friday 9th November and will be shown live on Sky. The away league game at Southend United will now be played on Monday 28th January 2008 having also been selected for live coverage. Amazingly it will mark United's first league appearance in front of the live TV cameras in a season which they have so far been the dominant force of the division, yet have been mysteriously snubbed in favour of the lesser-lights of the Football League.

Meanwhile ex-England International Ray Wilkins has emerged as the front runner to fill the vacant assistant manager role at Leeds, after previously working alongside Wise during his spell as manager of Millwall.

Leeds 4 Millwall 2

Despite the expected departure of Leeds assistant boss Gus Poyet it was business as usual at Elland Road yesterday as the team swept aside struggling Millwall with a burst of 3 goals in 8 second half minutes. An excellent half-volley by David Prutton had put United in front by the interval and was no more than the side deserved.

Early in the second period the lead was doubled after Tresor Kandol charged down a kick from Millwall keeper Lenny Pidgeley. Jermaine Beckford won the race to the loose ball an side-footed home his 7th league goal of the season. United then went for the jugular as captain Jonathan Douglas hooked home the third. Douglas himself then completed the rout with a well taken free kick to send the Kop wild.

Millwall did hit back with goals from Will Hoskins and Ahmet Brkovic but United were not to be denied and duly extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches, hoisting themselves up into 6th place in the table. Leeds are now just 4 points behind new leaders Carlisle United and the two sides meet at Brunton Park next weekend. Acting assistant boss Alan Thompson was not getting carried away. 'Who would have believed it 13 games in?' he said. 'But there's a long way to go and we're only a third of the way through, so we'll see.'

Meanwhile Leeds were drawn away at League 2 outfit Hereford United in the first round of the F.A. Cup with the tie to be played on the weekend of 10th November.

Billy Bremner - Simply The Best

For the last fortnight visitors to GloryGloryLeedsUnited.com have been voting for the clubs 'Greatest Ever Scotland International.' It's fair to say that from the very first vote being cast the result was never in any doubt. Despite some outstanding competition the late, great Billy Bremner stormed to a deserved landslide victory, receiving an awesome 84% of the total votes cast. The legendary fighting spirit and 'never say die' attitude of Don Revie's midfield general cemented his position as Leeds United's Greatest Player of All-Time, with the statue erected in his honour outside Elland Road regarded as a shrine by Leeds fans the world over.

The Sky's The Limit!

After a whirlwind first 12 games of the season the League table is now taking shape. Notwithstanding Leeds much publicised 15 point deduction, we still find ourselves well positioned for a strong promotion push, and possible Championship tilt. As the first quarter of the season is behind us it's time to consider where, ultimately, the Whites might finish come next May.

Mid-Table - On the eve of the season Leeds fans everywhere would have gleefully accepted comfortably avoiding relegation to the old Division 4 after incurring a mountainous 15 handicap on the rest of the field. But, after the deficit was wiped out in the fastest possible time, the expectations of the fans were already rising. Mere survival would now surely be an anti-climax after a start that has indicated much more promise.

Top 6 - Despite negotiating the first 12 league games and emerging with our unbeaten record intact, the common feeling is that performances have yet to hit a level at which would suggest United dominating the division. The first priority is always to be solid and resilient, picking up points along the way. Boss Dennis Wise has instilled a strong work-ethic throughout his squad, a quality sadly lacking for so long at Elland Road. As we now find ourselves within one win of 4th place, a top 6 finish seems achievable. The key to making the play-offs and beyond will be how the side react to the inevitable poor run.

Play-Off Winners - The ultimate aim for the club is to bounce back to the Championship at the first attempt. To achieve that via a run out at the new Wembley would be a special day in the history of the club. However, with recent and not-so-recent play-off heartache still a vivid memory, the emotional roller-coaster of a 'Winner Takes All' clash would once again push the nerves of the United faithful to the limit.

