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 September, the council floated the idea of building a new railway station as part of wider plans for a leisure development.
The council's own plans for the area include proposals for an entertainment arena, casino, hotel, health club, police headquarters, cafes, bars and parking for about 2,700 cars.
The east coast railway line borders the site and the idea of building a station at Elland Road has been discussed several times over the last 20 years.
Council leader Andrew Carter said when the latest plan was unveiled: "All members would like to see a halt but it would be dependent on the developments that take place and the value of those developments.
"In the past the line has not had sufficient capacity and there has been no money to build the facility. However, we have to fight for it because it would benefit the city in general."
The Elland Road ground was sold to Manchester businessman Jacob Adler by a previous United board in late 2004, with Leeds taking a 25-year lease on the site. It was sold on to British Virgin Islands-based Teak Commercial Limited in 2005.
Mr Bates has said he intends to buy back Elland Road "in the fullness of time".
Harry lets target out of the bag
By Phil Hay
Dave Bassett let the cat out the bag on Monday morning when he announced that Leeds United planned to sit at the top of League One on New Year's Day.
Dennis Wise reacted by joking that his assistant was blessed with "a big gob", but Bassett's comments revealed the swing from caution to optimism which has taken place at Elland Road.His admission was followed up later in the week by Frazer Richardson's assertion that Leeds would win automatic promotion this season, and even Wise found himself drawn into a discussion over how far his squad can go by May. After four months which have laid the most perfect of platforms, United appear ready to show their hand.
"It was a target I put to them," said Wise of the January 1 aim.
"Are they capable? We'll see. You have to challenge them and keep them on their toes."
United's credentials were widely examined last month, the result of their first spell of struggle in an otherwise excellent season, but a 3-0 victory over Port Vale on Tuesday negated their 1-0 defeat at Cheltenham and sent Wise's players into yesterday's West Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Town with a renewed sense of purpose.
United have 12 more points to compete for before the turn of the year, and a five-point margin separated the club from the top of the division ahead of this weekend's fixtures.
The season started with Wise plotting his side's recovery from their Football League penalty, but United's rapid climb up the league has revised the expectations of many supporters who feared whether another tussle with relegation was on the cards. Wise, however, insisted he had not been surprised by the speed of Leeds' ascent.
"We're slightly in front of what I expected," he said.
"It's nice, but there's still a target. Whether or not we drop below, we've still got a target that we want to achieve.
"But I'm not going to get carried away. We're in a fantastic spot but when you get carried away, things like Cheltenham happen.
"We've had stages this year. We had to get out of the bottom four first, then there was the next group (to catch).
"Then there was getting into the play-offs, and now there's the final group – the final hurdle of getting into an automatic spot and staying there."
The criticism that came United's way last month irked Wise, and frustrated his assistant Bassett who became an easy if unjustified target for criticism from a number of United supporters who suggested the club's form was linked to Bassett's arrival in place of Gustavo Poyet.
Bassett rejected the claim – calling it a "cheap shot" – and Wise moved to support him this week after the 3-0 victory over Vale returned normality to the club.
Wise said: "Everyone jumped on the bandwagon after we lost a couple of games.
"They have to realise that in the cup games I changed the team and if I'm being honest it was my fault. I haven't concentrated fully on the cups, or as much as I should have done.
"But you have to look at the long-term, and what we're trying to achieve this year.
"I looked at the big picture, not just the cups. We didn't have fantastic results but we've got one thing to concentrate on now.
"People just have to judge us in the league. In the league we've been fantastic.
"That's where our full concentration has been. In the cups, we've changed the team quite a bit.
"People like to write certain things about us having such a bad spell but that's the way it is and you have to face up to it."
Wise, meanwhile, has been promised money to work with in the January transfer window after holding talks with chairman Ken Bates this week.United's manager has no plans to make sweeping changes to his squad next month, but United's improving financial position will allow him to target key areas of his team ahead of the League One run-in.
"I've got some money," said Wise.
"It's always nice to bring people in, but it has to be the right people. If it's right then I'll do it.
"If it's not then sometimes you don't want to upset the applecart.
"I'm happy with what I've got but if I get any injuries then obviously I'll need to tweak it."
