Leeds Utd Louth SC

This is the Louth Branch website. Always Leeds always loyal ! Edited by Gerry Cunningham

April 18th. Leeds 3-1` Tranmere Rvs. Leeds: Ankergren, Douglas, Sodje, Naylor,

Parker, Snodgrass (Johnson 66), Howson, Kilkenny, Robinson (Hughes 81), Beckford (Grella 85), Becchio. Subs Not Used: Lucas, Marques. Goals: Beckford 15, Kilkenny 26, Becchio 56. Att: 24,360 Leeds all-but secured their place in the play-offs with a win over Tranmere which dents Rovers' own play-off hopes. Jermaine Beckford swapped passes with Robert Snodgrass before finishing coolly for his 32nd goal of the season. What a loss this guy has been. Frustrating, arrogant, but extremely talent and if he is wrapped in cotton wool for the Play-Offs I have no doubt we will go up. Neil Kilkenny, latched on to a long pass from Jonathan Douglas to fire in the secon

. A minute later Leeds defender Sam Sodje headed into his own net with Ankergren grabbibg the plaudits for the howler, but Luciano Becchio deflected a Beckford flick off his shin to seal the win for Leeds. Tranmere had their chances but had to win this game. For the sixth placed slot it is between them and Scunthorpe (who surprisingly lose at home to a regaining form Milton Keynes) with the Imps two games in hand perhaps being enough to make it two teams from Yorkshire in the Play-Offs. With two matches to play, I would like to see Simon Grayson give Flahavan a run out. Our present goalkeeper makes too many mistakes. Simon Grayson said: "Mathematically we are not guaranteed anything and in football you can't count your chickens, but we are nearly there." He added: "We knew Tranmere would be a handful and they certainly caused us problems at times but Casper Ankergren made a great one-handed save in the second half when the game was finely balanced. "Full credit to the players. We rode our luck at times but came out with the three points."

April 13^th. Leicester City 1-0 Leeds United. Ankergren, Parke

r, Naylor, Sodje, Douglas, Delph, Howson, Kilkenny (Hughes 78), Snodgrass, Dickinson (Grella 83), Becchio (Robinson 64). Subs Not Used: Lucas, Michalik. Booked: Becchio, Sodje. Att: 25,507. United were denied the point the least their performance merited with Steve Howard for once breaking free of Sodje to head a 93^rd minute winner for the Foxes. It was an enthralling game with both sides cancelling out each other. United started slowly but Ankergren had his best match in a Leeds shirt for arguably some time. That said, the Foxes really had only one clear cut chance and that was in the second half. Leeds nearly went ahead just before half time when Stockdale punched Snoddgrasse’s corner on to his own crossbar. The second half saw united with the better chances. Both Sodje and Naylor went close from set pieces. Dickinson was a passenger up front for Leeds and did his best work defensively. Becchio worked hard and was substituted for the lively Robinson. The latter had a shot well saved by Stockdale and the impressive Delph should have scored when 15 yards out from goal. It was cruel on Leeds to see Howard break free from Sodje and head the winner with just seconds left on the clock. Leeds are more than a match for any side in this division, and had Beckford played I have no doubt we would have been celebrating three points instead of none. Both Scunthorpe and Tranmere Rvs won today so we have still work to do to cement our place in the Play-Offs. That said, we are a tougher preposition than this time twelve months ago.

April 11^th. Leeds 1-0 Stockport County. Ankergren, Douglas, Marques, Naylor, Parker, Snodgrass, Howson, Kilkenny, Delph, Dickinson (Grella 86), Becchio (Robinson 54). Subs Not Used: Lucas, Michalik, Hughes. Booked: Marques, Delph. Goals: Howson 9. Jonny Howson scored in the ninth minute to secure a ninth

successive home win for Leeds in their bid for promotion. It kept our feint hopes of instant promotion alive, due to peterboro dropping two points at home to Cheltenham the day before. Stockport goalkeeper Conrad Logan, on loan from Leicester, stayed on his line as Jonathan Douglas's cross was stabbed home by Howson. The Hatters' Liam Dickinson had a chance to equalise almost immediately, but shot against the bar. Substitute Andy Robinson hit the bar for Leeds late on as they consigned County to a fifth game without a goal. Leeds dominated the game from start to finish but with just one goal between them there was always a risk of leaking a goal at the other end.