Runners-Up - Automatic promotion and extra time for the management team to plan ahead for an assault on the Championship would provide an ideal scenario. However, a huge return of points would still be required from the remainder of the season. Much will depend on form, injuries, suspensions, and whether Dennis Wise can strengthen his squad with the right quality during the January transfer window.

Champions - The dream outcome, two-fingers up to the each and every club who stuck the knife in at a time when we were on our knees. A statement to the rest of football that United are back. Obviously no-one is under any illusions that winning the title will be easy, but the incredible start has already lifted expectations to a near ridiculous level. Performances will need a significant improvement, but based on our progress so far anything is possible. Dare we even dream?

So there it is, 5 potential outcomes to one of the most unique seasons in our history. The question is, where do YOU think it will all end next May?

Leeds Boss Dennis Wise - 1 Year On

It's one year ago tomorrow since Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet agreed to take over as the Leeds United management team at Elland Road.

Its fair to say that Leeds fans were very sceptical when chairman Ken Bates brought them in. Fear and paranoia were rife amongst a battered and bruised club support who were convinced that the 'Chelsea' connection was a conspiracy to oversee the final demise of our great club.

My initial reaction to Dennis's appointment was one of cautious optimism. Whatever your opinion about Wise he has been successful where ever he has gone - as player and manager. He also has huge drive and fighting qualities which were desperately needed by a club sinking fast into the abyss.

The fact that the management team were unable to stop our relegation did put doubts in my mind that maybe the appointment was not going to work out. However, it is clear that the situation last season was impossible from the moment Dennis walked through the door. It was bad enough in the Premiership leaking 6 goals at Portsmouth, but shipping in 5 to Luton in the Championship? The woeful dressing room situation resulting from previous boss Kevin Blackwell's reign was like a cancer. The club lurched from one crisis to another, from a mole with a leaked team sheet to a captain who asked to abandon ship.

Then followed the most horrendous summer in our or anyone elses history. It would have been so easy for Dennis and Gus to walk away on several different occasions. It was unclear, right up until the eve of the season, whether we would even have a team to support at Tranmere Rovers on the opening day. I remember going to the pre-season game at York thinking it might be our last ever game.

Therefore the blistering start the team have made this season under the most extreme circumstances is quite unbelievable. What a joy it is to be anticipating a possible win every week, after the seemingly endless torment of the last few years. Consecutive Manager of the Month awards speak volumes about the huge job Wise and Poyet have already done, and continue to do.

I for one will be raising a glass to Dennis and Gus tomorrow. Well done lads, thank you for turning our great club around in the last 12 months.

LUFC Trivia: FA Cup Final First

Legendary South African winger Albert Johanneson became the first black player to appear in the FA Cup Final when he lined up in the 1965 showpiece event for Leeds against Liverpool.

United's Kandol Burning Brightly

Striker Tresor Kandol celebrated signing an improved contract during the week by bundling home yet another late winner, snatching all 3 points from a tricky away clash against Brighton and Hove Albion. United had lost both previous meetings at the Withdean, an athletics track disguised as a football stadium, but it proved to be a case of third time lucky as the team's surge up the table continued.

A forgettable encounter was settled by a catalogue of errors in the Brighton defence on 79 minutes. Fraser Richardson's right wing cross should have be little problem for Adam El Abd, but the defender somehow sliced his attempted clearance goalwards. Keeper Michael Kuipers flung out his right hand but could only parry the ball into the path of Kandol, who had ghosted between two statuesque Brighton defenders to usher the ball over the line, much to the delight of United's travelling support.

The significance of the victory was not lost on Tresor. 'It's one of the most important games we've had this season.' he said. 'We had to get something out of it and we had to battle all the way through. We're not ready to give up until the whistle goes.' Assistant boss Gus Poyet was also pleased to see Kandol banish the memory of his Elland Road penalty miss the weekend before. 'I was happy to see Tresor scoring again,' added Gus. 'He needed it and the whole team was pleased for him.'

