Leeds United: Mac says players should live locally
YEP 21/6/13
by Leon Wobschall
Brian McDermott has laid down some permanent roots in West Yorkshire – and has revealed he will expects all of future signings to do the same during his tenure at Leeds United.
The Whites chief, born in Slough and someone who has spent the vast majority of his life in the south of England, has just moved into his new home in the Leeds area and admits he has taken to life ‘up north.’
The friendliness of Yorkshire folk is something that McDermott has warmed to during his brief time spent in the Broad Acres so far since being named as Leeds manager in April.
And just as he has shown his own level of personal commitment moving up to the north, so he will be seeking prospective signings to follow suit.
While many United players live in the area close to Thorp Arch, several are based on the other side of the Pennines – and are faced with what is at often tortuous daily commute to training across the M62.
Footballers travelling considerable distances to their place of work is not something McDermott is a fan of, with players’ commitment in wishing to move that Leeds area a criteria he feels is necessary in terms of prospective new signings.
On moving up to Yorkshire, McDermott said: “It’s a big thing for me. I’ve previously lived in Cardiff and abroad in Hong Kong and Sweden when I was a player. But I have never lived ‘up north’ permanently before and this is the first time I’ve been up here, apart from a short time when I was a player and was once on loan at Huddersfield for a month.
“I have found the Yorkshire people to be friendly and I have been welcomed straightaway and I really appreciate that.
“For me, I think it’s really important that players live in the local area close to a club. Sometimes, people have things put in their contracts about where they have got to live – whether that be twenty or thirty miles away or whatever.
“From my point of view, that can’t be put into the contracts of players already here now as they have been signed.
“But I feel when you are a football player, manager or coach that you have to commit to the job and respect the job you have got.
“That’s why I think you need to be living around the area. You need to get a feel for that area and that’s why it is important to be around here and I am. I will be having that discussion with players who I want to come here.
“I can’t make players who have signed contracts move to the area. But for players that sign now, I will be having conversations with them saying: ‘You really need to be moving into the Yorkshire area.’ It’s a fantastic area anyway.”
Bolton Wanderers have confirmed that they have yet to receive a firm offer from United regarding target Matt Mills, who they are willing to offload this summer.
National reports linked Mills with a season-long loan move to Elland Road yesterday morning.
But the hierarchy at the Reebok Stadium are still waiting for an offer to materialise.
McDermott met with club bosses yesterday in a bid to kick-start some transfer business after revealing in yesterday’s YEP that a number of summer targets are ready and waiting to join.
United’s first away game of the Championship season, against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, has been switched to Sunday, August 11.
The game will be screened live on Sky Sports and will kick off at 4.30pm.
In addition, the Whites’ match at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, August 17 has also been selected for Sky coverage and will kick off at 12.45pm.
by Leon Wobschall
Brian McDermott has laid down some permanent roots in West Yorkshire – and has revealed he will expects all of future signings to do the same during his tenure at Leeds United.
The Whites chief, born in Slough and someone who has spent the vast majority of his life in the south of England, has just moved into his new home in the Leeds area and admits he has taken to life ‘up north.’
The friendliness of Yorkshire folk is something that McDermott has warmed to during his brief time spent in the Broad Acres so far since being named as Leeds manager in April.
And just as he has shown his own level of personal commitment moving up to the north, so he will be seeking prospective signings to follow suit.
While many United players live in the area close to Thorp Arch, several are based on the other side of the Pennines – and are faced with what is at often tortuous daily commute to training across the M62.
Footballers travelling considerable distances to their place of work is not something McDermott is a fan of, with players’ commitment in wishing to move that Leeds area a criteria he feels is necessary in terms of prospective new signings.
On moving up to Yorkshire, McDermott said: “It’s a big thing for me. I’ve previously lived in Cardiff and abroad in Hong Kong and Sweden when I was a player. But I have never lived ‘up north’ permanently before and this is the first time I’ve been up here, apart from a short time when I was a player and was once on loan at Huddersfield for a month.
“I have found the Yorkshire people to be friendly and I have been welcomed straightaway and I really appreciate that.
“For me, I think it’s really important that players live in the local area close to a club. Sometimes, people have things put in their contracts about where they have got to live – whether that be twenty or thirty miles away or whatever.
“From my point of view, that can’t be put into the contracts of players already here now as they have been signed.
“But I feel when you are a football player, manager or coach that you have to commit to the job and respect the job you have got.
“That’s why I think you need to be living around the area. You need to get a feel for that area and that’s why it is important to be around here and I am. I will be having that discussion with players who I want to come here.
“I can’t make players who have signed contracts move to the area. But for players that sign now, I will be having conversations with them saying: ‘You really need to be moving into the Yorkshire area.’ It’s a fantastic area anyway.”
Bolton Wanderers have confirmed that they have yet to receive a firm offer from United regarding target Matt Mills, who they are willing to offload this summer.
National reports linked Mills with a season-long loan move to Elland Road yesterday morning.
But the hierarchy at the Reebok Stadium are still waiting for an offer to materialise.
McDermott met with club bosses yesterday in a bid to kick-start some transfer business after revealing in yesterday’s YEP that a number of summer targets are ready and waiting to join.
United’s first away game of the Championship season, against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, has been switched to Sunday, August 11.
The game will be screened live on Sky Sports and will kick off at 4.30pm.
In addition, the Whites’ match at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, August 17 has also been selected for Sky coverage and will kick off at 12.45pm.