April 8^th. Leeds have settled their dispute with Blackpool over manager Simon Grayson's move to Elland Road. Championship side Blackpool alleged that Leeds had made an illegal approach for Grayson while he was still in charge at Bloomfield Road. The clubs met at a tribunal on Thursday and have agreed an undisclosed financial settlement. Grayson has helped Leeds to fifth place in League One having won 12 of his 20 games in charge, only losing four. Leeds chief executive Shaun Harvey said:"We are delighted the matter is now resolved and Simon can continue with the work he has started in seeking to get the club promoted." Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston added: "We are pleased to have resolved this matter. We wish Simon and Leeds well for the future." The Seasiders are yet to replace Grayson, with caretaker boss Tony Parkes currently in charge at the club.

April 7 L Orient 2-2 Leeds: Ankergren, Douglas, Marques, Naylor, Parker, Snodgrass, Kilkenny (Hughes 90), Howson, Delph, Becchio, Dickinson (Robinson 76). Subs Not Used: Michalik, Lucas, Grella. Booked: Delph, Dickinson, Robinson. Goals: Snodgrass 19, 60 pen. Att: 6,943 Simon Church scored a late equaliser for Leyton Orient to deny promotion-chasing Leeds victory at Brisbane Road. Leeds all but blew their hopes of an automatic promotion place by blowing chance after chance against 10 man L Orient. United were without Sodje and Beckford but it was calamity Jane in goal which ultimately cost us all three points. Leeds started brightly and Neil Kilkenny had a shot saved before Robert Snodgrass fired home their opener. They went 2-0 up when Orient's Jason Demetriou handled a shot and was sent off, Snodgrass converting the penalty. But the hosts hit back brilliantly and Sean Thornton curled in a free-kick before Casper Ankergren failed to hold a shot and Church scrambled it home. When will they ever learn he’s just not good enough ! Simon Grayson : “It feels like a defeat in there. We were totally in control but credit to L Orient. We should have been a lot more professional but we’ll take the positives.We still must remember we are 10 games unbeaten”

Sat April 4^th. ColchesterUnited 0-1 Leeds United. Leeds: Ankergren, Douglas, Naylor, Sodje, Parker, Snodgrass (Hughes 88), Howson, Kilkenny (Robinson 78), Delph, Becchio (Dickinson 90), Beckford. Subs Not Used: Lucas, Marques. Booked: Naylor. Goals: Becchio 29. Att: 9,559. Leeds extended their unbeaten run to nine games and kept up their promotion challenge with a win at Colchester. Argentine striker Luciano Becchio slammed home the only goal of the game from the edge of the area after latching onto Robert Snodgrass' pass. Casper Ankergren made two impressive saves to deny Colchester's Karl Hawley and Mark Yeates during the match. Jermaine Beckford could have added a second for Leeds late on but was denied by U's goalkeeper Mark Cousins.

March 31st. Give us the ECWC now ! Yorkshire and the Humber MEP Richard Corbett has urged Uefa to reverse Leeds United's defeat by AC Milan in the 1973 Cup Winners' Cup final. Referee Christos Michas was later investigated by the Greece Football Association over allegations that he accepted a bribe from the Italian side. "Few doubt Milan bribed the Greek official," Corbett told his website.

"If there is evidence that [the match] was fixed then the result should be reversed and Leeds awarded the trophy." Norman Hunter was shown a red card as Don Revie's side lost 1-0 in Salonika. Michas was subsequently banned from refereeing by Uefa, and Corbett wants surviving members of the United team to sign an online petition - already signed by over 5,000 people - demanding the result be overturned. He plans to present it to Uefa on 16 May, the 36th anniversary of the match. Few doubt Milan bribed the Greek official but they were allowed to keep the trophy Yorkshire and the Humber MEP Richard Corbett "Bribery in any form of sport is completely unacceptable and results which have been tainted by match-fixing must be reversed if sport is to retain its integrity," said Corbett. "Uefa can show its commitment to fair play by dealing with breaches of it seriously."