Yorkshire Post 10/12/07
Leeds United 4 Huddersfield Town 0
By Richard Sutcliffe
At Elland Road
MATT HEATH may not want either Tresor Kandol or Jermaine Beckford on his side when the Leeds United squad is divided into two teams during training.
But the defender knows just how fortunate United are to have the strike pair spearheading the club's seemingly relentless assault on the League One title. Once again, Beckford and Kandol proved too hot to handle as Leeds powered to a 15th victory of the season to move within two points of Swansea City at the summit. The pair, who are best friends off the field, have developed an almost telepathic understanding and their styles complement each other to such an extent that a combined tally of 21 league goals is more than many clubs have managed in total this term.
Huddersfield, with 18, are one of those who cannot match the Leeds duo's tally and Heath appreciates just how important the pair are to the club's quest for success. He said: "It is great to have them both on our side because we can usually rely on them to get a goal here or there.
"It is nice that a few others are popping up with goals as well because Tres and Becks won't score every week, even though they are at the minute.
"To be honest, they are terrible in training. They never score in the games we play on a Friday. I never want them on my team because they are rubbish.
"But come Saturday they do the business.
"Hopefully, we can get promotion because they can then prove themselves in the Championship, too."
Kandol may not have scored, but there was little doubt of the key role he played in Leeds's ninth home win in 10 outings with the former Barnet striker running tirelessly throughout.
His aerial prowess also unsettled the Terriers defence, while he also proved to be no slouch with the ball at his feet, either. It was Kandol's ability to retain possession when under intense pressure before playing an intelligent pass that created the decisive second goal of the game on 50 minutes when Beckford finished in typically predatory style.
Town striker Andy Booth, a veteran of more than 500 games, saw enough of the pair to know they will take some stopping this term.
He said: "Leeds deserved to win but it was a lot closer than 4-0. It was tight in the first half and could have gone either way The second goal was the most important one.
"There was not a lot between the two sides but they got the four goals. They took their chances.
"The front two are very good. Leeds are well organised and both lads run the channels and are very strong. Plus, they score goals. I was very impressed with them both.
"The two front lads are probably a cut above the division."
There was little doubt Leeds deserved the points but the margin of victory was harsh on a Town side who, for 45 minutes at least, played the more constructive football. With Michael Collins and Ronnie Wallwork bossing the centre of midfield and Malvin Kamara's pace unsettling Andrew Hughes at left-back, it was the visitors who fashioned the better chances during the first half.
Huddersfield should have gone ahead after just two minutes when Kamara sped past Hughes before drilling a cross into the path of Booth. The veteran's first touch was poor and Hughes managed to block, but he only managed to divert the ball into the path of Wallwork who should have done better than shoot wide from 10 yards.
Collins almost got the better of Heath after the defender stumbled 10 minutes later, while Town were also left to rue two wasted opportunities by on-loan Phil Jevons towards the end of the half. In contrast, Leeds struggled for much of the opening half and fashioned only one chance. Crucially, however, they made it count when Jonathan Douglas drilled a 20-yard shot along the soaking turf and past the out-stretched hand of rookie goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
Going in at the break behind was rough on the visitors but as soon as Leeds had doubled their lead five minutes after the restart, the game was effectively over. Kandol showed great tenacity to win the ball before playing David Prutton away down the left. He looked up before drilling a cross towards the front post where Beckford nipped in front of Smithies to flick the ball into an unguarded net.
United were now firmly in control and they extended their advantage on 69 minutes when a wonderful overhead pass by Beckford allowed Ian Westlake to spring the offside trap. He raced into the area and picked out Douglas, who brought a wonderful save from Smithies.
Unfortunately for the teenage debutant, the ball merely rebounded to Beckford who tapped it into an empty net.
Leeds were not finished yet and with just three minutes remaining, Tore Andre Flo added a fourth goal with Smithies again unfortunate after managing to block a goalbound effort from Westlake.
Telegraph 10/12/07
Leeds' display is worthy of Billy Bremner By Richard Holdsworth
More than 32,000 fans congregated at Elland Road to watch Leeds take on Huddersfield in a raucous derby on a cold, wet December day.
