Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Mark Carruthers Leeds United have now received planning permission to undertake a major redevelopment of Elland Road. Leeds United received a major boost on Thursday when Leeds City Council revealed they had granted planning permission for a significant redevelopment of Elland Road that will see the capacity at the Whites’ famous home increase to over 53,000. The proposals that were submitted earlier this year included the partial demolition and extension of the West Stand and outline planning permission for alterations to the North Stand. The proposal states that the West Stand is more advanced in its planning than the North and that when finished it will be similar in scale to the current East Stand, with a new capacity of 17,750. The North Stand will increase its capacity from 10,414 to 15,300. Described at the time of submission as a one in a lifetime opportunity to create a significant regeneration of Elland Road and the surrounding areas, the plans were officially give...

By Mark Carruthers The YEP's chief football writer has been discussing one major talking point following Leeds United's defeat at Newcastle United. History appears to be repeating for Leeds United as Daniel Farke considers his options following a difficult period for one of his main summer signings. Winding back the clock to this time last year when the Whites were battling to secure their place in the Premier League, goalkeeper Illan Meslier came under some criticism for a number of shaky performances and eventually gave way to experienced stopper Karl Darlow. The Wales international provided a steadying presence between the sticks and played a key role in helping Farke’s side to the Championship title and secure their return to the top flight after a two-year absence. Despite Darlow’s impressive performances, there was always an expectation a new number one would arrive during the summer transfer window and that came to pass when Brazilian stopper Lucas Perri arrived ...

Sick, sick, sick Words by: Rob Conlon A free hospitality away day is hardly going ‘behind enemy lines’ and more like going to your auntie’s on Boxing Day. Come in. Let me take your coat. Help yourself to one of the beers in the fridge. The food won’t be too much longer. Even so, this was not a night when you want to have to sit on your hands and keep quiet in the stands. As I remained in my seat and looked to the sky in despair after Joelinton headed Newcastle’s second equaliser of the night, I felt a tap on the shoulder from the person behind me and worried I was about to be outed as a Leeds fan. Turning around, I was met by an exasperated expression as if I was looking in a mirror, and greeted by a reassuring Yorkshire accent. “I think you’re in the same boat as me.” The boat we were in was sailing straight for the sea of a silent mental breakdown. It was one of the best and wildest games of football I’ve ever been to. And I hated every second of it. Actually, that’s a lie....

By Graham Smyth Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe says the granting of planning permission for the Elland Road stadium expansion plan is an 'historic' day for the club. Leeds City Council's city plans panel met on Thursday afternoon to discuss proposals for the expansion of the West and North Stands, which would take the ground's capacity up to 53,000. The plans will transform Elland Road into a UEFA Category 4 stadium and bring it into line with some of Europe's top modern sporting venues. The plans were approved by 11 votes to one. A club statement said: "Leeds United Football Club can today confirm that planning permission has been granted for the long-awaited expansion of Elland Road Stadium, a historic milestone for the club, its supporters and the city of Leeds. Following a decision by Leeds City Council’s Plans Panel at The Civic Hall earlier today, approval has been secured to increase the stadium’s capacity to up to 53,000, through the expansi...

By John Baron Councillors have given the green light to major plans to expand Elland Road football stadium. Councillors on the city plans panel today voted 11-1 to approve Leeds United’s plans for the demolition and redevelopment of the West Stand as well as outline planning permission to increase the capacity of the North Stand. The approval will see Elland Road’s total capacity increase from just under 38,000 to 53,000. Only Farnley & Wortley Green Party councillor David Blackburn voted against, saying his concerns were not against the principle of developing the stadium, but over the traffic and travel proposals which would directly affect his and other wards. He welcomed the creation of new jobs but said he could not support the application as he had concerns over the club’s travel plan. “The devil is in the detail,” Cllr Blackburn said. “We’ve had bad experiences in the past when planning conditions don’t always work out as they were supposed to. “How are we goin...

By Graham Smyth The Verdict on a spirited performance but crushing defeat for Leeds United. Leeds United's relegation rivals did battle in an instantly-forgettable game 24 hours before the Whites played a full part in an instant classic. The difference between West Ham United's disappointment on Tuesday night and that felt by Leeds on Wednesday night should be night and day. Where one of those teams has been abject and sinking, the other has been fighting, punching upward and making a fist of the survival battle. Both the Hammers and the Whites suffered late cruelty in their respective defeats to Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United, but only one of the beaten sides showed they are a problem in the Premier League and it wasn't the more established club. Leeds lost to the odd goal in seven, conceding in the 103rd minute at St James' Park at the end of an exhausting, exhilarating thriller. And where West Ham can ill afford to take any more kicks because they...

By Stuart Rayner Leeds United's unbeaten run came to a heartbreaking end with a 102nd-minute winner from their arch nemesis Harvey Barnes, as they ended up losing a game they led three times. With two players limping off with what looked like muscle injuries with the game against Newcastle United at 3-3 in stoppage time, Leeds did not quite have enough left in the tank to stretch their run without defeat to eight games, but no one high up in the away end could have any complaints about the effort they put in. Before kick-off and during the game, St James's Park sent its best wishes to club legend Kevin Keegan, hours after it was announced he had been diagnosed with cancer. But the biggest tribute they could have paid was the pulsating match both sides produced, which ended with a Keegan-esque scoreline. If he was watching on from a sofa somewhere, the Yorkshireman would have just loved it. Leeds started energetically, pressing in the home player's faces and caus...