Sat March 28th. 2009 Leeds 2-0 MK Dons. Att - 27,649. Ankergren, Douglas, Naylor, Sodje (Michalik 60), Parker, Snodgrass (Dickinson 90), Howson, Kilkenny (Hughes 72), Delph, Becchio, Beckford. Subs Not Used: Lucas, Robinson. Booked: Howson, Kilkenny. Goals: Beckford 37, 54. Two goals (one in either half) by Jermaine Beckford put MK Dons to the swords. The Louth Branch were represented by McQuaid (the schoolboy) and Jonah Connollys, but even that could not

stop the Whites from their eight home win in succession. P'boro won 2-0 at home to Leicester to put them too far ahead for Leeds to catch and a last minute winner by Millwall at Crewe leaves them realistically as the only side that may catch Posh. It was important that Leeds kept their winning sequence going and that is exactly what they did. Jermaine Beckford marked his return after a ban with two goals to settle this top-of-the-table contest. Beckford broke the deadlock with a rasping volley after Luciano Becchio headed down Ben Parker's free-kick. And Beckford added his second after the break, shooting home after swapping passes with Robert Snodgrass. The Leeds striker then squandered a great chance for his treble while Sam Baldock wasted MK Dons' best opening, screwing the ball wide from six yards.

Simon Grayson “Very decent Leeds performance, very professioinal and I was very pleased. From the first whistle we worked our socks off, from the backs through the

middle right up to the forwards. Naylor and Sodje showed what they are all about. Becks is a threat. Jermaine took his two goals really well. Snodgrass has been excellent since I have been here. He puts a real shift in for the team. To win 8 home games on the trot is a fantastic run and they should be really proud of that (especially given the the great Leeds sides that have played here). We obviously look at other results and they went against us today. The players knew the P’bro result but they used that as a motivation. If we can remain unbeaten until the end of the season it gives us hop to maybe catch the second placed team but if not we are doing well enough to go up”.

After 97 minutes of being entertained by The Damned United, you're left wondering how a warm-hearted film like this could have attracted such ire and controversy. The story of Brian Clough's ill-fated 44 days as Leeds United manager is full of nostalgia and humour. It's dominated, of course, by Old Big 'Ead himself, played affectionately by the excellent Michael Sheen, who has got Clough's distinctive speech inflections and facial expressions down to a tee. This isn't the dark, brooding and introspective Clough depicted by David Peace in the book on which the film is based. Instead we see a charming, cocksure character, who is frequently smiling and firing off one-liners. Scriptwriter Peter Morgan says the heart of the film is a "love triangle" between Clough, assistant Peter Taylor and his predecessor at Leeds, Don Revie. Colm Meaney is excellent as the curmudgeonly Revie, the antithesis of his young, charismatic rival. Although Clough had much in common with Revie, having also been born in iddlesbrough and capped for England, he harboured an almost irrational hatred of his adversary. It all stemmed,

apparently, from Revie's refusal to shake his hand when the all-conquering Leeds had visited Clough's Derby in 1968. This lingering hatred seemed to persuade Clough to take the Leeds job in the first place. He wanted to emulate Revie by winning the Championship, only he would do it better, by playing attractive, clean football. The marriage was doomed from the start. When we see Clough first arriving at Elland Road, he delivers the infamous "chuck all your medals and all your caps and all your pots and all your pans into the biggest dustbin you can find, because you've never won any of them fairly", speech to a disbelieving group of players. Although the dominant voices in that team - Billy Bremner, Norman Hunter and Johnny Giles - were very prominent characters in Peace's book, they are reduced to caricatures here. GC – Clough was less in control when he inherited a squad of 17 internationals whom he couldn’t intimidate. Not good enough ? I think not. This side only defeated the likes of Cryuff and Neeskens’ Barcelona to get into the European Cup final only for dubious refereeing decisions to deprive them of the one trophy this great side truly deserved. Maybe if Clough had persuaded his right arm, Taylor, to come to Leeds it might have been different. Clough who was unhappy Revie never shook his hand in 1968 didn't see the irony of his refusal to ever speak to his one true friend, Peter Taylor ever again when Taylor took the derby job and signed some of his old players. Now who was the real bitter one ?