Tresor Secures Win No.10

Kandols-Goal - Get Video Code

Leon Set For Leeds Lift-Off

Leeds boss Dennis Wise has been boosted by the news that striker Leon Constantine is on target to feature with the first team for what promises to be a busy November. Striker Constantine, who hit 26 goals for Port Vale last season, has yet to make his competitive debut after breaking his ankle in a pre-season friendly at Czech side Slovan Liberec in July. His rehabilitation has been slower than expected but his impending return could not be better timed given the continuing worries surrounding the fitness of Norwegian Tore Andre Flo.

'Leon's now doing ball-work and isn't that far away. It's going to be good when he comes back. He's a very good footballer and a very good goalscorer in this division and I'm going to have more choice then,' Wise said. 'At the moment it's fallen into place with Kandol and Beckford, and that's panned out well. But we're bound to get injuries, suspensions and bad form, and a lot will depend on how we get through that.'

Meanwhile, Wise has told another long-term absentee, midfielder Shaun Derry, to go out on loan to increase his fitness. Derry, who has one year left on his current contract, has been out since January with an Achilles injury and at present does not feature in the manager's long term plans. 'He isn't going to play at the present moment here,' Wise said. 'He needs to go out on loan when he's fit, get fit, come back and we'll take it from there really.'

Wise Plans Ahead

Leeds boss Dennis Wise has consistently avoided all talk of the possibility of promotion from League One ever since United incurred a 15 point handicap on the eve of the new season. However, he has now given the first indication at the extent of his ambitions, by revealing that his approach to the January transfer window will focus around the possibility of starting next season in the Championship.

After defying all the odds and beginning the current campaign with an 11 game unbeaten run the club due not anticipate an extensive influx of signings, with any new acquisitions likely to be dictated by injuries, suspensions and lack of form. Instead Wise is considering what may lie beyond the end of the season, stating 'I will be looking at players who are well capable at the next level as well.'

Meanwhile, the racehorse 'Minus Fifteen', named by owner Steve Parkin after United's points deduction, is set for his first appearance later this week. The 2 year old maiden is due to make his flat debut in Friday's 1.30 at Newmarket, with his performance likely to be watched with keen interest by Leeds supporters across the country.

LUFC Trivia: Don Revie & The Gypsy

In 1971 Don Revie summonsed a Gypsy from Scarborough to Elland Road in order to exorcise a curse which he believed was hanging over the ground and bringing the team bad luck during crucial matches!

No Goal! Conclusive Proof!

Ankergren's wonder save keeps Leeds unbeaten

Carole Preserves United's Unbeaten Run

As the dust settles on a controversy packed match at Elland Road yesterday, in which United passed up a golden opportunity to take all 3 points, there was a huge sense of relief at least managing to escape with their unbeaten league record intact. Prior to the game boss Dennis Wise had expressed his concerns that Leeds might not get a fair crack of the whip from match official Nigel Miller, but it was the Whites themselves who benefitted from some less than convincing decisions.

Leyton Orient arrived at Elland Road on the back of a poor recent run, but as is usually the case with visiting teams they managed a huge improvement for their appearance against Leeds. And when the O's Sean Thornton curled a ninth minute free-kick over the outstretched hand of Casper Ankergren United's worst fears were confirmed.

However, the goalscorer was soon taking an early bath after leading with his elbow in a challenge with Seb Carole and being shown a straight red card, much to his apparent disbelief. Leeds quickly took control of the game and the equaliser arrived in the 55th minute courtesy of an excellent angled strike from Carole. With 10 minutes remaining Seb was again at the centre of the action when he went down tamely after a shove from Paul Terry and was awarded a dubious penalty.

