Yorkshire Evening Post 22/8/07
Ridsdale's Leeds United book profits go to charity
By Paul Robinson
FORMER Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale is donating all the money he makes from his controversial new book to charity.
Ridsdale's decision to tell the story of his turbulent six-year reign at Elland Road has sparked accusations from fans that he is cashing in on United's disastrous decline.
The YEP understands, however, that every penny the ex-Leeds chief receives in royalties or upfront payments from the book is going to St Gemma's Hospice in Moortown.The sum handed over to the hospice is likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds.
A source close to Ridsdale said: "Peter thinks he's got every right to give his side of the story. He hasn't in full detail until now. But he also recognises that a lot of Leeds fans might take the view that he shouldn't profit from the club's demise. By making this donation to the hospice, he hopes the supporters might at least give him a fair hearing."
Due out in November and published by Pan Macmillan, the lifelong Leeds fan's book is entitled United We Fall: Boardroom Truths About The Beautiful Game.
In it, he describes how the Whites attempted to "live the dream" by splashing out millions of pounds on players such as Rio Ferdinand – but ended up £80m in debt.
He also looks back on the courtroom trials of Leeds stars Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate and the deaths of United fans Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight in Turkey.
The book has been co-written with Steve Dennis, the Yorkshire-born journalist who penned the memoirs of Princess Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell.
A spokeswoman for St Gemma's said today: "We are thrilled that Peter Ridsdale is helping us out in this way."
Ridsdale, who quit as Leeds chairman in 2003 and is now in charge at Cardiff City, was unavailable for comment.
Bradford Telegraph & Argus 22/8/07
Elland Road set for player influx
By Sports Desk
Dennis Wise is stepping up his bid to strengthen his squad and is planning to make an offer for Tranmere winger Steve Davies.
The 19-year-old Liverpool-born left-sided player is only in his second year in the Tranmere team but he impressed Wise when the teams met on the opening day of the season.
Wise is hoping to bring in half a dozen new faces before the transfer deadline next week, including a goalkeeper, striker and two full backs.
Hibernian captain Rob Jones' agent, meanwhile, claims the defender is unhappy about being denied permission to discuss a move to Leeds.
According to agent Kevin Smith, centre-back Jones is a target for Wise after a successful first year at Easter Road.
But Smith insists 27-year-old Jones has been refused the chance to discuss a move south, and has been offered an unacceptable new contract by Hibernian.
Jones is under contract to Hibernian until 2010 but is eager for a return to England, after previous spells with Stockport and Grimsby, unless he gets a big pay rise.
Smith said: "I am aware Leeds have shown an interest in Rob - and that would be something he'd be interested in. But Hibs have made it clear that he is not for sale and there is a lot of bad feeling and disappointment on our side."
With three wins under their belt in the opening week of the season, optimism is growing among Leeds fans but they know the first big test comes this Saturday at Nottingham Forest.
Both clubs have fallen on hard times after years in the top flight and Forest are favourites to drag themselves out of League One, a task Leeds will struggle to accomplish because of the 15-point deduction.
Leeds have sold their allocation of tickets and fans are warned that none will be on sale on the day and are therefore urged not to travel unless they have a ticket.
BBC 22/8/07
Hibs quiet on Jones' Leeds link
Hibernian are refusing to comment on claims that they have left captain Rob Jones angry by refusing to sell the central defender to Leeds United.
Agent Kevin Smith told The Sun: "I know Rob has spoken with the chairman and expressed his desire to go back to England to play his football.
"I am aware Leeds have shown an interest in Rob.
"But Hibs have made it clear that he is not for sale and there is bad feeling and disappointment on our side."
The 27-year-old Jones has become a first-team regular with Hibs after leaving Grimsby Town last summer.
But his agent claims that the player has been left disappointed by his contract.
"It was agreed under previous manager Tony Mowbray that, if Rob did well, we could come back to the table to review things," he said.
"But the offer from Hibs was not acceptable and we are very disappointed by it.
"I have heard rumours that Hibs are looking for around £1m for Rob.
"But if they are looking for that kind of figure then they should aim to reflect that in his salary and they have not done that.
"Rob is contracted to Hibs for another three seasons, but he has personal issues and they will need to be addressed at some point.
"But, at the moment, he is captain of Hibs and he will continued to serve them with loyalty until that situation changes."
Leedsunited.com 21/8/07
BEST FOR YEARS
United boss Dennis Wise is refusing to get to carried away by the club's best start to a season for seven years.
The last time United won the first three matches was in 2000/01 when David O'Leary's side beat 1860 Munich, Everton in the Premiership opener, and Munich again in the Champions League qualifier. They also won their fourth, against Middlesbrough.