March 27^th. Leeds United have made a double swoop on loan deadline day with the capture of Reading defender Sam Sodje and Crystal Palace keeper Daryl

Flahavan. 29-year-old Nigeria international Sodje has joined until 25th April, but Leeds have an option to extend the deal to include the play-offs if needed. Sodje has only made one first team appearance this season, while Flahavan, 30, has started three games. Both will go straight into Leeds' squad for Saturday's home clash with MK Dons. The pair have a wealth of experience as Sodje made over 100 appearances for Brentford before joining Reading three years ago and has had loan spells at West Brom, Charlton and Watford . Flahavan started his career at Southampton before moving to Woking and then Southend United, where he made over 300 appearances. At last we have gone for a decent keeper and quality centre half.

Sat March 21^st. Crewe 2-3 Leeds Leeds: Ankergren, Douglas, Marques (Michalik 46), Naylor, Parker, Delph, Howson, Kilkenny (Johnson 75), Snodgrass, Becchio, Dickinson (Grella 70). Subs Not Used: Lucas, Hughes. Leeds scored three first-half goals and survived a second-half fightback to secure their first away win since January against 10-man Crewe. Crewe's Billy Jones saw red for dissent after being booked before Neil Kilkenny drilled in Leeds opener from 25 yards. Luciano Becchio headed in and Robert Snodgrass ran clear to add a third as Leeds capitalised on their advantage. Julian Baudet headed in from a corner and Tom Pope stooped to nod in for Crewe but Leeds held on for the win.

Sat March 14^th. Leeds 1-0 Swindon Leeds: Ankergren, Douglas, Marques, Naylor, Parker (Grella 84), Snodgrass, Howson, Kilkenny (Johnson 79), Delph, Beckford, Becchio (Liam Dickinson 79). Subs Not Used: Lucas, Michalik. Jermaine Beckford's 29th goal of the season fired Leeds to a narrow win over Swindon to strengthen their promotion hopes, though he was sent off late on. The win was Leeds' seventh in a row at home but they were below their best. Swindon keeper Phil Smith saved well from Robert Snodgrass, while Beckford also saw a header cleared off the line. Beckford finally made the breakthrough when he headed in at the far post and it was enough for the win, though he was later sent off for two bookings.

Fri March 13^t^h. Leeds United have bolstered their attack with the loan signing of Derby County striker Liam Dickinson until the end of the season. The 23-year-old is available for Saturday's visit of Swindon. Leeds had hoped to sign the forward during the January transfer window but had to put the move on hold when he picked up an injury. Dickinson played under Leeds boss Simon Grayson at Blackpool, scoring four goals in seven appearances. He also had a successful loan spell at League One rivals Huddersfield Town earlier this season where he netted six goals in 13 games.

Weds March 11. Striker Lee Trundle has returned to Bristol City after his two-month loan-spell at Leeds United. The 32-year-old made 10 appearances for Leeds, scoring his only goal for the club during their 2-0 win at Brighton in January. Manager Simon Grayson told the club's website: "He's been here two months and I'd like to thank him for his efforts and his contribution to the squad. "I'd also like to thank Bristol City for allowing Lee to come here."

Tuesday, 10 March 2009 Leeds 4-0 Yeovil Beckford 25, Kilkenny 43, Beckford 51, Beckford 58. United and beckford bounced back efficiently with an effortless win over a soon to be relegated Yeovil.

Saturday, 07 March 2009 Bristol Rovers 2-2 Leeds United. Scoeres ; Becchio 27. Snodgrass 58. This was a game United were cruising toward victory and yet inexplicably failed to put the Pirates away. The result was an injury time goal for the home side. Two points dropped needlessly

Monday, 02 March 2009 Oldham 1-1 Leeds. Becchio 53 A poor Sky live encounter saw Annkergren beaten too easily on 52 mins. Leeds quickly equalized and went back into their shells thereafter as ultimately neither side deserved to win all three points.

