leedsunited.com 28/5/10 UPS AND DOWNS - JERMAINE'S 'AMAZING' TIME Departing striker Jermaine Beckford reflected on his Leeds United career on Friday morning and said "it has been an amazing four-and-a-half years." Having scored 85 goals in 150 appearances since joining the club from non-league Wealdstone in March 2006, the striker is now free to take up the challenge of Premier League football after establishing himself as one of Leeds United's most prolfic modern-day marksmen. "I've enjoyed every single moment," said Jermaine, speaking exclusively with LUTV . "The ups, the downs, the relegations, the Play-Off final, the Play-Off semis. I have had an amazing time here. "You don't see as much as I've seen in four and half years at Leeds and I'm so proud to say I was here. I really loved it. "The fans have been amazing and they have opened up my eyes to what football should be about. I want to say thank you for everything...
Posts
Leedsunited.com 28/5/10 BECKS DEPARTS LEEDS UNITED Leeds United have cancelled the contract of striker Jermaine Beckford to enable him to find a new club. Jermaine will depart Elland Road with the best wishes of everyone connected with Leeds United and he is now free to find another club with immediate effect. After the departing Rui Marques , Becks was the longest serving player at Elland Road, having joined the club in March 2006, making his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace. Jermaine made four more appearances from the bench that season as United pushed for the Play-Offs. The following season Jermaine made his debut against Chester in the Carling Cup and his one and only league start for the club that season came at Sunderland on Boxing Day, when he played up front with Tresor Kandol for the first time. During 2006/07, Jermaine also spent a month on loan at Carlisle, scoring on his debut against Millwall, and spent over four months at Scunthorpe U...
Leedsunited.com 27/5/10 KASPER BECOMES FIRST SUMMER RECRUIT Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is Leeds United's first signing of the summer. The 23-year-old Dane joins the club from League Two champions Notts County where he kept 24 clean sheets and was named PFA League Two Player of the Year as the Magpies romped to the title. The highly-rated keeper has signed a two-year contract at Elland Road and manager Simon Grayson said: "After releasing Casper Ankergren , we wanted to bring another goalkeeper in, and Kasper has had an excellent season at Notts County. "There were a lot of Premier League clubs interested in him, but he wanted to come here. "He's got a fantastic ability, he's a winner, and he is determined to take this club forward. "He has some fantastic qualities and he will provide us with good competition for places which is what we want." The Danish under-21 international's signing was seen as a real coup for Notts County at the start of ...
The Scratching Shed 23/5/10 Don Revie Tribute plans unveiled A new statue built in honour of the late Don Revie will be unveiled in Leeds in Autumn 2011. Although there’s no confirmation as to where the statue will be located, the sculptor, Graham Ibbeson has already made a start on the tribute and those responsible for the idea are progressing quickly. TSS emailed those behind the fundraising efforts for more on the fundraising and received plenty of information back from the chairman of the Don Revie Tribute, Jim Cadman. What instantly struck me was the professionalism with which the fundraising efforts are being undertaken. This isn’t just your average fans initiative heavy on desire and love, but lacking in organisation and the necessary know how. Instead, what we have is an experienced fundraiser and sculptor working together with the backing of Leeds City Council and Leeds Civic Trust who are determined to ensure the project is a success. Although no money has yet been raised, th...
Yorkshire Evening Post 16/5/10 Becks would go with our blessing – Kilkenny By Phil Hay Neil Kilkenny says Jermaine Beckford should be remembered as a faithful and outstanding servant to Leeds United if he opts to call time on his career at Elland Road. Kilkenny admitted that Leeds were in danger of losing a "top-class striker" after Beckford's 85th and potentially final goal for the club sealed their overdue promotion to the Championship. The 26-year-old stole the show at Elland Road last Saturday as his 63rd-minute strike claimed a 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers and saw Leeds retain second position in League One on a gripping final day of the season. The close-range finish might prove to be Beckford's last act with Leeds, a club he joined for £95,000 from non-league side Wealdstone in 2006 for a range of clubs in England and abroad are preparing to move for a player who will be out of contract and available on a free transfer on June 30. United have planned for many...
LEEDS UNITED - RELEASED AND RETAINED 14 May 2010 Leeds United squad plans 2010/11... The following professional players who are out of contract at Elland Road will not to be offered new deals with the Championship club, Casper Ankergren , Rui Marques and Andrew Milne. The club will offer a new contract to Andrew Hughes and the previous offer made to Jermaine Beckford remains available to him, but he is expected to move on to a Premier League club. In addition, Alan Sheehan , Lubomir Michalik, Andy Robinson and Tresor Kandol have all been informed that they should actively seek to find a new club for the 2010/11 season even though they are still under contract. Further players may be available once the club has signed new players for the first season back in the Championship. Second-year apprentices, Mike Whitwell, Ryan Jones, Sam Jones, Callum Williams and Adam Watson will not be offered professional contracts. Manager Simon Grayson said "It is the hardest part of a Manager...
Yorkshire Evening Post 11/5/10 I will have to be ruthless - Grayson By Phil Hay and Leon Wobschall Simon Grayson said today that a large number of his Leeds United players will go with him to the Championship – but he warned of "ruthless" decisions as he prepares for next season. United's manager insisted that sentimentality would have no bearing on the future make-up of his squad as he began the complex task of restructuring it for the club's first term in the Championship since 2007. Leeds are expected to announce their retained list this week, confirming their intentions for the small group of players who are out of contract at Elland Road. Jermaine Beckford heads a list which includes Andrew Hughes, Casper Ankergren and Rui Marques, and Paul Dickov is also at the end of a short stint with Leeds which saw him start only one game. United, meanwhile, finished the season in possession of several loanees, all of whom will now return to their parent clubs while Grayson ...
