Mighty Leeds Weblog

Blackwell chooses the real world over dream works Leeds'new-found modesty can't mask a club high on hope, says Paul Wilson For a club who have spent the past three years as a byword for mismanagement and financial devastation, Leeds United glimpsed from the training ground look surprisingly healthy and well-nourished. A shiny new academy and training centre boast facilities only the very top Premiership sides can match and which several others - Portsmouth and Everton spring to mind - can only dream about. The fact that Leeds no longer technically own the Thorp Arch complex does not seem to matter much: a 25-year leaseback suits everyone and the pitches, gymnasium and swimming pool are still for the exclusive use of the players. Upstairs Kevin Blackwell is dealing with the parents of a potential trainee in an interview suite specially designated for the purpose. Downstairs, anyone waiting to see the Leeds manager can study mounted photographs of youth-team products such as Ala...

LeedsUnited.com Celtic 0 Leeds United 0 There were no goals but plenty of spirit was on display from Leeds as they ground out a 0-0 draw with Celtic in Glasgow. Kevin Blackwell used his entire squad of 20 players, bar Seth Johnson, in the game and only Shaun Derry got a full 90 minutes in but most of the rest are only a few minutes short of completing their first full game of pre-season. Chances for Leeds were limited but Blackwell will have been heartened by how hard his side worked in the game and how well Dan Harding and Eddie Lewis fitted in. The thousand or so travelling United fans were able to treat a somewhat quiet Celtic support to the full repertoire of Leeds songs at the start of this game. The first 15 minutes or so belonged to the home side as they exerted some early pressure on the Whites. When Paul Butler fouled Shaun Maloney five yards out from the penalty area it gave Celtic a chance to test out Ian Bennett, but it was Sean Gregan who took the full force of the free-ki...

A Season to Remember - new pages uploaded at mightyleeds.co.uk I've just uploaded my review of the 1964-65 season. You can find it at http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/seasons/196465part1.htm Leeds United emerge from the Second Division to shake up the First Division and enjoy a remarkable season with a Wembley debut, but end up with nothing

Marques ... will he be another Roque Juior or a second Radebe? 

Leeds United Football Club - Marques Set To Be No.7 United are closing in on their seventh signing of the summer after agreeing personal terms with Portuguese defender Rui Marques. The former Stuttgart man is set to undergo a medical and will become a United player upon successful completion. He had initially arrived at Thorp Arch on trial a few weeks ago and has been on a short trial with Ipswich, but has made his mind up to join the Whites. An Angolan international, Marques, 27, began his career with Benfica, then had spells in Germany with Hertha Berlin and Stuttgart, before returning to the Portuguese SuperLiga with Maritimo last season. Marques is keen to complete the deal and get his United career off the ground. He said: "Leeds is a big club, it's really a Premier League club and I beleive that Leeds will be in the Premiership again. "I had some difficult times after Germany, but I think England will be a new start for me. I think it wi...

Carver ... new coach 

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Leeds United | Carver set for Elland Road role Leeds United are set to appoint John Carver as the club's new head coach after the departure of Steve Agnew to League One side Hartlepool. Carver has spent much of his career at Newcastle United where he was assistant to Sir Bobby Robson. "I'm looking forward to the challenge," Carver told BBC Radio Leeds. "The first person I spoke to was my brother-in-law, Peter Haddock who was in the Championship winning side and he said if you get a choice go to Leeds." "Newcastle is a great club with passionate supporters but Leeds United is on the same level.