Feb 28^th 2009. Leeds United 3-2 Scunthorpe Leeds: Ankergren, Douglas, Marques, Naylor, Parker, Kilkenny (Trundle 56), Howson, Delph, Snodgrass, Beckford, Robinson (Johnson 15), Trundle (Michalik 88).Subs Not Used: Lucas, Grella. Sent Off: Howson (80). Booked: Johnson, Howson. Goals: Beckford 33, Johnson 38, Beckford 69. Leeds survived a Scunthorpe fightback to secure all three points and move back into the play-off places. Jermaine Beckford opened the

scoring against his old club from Jonny Howson's cross, before Bradley Johnson saw his deflected shot make it 2-0. One thing is for sure as Leeds head to Oldham for Monday (and sadly as I'll miss that game) Jermaine Beckford is the key to promotion.

But Gary Hooper capitalised on some poor defending to pull one back, before he ran through unchallenged to level. Beckford hammered in from 12 yards to win it before Leeds had Howson sent off for two bookable offences. We are Leeds !!!!

Feb 21st. LeedsUnited 2-0 Cheltenham Town. Leeds: Ankergren, Hughes (Kilkenny 32), Marques, Naylor, Parker, Howson, Douglas, Delph, Snodgrass (Trundle 86), Becchio (Grella 90), Robinson. Subs Not Used: Lucas, Michalik. Goals: Howson 54, 65. Simon Grayson gambled heavily by shuffling the pack. Howson came in to the

centre of midfield alongside the returning Jon Douglas, Delph went to the left, Robinson stayed on the right, but surprisingly Snodgrass partnered Becchio up front with Andy Hughes returning at right full. United dominated most of the match and it was good to see Jon Howson discover some of his old form. Kilkenny came into midfield for his first decent role under Grayson when Hughes had to retire injured as Douglas filled in at right full. Confused ? Cheltenham were as Leeds surged at them. The goals didn’t come easy as the Elland Road faithful had to wait until the second half to command the victory.

Feb 17th. Hereford United 0-2 Leeds United. Leeds: Ankergren, Dickinson, Marques, Naylor, Parker (Prutton 72), Snodgrass (Johnson 60), Howson, Delph, Robinson, Becchio, Trundle (Grella 59). Subs Not Used: Lucas, Michalik. Booked: Dickinson, Becchio. Att: 6,120 Simon Grayson's honeymoon period has well and truly ended. Four wins, one draw and four defeats is not the form of a transformed side under a new manager. We continue to leak soft goals like a sieve. The only difference appears to be that teams nearer the foot of the division find it easier to defeat us. Carlisle, Walslall, and now Hereford have all scored against Leeds without reply. We knew where the problems lay coming into the transfer window, but the club or manager have not reacted to the problems. Same goalkeeper, a returning left back to his parent club and one defender in. We drafted in an American kid on the basis of scoring a hat-trick against a YTS Barnsley Reserve side. Hereford this evening were short three defenders and yet drafted in a kid on loan from Liverpool who played a blinder. We have Casper the ghost, a left back playing right back, Rui, Rui, Rui and the sometimes pedestrian Naylor. Not good enough. We are not doomed from the play-offs technically. Bates knew best replacing the manager. Have we improved ? We are Leeds fans and are used to it. We deserve better. We rarely get it. Put that in your programmes notes on Saturday oh great bearded one. Simon Grayson won one of his first ten matches in charge at B'bool and got them promoted with a miracle run. We are looking for same again Sam. I mean Larry.