Tresor Kandol was in immediate possession of the ball, but duly dispatched his spot kick high into a despairing Kop. The miss sparked Orient into a spate of frenzied attacks, and it looked to have paid dividends when a shot from Adam Boyd squirmed under Ankergren's body. The ball clearly crossed the line before Casper clawed it back, but the official waved play on and United boss Wise was counting his good fortune. 'I haven't seen whether the ball was over the line but if it was, we've had a bit of luck. We didn't have much luck last season so these things even themselves out'

Leyton Orient Preview

At first glance Leeds United fans might feel pretty bullish about the prospect of facing a Leyton Orient team who's recent form has crashed dramatically at Elland Road tomorrow. However, the management team of Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet will be only to aware that the O's have won four out of five on the road this season, taking 12 points from a possible 15, a record bettered only by United themselves.

That being said, Orient's long-serving manager Martin Ling will have had his work cut out restoring the confidence so obviously dented by 3 recent damaging defeats. After losing 3-1 at struggling Gillingham he then saw his side crushed 5-0 at home by Swansea City. The midweek home defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge resulting in their exit from the Johnstone's Paint Trophy will have done little to arrest the slide.

Meanwhile, Leeds have continued to snatch results at the death despite never really hitting top gear at any stage so far. An interesting match up is given even more spice by the appointment of referee Nigel Miller. The official was involved in a high profile bust-up with Dennis Wise at Southend last season after appearing to award United a last minute penalty and then inexplicably reversing the decision. The Leeds boss has had a plea to change the referee rejected.

A storm in a tea-cup, or something else more sinister? All will be revealed by 5pm tomorrow.

Leeds Youth Commit to United

The feel-good factor around Elland Road was further boosted yesterday with the news that five young guns have agreed contract extensions with the club. Striker Jermaine Beckford has played a pivotal role in United's success so far this season, hitting the back of the net on a regular basis and providing a real touch of class up front. Jermaine, who is flourishing in the new found confidence being shown in him, has signed improved terms up until 2010. The marksman can now focus on leading the charge towards the top of the table, with the opportunity to write his own piece of Leeds United history.

No less important was the news that four of the club's most promising youngsters have also committed themselves to extended deals. Jonny Howson, Rob Bayly, Ben Parker and Scott Gardner have all featured in the first team this season and are tipped for bright futures in the game. Suddenly a squad that was practically non-existent a week before the campaign began is now beginning to show much more strength in depth, a factor that will be crucial as we head towards an important time where injuries and suspensions will inevitably come into play.

The only dark cloud was the news that Tore Andre Flo has again undergone surgery to try and resolve his long standing foot injury. Flo made another fleeting cameo appearance from the bench against Yeovil last Saturday, but will now begin further rehabilitation with a view to coming back into contention prior to the busy Christmas period.

Leeds United All-Time Scotland 11

Harvey

Matteo McQueen Gray F

Strachan McAllister Bremner Collins Gray E

Lorimer Jordan

Leeds United have been blessed with several World Class Scottish Players over the years, in the midfield in particular. Bobby Collins was the man entrusted by Don Revie to instigate the initial rise to glory from the old Division 2. The team fell just short of an amazing double in the first season of top flight football, missing out on the title only by goal difference and losing in the 1965 FA Cup Final. Bobby went on to make 31 appearances for his country scoring a remarkable 10 goals along the way.

Billy Bremner then captained the most successful team in the clubs history, winning the League twice, the FA and League Cups and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups. The club were runners-up on countless other occasions, most notably in controversial circumstances in the European Cup Final of 1975, the European Cup Winners Cup Final of 1973 and the FA Cup Final Replay in 1970. Billy later managed Leeds, coming within a whisker of promotion in 1987 whilst reaching the FA Cup Semi Final in the same season. He made 54 appearances for Scotland scoring 3 goals.

Alongside Billy during that Golden Era were Peter Lorimer and Eddie Gray. Peter, renowned for having the hardest shot in football, became United's youngest ever player when making his debut as a schoolboy at just 15. He went on to become the clubs record goalscorer, managing a phenomenal 238 in two spells at the club. Peter represented his country on 21 occasions, scoring 4 goals.