Bradford Telegraph and Argus 8/5/10 Captain marvel Beckford seals promotion for Leeds By John Wray » Leeds 2, Bristol Rovers 1 Just one month after being pilloried by Leeds fans, Jermaine Beckford was their hero as his 63rd minute winner ensured automatic promotion to the Championship amid scenes of unbridled celebration. Now the big question is whether the 31-goal marksman can be persuaded to forget his wanderlust, sign a new contract and help the club’s quest for promotion to the Premiership. Manager Simon Grayson not only restored Beckford to the starting line-up against Bristol Rovers – he made him captain with Richard Naylor sidelined by a hamstring injury and Jonny Howson starting on the bench. Like so many of Grayson’s decisions this season, it worked and Beckford not only summoned his goal-poaching skill, he showed responsibility in trying to persuade Max Gradel to leave the pitch after the Ivory Coast forward was shown the red card for a 33rd minute skirmish with Rovers defend...
Sunday Times 8/5/10 Jermaine Beckford fires Leeds to promotion Leeds 2 Bristol Rovers 1: Andrew Longmore at Elland Road LEEDS UNITED’S long-awaited climb back up the league began in raucous style at Elland Road yesterday. Being Leeds, the afternoon was far from straightforward. At different times, both Millwall and Charlton occupied the automatic promotion place from League One as Leeds, reduced to 10 men for an hour by a moment of craziness from Max Gradel, had to come from behind to beat Bristol Rovers and end their three-year exile in League One. The flood of relief at the final whistle told the story of a typically tense campaign, a handsome first half of the season giving way to near despair and hard-won triumph for Simon Grayson, United’s bright and talented young manager, and his industrious side. Though a few in southeast London will disagree, Leeds probably deserved their reward. “We never seem to do anything easy at this club,” said Grayson. “But it makes it a lot harder when...
Mail 7/5/10 Leeds 2 Bristol Rovers 1: Beckford the hero as Grayson's men seal promotion By Mark Ryan Jermaine Beckford created a moment that will live long in the memory of anyone who was lucky enough to be at Elland Road. Down to 10 men, a goal behind, and seemingly confined to the anonymity of League One again, Simon Grayson's Leeds refused to let their promotion dream die. Darryl Duffy's 48th-minute goal looked to have sunk Leeds until substitute Jonathan Howson struck as sweet a finish as he will ever manage 11 minutes later. Then came Bradley Johnson's raid down the left, and his cross was only partially cleared. The ball fell to Beckford six yards out and he smashed in the loose ball. The ear-splitting roar from 38,000 fans that greeted the promotion-winning goal was almost seismic. A small child was thrown into the air in front of the press box. The infant seemed to land safely enough to raise a triumphant fist. Finally, the future of Leeds United is beginning to...
Telegraph 8/5/10 Leeds United 2 Bristol Rovers 1: match report Read a full match reports of the League One game between Leeds United and Bristol Rovers at Elland Road on Saturday May 8th 2010. By Rory Smith at Elland Road After three long years, the ignominy is over. After six years of never-ending descent, Leeds United have escaped their purgatory in English football’s third tier. They are not yet back, of course, where they feel they belong. At long last, though, the recovery has started. In front of a febrile, nervous Elland Road, Jonny Howson and Jermaine Beckford helped Simon Grayson’s side overcome the sending off of Max Gradel and Darryl Duffy’s strike for a dogged Bristol Rovers and ensure they finished an emotional, emotive day where they started it, set fair for automatic promotion. Grayson’s side seemed to mirror the mood of their fans. They started confidently, bullish about their promotion prospects, Gradel menacing down the right, Beckford lurking with intent in the sha...
Mail 2/5/10 Charlton 1 Leeds United 0: Grayson's men face edgy last day after Naylor's late slip By Ian Ridley It was a day when eyes were on the game and ears trained for news elsewhere. And while the news from afar was good for Leeds, their own bulletin was shattering as a late own goal condemned them to yet another last-day drama. With Millwall losing at Tranmere, Simon Grayson's side could have gone up with a win. Instead, they face an edgy encounter at home to Bristol Rovers on Saturday. Charlton even kept alive their slim hopes of automatic promotion. It is six years since Leeds were relegated from the Premier League so they know about waiting. Their fate is in their hands but Leeds' fear, should they be overhauled, must be that their play-offs record is poor, having lost in them for the last two seasons. It is possible, too, that they could yet meet yesterday's opponents, who were the livelier side - far from the Charlton Arthritic insult - even without a con...
Guardian 1/5/10 Richard Naylor own goal leaves Leeds hanging and gives Charlton hope Barney Ronay at The Valley The race for the final League One promotion spot is still twitching with unpredictable, and for Leeds United agonising, life. Defeat to a peppy and energetic Charlton Athletic at The Valley, combined with Millwall's defeat at Tranmere, means Leeds remain in second. "Our destiny is still in our own hands. I thought we dominated possession and we had great chances to win the game," Simon Grayson said. But in truth Leeds blew it here, failing to have a serious attempt on goal during a second half when they knew victory would have clinched promotion. Charlton and Swindon now have an outside chance of going up automatically, and Huddersfield are not quite out of it. The final day seems certain to be shot through with fist-gnawing tension. This match was settled by Richard Naylor's late own goal, the ball deflected into his own net by the Leeds captain as Akpo...