Terry Venables presided over back-to-back league wins to open up the 2002/03 season, but Wisey has already notched up a rare hat-trick for the club with wins against Tranmere, Macclesfield, and Southend.
"Momentum is an important thing and that's what we need to have with us," said the boss. It was important we won at Tranmere, and again on Saturday. You want to win your first few games and your first home game. I'm very pleased with the way it's gone so far, but there's a long, long way to go and it's important people keep their feet on the ground and don't get carried away."
United are through to the second round of the Carling Cup -Portsmouth lie in wait at Fratton Park next Tuesday - but more importantly, the lads have already reduced the 15-point deficit to minus nine.
"It's an important time for us," said the boss. "We need to try and clear these points up as quickly as possible, and catch the others up.
"I've got a good group of players here and they're well capable of doing that, but it's important no one gets carried away.
"We've got a young, hungrier team who want to play and die for Leeds United. The same goes for the management as well.
"We've stayed strong together through a tough time, and the fans have been great as well. Hopefully they're seeing this club will change and that we're doing things for the right reasons."
Yorkshire Evening Post 22/8/07
Leeds United boss Dennis in tribute to Lewis
LEEDS UNITED boss Dennis Wise today paid tribute to winger Eddie Lewis following his move to Premiership Derby County.
The 33-year-old made 96 appearances for United after joining on a free transfer from Preston, and the move was irresistable to a player who is aiming to keep his international career alive.
The Californian has signed a two-year contract after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee last week and Wise said: "I wanted to keep Eddie, but this is a wonderful opportunity for
him.
"He phoned me up and I was never going to stand his way and say 'sorry you're not going'.
"I think he would have been annoyed with me if I'd have done that. He's been a good pro, he's done very well for us and I'm chuffed to bits he's got an opportunity like that."
Derby boss Billy Davies had charge of Lewis at Preston and identified him as someone whowould bring experience and quality to the Pride Park squad
"I'm absolutely delighted that Eddie has signed," said Davies. "The left side of midfield is an area we have targeted for improvement and he has a wonderful left foot. His delivery from wide areas and set pieces will provide an excellent platform for our attacking play."
Lewis first played Premier League football in 2000 when he signed for Fulham for £1.3million from San Jose Earthquakes.
He is likely to go straight into the fray when Derby host Birmingham on Saturday.
Ridsdale's Leeds United book profits go to charity
By Paul Robinson
FORMER Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale is donating all the money he makes from his controversial new book to charity.
Ridsdale's decision to tell the story of his turbulent six-year reign at Elland Road has sparked accusations from fans that he is cashing in on United's disastrous decline.
The YEP understands, however, that every penny the ex-Leeds chief receives in royalties or upfront payments from the book is going to St Gemma's Hospice in Moortown.The sum handed over to the hospice is likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds.
A source close to Ridsdale said: "Peter thinks he's got every right to give his side of the story. He hasn't in full detail until now. But he also recognises that a lot of Leeds fans might take the view that he shouldn't profit from the club's demise. By making this donation to the hospice, he hopes the supporters might at least give him a fair hearing."
Due out in November and published by Pan Macmillan, the lifelong Leeds fan's book is entitled United We Fall: Boardroom Truths About The Beautiful Game.
In it, he describes how the Whites attempted to "live the dream" by splashing out millions of pounds on players such as Rio Ferdinand – but ended up £80m in debt.
He also looks back on the courtroom trials of Leeds stars Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate and the deaths of United fans Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight in Turkey.
The book has been co-written with Steve Dennis, the Yorkshire-born journalist who penned the memoirs of Princess Diana's former butler, Paul Burrell.
A spokeswoman for St Gemma's said today: "We are thrilled that Peter Ridsdale is helping us out in this way."
Ridsdale, who quit as Leeds chairman in 2003 and is now in charge at Cardiff City, was unavailable for comment.
Bradford Telegraph & Argus 22/8/07
Elland Road set for player influx
By Sports Desk
Dennis Wise is stepping up his bid to strengthen his squad and is planning to make an offer for Tranmere winger Steve Davies.
The 19-year-old Liverpool-born left-sided player is only in his second year in the Tranmere team but he impressed Wise when the teams met on the opening day of the season.
Wise is hoping to bring in half a dozen new faces before the transfer deadline next week, including a goalkeeper, striker and two full backs.
Hibernian captain Rob Jones' agent, meanwhile, claims the defender is unhappy about being denied permission to discuss a move to Leeds.
According to agent Kevin Smith, centre-back Jones is a target for Wise after a successful first year at Easter Road.
But Smith insists 27-year-old Jones has been refused the chance to discuss a move south, and has been offered an unacceptable new contract by Hibernian.