Eddie Gray was one of the most exciting players ever to wear the famous all-white strip, terrorising opposition full backs with his pace and clever thought, producing one of the finest exhibitions of wing play at the 1970 FA Cup Final at Wembley. In another memorable game against Burnley he scored two of the greatest ever Leeds United goals. Due to poor luck with injuries Eddie made just 12 appearances for his country, scoring 3 goals.

Gordon Strachan like Bobby Collins before him was a catalyst for promotion. Brought in by manager Howard Wilkinson, Strachan captained Leeds to the Second Division title in 1990. The following season saw the team secure 4th place, with Gordon receiving the accolade of 'Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.' However, his greatest triumph was yet to come, steering United to the League title for the 3rd time in their history. He made 50 appearances for Scotland, scoring 5 goals.

Lucky 13 for United

The Leeds United bandwagon showed no sign of derailing this evening despite manager Dennis Wise resting several key players for the game at Darlington in the second round Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Promising young defender Paul Huntington marked his first start for the club with the only goal of the game to book the Whites a place in the northern area quarter final.


It was United's third 1-0 victory in 8 days and further boosted the clubs terrific record this campaign. They have now recorded 11 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss from 13 competitive matches, scoring 21 goals and conceding just 7 in the process.

Casper Leeds The Way

Super Stopper Casper Ankergren has added to Leeds United's growing collection of awards by being named Coca Cola League 1 Player of the Month for September. The accolade, added to striker Tresor Kandol's award for August and boss Dennis Wise's back-to-back Manager of the Month successes, have provided a clean sweep of League 1's honours for the Elland Road club so far this season.

The Great Dane conceded only one goal during the month, the last minute equlaiser at Gillingham where United had battled on with only nine men. Chairman of the award panel (and 1990 promotion hero) Chris Kamara said 'Casper Ankergren's outstanding form in the Leeds United goal is one of the main reasons why Dennis Wise's side have enjoyed such a terrific start to the season...if Casper and his defenders can maintain this sort of form there is no reason why Leeds cannot realistically think about promotion this season.'

A notable omission from the nominations was Rui Marques, who has been an absolute rock at the heart of the United defence so far, and one of the major reasons behind Ankergren's award today.

De Vries Breaks Yeovil Hearts

For the second time in 5 days Leeds snatched a late victory as Mark De Vries marked his home debut with the winner against a distraught Yeovil Town. With the game seemingly heading for a draw De Vries rose high a the far post to convert a Jonathan Douglas cross and send the crowd into raptures. It was tough look on a stubborn Yeovil outfit who had been undaunted by their first ever appearance at Elland Road, but left without reward.

Leeds seemingly magical quality of scoring priceless late goals has helped overturn a 15 point deficit and power them up the table. They now stand just 6 points from the summit after an incredible opening to the season, having taken 28 points from a possible 30. And with deposed leaders Leyton Orient suffering a 5-0 hammering at home to Swansea City, next weekend clash with the O's cannot come around quickly enough.

Boss Dennis Wise was keeping his feet firmly on the ground. 'I always wait for the moment when it goes bad' he said. 'My first aim is to get us safe. You're always going to get a sticky spell. Then we've got to catch the next group. I won't even think or talk about anything more than that.'

