Mighty Leeds Weblog

£3M and RISING United review Fowler costs By PAUL DEWS Yorkshire Evening Post LEEDS UNITED were today reviewing their agreement with former striker Robbie Fowler. Fowler made the switch from Manchester City to Liverpool over the weekend and United were going through the paperwork to assess the potential cost to themselves. When Fowler joined City in January 2003, former United chairman Peter Ridsdale entered into an agreement with the striker that saw Leeds subsidise his wages. The Elland Road club are understood to have contributed in excess of £20,000 a week to Fowler's wages since he left Leeds – an agreement which has already cost United over £3m – and that deal is due to continue until July 1 this year. United chief executive officer Shaun Harvey confirmed: "The deal was made with Robbie Fowler when he left to subsidise his wages away from Leeds United. That was a deal which was acceptable to the club at that time. "We will re-visit the agreement as a matter of cours...

Welcome to Europe - new pages uploaded at mightyleeds.co.uk I've just uploaded my review of the 1965-66 season. United's Inter Cities Fairs Cup debut ends in tragedy in Turin for Bobby Collins but United triumph before coming so near and yet so far in both League championship and European competition Read the full story at http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/seasons/196566part1.htm

Blackwell backing Gregan to cover for Kilgallon Richard Sutcliffe Yorkshire Post KEVIN BLACKWELL insists Leeds United have a ready-made replacement in Sean Gregan after revealing influential defender Matthew Kilgallon will be out for at least two months. The 22-year-old York-born defender has been United's most improved performer this season, but a double injury blow sustained against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup meant he missed the 3-0 derby win at home to Sheffield Wednesday. Gregan, who before the weekend had made just two starts in three months, stepped in to help Leeds keep a clean sheet against the Owls. The former Preston and West Brom man has been a target for the Elland Road boo boys in certain games this season, but Blackwell believes it is time for all parties to look forward and not back. He said: "I thought Sean was tremendous. The last time he came in (to the defence) at Millwall he was man of the match and he looked like he had not been away. Full credit to him ...

BLACKWELL HAILS BATES' EFFECT By Ross Heppenstall, PA Sport Sporting Life Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell hailed the impact of chairman Ken Bates as the former Chelsea supremo celebrated one year at the Elland Road helm. Bates watched on from the directors' box as Leeds beat Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 to keep the pressure on second-placed Sheffield United. Former Owls striker Richard Cresswell grabbed two late goals after skipper Paul Butler finally broke the Owls' spirited resistance with a 72nd-minute header. Blackwell paid tribute to Bates following the club's upturn in fortune since his takeover 12 months ago. "I haven't spoken to the chairman yet but I'll go up and have a chat with him now," said Blackwell. "It's been a momentous 12 months and what a way to finish it. Hopefully the next 12 months can be just as successful. "The club has absolutely turned itself on its head and I don't think any of us would have ever thou...

Cress Hell For Owls: United 3 Wednesday 0 leedsunited.com A Richard Cresswell double against his former club helped secure all three points for United as they won the Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday. Pre-Match United boss Kevin Blackwell was forced into changes for the visit of Sheffield Wednesday due to injury and suspension. Matthew Kilgallon picked up a knock on his knee in the FA Cup game with Wigan and failed to recover in time to feature, his place went to Sean Gregan, back in the side for the first time in nine games. Rob Hulse's suspension saw Richard Cresswell get a start against one of his former teams, whilst Robbie Blake was prefered to David Healy despite the Northern Ireland international's two goals in midweek. There was some good news on the injury front with Shaun Derry returning to action after a hamstring injury, Simon Walton dropping out again after coming in for the Wigan game. Sheffield Wednesday kept the same side that beat Leicester City in t...

