Leedsunited.com 5/12/09
HONOURS EVEN WITH HUDDERSFIELD
UNITED 2 (Snodgrass 2, Gradel 66), HUDDERSFIELD 2 (Novak 48, Rhodes 78)
United: Ankergren, Crowe, Bromby, Michalik, Capaldi, Howson, Doyle, Kilkenny (Gradel 63), Snodgrass (Ephraim 86), Beckford, Vokes (Becchio 63). Subs: A Martin, Marques, Prutton, Grella.
Huddersfield: Smithies, Nathan Clarke, Peltier, Peter Clarke, Skarz, Collins, Roberts, Pilkington, Kay, Rhodes (Robinson 89), Novak. Subs: Glennon, Goodwin, Williams, Butler, Berrett, Ainsworth,
Referee: M Jones
Booked: Capaldi, Crowe (United), Collins, Pilkington (Hudds)
Att: 36723
United manager Simon Grayson again rang the changes after the midweek win at Oldham, Jermaine Beckford and Robert Snodgrass both returning from bench duty, while Micky Doyle was also back in the starting line-up.
And it took less than 90 seconds for one of those recalled men to make an impact. Sam Vokes had a weak shot which Huddersfield goalkeeper Alex Smithies amazingly failed to hold and Snodgrass was on hand to smash the ball home from close range.
It was the perfect start for Leeds a side who were backed by the majority of a sell-out Elland Road crowd.
Beckford was also denied twice by an offside flag in the opening five minutes, but the visitors did have an opportunity themselves when Gary Roberts, who was well-placed, screwed a shot wide.
But it was United who came close again on 14 minutes. Beckford whipped in a cross from the right and Vokes glanced a header just wide of the upright.
Leeds had started well and with purpose, and the visitors were looking a little overawed during the early stages. Lubo Michalik headed wide on 22 minutes after the visitors had conceded a corner.
Leeds were looking sharp with the ball and were working hard without it. Huddersfield were restricted virtually nothing in the opening half-hour, although Peter Clarke had one effort from distance comfortably gathered by Casper Ankergren.
The Leeds goalkeeper was also called upon to cut out a low cross from Anthony Pilkington on the first occasion that the visitors threatened to get in behind the United defence.
Huddersfield did see more of the ball as the game headed towards half-time, but United looked solid at the back, and looked to move the ball quickly in reply. Beckford's movement was first class and it was after more good work by the striker that Snodgrass hit the base of the post with an effort with his back to goal.
The visitors did enjoy a flurry of pressure during the final moments of the first half, though, Roberts again wasting a decent opportunity. Jordan Rhodes should also have done better when the ball broke to him in the six-yard box, but Ankergren was able to save.
And in stoppage time, Snodgrass was denied by Smithies with the keeper pulling off a great save.
But disaster struck for Leeds two minutes into the second half when Huddersfield equalised. United failed to clear a cross and a shot deflected to Lee Novak, who headed home inside the six-yard box.
United almost restored the advantage within two minutes, though, Beckford twice being denied by some desperate defending after Snodgrass did well down the left.
And Leeds had a great opportunity on 57 minutes when Neil Kilkenny threaded a ball through to Beckford, but Huddersfield keeper Smithies reacted quickly to smother at the striker's feet. Beckford also hooked a shot wide while under pressure from two defenders, following a good touch by Jonny Howson.
On 63 minutes Grayson made a double change, introducing both Luciano Becchio and Max Gradel to proceedings.
It was a lively old affair by now. Beckford felt he claims for a penalty when he went down in the box under pressure from a Town defender, while at the other end, Leigh Bromby made a good block. Ankergren also saved well from Antony Kay.
But United were back in front immediately. Ankergren quickly returned the ball downfield, Beckford went up with Smithies, the Huddersfield keeper flapped, and Gradel seized to round Smithies before smashing the ball home from a tight angle.
Rhodes swiftly fired wide again after United failed to pick up a short-corner routine by the visitors for the second occasion. But it was end to end stuff, and Becchio was next to go close when he headed a Snodgrass free-kick over the top.
Bromby was called upon to make another block and on 74 minutes Huddersfield were appealing for a penalty for a handball after the ball was pinged into the Leeds box.
But Huddersfield were back on terms again with 12 minutes to go. Roberts supplied a cross from the right and Rhodes got up well to head beyond Ankergren.
With four minutes left on the clock, Grayson made his final change, replacing the terrific Snodgrass with Hogan Ephraim for the final moments.
Neither side had really taken the closing minutes by the scruff, but Roberts did have a shot deflected wide as the clock started to tick down.
In the 90th minute, United had a scare when a Pilkington free-kick smashed against the bar and bounced back off Ankergren before being cleared to safety.
Four minutes were added which was little surprise given the number of stoppages during the second period, but there were no further dramas as United collected another hom point to remain 14 points clear of Huddersfield in the table.