Glory Glory Leeds United (2007)

Manchester can rave about the Taggart and the Sven
And there's Liverpool and Arsenal and Spurs and all the rest
But let us sing the praises of the lads we love the best
As Leeds go marchin' on

Glory, glory Leeds United
Glory, glory Leeds United
Glory, glory Leeds United
They're the greatest football team in all the land

Risdale and his goldfish put us in Division 3
Then the Football League community deducted us 15
They chopped poor Wisey's balls off and they hung ‘em from a tree
But Leeds go marchin’ on

Glory, glory Leeds United
Glory, glory Leeds United
Glory, glory Leeds United
They're the greatest football team in all the land

Now just the 9 wins later and they don’t look quite as smug
Thought they could kill the Whites off but forgot to pull the plug
The rest of English football thinks were just a bunch of thugs
But Leeds go marchin’ on

Glory, glory Leeds United
Glory, glory Leeds United
Glory, glory Leeds United
They're the greatest football team in all the land

We’ll soon be back on top and then when Rooney plays in Leeds
You’ll have to lock your gran up cos its loving that he needs
We’ll open up the brothels so that Shrek can sew his seeds
As Leeds go marchin on

Glory, glory Leeds United
Glory, glory Leeds United
Glory, glory Leeds United
They're the greatest football team in all the land

Glory, glory Leeds United
Glory, glory Leeds United
Glory, glory Leeds United
They're the greatest football team in all the land

Wise 'Top Dog' Again

Dennis Wise today scooped the League 1 Manager of the Month award for the second month in a row as Leeds' formidable charge up the table continued unabated. Following the last gasp win at Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night it's clear that the Gillingham 'blip' is now consigned to history, with the players and fans eagerly awaiting our next encounter - a first ever league meeting at home to Yeovil Town at Elland Road on Saturday.

The game should see both Jermaine Beckford and Tresor Kandol return to the starting line-up after serving their one match suspensions following the double dismissal at the Priestfield Stadium. The fall-out from those events rumbles on as manager Dennis Wise today requested a meeting with Referee chief Keith Hackett over allegations that he was sworn at by match official at the end of the game.

Wise and Poyet will be looking to plot the downfall of a solid Yeovil team who have themselves started the season well and boast an impressive record of 3 wins from 4 on their travels so far. But Leeds are the in-form team of the Football League having won 8 from 9 so far, whilst showing the impressive trait of grinding out results late on, and will be confident of putting Yeovil to the sword on Saturday to set up nicely the visit of top of the table Leyton Orient 7 days later.

Risdale's Legacy - Division 3

Gerald Krasner, an insolvency specialist, led a consortium of local businessmen which took over Leeds and under his chairmanship oversaw the sale of the clubs' assets, including senior and emerging youth players of any value. Caretaker manager Gray was largely blameless for the performance of the team during the 2003-04 season as the majority of the squad was sold out from underneath him and despite his best efforts, Leeds were relegated after 14 years in the top flight. Following relegation, Gray's reign as caretaker manager was terminated, and Kevin Blackwell was appointed manager. Most of the remaining players were sold or released on free transfers to further reduce the wage bill. Leeds were eventually forced to sell both their training ground, for £4.2m, and their Elland Road stadium in the autumn of 2004.

The board finally sold the club to Ken Bates for £10m. Blackwell stabilized the team by signing players on free transfers and low wages and Leeds finished the 2004-05 season mid-table in the Championship. In the 2005-06 season Leeds finished in the top 6 and made the promotion playoff final, which they lost to Watford. On 10 September 2006, Kevin Blackwell announced that within a year the club would be debt-free. However, the 2006-07 season started badly and on 20 September 2006 Kevin Blackwell's contract as manager of Leeds United was terminated. Dennis Wise was eventually installed as his replacement after a month without a permanent manager, but was unable to lift the team out of the relegation zone for much of the season, despite bringing a number of experienced loan players into the squad . With relegation virtually assured, Leeds entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement (administration) on 4 May 2007, thus incurring a league imposed 10 point deduction which officially relegated the club to the third tier of English football.