Feb 15^th. HuddersfieldTown 1-0 LeedsUnited. Leeds: Ankergren, Hughes (Howson 52), Naylor, Marques (Michalik 89), Dickinson, Snodgrass, Delph, Douglas, Robinson, Trundle (Grella 74), Becchio. Subs Not Used: Lucas, Johnson. Booked: Naylor, Delph. Att:

20,928 Nathan Clarke's first-half header maintained Huddersfield Town's recent dominance over Leeds United, earning the Terriers a 1-0 victory at the Galpharm Stadium.The defender's goal settled a lively West Yorkshire derby and handed Town their third win over Leeds in as many meetings. Huddersfield made the more positive start and opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Clarke ran in to head home a corner from Gary Roberts.
But Leeds fought back strongly and Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies made two excellent saves to deny Andy Robinson and Rui Marques before the half-hour mark.
Robert Snodgrass also went close on two occasions before the break, testing Smithies with one shot and driving another over the crossbar, but it took a crucial block from Rui Marques to prevent debutant Lukas Jutkiewicz from adding a second Huddersfield goal on 40 minutes.
Leeds midfielders Robinson and Jonathan Howson both threatened with headers in a second half which United dominated, and a brilliant save from Smithies 12 minutes from time denied Snodgrass a late equaliser before a Richard Naylor header struck the post. Leeds are not the same side without Jermaine Beckford in the side, and I have no doubt in my mind had he played, Leeds would have won, especially against their pedestrian back four. The fact that he didn't play indites our forwards for missing several chances and our back four and keeper for failing to provide the travelling 4,000 with a clean sheet. Results weren't fatal elsewhere but without Beckford we are not the same side. Gary McAlisster found that out to his cost when he was missing for his last five matches. Simon Grayson is learning that same lesson now.With a patchy defence you need a class finisher, and the best in league One is Beckford. Simon Grayson was content with the Leeds performance though, and said: "I'm really proud of the players and I don't think they could have given any more. "We didn't get the breaks in front of goal which was disappointing. Huddersfield couldn't get out of their half in the second period and on another day we could have won. "I would have said that's one of the best performances we've had since I've been here without getting a result

Feb 12th. 2009. Former Sheffield United winger Keith Gillespie has joined Leeds on trial.

The 33-year-old has been training with the squad and played in a friendly against Rochdale earlier this week. Ex-Celtic defender Mo Camara, 33, who was also on trial at Elland Road, has signed for St Mirren until the end of the season. "I played with Keith at Blackburn and when you get the chance to look at players like that you do it," manager Simon Grayson told the club website. Grayson added: "Keith has left Sheffield United and trained with us for the last week." Gillespie, who has won 81 caps for Northern Ireland, began his career with Manchester United before joining Newcastle in 1995. After short stays at Wigan and Leicester, the 33-year-old moved to Sheffield United, winning promotion to the Premier League with the Blades. He spent a month on loan at Championship side Charlton at the end of 2008. He was subsequently released from his contract at Bramall Lane and is now a free agent. "It's promising that a Northern Ireland international wants to try and play for the club," said Grayson

Feb 11th. Leeds' Jermaine Beckford faces a three-game ban after the Football

Association charged him with violent conduct, following Monday's win over Millwall. He had looked set to escape punishment for an apparent elbow on keeper David Forde after being booked - but it has emerged the card was for another foul.FA rules do not allow retrospective punishment if the incident is dealt with by the match referee. Beckford has until 1800 GMT on Thursday to appeal against the decision. An FA statement said: "The FA has confirmed that Jermaine Beckford has been charged under FA Rule E3 (violent conduct) for an incident on the field of play which falls within Law 12 - not seen by the match officials but caught on video."The FA has been advised by the match referee that Jermaine Beckford was cautioned for a pushing incident that occurred prior to the incident involving Millwall's David Forde." with his two goals during the 2-0 win, which took his goal tally for the season to 23. Grayson said: "That's Jermaine for you, he can show glimpses of top-drawer quality and that's why he has so many goals already this season."He is a major asset to the the team and I'm delighted to have him here. Hopefully he'll score many more like that in the reminder of the season."

