Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Graham Smyth With Leeds United's Premier League status confirmed Daniel Farke has revealed the thinking behind his most uncharacteristic statement of the season. Farke and his players celebrated long after their 6-0 win over Stoke City at Elland Road and Burnley's win over Sheffield United that sent both the Whites and the Clarets into the top flight automatically. The Blades face the daunting prospect of the play-offs having fallen eight points behind the joint leaders with two games to go. Leeds players, staff and Farke gathered on the stadium's East Stand steps to celebrate with thousands of supporters before a party inside the stadium and then an after-party at the DoubleTree by Hilton's Sky Lounge. Daniel Farke consistency Farke has been the picture of consistency ever since he was appointed by Leeds to try and get them back up into the Premier League. His press conferences verge on the predictable most weeks, regardless of the result, thanks to his pers...

By Joe Donnohue Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has criticised Burnley's security response saying he did not feel he and his players were protected at Turf Moor. Wilder's side were beaten 2-1 in Lancashire on Monday evening which confirmed Burnley and Leeds United's promotion back to the Premier League. Upon the final whistle, a number of home supporters descended onto the pitch, some of whom appeared to direct unsavoury words at Wilder's Sheffield United players. The Blades boss has slammed Burnley's security response on the final whistle, accusing the club of inadequate stewarding. "We were told by the referee before that we'll be getting stewards surrounding us [at full-time]," Wilder said in his post-match press conference. "But I think they went on the missing list, completely went on the missing list." Blades midfielder Hamza Choudhury found himself at the centre of a dispute with Burnley fans while others made attempt...

By Ben Wignall Leeds United were not prepared to meet Sheffield United's £20 million asking price for Gustavo Hamer last summer because the hierarchy at Elland Road did not feel that it represented value for money. The Whites have gotten the better of their Yorkshire counterparts in the automatic promotion race, but it could have potentially been sealed much earlier had they gotten their way in the transfer market by landing Hamer. As it happened, a deal never ended up materialising, but it can hardly be argued that the Dutch maestro wouldn't have made Daniel Farke's starting 11 a lot better on the face of it. In the latter stages of the transfer window in August 2024, it became apparent that Leeds wanted to raid their Championship rivals Sheffield United for who many would perceive to be their star man in the form of Hamer. With 10 goal contributions to his name in the Premier League in what was a struggling Blades side, it was a surprise that no top flight clubs...

By Tom Coates Leeds United are reportedly likely to make Tottenham Hotspur winger Manor Solomon their first signing of the summer transfer window. Promotion to the Premier League was secured on Easter Monday, allowing the Whites to move ahead with plans to prepare for life in the top flight. Summer investment will be crucial if Leeds are to be competitive next term, with the plight of last season’s promoted clubs acting as a cautionary tale. Leicester City and Southampton have already had their respective relegations confirmed, with Ipswich Town set to follow. Leeds will be desperate to avoid the trap door and according to TEAMtalk, are in talks over a permanent deal for loanee winger Solomon. The 25-year-old arrived at Elland Road in the summer, making a temporary switch from Tottenham Hotspur. He had been plagued by injury in North London and his fitness record did spark some worries among Leeds supporters. However, the Israel international has managed to stay fit and...

By Kyle Newbould The title-winning former Leeds United captain had an eye on Monday’s celebrations Liam Cooper sent his congratulations to former club Leeds United following confirmation of their return to the Premier League on Monday. Leeds secured automatic promotion from the Championship following Monday’s 6-0 thumping of Stoke City, with Daniel Farke’s side flying out the blocks to score five goals in the opening 45 minutes, four of which came via Joel Piroe. Junior Firpo and Willy Gnonto were also on the scoresheet and a third straight win sent them eight points clear of Sheffield United. The Blades then lost 2-1 at Burnley, a result which sent the latter and Leeds up automatically, with fans flocking to Elland Road and celebrations continuing long into the evening. Daniel Farke and his players stayed in the stadium to watch it all unfold following their comfortable win and were soon joined by thousands of fans outside, and the drama was seemingly being followed over 1,700...