It was the kind of scene Leeds United's Billy Bremner would have loved. A minute's applause before kick-off commemorated the 10th anniversary of the death of the Leeds legend, who would have enjoyed the ensuing result even more.
A glut of goals rather than solid defensive displays has been the foundation for Leeds' recent success and a 3-0 midweek win over Port Vale had moved Dennis Wise's side up to fifth in League One before this impressive win maintained their promotion push. They are now just two points behind leaders Swansea.
On a day when the fiercely competitive Bremner - once described as '10 stone of barbed wire' - was lovingly remembered, it was perhaps fitting that midfield ball-winner Jonathan Douglas should score the opening goal.
A mainstay of Wise's starting line-up, the midfielder holds Bremner's No 4 shirt and plays in a similarly tenacious manner. No wonder Wise has made the 26-year-old his club captain. The low drive he unleashed in the 24th minute put paid to Huddersfield's early pressure and probably dented the confidence of rookie goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
To be fair, there was little the debutant could have done to keep out his shot, particularly given the way the ball appeared to skid off the wet surface.
Leeds fell into an irresistible rhythm and a more relaxed second-half display followed, yielding a further three goals, Ian Westlake's delightful cross quickly setting up Jermaine Beckford, who underlined his growing reputation as a striker by netting his second 20 minutes later. Tore Andre Flo came off the bench and score the fourth with his first touch late on.
"It was lovely to see 'Dougie' get the first goal, I like sentimental things like that," Wise said.
"It took us 24 minutes to get a shot in, which I was a bit puzzled about because I told them to test the young lad in goal, but overall I thought we were a lot better than them."
Daily Mail 9/12/07
Leeds boss Wise slams 'idiot' after Bremner statue vandalised
Leeds manager Dennis Wise was furious that the Billy Bremner statue outside the ground was spraypainted before his side's 4-0 victory over local rivals Huddersfield.
The victory was a fitting tribute to former Leeds and Scotland captain Bremner, who died 10 years ago this week.
"You don't disrespect a player of that calibre," he said.
"It is disappointing that some idiot decides to do something like that. People like that should be kept away from football."
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 September, the council floated the idea of building a new railway station as part of wider plans for a leisure development.
The council's own plans for the area include proposals for an entertainment arena, casino, hotel, health club, police headquarters, cafes, bars and parking for about 2,700 cars.
The east coast railway line borders the site and the idea of building a station at Elland Road has been discussed several times over the last 20 years.
Council leader Andrew Carter said when the latest plan was unveiled: "All members would like to see a halt but it would be dependent on the developments that take place and the value of those developments.
"In the past the line has not had sufficient capacity and there has been no money to build the facility. However, we have to fight for it because it would benefit the city in general."
The Elland Road ground was sold to Manchester businessman Jacob Adler by a previous United board in late 2004, with Leeds taking a 25-year lease on the site. It was sold on to British Virgin Islands-based Teak Commercial Limited in 2005.
Mr Bates has said he intends to buy back Elland Road "in the fullness of time".
Harry lets target out of the bag
By Phil Hay
Dave Bassett let the cat out the bag on Monday morning when he announced that Leeds United planned to sit at the top of League One on New Year's Day.
Dennis Wise reacted by joking that his assistant was blessed with "a big gob", but Bassett's comments revealed the swing from caution to optimism which has taken place at Elland Road.His admission was followed up later in the week by Frazer Richardson's assertion that Leeds would win automatic promotion this season, and even Wise found himself drawn into a discussion over how far his squad can go by May. After four months which have laid the most perfect of platforms, United appear ready to show their hand.
"It was a target I put to them," said Wise of the January 1 aim.
"Are they capable? We'll see. You have to challenge them and keep them on their toes."
United's credentials were widely examined last month, the result of their first spell of struggle in an otherwise excellent season, but a 3-0 victory over Port Vale on Tuesday negated their 1-0 defeat at Cheltenham and sent Wise's players into yesterday's West Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Town with a renewed sense of purpose.
United have 12 more points to compete for before the turn of the year, and a five-point margin separated the club from the top of the division ahead of this weekend's fixtures.
The season started with Wise plotting his side's recovery from their Football League penalty, but United's rapid climb up the league has revised the expectations of many supporters who feared whether another tussle with relegation was on the cards. Wise, however, insisted he had not been surprised by the speed of Leeds' ascent.
"We're slightly in front of what I expected," he said.
"It's nice, but there's still a target. Whether or not we drop below, we've still got a target that we want to achieve.
"But I'm not going to get carried away. We're in a fantastic spot but when you get carried away, things like Cheltenham happen.
"We've had stages this year. We had to get out of the bottom four first, then there was the next group (to catch).
"Then there was getting into the play-offs, and now there's the final group – the final hurdle of getting into an automatic spot and staying there."
The criticism that came United's way last month irked Wise, and frustrated his assistant Bassett who became an easy if unjustified target for criticism from a number of United supporters who suggested the club's form was linked to Bassett's arrival in place of Gustavo Poyet.
Bassett rejected the claim – calling it a "cheap shot" – and Wise moved to support him this week after the 3-0 victory over Vale returned normality to the club.
Wise said: "Everyone jumped on the bandwagon after we lost a couple of games.
"They have to realise that in the cup games I changed the team and if I'm being honest it was my fault. I haven't concentrated fully on the cups, or as much as I should have done.
"But you have to look at the long-term, and what we're trying to achieve this year.
"I looked at the big picture, not just the cups. We didn't have fantastic results but we've got one thing to concentrate on now.
"People just have to judge us in the league. In the league we've been fantastic.
"That's where our full concentration has been. In the cups, we've changed the team quite a bit.
"People like to write certain things about us having such a bad spell but that's the way it is and you have to face up to it."
Wise, meanwhile, has been promised money to work with in the January transfer window after holding talks with chairman Ken Bates this week.United's manager has no plans to make sweeping changes to his squad next month, but United's improving financial position will allow him to target key areas of his team ahead of the League One run-in.
"I've got some money," said Wise.
"It's always nice to bring people in, but it has to be the right people. If it's right then I'll do it.
"If it's not then sometimes you don't want to upset the applecart.
"I'm happy with what I've got but if I get any injuries then obviously I'll need to tweak it."
Yorkshire Post 10/12/07
Leeds United 4 Huddersfield Town 0
By Richard Sutcliffe
At Elland Road
MATT HEATH may not want either Tresor Kandol or Jermaine Beckford on his side when the Leeds United squad is divided into two teams during training.
But the defender knows just how fortunate United are to have the strike pair spearheading the club's seemingly relentless assault on the League One title. Once again, Beckford and Kandol proved too hot to handle as Leeds powered to a 15th victory of the season to move within two points of Swansea City at the summit. The pair, who are best friends off the field, have developed an almost telepathic understanding and their styles complement each other to such an extent that a combined tally of 21 league goals is more than many clubs have managed in total this term.
Huddersfield, with 18, are one of those who cannot match the Leeds duo's tally and Heath appreciates just how important the pair are to the club's quest for success. He said: "It is great to have them both on our side because we can usually rely on them to get a goal here or there.
"It is nice that a few others are popping up with goals as well because Tres and Becks won't score every week, even though they are at the minute.
"To be honest, they are terrible in training. They never score in the games we play on a Friday. I never want them on my team because they are rubbish.
"But come Saturday they do the business.
"Hopefully, we can get promotion because they can then prove themselves in the Championship, too."
Kandol may not have scored, but there was little doubt of the key role he played in Leeds's ninth home win in 10 outings with the former Barnet striker running tirelessly throughout.
His aerial prowess also unsettled the Terriers defence, while he also proved to be no slouch with the ball at his feet, either. It was Kandol's ability to retain possession when under intense pressure before playing an intelligent pass that created the decisive second goal of the game on 50 minutes when Beckford finished in typically predatory style.
Town striker Andy Booth, a veteran of more than 500 games, saw enough of the pair to know they will take some stopping this term.
He said: "Leeds deserved to win but it was a lot closer than 4-0. It was tight in the first half and could have gone either way The second goal was the most important one.
"There was not a lot between the two sides but they got the four goals. They took their chances.
"The front two are very good. Leeds are well organised and both lads run the channels and are very strong. Plus, they score goals. I was very impressed with them both.