HEALY AND KOUMAS TO SWAP PATHS Sporting Life Leeds are reportedly set to offer David Healy as a makeweight and an additional £500,000 to push through a deal to lure Jason Koumas to Elland Road. Whites boss Kevin Blackwell has long been linked with a swoop for Koumas, who has impressed on loan for Cardiff this season. But the £2.5million fee that the Baggies are demanding for the Wales international is beyond the spending powers of both the Bluebirds and Leeds. However, Blackwell's Albion counterpart Bryan Robson is known to be in the market for a new striker, with both Kanu and Diomany Kamara on African Nations Cup duty and the future of Robert Earnshaw shrouded in doubt. And it is thought Leeds' offer of Healy, plus cash, would be enough to tempt Robson to do business. Healy has endured a frustrating time at Elland Road since his switch from Preston in October 2004, being asked to play out of the position in a wide attacking role and often falling victim to Blackwell's squ...

Leeds 3-3 Wigan (aet) Wigan win 4-2 on penalties BBC Wigan edged into the FA Cup fourth round after a penalty shoot-out. David Healy, who had scored a penalty in normal time, missed for Leeds, as did Rob Hulse with their fourth kick. In normal time Andreas Johansson gave Wigan the lead, before David Healy volleyed in, only for Jason Roberts' shot to make it 2-1 on 50 minutes. Healy converted a penalty to level the tie for a second time, before Roberts then powered in a header, but Gary Kelly's dipping shot to make it 3-3. There might have been more than the six goals, but Gary Teale's first-half swerving shot hit the bar, while a similar effort for Leeds from Eddie Lewis also struck the woodwork. On 76 minutes Liam Miller hit the bar for a second time for Leeds with a superbly executed shot. Healy was heavily involved in the game's first chance when a Miller run opened up the Wigan defence. Miller's pass was cleverly dummied by Hulse, allowing the ball to run throug...

Brighton 2 Leeds 1: Hart proves good value Ivo Tennant at Withdean stadium Sunday Times BRIGHTON had presented a reasoned argument before the kick-off in defence of having spent more than £250,000 on agents’ commissions in the past six months. For an impecunious club like theirs, they stated, money spent on securing players on loan saved them having to fork out on high transfer fees. Nonetheless Brighton manager Mark McGhee admitted that he had been offered, and had turned down, a "bung" when in charge of Wolves. Having been told in no uncertain terms by Charlie Oatway, their captain who will be missing for the rest of the season, that nothing less than hyper-charged performances will suffice if they are to avoid relegation, Brighton performed initially as they had when defeating Leeds in the corresponding fixture last season. They had sufficient chances in the opening 15 minutes to win the match. Dean Hammond headed against a post; Richard Carpenter slid a shot just past. Wh...

Gylfi's Over The Moon leedsunited.com United midfielder Gylfi Einarsson is delighted after agreeing a new deal that keeps him at the club until the summer of 2008. The Icelandic international would have been out of contract in the summer and had no hesitation in re-signing once a new one was offered. He arrived on a free transfer last January after four years with Norwegian side Lillestrom and quickly began to impress with his aerial ability, scoring with a cracking header in the win over Burnley at Turf Moor on his third appearance. Gylfi has made 13 appearances this season - the last of which did prove to be unlucky as he received a red card for a foul on Robbie Savage in the Carling Cup defeat at Blackburn Rovers. He then went on to suffer a dislocated shoulder playing for the reserves against Birmingham City from which he has only just recovered from, and he's understandably relieved to have some good news to talk about now. "I am very happy to have signed a new contra...

Wigan 1 Leeds 1: Weary Wigan running out of options Jonathan Northcroft at JJB stadium Sunday Times YOU could tell from his three men up front, and two further strikers on the bench, that Kevin Blackwell was an acolyte of Neil Warnock. Happily for Leeds United, their manager appears to have picked up a thing or two from his mentor about ambushing better opponents in the cup. Wigan Athletic dominated until right-back Ryan Taylor limped off with, as manager Paul Jewell put it, “that fashionable injury”, a broken metatarsal. That was in the 77th minute and Leeds were 1-0 behind. Blackwell had 15 minutes to turn the tie around and seized his chance. Taylor’s injury meant Wigan had to last out the game with 10 men, Jewell having already used his three substitutes. Blackwell replaced Jonathan Douglas with Richard Cresswell, which meant, with David Healy also on, he had three centre- forwards on the pitch, who were abetted by an impressive winger, Eddie Lewis. Heavy shelling followed. Stephan...