The Council is getting involved with the Leeds United promotion celebrations throughout this week Leeds City Council has announced that its Civic Hall and other council buildings across the city will be lit up in white, yellow and blue colours this week to celebrate Leeds United ’s promotion to the Premier League. Easter Monday marked the first time the Whites had gained promotion to the Premier League with fans present inside of stadiums. The celebrations of 2020 took place during the Covid pandemic, when spectators were barred from matches. Supporters are making sure to make up for lost time this year, and the City Council will light its buildings in club colours for the rest of the working week, aside from Wednesday when St George's Day will be marked. In a statement, Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "Leeds United’s return to the Premier League is fantastic news and, on behalf of the council, I want to send our warmest congratulations to e...

by Kwadwo Hemeng Leeds United have been officially promoted to the Premier League with two league games left. After the events of last summer, fans will be delighted with the ending of this campaign. When Leeds lost the Championship play off final last year, it turned out to be the first of multiple dominoes to fall at Elland Road. The club ended up losing key players, and it was hard to keep the squad together especially when the Premier League came calling. Some players also left the club because they did not want to spend another season in the Championship. Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter were just three of the names that left the club in the summer. With Leeds back in the Premier League, they have serious decisions to make when it comes to the squad. Daniel Farke and the recruitment team will need to be spot on in their signings. Luckily, promoted clubs get a financial boost from promotion. But how much do teams actually get from the Premier League...

Kris Smith Leeds United have secured their promotion back to the Premier League with a resounding 6-0 win over Stoke City, while Sheffield United were beaten at Burnley to see the Clarets up too. A home clash with Stoke City brought nerves from the Leeds fanbase, justifiably so given the pressure on the game and how Leeds have historically fared in vital games. However, it became clear almost instantly that Leeds had nothing to worry about as they raced into a five-goal lead by half-time, making it 6-0 in the second half. Chelsea, Aston Villa and Everton blown away by Leeds United's new Elland Road reveal Leeds’ promotion back to the Premier League comes with the obvious financial boost of top flight revenue, but also comes with the 49ers shelling out a touch more money in performance-related add-ons. Here, we look at the transfers Leeds made that are likely to have triggered add-ons following promotion, based on previous reports… Joel Piroe – £10.5m up to £16million ...

Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has sent a message to the players, staff and supporters of the club Such is the nature of the Championship Leeds United's owners hoped, rather than expected the club to win promotion this season. They had hoped just the same a year previous only to discover the pain of Wembley Stadium and a play-off final defeat. A year on there was renewed hope, an air of confidence and a desire to get over the line and take the club back to the top flight. It's a case of mission accomplished and in some style with the title still a possibility and 94 points already won in a record-breaking season for the Whites. For chairman Paraag Marathe and 49ers Enterprises, it's almost a case of the hard work starts now. Sealing promotion to the Premier League is a great achievement, but staying up and establishing the club back among the elite is something else completely. That's the aim of everyone at Leeds, to follow in the footsteps of clubs like A...

By Graham Smyth The Leeds United party started in the final seconds of Sheffield United's loss at Burnley and it will go on until the summer. This is a club with a rich tradition to uphold, having historically dedicated itself as much to the celebration of achievements as making it all happen in the first place. The last time Leeds escaped the Championship the partying was restricted somewhat by a pandemic but players who had emptied the tanks to win promotion under Marcelo Bielsa gave it their very best as they 'refuelled'. One senior player did not make it home the night that promotion was secured and kipped at a team-mate's place after the Elland Road knees-up. On their way into training the next morning, on very little sleep, they made a pitstop so he could fill his sports bottle with alcohol in order to continue the party at Thorp Arch. His jaw dropped when it was announced they would still be running, but the right to party hard had been earned by playing hard...

By Graham Smyth Graham Smyth’s off camera moments as Leeds United hammer Stoke City then celebrate promotion Leeds United are back in the Premier League and Elland Road has been the scene of celebrations that were bottled up in 2020. Daniel Farke and his players had the chance to toast their promotion back to the top flight with thousands of fans gathered outside the East Stand after a 6-0 win over Stoke City and Sheffield United's defeat at Burnley. Here's the YEP take. Good day Leeds United Football Club - back where they belong. It had to happen this season, the ramifications for the club, its manager and staff were huge and they've made it happen in style with two games to spare. The celebrations with fans were so deserved for those at the club who missed out on a proper party in 2020 and of course for the supporters as well. The East Stand scenes after promotion was secured were spectacular. Jayden Bogle - one of the Player of the Season candidates kept h...

