RISING STAR JOINS LEEDS
United win race to sign ace Beckford
Yorkshire Evening Post
EXCLUSIVE By PAUL DEWS
THE 'most wanted man in non-league football' was today set to put pen to paper with Leeds United. Wealdstone striker Jermaine Beckford has agreed terms with Leeds and was undergoing a medical at the club's Thorp Arch training base. The 23-year-old is the leading goalscorer in the senior divisions of the non-league pyramid with 35 goals this season
and has attracted a host of interest from clubs. Charlton, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, QPR, Brentford, Oldham, Yeovil, Peterborough, Wycombe Wanderers and Barnet have all checked out the player's progress while Premiership heavyweights Chelsea had also dropped in on Wealdstone for a close look at the striker. But Leeds have won the race for his signature and were immediately fending off loan enquiries for his services. Delighted manager Kevin Blackwell said: "Jermaine is a raw talent and we think he has a big future. "He's scored a lot of goals for Wealdstone and there's been a hell of a lot of interest in him. We're delighted he has chosen us." Blackwell admits his young striker may have to bide his time before breaking through. "He's one for the future," said the Leeds boss. "There's always someone in non-league football who can make the step up. We've had him watched and the scouts like what they have seen. "Both the chairman and I want to uncover a gem from somewhere and it could be Jermaine. "He will come here and learn his trade."
United win race to sign ace Beckford
Yorkshire Evening Post
EXCLUSIVE By PAUL DEWS
THE 'most wanted man in non-league football' was today set to put pen to paper with Leeds United. Wealdstone striker Jermaine Beckford has agreed terms with Leeds and was undergoing a medical at the club's Thorp Arch training base. The 23-year-old is the leading goalscorer in the senior divisions of the non-league pyramid with 35 goals this season
and has attracted a host of interest from clubs. Charlton, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, QPR, Brentford, Oldham, Yeovil, Peterborough, Wycombe Wanderers and Barnet have all checked out the player's progress while Premiership heavyweights Chelsea had also dropped in on Wealdstone for a close look at the striker. But Leeds have won the race for his signature and were immediately fending off loan enquiries for his services. Delighted manager Kevin Blackwell said: "Jermaine is a raw talent and we think he has a big future. "He's scored a lot of goals for Wealdstone and there's been a hell of a lot of interest in him. We're delighted he has chosen us." Blackwell admits his young striker may have to bide his time before breaking through. "He's one for the future," said the Leeds boss. "There's always someone in non-league football who can make the step up. We've had him watched and the scouts like what they have seen. "Both the chairman and I want to uncover a gem from somewhere and it could be Jermaine. "He will come here and learn his trade."