Feb 09th. Leeds United 2-0 Leeds: Ankergren, Hughes, Marques,

Naylor, Dickinson, Robinson (Johnson 79), Douglas, Delph, Snodgrass (Howson 88), Trundle (Becchio 73), Beckford. Subs Not Used: Lucas, Michalik. Booked: Marques, Douglas, Beckford. Goals: Beckford 32, 90. Att: 19,314 Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire). Leeds defeated Millwall 2-0 in the Sky live Monday night match and the Louth branch were heavily in attendance for their annual draw in Bennets of Bridge Street.Jermaine Beckford scored a goal in each half as Leeds defeated Millwall to boost their League One promotion hopes. Millwall had the best chance early on when Gary Alexander's header was saved on the goal-line by Casper Ankergren. But Beckford opened the scoring when he cut into the penalty box and curled a sublime left-footed shot into the top corner to cap a fine Leeds move. Beckford wrapped up the win in injury time shooting past David Forde after a flick-on from Luciano Becchio. It wasn’t a vintage performance by United by any means and on other days Millwall would have gotten a draw, but Leeds dug in, took their bits of luck and some brilliance from Becks wins the match. Ankergren, so often criticised in these columns had a decent match, as did Douglas and Delph. Nothing short of three points would suffice and that’s what we got. Four wins from last five is not bad but we have to do go on a consistent run.

Feb 8th. Leeds manager Simon Grayson has not ruled o

ut a loan move to Elland Road for striker Liam Dickinson from Championship side Derby. Leeds had agreed terms with Dickinson and Derby to take the 23-year-old striker on loan until the end of the season, but were dismayed to learn the Football League refused to take into account the severe weather conditions when paperwork arrived 14 minutes late. Grayson said: "I thought Liam would be a good addition to us. I worked with him at Blackpool and he scored many goals in the last few years and got his move to Derby County. "He would have been good for us and would have increased competition for places and I was disappointed that we did not get him. "But we will have to wait and see over the next few weeks what will happen. "Talks are ongoing and I would like to think that if he had a choice of clubs, then Leeds would be top of his priority list."

Feb 3rd. Leicester won easily at Walsall (4-1) putting our performance even into worse light and MK Dons won 1-0 at Leicester.Leeds United have revealed that they narrowly missed out on signing striker Liam Dickinson on loan from Derby County for the rest of the season on transfer deadline day. The League One club confirmed that a deal for the forward fell through after they failed to conclude the transfer before Monday's 5pm deadline. United say a fax sent to the Football League confirming the switch arrived at 5.14pm, 14 minutes after the January transfer window closed. The Premier League extended the time allowed to register any transfers affected by the severe weather which swept across England on Monday, but the Football League did not alter the 5pm deadline.
United chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "It is disappointing that the Football League stuck rigidly to the 5pm deadline when you take into account the exceptional circumstances that prevailed. "The FA Premier League made arrangements for their clubs to register players after the deadline and if the Football League had adopted the same approach then Liam Dickinson would be a Leeds player until the end of the season."

Feb 2nd. As expected our match at Leyton Orient has fallen victim to the inclement weather in England.

Feb 2nd. Deadline Day .Two In, One gone and One miss Richard Naylor has

completed a permanent move from Ipswich to Leeds United. The Leeds-born utility man has been on loan at Elland Road since last month and has now signed a two-and-a-half year deal. The 31-year-old had started out in Leeds' youth ranks before moving to Ipswich as a 16-year-old and going on to make almost 400 appearances for the East Anglia club. Naylor has so far made four appearances for Leeds, being handed the captaincy in the absence of Frazer Richardson, and he is now hoping to help Leeds climb back into the Championship. "I'm really, really pleased this is sorted and after all these years I can finally call myself a Leeds player," he told the club's official website. "I know my future now, I know it's here and I want to take this club forward. "It is strange leaving Ipswich after almost 15 years down there because I'd made that my home. "The club and the supporters have been good to me. My wife's from Ipswich and my family have been brought up there but this is an opportunity that is just too good to miss. "I wouldn't have made a decision like this to go to any other club." Striker Mike Grella has joined Leeds United on an 18-month deal after a successful trial period. The 22-year-old United States youth international had been drafted by MLS side Toronto but has decided against signing for the Canadian club. Grella began his career at Duke University before spells with Long Island Rough Riders and Cary Clarets in the fourth tier of American football. Meanwhile, experienced defender Paul Telfer has left the club. The 37-year-old, who made 18 appearances after being signed by former boss Gary McAllister in the summer, has had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.Leeds

United made a late bid to take Derby County striker Liam Dickinson on loan but a deal could not be done before the transfer window closed. However, a deal could be resurrected once the emergency loan window re-opens in a week’s time, on February 9. Dickinson joined the Rams from Stockport County in the summer for £750,000 but is yet to make his senior debut. He has already had spells on loan with Huddersfield Town and Blackpool this season.