The CVA was due to end on 3 July 2007 which would have allowed Bates to regain full control of the club. However HM Revenue & Customs challenged the CVA, a decision which could ultimately have resulted in the liquidation of the club. Under league rules, if the club were still in administration at the start of the next season, Leeds would have been prevented from starting their campaign by the Football League. Following the challenge by HMRC, the club was put up for sale by KPMG, and once again Ken Bates' bid was accepted. The league eventually sanctioned this under the "exceptional circumstances rule" but imposed a 15 point deduction due to the club not following football league rules on clubs entering administration. On 31 August 2007 HMRC decided not to pursue their legal challenge any further.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Promotion, Champions, Champions League

In October 1988, with the team 21st in the Second Division, Bremner was fired to make way for Howard Wilkinson, who oversaw promotion back to the First Division in 1989-90. Under Wilkinson the club finished 4th in 1990-91 and then won the title in 1991-92. However, the 1992-93 season was a poor one, with Leeds exiting the Champions League in the early stages, and eventually finishing 17th in the League, narrowly avoiding relegation. Wilkinson's Leeds were unable to provide any consistent challenge for honours, and his position was not helped by a poor display in the 1996 League Cup final which Leeds lost to Aston Villa. Leeds could only finish 13th in 1995-96, and after a heavy home defeat to Manchester United early in 1996-97, Wilkinson had his contract terminated.

Leeds appointed George Graham as Wilkinson's replacement. The appointment was controversial as Graham had previously received a one year ban from the The Football Association for receiving illegal payments from a Football Agent. Graham made some astute purchases, and by the end of the season Leeds had qualified for the following season's UEFA Cup. In October 1998 Graham moved on to become manager of Tottenham Hotspur, and Leeds opted to replace him with assistant manager David O'Leary. O'Leary introduced promising youngsters, and under the coaching of Eddie Gray Leeds secured 3rd place in the league, sending the club into the UEFA Champions League. Unfortunately, Leeds' image was tarnished when players Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer were involved in an incident which left an Asian student in hospital with severe injuries. The resulting courtcase took nearly two years to resolve; Bowyer was cleared, and Woodgate convicted of affray and sentenced to community service.

In the UEFA Cup, Leeds reached their first European semi-final in 25 years and were paired against Turkish champions Galatasaray in Istanbul. Leeds lost the game, but the result was overshadowed by the death of two Leeds fans, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, who were stabbed to death before the game. Leeds were only able to draw the return leg at Elland Road, thus going out of the competition. A minute's silence is held every year at the match closest to the anniversary of the incident to remember Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight.

O'Leary's Leeds never finished outside of the top five, but following their appearance in the UEFA Champions League 2001 semi-final against Valencia their fortunes began to change. Under chairman Peter Ridsdale, Leeds had taken out large loans against the prospect of the share of the TV rights and sponsorship revenues that come with UEFA Champions League qualification and any subsequent progress in the competition. However Leeds narrowly failed to qualify for the Champions League, and as a consequence did not receive enough income to repay the loans. The first indication that the club was in financial trouble was the sale of Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United for approximately £30m. Ridsdale and O'Leary publicly fell out over the sale, and O'Leary was sacked and replaced by former England manager Terry Venables. Leeds performed badly under Venables, and other players were sold to repay the loans, including Jonathan Woodgate whom Ridsdale had promised Venables would not be sold. Tensions mounted between the pair, eventually resulting in the sacking of Venables, who was replaced by Peter Reid. By this time Leeds were in danger of relegation, but Reid saved Leeds from the drop in the penultimate game of the season. During this time Ridsdale had resigned from the Leeds board, and was replaced by economics expert Professor John McKenzie. An unsuccessful start to the 2003-04 season saw Peter Reid dismissed, and head coach Eddie Gray took over as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Revie Years To 1988

In March 1961 the club appointed Don Revie as manager. His stewardship began in adverse circumstances; the club was in financial difficulty and in 1961-62 only a win in the final game of the season saved the club from relegation to Division Three. Revie turned the team around, winning promotion to the First Division in 1963-64. Between 1965 and 1974, Revie's Leeds never finished outside of the top four, won two League Championships (1968-69 and 1973-74), the FA Cup (1971-72), the League Cup (1967-68) and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups (1967-68 and 1970-71). Set against the success was an unenvied record of second places; during the same period Leeds were runners up in the League five times, losing finalists in the FA Cup three times, runners up in the Fairs Cup once, and losing finalists in the European Cup Winners Cup. Revie's last season at Elland Road was in 1974, and he left Leeds to take up the role of managing the English national team.

