Mighty Leeds Weblog

Daniel Farke has won supporters over with his exploits at Leeds United this season Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter Daniel Farke proved critics wrong this season, shrugging off the doubts about his ability to keep Leeds United in the Premier League. The manager appeared to be on the brink in November before a dramatic U-turn amid a switch to a back three formation changed the club’s fortunes and ultimately his own reputation. Reports that broke last year suggested those in the 49ers hierarchy had concerns about Farke’s chances of securing safety for Leeds and pondered over replacing him, despite having just won the Championship title by a club record points. Whether accurate speculation or not, Farke had a point to prove back in England’s top flight, to the wider football community but also to some Leeds supporters themselves with angst in the fanbase over Farke’s Premier League acumen following relegation and then dismissal in his two Premier League campaigns at cash-stri...

By Stuart Rayner Daniel Farke used the pulling power of Elland Road in last summer's transfer window and plans to do the same again as Leeds United look to upgrade their squad for a second season in the Premier League. The historic ground has a reputation as something of a bear pit, and it served Leeds well last season. Only bottom of the table Wolverhampton Wanderers won a higher percentage of their points at home in 2025-26. Work is now underway on expanding capacity from the current 37,645 capacity to what will ultimately be 53,000, and it is vital the matchday atmosphere is not diluted by it. Manager Farke, inset, will certainly be unafraid to trade off the fanbase with his next batch of transfer targets. “In my first conversations with Anton Stach and Seb Bornauw, I told them, 'Listen, if you want to have a feeling how Elland Road is, go on YouTube and all the channels, and have a look.’ “I think this impressed them a lot. “Of course there are many more poi...

Balaclava Man Written by: Rob Conlon David Ekin can still remember the exact moment his friend Andy Metcalfe fashioned the makeshift balaclava that became one of the defining images in Leeds United’s history. “It was February 1975,” Ekin says over a cup of tea in the living room of his home in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire. “Middlesbrough away. We won 1-0, Allan Clarke scored. A load of us went up on a train from York and we stopped at Darlington. It was early in the morning. I think the pubs opened at half ten, so we got into this boozer and we could see Andy on his own in the corner up to something. He had his woolly hat and he was smoking. He came up with the idea of burning two holes in it so he could see, and then burned a hole for his mouth so he could keep smoking.” Ekin was friendlier with Metcalfe’s younger brother, Rob. “Andy wasn’t really a big mixer with the lads,” he says. “He was a bit of a lone wolf. You had to keep an eye on him because he was always up to some...

By Graham Smyth Morrie Eisenberg contributed to the Elland Road expansion plans while at Leeds United. Leeds United have confirmed the summer departure of one of the top Elland Road executives. Morrie Eisenberg is to leave the club this summer to take up the CEO role at San Diego Wave in the National Women's Soccer League. Eisenberg arrived at Elland Road in October 2023 and has held the role of chief business officer. He was tasked with input into the Elland Road redevelopment plan, commercial revenue streams and business operations. Managing director Robbie Evans said: "While I am disappointed to see Morrie leave, I am grateful for his effort and impact over the last three years. Much as with players, when you employ excellent people who produce excellent results, sometimes the unfortunate effect is that they will attract interest elsewhere. "Morrie and I first met three years ago in discussing if we should leave our old lives behind to try and help Leeds Unit...

A letter to supporters. Dear Leeds United supporters, With the season now finished, following an extraordinary effort by everybody connected to this great football club, I am immensely proud to have achieved our goal of securing another season in the Premier League. While this year brought memorable highs and difficult moments, Daniel and the squad delivered a special campaign. In a league where promoted clubs usually struggle, survival in our first season back is a significant accomplishment. We are also especially proud to have recorded our first league win at Old Trafford since 1981 and to have reached our first FA Cup semi-final since 1987. This season, clearly one of the determining factors for the squad was your energy at Elland Road - we collected 32 points on home soil. We will need that energy next season to ensure it remains a fortress. I said last year that the road ahead would not be easy - that is still true. History shows that the second season in the Premier Le...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United's fine Premier League campaign ended with a whimper at relegated West Ham United. Daniel Farke described the 3-0 defeat at London Stadium as a 'game too far' without key players, despite welcoming back Pascal Struijk and Jayden Bogle from their respective injuries. The Whites wilted in the intense heat and though the Hammers ran out victorious, time ran out on their stint in the top flight.Here's the YEP take. Good day Jaka Bijol. The Slovenian was the best of the bunch against West Ham and defended his box with the usual gusto. Few others matched his reliability all afternoon. It was only 1-0 when he went off. Travelling fans. The mood was relaxed en route to the capital and it was largely a party atmosphere in the away section throughout. They poked fun at their soon-to-be-relegated rivals all afternoon and enjoyed themselves in the sun. The relentless chants listing West Ham’s 2026/27 opposition were as merciless as they were am...