"The two front lads are probably a cut above the division."
There was little doubt Leeds deserved the points but the margin of victory was harsh on a Town side who, for 45 minutes at least, played the more constructive football. With Michael Collins and Ronnie Wallwork bossing the centre of midfield and Malvin Kamara's pace unsettling Andrew Hughes at left-back, it was the visitors who fashioned the better chances during the first half.
Huddersfield should have gone ahead after just two minutes when Kamara sped past Hughes before drilling a cross into the path of Booth. The veteran's first touch was poor and Hughes managed to block, but he only managed to divert the ball into the path of Wallwork who should have done better than shoot wide from 10 yards.
Collins almost got the better of Heath after the defender stumbled 10 minutes later, while Town were also left to rue two wasted opportunities by on-loan Phil Jevons towards the end of the half. In contrast, Leeds struggled for much of the opening half and fashioned only one chance. Crucially, however, they made it count when Jonathan Douglas drilled a 20-yard shot along the soaking turf and past the out-stretched hand of rookie goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
Going in at the break behind was rough on the visitors but as soon as Leeds had doubled their lead five minutes after the restart, the game was effectively over. Kandol showed great tenacity to win the ball before playing David Prutton away down the left. He looked up before drilling a cross towards the front post where Beckford nipped in front of Smithies to flick the ball into an unguarded net.
United were now firmly in control and they extended their advantage on 69 minutes when a wonderful overhead pass by Beckford allowed Ian Westlake to spring the offside trap. He raced into the area and picked out Douglas, who brought a wonderful save from Smithies.
Unfortunately for the teenage debutant, the ball merely rebounded to Beckford who tapped it into an empty net.
Leeds were not finished yet and with just three minutes remaining, Tore Andre Flo added a fourth goal with Smithies again unfortunate after managing to block a goalbound effort from Westlake.
Telegraph 10/12/07
Leeds' display is worthy of Billy Bremner By Richard Holdsworth
More than 32,000 fans congregated at Elland Road to watch Leeds take on Huddersfield in a raucous derby on a cold, wet December day.
It was the kind of scene Leeds United's Billy Bremner would have loved. A minute's applause before kick-off commemorated the 10th anniversary of the death of the Leeds legend, who would have enjoyed the ensuing result even more.
A glut of goals rather than solid defensive displays has been the foundation for Leeds' recent success and a 3-0 midweek win over Port Vale had moved Dennis Wise's side up to fifth in League One before this impressive win maintained their promotion push. They are now just two points behind leaders Swansea.
On a day when the fiercely competitive Bremner - once described as '10 stone of barbed wire' - was lovingly remembered, it was perhaps fitting that midfield ball-winner Jonathan Douglas should score the opening goal.
A mainstay of Wise's starting line-up, the midfielder holds Bremner's No 4 shirt and plays in a similarly tenacious manner. No wonder Wise has made the 26-year-old his club captain. The low drive he unleashed in the 24th minute put paid to Huddersfield's early pressure and probably dented the confidence of rookie goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
To be fair, there was little the debutant could have done to keep out his shot, particularly given the way the ball appeared to skid off the wet surface.
Leeds fell into an irresistible rhythm and a more relaxed second-half display followed, yielding a further three goals, Ian Westlake's delightful cross quickly setting up Jermaine Beckford, who underlined his growing reputation as a striker by netting his second 20 minutes later. Tore Andre Flo came off the bench and score the fourth with his first touch late on.
"It was lovely to see 'Dougie' get the first goal, I like sentimental things like that," Wise said.
"It took us 24 minutes to get a shot in, which I was a bit puzzled about because I told them to test the young lad in goal, but overall I thought we were a lot better than them."
Daily Mail 9/12/07
Leeds boss Wise slams 'idiot' after Bremner statue vandalised
Leeds manager Dennis Wise was furious that the Billy Bremner statue outside the ground was spraypainted before his side's 4-0 victory over local rivals Huddersfield.
The victory was a fitting tribute to former Leeds and Scotland captain Bremner, who died 10 years ago this week.
"You don't disrespect a player of that calibre," he said.
"It is disappointing that some idiot decides to do something like that. People like that should be kept away from football."