Brian Clough was appointed as Revie's successor. This was a surprise appointment, as Clough had been an outspoken critic of Revie and the team's tactics. The team performed poorly under Clough, and after only 44 days he was dismissed and replaced by former England captain Jimmy Armfield. Armfield took Revie's ageing team to the final of the 1974-75 European Cup, where they were defeated by Bayern Munich. Assisted by coach Don Howe, Armfield rebuilt Revie's team, and though it no longer dominated English football, it remained in the top ten for subsequent seasons. However, the board was impatient for success and dismissed Armfield, replacing him with Jock Stein, who also lasted just 44 days before leaving to manage Scotland. The board turned to Jimmy Adamson but he was unable to stop the decline. In 1980 Adamson resigned and was replaced by former Leeds and England star Allan Clarke. Despite spending freely on players, he was unable to stem the tide and the club was relegated at the end of 1981-82. Clarke was replaced by former team-mate Eddie Gray.

With no money to spend on team building, Gray's concentrated on youth development, without winning them promotion from the Second Division. The board again became impatient and sacked him in 1985, replacing him with another former Revie star, Billy Bremner. Bremner carried on where Gray had left off, but found it just as difficult to achieve promotion, though he did bring the club close; Leeds got to the 1987 play-off final but were defeated by Charlton Athletic after extra time.

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Early History To 1960

Leeds United's predecessor team Leeds City FC was formed in 1904, but was forcibly disbanded by The Football League in 1919 in response to allegations of illegal payments to players during the First World War. A new club, Leeds United, was formed and the club received an invitation to enter the Midland League from the league secretary, Mr. J Nicholson. Leeds United were voted into the Midland League on 31 October 1919, taking the place vacated by Leeds City Reserves. Yorkshire Amateurs, who occupied Elland Road, offered to make way for the new team under the management of former player Dick Ray. The chairman of Huddersfield Town, Mr. Hilton Crowther loaned Leeds United £35,000, to be repaid when Leeds United won promotion to Division One. He brought Barnsley's manager Arthur Fairclough to Leeds and on 26 February 1920, Dick Ray stepped down to become Fairclough's assistant. On 31 May 1920, Leeds United were elected to the Football League.

Over the following few years, Leeds consolidated their position in the Second Division and in 1924 won the title and with it promotion to the First Division. However, they failed to establish themselves and were relegated in 1926-27. After being relegated Fairclough resigned which paved the way for Ray to return as manager. In the years up until the start of World War II Leeds were twice relegated, both times being instantly re-promoted the following season. On 5 March 1935 Ray resigned and he was replaced by Billy Hampson, who remained in charge for 12 years. In the 1946-47 season after the war, Leeds were relegated again with the worst league record in their history. After this season, Hampson resigned (he stayed with Leeds as their chief scout albeit for only 8 months) and was replaced in April 1947 by Willis Edwards.

In 1948 Sam Bolton replaced Ernest Pullan as the chairman of Leeds United. Edwards was moved to assistant trainer in April 1948 after just one year as manager. He was replaced by Major Frank Buckley.

They remained in the Second Division until 1955-56, when Leeds once again won promotion to the First Division, inspired by Welsh legend John Charles. However, Charles was hungry for success at the highest level, and manager Raich Carter was unable to convince him that Leeds could satisfy his ambitions. Charles was sold to Juventus for a then world record of £65,000; the loss of such a key player led to Leeds' decline, and the team was relegated to the Second Division in 1959-60.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia