Mighty Leeds Weblog

Leedsunited.com 15/12/07 JUST REWARDS WALSALL 1 (Mooney 75), LEEDS UNITED 1 (Westlake 90) United boss Dennis Wise was forced into making one change from the side which thrashed Huddersfield last weekend, with Leon Constantine making his first league start in place of the suspended Tresor Kandol. Walsall included former United striker Michael Ricketts in their starting line-up. Once again Wise's men trotted out in front of a full-house, and it was the home fans who were almost celebrating after just eight minutes. Mark Bradley's attempted long-distance chip of Casper Ankergren came back off the bar, but former Birmingham marksman Tommy Mooney was in an offside position when he rifled home the rebound. United's early opportunities came courtesy of David Prutton and Jonathan Douglas, with both firing over the top from distance. Douglas also had a free-kick blocked after Ian Westlake was fouled on the edge of the area. But the home side were also a threat going forward and Fraz...

Yorkshire Post 10/12/07 Ken Bates plans two hotels at Elland Road LEEDS United chairman Ken Bates plans to transform the club's Elland Road ground with an ambitious scheme that includes two hotels, a shopping centre and a health club. The hotels, a budget proposition and a four-star offering, would be built in an L shape on the site currently occupied by a souvenir shop. The development would also include food outlets and a Leeds United museum. Details of the plan were announced by Mr Bates in the match programme for United's derby game against Huddersfield Town on Saturday. He said the hotels would strengthen the club's conference and banqueting (C&B) business, and added: "I believe that the income from an enlarged C&B market would enable us to buy a quality player every year!" So far no start date for the development has been announced.Mr Bates says his plans complement those of Leeds City Council, which owns much of the land surrounding the ground. In ...

Yorkshire Evening Post 8/12/07 Leeds United reign on Billy's day By Phil Hay Leeds United 4 Huddersfield Town 0 IT was Billy Bremner's day at Elland Road yesterday, and it therefore stood to reason that it should be Leeds United's as well. On the weekend of the 10th anniversary of Bremner's passing, a capacity crowd acknowledged the legend born in Scotland but bred in the heart of Leeds in the way that modern day football knows best, with a simple and heartfelt round of applause. The tribute honoured a man of unique talent and personality, and one who is virtually peerless around Elland Road. The city of Leeds vowed never to forget, and has held rigidly to that promise. It was, however, with an impeccable sense of occasion that yesterday's West Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Town was settled in United's favour with the help of a midfielder carrying Bremner's iconic number four on his back. A first-half goal from Jonathan Douglas – the modern-day holder...

Yorkshire Post 30/11/07 Shepherd eyes investment in Leeds United By Richard Sutcliffe EXCLUSIVE: Freddy Shepherd wants to buy a one-third share in Leeds United, the Yorkshire Post can reveal. The former Newcastle United chairman is understood to have been in talks with the Elland Road hierarchy for a couple of months over acquiring a minority shareholding. It is by no means a done deal, however, with several other would-be investors believed to have been in touch with chairman Ken Bates since the club exited administration during the summer. Under the proposal by Shepherd, Bates would remain in control with the deal taking the form of an investment as opposed to an outright takeover. This would fit in with the 75-year-old's intention to remain as chairman. Bates has made no secret of his desire to attract investors to the club and is known to have had lunch with Shepherd in September. He has been at pains to point out that the club is not for sale and used his programme notes for t...