Ross McCormack shares incredible story of Leeds exit and Massimo Cellino order behind the scenes — Leeds United News 24/9/24

Will Butcher

Ross McCormack left Leeds United in Massimo Cellino’s first summer at the club back in 2014 after four years at the club and he has now shared details about his move to Fulham.

Leeds paid a nominal fee to Cardiff City to sign McCormack in 2010. The star went on to have a hugely successful four seasons with Leeds, one of the most-underrated Leeds signings in the last two decades.

He captained The Whites during his 157 games in which he scored a whopping 58 goals and laid on 31 assists, during a time in which Leeds had become stagnant way down in England’s second tier.

Fast forward four years and McCormack was sold to Fulham for a big £12m fee, in what was Cellino’s first transfer window at the club. A summer in which Cellino lured in 14 new signings, including Liam Cooper.

It was a disappointing sale but one the club had to make, with the finances perilous following Cellino’s takeover of the club. Now, McCormack has shared what it was really like in the lead-up to his departure.

Cellino ordered McCormack not to train before Leeds sale

Such was the lack of funds at Leeds spiraling out of control, McCormack claims that Dave Hockaday who had been surprisingly appointed as manager by Cellino in 2014, told him he was not allowed to train.

Indeed, Scotland international McCormack was not allowed to risk suffering an injury with Leeds keen to sell him and eventually, Fulham came calling. Leeds could not miss out on such a big lump of cash.

He told Open Goal: “If I didn’t leave, the club would have been in serious danger. They sacked kitchen staff, people had packed lunches, staff wasn’t getting paid, players weren’t getting paid, no dough.

“They had absolutely no money. It was that bad that they were protecting their assets. When I came in the first day of pre-season, you know, you walk out in your trainers, you carry your boots,” McCormack said.

“Dave Hockaday, he said you won’t need them, the owner said you’re not allowed to train. He wanted to make sure I didn’t get injured. When I left, he said I refused to train. Just trying to cover their back.”

McCormack played the most games for Leeds throughout career

McCormack does some punditry work from time to time for BBC Radio Leeds. He might have only spent four years at Elland Road but is without doubt one of the most-important players of the last 20 years.

Not only did McCormack captain Leeds and have a hand in a whopping 88 goals in just 157 games, a ratio of less than one goal or assist every two matches, he actually saved the club from financial collapse.

Starring at Fulham after Leeds, he failed at Villa and went on loan to Forest, Central Coast, Melbourne and then Motherwell. Judging by his career path, McCormack might have wished he remained at Elland Road.