Jones is under contract to Hibernian until 2010 but is eager for a return to England, after previous spells with Stockport and Grimsby, unless he gets a big pay rise.
Smith said: "I am aware Leeds have shown an interest in Rob - and that would be something he'd be interested in. But Hibs have made it clear that he is not for sale and there is a lot of bad feeling and disappointment on our side."
With three wins under their belt in the opening week of the season, optimism is growing among Leeds fans but they know the first big test comes this Saturday at Nottingham Forest.
Both clubs have fallen on hard times after years in the top flight and Forest are favourites to drag themselves out of League One, a task Leeds will struggle to accomplish because of the 15-point deduction.
Leeds have sold their allocation of tickets and fans are warned that none will be on sale on the day and are therefore urged not to travel unless they have a ticket.
BBC 22/8/07
Hibs quiet on Jones' Leeds link
Hibernian are refusing to comment on claims that they have left captain Rob Jones angry by refusing to sell the central defender to Leeds United.
Agent Kevin Smith told The Sun: "I know Rob has spoken with the chairman and expressed his desire to go back to England to play his football.
"I am aware Leeds have shown an interest in Rob.
"But Hibs have made it clear that he is not for sale and there is bad feeling and disappointment on our side."
The 27-year-old Jones has become a first-team regular with Hibs after leaving Grimsby Town last summer.
But his agent claims that the player has been left disappointed by his contract.
"It was agreed under previous manager Tony Mowbray that, if Rob did well, we could come back to the table to review things," he said.
"But the offer from Hibs was not acceptable and we are very disappointed by it.
"I have heard rumours that Hibs are looking for around £1m for Rob.
"But if they are looking for that kind of figure then they should aim to reflect that in his salary and they have not done that.
"Rob is contracted to Hibs for another three seasons, but he has personal issues and they will need to be addressed at some point.
"But, at the moment, he is captain of Hibs and he will continued to serve them with loyalty until that situation changes."
Leedsunited.com 21/8/07
BEST FOR YEARS
United boss Dennis Wise is refusing to get to carried away by the club's best start to a season for seven years.
The last time United won the first three matches was in 2000/01 when David O'Leary's side beat 1860 Munich, Everton in the Premiership opener, and Munich again in the Champions League qualifier. They also won their fourth, against Middlesbrough.
Terry Venables presided over back-to-back league wins to open up the 2002/03 season, but Wisey has already notched up a rare hat-trick for the club with wins against Tranmere, Macclesfield, and Southend.
"Momentum is an important thing and that's what we need to have with us," said the boss. It was important we won at Tranmere, and again on Saturday. You want to win your first few games and your first home game. I'm very pleased with the way it's gone so far, but there's a long, long way to go and it's important people keep their feet on the ground and don't get carried away."
United are through to the second round of the Carling Cup -Portsmouth lie in wait at Fratton Park next Tuesday - but more importantly, the lads have already reduced the 15-point deficit to minus nine.
"It's an important time for us," said the boss. "We need to try and clear these points up as quickly as possible, and catch the others up.
"I've got a good group of players here and they're well capable of doing that, but it's important no one gets carried away.
"We've got a young, hungrier team who want to play and die for Leeds United. The same goes for the management as well.
"We've stayed strong together through a tough time, and the fans have been great as well. Hopefully they're seeing this club will change and that we're doing things for the right reasons."
Yorkshire Evening Post 22/8/07
Leeds United boss Dennis in tribute to Lewis
LEEDS UNITED boss Dennis Wise today paid tribute to winger Eddie Lewis following his move to Premiership Derby County.
The 33-year-old made 96 appearances for United after joining on a free transfer from Preston, and the move was irresistable to a player who is aiming to keep his international career alive.
The Californian has signed a two-year contract after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee last week and Wise said: "I wanted to keep Eddie, but this is a wonderful opportunity for
him.
"He phoned me up and I was never going to stand his way and say 'sorry you're not going'.
"I think he would have been annoyed with me if I'd have done that. He's been a good pro, he's done very well for us and I'm chuffed to bits he's got an opportunity like that."
Derby boss Billy Davies had charge of Lewis at Preston and identified him as someone whowould bring experience and quality to the Pride Park squad
"I'm absolutely delighted that Eddie has signed," said Davies. "The left side of midfield is an area we have targeted for improvement and he has a wonderful left foot. His delivery from wide areas and set pieces will provide an excellent platform for our attacking play."
Lewis first played Premier League football in 2000 when he signed for Fulham for £1.3million from San Jose Earthquakes.
He is likely to go straight into the fray when Derby host Birmingham on Saturday.