Wigan 1-1 Leeds bbc.co.uk Rob Hulse struck a late equaliser to stun Wigan and earn Leeds an FA Cup third round replay. Hulse scrambled home from close range with two minutes left after Eddie Lewis' cross caused confusion in the Wigan penalty area. David Connolly's 47th minute goal, when he turned in Lee McCulloch's cross, looked to have give Wigan the win. Connolly fired narrowly off target as Wigan pressed for a second, but Hulse gave the Championship side a draw. Wigan boss Paul Jewell was keen to rest some of his squad after the hectic holiday programme, and made seven changes from the side that lost 2-0 at Birmingham. Leeds, with Hulse replacing Richard Cresswell up front, made the brighter start and Wigan were grateful to recalled keeper John Filan when he plunge bravely at the feet of Jonathon Douglas to save. Wigan responded with a far post header from captain Matt Jackson as he stole in on Alan Mahon's cross, but Neil Sullivan was well-placed to clear the danger...

No Rush For The January Sales leedsunited.com The January sales may have started with the opening of the transfer window but manager Kevin Blackwell insists he is happy to wait for the right 'bargains'. Leeds continue to be linked with a number of names both home and abroad but Blackwell is remaining silent about exactly who he's after, and said any new arrivals might not be until much later in the transfer window. "At the moment there's no point confirming or denying an interest in any player we are linked with - let's just keep people guessing. "We are being linked with a lot of players because everyone knows I am out to get a right sided player. The fact we haven't had Steve Stone has affected my decisions and certain styles I might want to play in games because of the lack of an out and out right winger. "If I can find one that fits the bill I am sure the Chairman will help me bring him into the football club." Blackwell's immediate c...

Four Out Of Four: Plymouth 0 United 3 leedsunited.com A stunning second half performance from Leeds at Home Park gave Kevin Blackwell's men their fourth consecutive win and put the icing on a very Merry Christmas indeed. Pre-Match United boss Kevin Blackwell was able to name an unchanged team following on from Saturday's win over Hull City. It meant Richard Cresswell and Robbie Blake continued their partnership upfront with David Healy and Rob Hulse still on the bench. The Match Leeds are never quite at their best under the glare of the Sky cameras and the game itself didn't quite produce the excitement the TV executives may have hoped for from the opening quarter hour. That didn't stop the United fans from enjoying themselves in the stand behind Neil Sullivan's goal after a six hour drive from Leeds. They were up waving their shirts over their heads from the start and at least gave the game a decent atmosphere. Early action points saw Eddie Lewis deliver a corner ...

All hell breaks loose - new pages uploaded at mightyleeds.co.uk I've just uploaded my review of the Fairs Cup game between Leeds United and Valencia on 2 February 1966 All hell breaks loose at Elland Road as an experienced Spanish side turn on the rough stuff, the players are taken off the field and three men are dismissed - including Jack Charlton. Read the full story at http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/matches/19660202.htm

BLACKWELL - ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE Sporting Life Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell insists the race for automatic promotion remains wide open after his side's 2-0 victory against Yorkshire rivals Hull. On-loan Blackburn midfielder Jonathan Douglas grabbed a goal in either half to secure Leeds their third successive Coca-Cola Championship victory. Runaway leaders Reading looked to have given themselves an insurmountable lead at the summit while second-placed Sheffield United also have a healthy cushion on Blackwell's side. But the Elland Road boss believes it is eminently possible that his side can claim a top-two finish. He said: "I think anything is possible and if you don't think it is then you shouldn't be in management. "It's an old adage but it's about taking one game at a time. We dealt with Stoke and then we focused on dealing with Hull today. "That's what we've got to do and we shall see where we end up. Since June, a total of 12 new pla...