Haigh up for the challenge of taking Whites back to top - YEP 3/7/13
by Phil Hay
Leeds United’s decisive move for Luke Murphy on Monday took the Championship by surprise.
Blackburn Rovers were beaten to the midfielder’s signature by United’s offer of £1million but others outside Ewood Park took note of the movement at Elland Road. A senior director of a rival Championship club said the signing looked “positive and very big”, at a time when little was expected of Leeds.
The assumption in many quarters was that United had again run short of cash; too short to involve themselves in a seven-figure transfer. A frustrated figure last week, manager Brian McDermott was enthused by “a significant deal” after tying up Murphy’s arrival from Crewe Alexandra.
Noel Hunt should now become his third summer signing, in time for Saturday’s pre-season friendly at Farsley.
The financial picture at Elland Road has changed in the past seven days with the injection of a loan from Brendale Holdings, a company based in Dubai, a sponsorship deal with Sky Bet and the departure of Steve Morison on loan to Millwall.
Morison’s exit reduced United’s weekly wage bill by around £12,000, creating space for other players, but the capture of Murphy – Leeds’ first £1million cash buy since their purchase of Richard Cresswell in 2005 – revealed funds which even McDermott seemed uncertain of receiving a week ago.
United financed Murphy’s transfer – handing him a deal which outstripped Blackburn’s terms and also negated interest from Wolves – on a day of significant developments at Elland Road. The club’s owner, GFH Capital, named Salah Nooruddin as Leeds’ new chairman on Monday and appointed David Haigh as managing director, effectively replacing chief executive Shaun Harvey.
Harvey, who is presently on holiday in New York, stepped down from his role as CEO to allow Haigh, GFH Capital’s deputy chief-executive, to assume the responsibility of running Leeds. Harvey will remain as a director and a “senior advisor” but is unlikely to have any involvement in United’s day-to-day operations.
The 43-year-old has been a fixture in the boardroom since 2004 but his change of position came as Ken Bates resigned as United chairman, eight-and-a-half years after assuming control.
The termination of Bates’ directorship of Leeds United Football Club Limited was confirmed by Companies House yesterday.
GFH Capital’s announcements made no mention of Bates but in a letter sent to members of staff at Elland Road, a copy of which has been seen by the YEP, Haigh praised Harvey’s “strong leadership” and “real commitment to the club, its staff and fans.”
United’s new managing director added that the “changes have been done with the long-term aim of taking this great club back to a position of strength in English football.
“This will not be achieved overnight and our plans for future success are long term to ensure that, when it does come, it is not a flash in the pan.”
Speaking to the YEP, Haigh said: “Leeds United is an historic club with huge potential and I’m honoured to take up the position of managing director. “Together with Salah, the senior management team, Brian McDermott and my colleagues at Leeds United and GFH Capital, I will work to get Leeds United back to a position where it can compete both on and off the pitch at the top end of the Championship and beyond.
“A lot of the work is already underway. We have a fantastic manager in Brian McDermott on board and we’ll be investing in the squad this summer.
“That coupled with an attention on driving attendances and interacting more effectively with our supporters is a focus that will ensure the long-term stability of Leeds United.”
THE INS AND OUTS AT ER Players In:
Matt Smith (striker) –free transfer from Oldham Athletic, two-year deal.
Luke Murphy (midfielder) – £1million from Crewe Alexandra, three-year deal.
Players Out:
Steve Morison (striker) – season-long loan to Millwall.
Blackburn Rovers were beaten to the midfielder’s signature by United’s offer of £1million but others outside Ewood Park took note of the movement at Elland Road. A senior director of a rival Championship club said the signing looked “positive and very big”, at a time when little was expected of Leeds.
The assumption in many quarters was that United had again run short of cash; too short to involve themselves in a seven-figure transfer. A frustrated figure last week, manager Brian McDermott was enthused by “a significant deal” after tying up Murphy’s arrival from Crewe Alexandra.
Noel Hunt should now become his third summer signing, in time for Saturday’s pre-season friendly at Farsley.
The financial picture at Elland Road has changed in the past seven days with the injection of a loan from Brendale Holdings, a company based in Dubai, a sponsorship deal with Sky Bet and the departure of Steve Morison on loan to Millwall.
Morison’s exit reduced United’s weekly wage bill by around £12,000, creating space for other players, but the capture of Murphy – Leeds’ first £1million cash buy since their purchase of Richard Cresswell in 2005 – revealed funds which even McDermott seemed uncertain of receiving a week ago.
United financed Murphy’s transfer – handing him a deal which outstripped Blackburn’s terms and also negated interest from Wolves – on a day of significant developments at Elland Road. The club’s owner, GFH Capital, named Salah Nooruddin as Leeds’ new chairman on Monday and appointed David Haigh as managing director, effectively replacing chief executive Shaun Harvey.
Harvey, who is presently on holiday in New York, stepped down from his role as CEO to allow Haigh, GFH Capital’s deputy chief-executive, to assume the responsibility of running Leeds. Harvey will remain as a director and a “senior advisor” but is unlikely to have any involvement in United’s day-to-day operations.
The 43-year-old has been a fixture in the boardroom since 2004 but his change of position came as Ken Bates resigned as United chairman, eight-and-a-half years after assuming control.
The termination of Bates’ directorship of Leeds United Football Club Limited was confirmed by Companies House yesterday.
GFH Capital’s announcements made no mention of Bates but in a letter sent to members of staff at Elland Road, a copy of which has been seen by the YEP, Haigh praised Harvey’s “strong leadership” and “real commitment to the club, its staff and fans.”
United’s new managing director added that the “changes have been done with the long-term aim of taking this great club back to a position of strength in English football.
“This will not be achieved overnight and our plans for future success are long term to ensure that, when it does come, it is not a flash in the pan.”
Speaking to the YEP, Haigh said: “Leeds United is an historic club with huge potential and I’m honoured to take up the position of managing director. “Together with Salah, the senior management team, Brian McDermott and my colleagues at Leeds United and GFH Capital, I will work to get Leeds United back to a position where it can compete both on and off the pitch at the top end of the Championship and beyond.
“A lot of the work is already underway. We have a fantastic manager in Brian McDermott on board and we’ll be investing in the squad this summer.
“That coupled with an attention on driving attendances and interacting more effectively with our supporters is a focus that will ensure the long-term stability of Leeds United.”
THE INS AND OUTS AT ER Players In:
Matt Smith (striker) –free transfer from Oldham Athletic, two-year deal.
Luke Murphy (midfielder) – £1million from Crewe Alexandra, three-year deal.
Players Out:
Steve Morison (striker) – season-long loan to Millwall.