Guardian 4/12/09
League set to approve Leeds owners but keep identities secret
Documents show offshore owners 'fit and proper' persons
David Conn
The Football League is expected to declare within days that it knows who Leeds United's owners
are and that those people are "fit and proper" to be in charge of the club.
League sources indicated last night that the League One club has provided significant detail and supporting documents to demonstrate to the League's satisfaction who the individuals are behind Leeds's complex offshore ownership. The League's new policy, outlined by the chairman, Lord Mawhinney, at a meeting of clubs yesterday, is that all clubs must identify to the league who their owners are, and they must be passed as "fit and proper". However, the policy does not extend to the League requiring this information to be made public. Leeds fans will not discover who actually owns their club unless the club decides to tell them.
The League asked Leeds a series of questions about the club's ownership after the Guardian revealed in September that the Leeds chairman, Ken Bates, had revised his account of who owned the club. The revelations were made in a court action in Jersey, where Leeds are suing a company, Admatch, whom the club claim owes them £190,000. Admatch is defending the action, counter-claiming that it is owed £2m by Leeds.
In evidence to the Royal Court of Jersey in January, Bates's solicitors said the Forward Sports Fund, registered in the offshore tax haven of the Cayman Islands, ultimately owned Leeds. The solicitors said Bates and his long-term financial advisor, Patrick Murrin, owned one "management share" each in Forward. Mark Taylor, Bates's lawyer, said subsequently that these were the only shares in Forward, therefore Bates and Murrin were its joint owners. Then in May, Bates swore an affidavit to the Royal Court, stating that that previous information had been "not correct" and it had been "an error on my part" to say he was Forward's joint owner. The sworn statement attached a letter from investment brokers in Geneva, Château Fiduciaire, which said they were the administrators of the Forward Sports Fund. That letter clarified that there were in fact 10,000 shares in Forward, that Bates did not own any and nor did any Leeds director. The letter said: "It is not the policy of this company to release information on ultimate ownership without an appropriate court order."
Before these developments, and the questions raised by the Guardian about who lies behind Notts County's new offshore structure, the League had maintained that it could not investigate the ownership of clubs in offshore tax havens which guarantee anonymity to shareholders. However, Mawhinney and the League's board have now revised that policy and will insist that all new owners of clubs provide evidence of ultimate ownership to the league's satisfaction, before they are allowed to take over.
Leeds United, Mark Taylor, Patrick Murrin and Château Fiduciaire all declined to comment yesterday.
HONOURS EVEN WITH HUDDERSFIELD
UNITED 2 (Snodgrass 2, Gradel 66), HUDDERSFIELD 2 (Novak 48, Rhodes 78)
United: Ankergren, Crowe, Bromby, Michalik, Capaldi, Howson, Doyle, Kilkenny (Gradel 63), Snodgrass (Ephraim 86), Beckford, Vokes (Becchio 63). Subs: A Martin, Marques, Prutton, Grella.
Huddersfield: Smithies, Nathan Clarke, Peltier, Peter Clarke, Skarz, Collins, Roberts, Pilkington, Kay, Rhodes (Robinson 89), Novak. Subs: Glennon, Goodwin, Williams, Butler, Berrett, Ainsworth,
Referee: M Jones
Booked: Capaldi, Crowe (United), Collins, Pilkington (Hudds)
Att: 36723
United manager Simon Grayson again rang the changes after the midweek win at Oldham, Jermaine Beckford and Robert Snodgrass both returning from bench duty, while Micky Doyle was also back in the starting line-up.
And it took less than 90 seconds for one of those recalled men to make an impact. Sam Vokes had a weak shot which Huddersfield goalkeeper Alex Smithies amazingly failed to hold and Snodgrass was on hand to smash the ball home from close range.
It was the perfect start for Leeds a side who were backed by the majority of a sell-out Elland Road crowd.
Beckford was also denied twice by an offside flag in the opening five minutes, but the visitors did have an opportunity themselves when Gary Roberts, who was well-placed, screwed a shot wide.
But it was United who came close again on 14 minutes. Beckford whipped in a cross from the right and Vokes glanced a header just wide of the upright.
Leeds had started well and with purpose, and the visitors were looking a little overawed during the early stages. Lubo Michalik headed wide on 22 minutes after the visitors had conceded a corner.
Leeds were looking sharp with the ball and were working hard without it. Huddersfield were restricted virtually nothing in the opening half-hour, although Peter Clarke had one effort from distance comfortably gathered by Casper Ankergren.
The Leeds goalkeeper was also called upon to cut out a low cross from Anthony Pilkington on the first occasion that the visitors threatened to get in behind the United defence.
Huddersfield did see more of the ball as the game headed towards half-time, but United looked solid at the back, and looked to move the ball quickly in reply. Beckford's movement was first class and it was after more good work by the striker that Snodgrass hit the base of the post with an effort with his back to goal.
