Yorkshire Evening Post 13/8/08
Leeds United cup hero Beckford is not for sale
By Phil Hay
Gary McAllister today vowed to fight off any bids for Jermaine Beckford before the transfer window closes after the striker's first professional hat-trick fired Leeds United into the second round of the Carling Cup.
Beckford struck three times in the first half of last night's televised tie at Chester City to guide Leeds to a 5-2 victory and take his tally of goals to four after only two matches of the 2008-09 season.
The 24-year-old secured United's 2-1 win over Scunthorpe on Saturday, and a sublime treble at the Deva Stadium – completed by an audacious 30-yard lob – has set him on course to repeat the haul of 20 goals he produced for Leeds last term.
Beckford is arguably United's most valuable player and has been linked with both Derby County and Norwich City during the past eight months, but the improving financial position at Elland Road left McAllister under no pressure to sell any of his senior players this summer.
The determination of Leeds to retain their leading scorer is not thought to have been tested by a serious offer for Beckford, but their manager indicated that prospective bidders would be wasting their time by inquiring about the former non-league forward ahead of the summer transfer deadline which falls on August 31.
McAllister said: "His attitude throughout pre-season was superb and he looks as if he wants to score goals.
"I'd be disappointed if I didn't have people interested in Jermaine but we're trying to get things going at our place and he's one of our better players.
"He's on a lengthy contract and nobody will leave the club unless I want them to go. "That's what the chairman's said to me and I trust him."
Beckford opened the scoring inside three minutes at the Deva Stadium, beginning a torrid evening for a Chester side who were beaten 6-0 by Dagenham and Redbridge in their first League Two fixture of the season on Saturday.
Although Andy Robinson and Robert Snodgrass also made the scoresheet, two sublime finishes completed Beckford's hat-trick and stole the headlines before half-time.
"He should be very proud," said McAllister.
"We do have to remind ourselves that he's a guy who was playing non-league football three years ago. He's come a long way very quickly.
"The first goal was opportunistic, the second was a bit more of a trademark Beckford finish, and the chip was exquisite.
"It showed a lot of technique and ability but also a lot of bravery because you can make yourself look foolish if it doesn't come off."
United led 5-1 at the interval, conceding to a deflected shot from Ryan Lowe which beat Casper Ankergren in the 15th minute, and their place in the second-round draw was always secure despite Lowe producing the only goal after half-time.
McAllister said: "Our objective was purely to get into the next round and you could tell from the side we picked that we were taking it very seriously. We wanted to be in the hat.
"It was shown when we went up to Darlington during pre-season that if your attitude isn't quite right then it can be a great leveller, but we were spot on.
"We're not looking any further than the draw but there are 14 or 15 Premier League clubs coming into the competition now so that could be exciting."
United's manager, meanwhile, offered sympathy to Chester's beleaguered boss Simon Davies, who was left to reflect on a second heavy defeat in the space of four days.
Gulf
City's first-half performance was followed by the substitution of former Leeds captain Paul Butler at the break, and the gulf in class between the clubs was glaring as Chester's defence were picked off repeatedly during a one-sided first half.
"I said at half-time that the easy thing for us to do was to try and embarrass the opposition, and disrespect them," said McAllister. "That's what I didn't want.
"The only way we could show respect was to try and score more goals rather than sit back."All credit to Chester because they could easily have thrown the towel in.
"It's not the best start for Simon and I definitely feel for him, but they won the second half 1-0 and that's got to be the positive he's emphasising."
Leeds United cup hero Beckford is not for sale
By Phil Hay
Gary McAllister today vowed to fight off any bids for Jermaine Beckford before the transfer window closes after the striker's first professional hat-trick fired Leeds United into the second round of the Carling Cup.
Beckford struck three times in the first half of last night's televised tie at Chester City to guide Leeds to a 5-2 victory and take his tally of goals to four after only two matches of the 2008-09 season.
The 24-year-old secured United's 2-1 win over Scunthorpe on Saturday, and a sublime treble at the Deva Stadium – completed by an audacious 30-yard lob – has set him on course to repeat the haul of 20 goals he produced for Leeds last term.
Beckford is arguably United's most valuable player and has been linked with both Derby County and Norwich City during the past eight months, but the improving financial position at Elland Road left McAllister under no pressure to sell any of his senior players this summer.
The determination of Leeds to retain their leading scorer is not thought to have been tested by a serious offer for Beckford, but their manager indicated that prospective bidders would be wasting their time by inquiring about the former non-league forward ahead of the summer transfer deadline which falls on August 31.
McAllister said: "His attitude throughout pre-season was superb and he looks as if he wants to score goals.
"I'd be disappointed if I didn't have people interested in Jermaine but we're trying to get things going at our place and he's one of our better players.
"He's on a lengthy contract and nobody will leave the club unless I want them to go. "That's what the chairman's said to me and I trust him."
Beckford opened the scoring inside three minutes at the Deva Stadium, beginning a torrid evening for a Chester side who were beaten 6-0 by Dagenham and Redbridge in their first League Two fixture of the season on Saturday.
Although Andy Robinson and Robert Snodgrass also made the scoresheet, two sublime finishes completed Beckford's hat-trick and stole the headlines before half-time.
"He should be very proud," said McAllister.
"We do have to remind ourselves that he's a guy who was playing non-league football three years ago. He's come a long way very quickly.
"The first goal was opportunistic, the second was a bit more of a trademark Beckford finish, and the chip was exquisite.
"It showed a lot of technique and ability but also a lot of bravery because you can make yourself look foolish if it doesn't come off."
United led 5-1 at the interval, conceding to a deflected shot from Ryan Lowe which beat Casper Ankergren in the 15th minute, and their place in the second-round draw was always secure despite Lowe producing the only goal after half-time.
McAllister said: "Our objective was purely to get into the next round and you could tell from the side we picked that we were taking it very seriously. We wanted to be in the hat.
"It was shown when we went up to Darlington during pre-season that if your attitude isn't quite right then it can be a great leveller, but we were spot on.
"We're not looking any further than the draw but there are 14 or 15 Premier League clubs coming into the competition now so that could be exciting."
United's manager, meanwhile, offered sympathy to Chester's beleaguered boss Simon Davies, who was left to reflect on a second heavy defeat in the space of four days.
Gulf
City's first-half performance was followed by the substitution of former Leeds captain Paul Butler at the break, and the gulf in class between the clubs was glaring as Chester's defence were picked off repeatedly during a one-sided first half.
"I said at half-time that the easy thing for us to do was to try and embarrass the opposition, and disrespect them," said McAllister. "That's what I didn't want.
"The only way we could show respect was to try and score more goals rather than sit back."All credit to Chester because they could easily have thrown the towel in.
"It's not the best start for Simon and I definitely feel for him, but they won the second half 1-0 and that's got to be the positive he's emphasising."