Feb 1st. Leeds United are still considering whether to make a formal contract offer to American trialist Mike Grella. The young striker has been training with Leeds for the past fortnight and he saw his name in lights after scoring a hat-trick in United's reserve-team victory over Barnsley last month. Grella was given another run-out by manager Simon Grayson in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Hull City on Tuesday and the United boss revealed that he is continuing to weigh up the option of offering the 22-year-old a deal at Elland Road. Grella – a former USA international at Under-18 and Under-20 level – has already been offered a contract by MLS club Toronto FC, but he is unlikely to take up the deal in Canada and appears keen to begin his professional career in Europe. Grayson said: "He played in a behind-closed-doors game on Tuesday against Hull and he did okay to be fair. "He's a young kid who we've been watching closely in training and he's certainly got an eye for goal. It's an option that we could possibly go down but concluding a deal is not always that ea Karl (Oyston) straight away that I wanted to come," said Grayson. "I think he knew that I'd give him that answer and so did everyone at Blackpool. From there it was down to the two clubs to sort things out, but there was no way I was going to let this opportunity pass me by. "The majority of people in Blackpool have been wishing me good luck. I've had a lot of letters and emails from people saying they understood why I left. I do wish it had been sorted in the manner I would have wanted after six good years there and that I'd walked away without any of this legal stuff going on above me, but these things happen in football. Managers move on and I felt I'd done my job there. This was the next step in my career. "As far as dropping a division goes, when your first game in charge is against Leicester City in front of 33,000 people at Elland Road on Boxing Day, that tells you everything you need to know about why I did it. The attraction for me is the thought of what could happen here in the future. "The expectancy level at Leeds is higher than it is at a dozen clubs in the Championship and certainly every club in this division, and a really positive thing for me was the fact so many people – especially people within the game – told me that I was making the right decision by coming here. "I've worked hard to get to a club like this and it's reassuring to hear other people say that I deserved the opportunity. It was a bit of a surprise that Leeds came calling but I hoped they would. "Everybody was looking at higher-profile people, guys with names that were perhaps more familiar than mine, but the chairman said all along that I was his number one target. "I suppose that's why he stuck by me with regards to Blackpool when he could quite easily have taken a different option and gone down the line of appointing somebody who was out of work and wouldn't cost any compensation. He showed a lot of desire to get me here and it's a natural reaction to want to pay him back with results. "I don't want to be making wild statements about what I'm going to achieve as manager and it would be foolish to say that within three years we'll be back in the Premiership or that within five we'll be back in the Champions League. They're just words and it's a bit too easy to talk the talk. "As much as we all want to be back in the Premier League and the Champions League, the only thing that matters at this moment is getting out of League One. "You look at Manchester City now and see that they're the richest club in the world, whereas five or six years ago they were in League One and that's how quickly your fortunes can change. But you can only think like that and reflect on it when you've reached the stage they're at. For us, the priority is to take the first step." Grayson's is a considered view for someone whose appointment was completed at whirlwind speed at the busiest stage of the football season. The timing of his induction at Leeds, on December 23, left his wife without a full complement of Christmas presents, and he has not yet had the chance to clear his desk at Bloomfield Road. That particular job is likely to wait until Blackpool and Leeds have resolved their differences over Grayson's availability. "You wouldn't want too many Christmas' like this one," he joked. "I've not even been back to Blackpool to get any of my stuff. I'm sure half of my training kit has been pinched already. "I'll do that at some point and also, in all seriousness, to see a few people and say goodbye properly. Once everything's been settled then I'll be able to go back and collect my belongings. That's if they're still there and nobody's sold them on Ebay."

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