The visitors did enjoy a flurry of pressure during the final moments of the first half, though, Roberts again wasting a decent opportunity. Jordan Rhodes should also have done better when the ball broke to him in the six-yard box, but Ankergren was able to save.
And in stoppage time, Snodgrass was denied by Smithies with the keeper pulling off a great save.
But disaster struck for Leeds two minutes into the second half when Huddersfield equalised. United failed to clear a cross and a shot deflected to Lee Novak, who headed home inside the six-yard box.
United almost restored the advantage within two minutes, though, Beckford twice being denied by some desperate defending after Snodgrass did well down the left.
And Leeds had a great opportunity on 57 minutes when Neil Kilkenny threaded a ball through to Beckford, but Huddersfield keeper Smithies reacted quickly to smother at the striker's feet. Beckford also hooked a shot wide while under pressure from two defenders, following a good touch by Jonny Howson.
On 63 minutes Grayson made a double change, introducing both Luciano Becchio and Max Gradel to proceedings.
It was a lively old affair by now. Beckford felt he claims for a penalty when he went down in the box under pressure from a Town defender, while at the other end, Leigh Bromby made a good block. Ankergren also saved well from Antony Kay.
But United were back in front immediately. Ankergren quickly returned the ball downfield, Beckford went up with Smithies, the Huddersfield keeper flapped, and Gradel seized to round Smithies before smashing the ball home from a tight angle.
Rhodes swiftly fired wide again after United failed to pick up a short-corner routine by the visitors for the second occasion. But it was end to end stuff, and Becchio was next to go close when he headed a Snodgrass free-kick over the top.
Bromby was called upon to make another block and on 74 minutes Huddersfield were appealing for a penalty for a handball after the ball was pinged into the Leeds box.
But Huddersfield were back on terms again with 12 minutes to go. Roberts supplied a cross from the right and Rhodes got up well to head beyond Ankergren.
With four minutes left on the clock, Grayson made his final change, replacing the terrific Snodgrass with Hogan Ephraim for the final moments.
Neither side had really taken the closing minutes by the scruff, but Roberts did have a shot deflected wide as the clock started to tick down.
In the 90th minute, United had a scare when a Pilkington free-kick smashed against the bar and bounced back off Ankergren before being cleared to safety.
Four minutes were added which was little surprise given the number of stoppages during the second period, but there were no further dramas as United collected another hom point to remain 14 points clear of Huddersfield in the table.
Guardian 4/12/09
League set to approve Leeds owners but keep identities secret
Documents show offshore owners 'fit and proper' persons
David Conn
The Football League is expected to declare within days that it knows who Leeds United's owners
are and that those people are "fit and proper" to be in charge of the club.League sources indicated last night that the League One club has provided significant detail and supporting documents to demonstrate to the League's satisfaction who the individuals are behind Leeds's complex offshore ownership. The League's new policy, outlined by the chairman, Lord Mawhinney, at a meeting of clubs yesterday, is that all clubs must identify to the league who their owners are, and they must be passed as "fit and proper". However, the policy does not extend to the League requiring this information to be made public. Leeds fans will not discover who actually owns their club unless the club decides to tell them.
The League asked Leeds a series of questions about the club's ownership after the Guardian revealed in September that the Leeds chairman, Ken Bates, had revised his account of who owned the club. The revelations were made in a court action in Jersey, where Leeds are suing a company, Admatch, whom the club claim owes them £190,000. Admatch is defending the action, counter-claiming that it is owed £2m by Leeds.
In evidence to the Royal Court of Jersey in January, Bates's solicitors said the Forward Sports Fund, registered in the offshore tax haven of the Cayman Islands, ultimately owned Leeds. The solicitors said Bates and his long-term financial advisor, Patrick Murrin, owned one "management share" each in Forward. Mark Taylor, Bates's lawyer, said subsequently that these were the only shares in Forward, therefore Bates and Murrin were its joint owners. Then in May, Bates swore an affidavit to the Royal Court, stating that that previous information had been "not correct" and it had been "an error on my part" to say he was Forward's joint owner. The sworn statement attached a letter from investment brokers in Geneva, Château Fiduciaire, which said they were the administrators of the Forward Sports Fund. That letter clarified that there were in fact 10,000 shares in Forward, that Bates did not own any and nor did any Leeds director. The letter said: "It is not the policy of this company to release information on ultimate ownership without an appropriate court order."
Before these developments, and the questions raised by the Guardian about who lies behind Notts County's new offshore structure, the League had maintained that it could not investigate the ownership of clubs in offshore tax havens which guarantee anonymity to shareholders. However, Mawhinney and the League's board have now revised that policy and will insist that all new owners of clubs provide evidence of ultimate ownership to the league's satisfaction, before they are allowed to take over.
Leeds United, Mark Taylor, Patrick Murrin and Château Fiduciaire all declined to comment yesterday.