Ian Woodcock BBC Sport England Adam Pope BBC Radio Leeds reporter Leeds United have sealed their return to the Premier League after two years back in the Championship. From a slow start to a silent January and changing goalkeepers with seven games to go, BBC Sport looks at the key moments in their successful promotion campaign. 23 August - Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Leeds Eight months is a long, long time in football and so it was that the mood around Leeds United three games into the season was in stark contrast to the one there now. A helter-skelter 3-3 opening-day draw with Portsmouth was followed up by a thumping 3-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup and then an uninspiring 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion. The Whites headed to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday on a Friday night with the pressure on to get their season kick-started. Off the back of a mind-numbingly boring goalless draw at West Brom, the climate ahead of the trip to Hillsborough fel...

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent Leeds United are targeting Premier League experience as they begin planning for their return to the top flight, sources have told Football Insider. The Whites guaranteed promotion after beating Stoke City 6-0 at home on Monday (21 April) – while Sheffield United lost away at Burnley. Leeds are desperate to get a foothold in the Premier League and avoid the fate of Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich Town – instant demotion back to the Championship. Football Insider revealed on 11 April that the Yorkshire giants only plan on strengthening “a few key positions” – with six players seen as Premier League-ready. As a result, it is believed Daniel Farke and his transfer team will prioritise moves for players with top flight experience. Football Insider revealed on Monday (21 April) that ex-Whites midfielder Kalvin Phillips is interested in a return to Elland Road. He has amassed seasons of Premier League experience during his time with L...

A letter to supporters. Dear Leeds United supporters, After a long season of hard work both on and off the pitch, we are returning to the Premier League! To Daniel and the squad - thank you for your relentless pursuit of this achievement. You have been exemplary throughout the campaign and have rightly earned your place in Leeds United history. You represent everything it means to play for this club, and we are all incredibly proud. To our amazing supporters - we would not be in this position without you. Thank you for bringing the passion and energy that carried us throughout the season. This is the first time in 35 years that we have achieved promotion in person in front of our supporters, so I hope you enjoy every moment celebrating with fellow fans, friends and loved ones. The Premier League is where Leeds belongs, and our goal is to establish a long-term presence there. With that in mind, we have been quietly preparing the club for this moment. The road ahead won’t be ea...

Adam Williams Leeds United are officially back in the Premier League and the monetary rewards will be massive. Things couldn’t have gone better for Leeds United on Easter Monday as they have now officially secured promotion back to the Premier League. Daniel Farke’s side smashed Stoke City 6-0 earlier in the day, thanks to four goals from Joel Piroe and strikes from Junior Firpo and Willy Gnonto. Attention then turned to Turf Moor for the massive match between Burnley and Sheffield United, with anything less than a win for Chris Wilder’s side confirming a return to the top flight for their Yorkshire foes. The Clarets did the job for Leeds, winning 2-1 to secure their own promotion in the process and setting up a final battle for the title in the two remaining fixtures. Now Leeds are back in the big time and with that comes big money. Championship prize money as Leeds seal promotion In terms of the prize money available from the EFL itself, the difference between finishi...

By Leon Wobschall SHEFFIELD United’s quest for automatic promotion to the Premier League is over following defeat at Turf Moor - on a definitive day of Championship action. Chris Wilder’s side lost out 2-1 at Burnley - whose elevation to the top flight was confirmed courtesy of a first-half brace from Josh Brownhill – alongside Leeds United, who thumped Stoke City 6-0. The pair will now battle it out for the title in the remaining two games. The Blades, meanwhile, have been consigned to the second-tier play-offs after paying the price for a poor run of just one win in five matches. They will finish the regular season in third place and face the team who finish in sixth spot in the play-off semi-finals next month. As it stands, that team is Coventry City, although others, including Bristol City, Middlesbrough or Millwall could yet finish there. What is certain is that United will travel away in the first leg on Thursday, May 8 (8pm kick-off), with the second instalment bei...

By Stuart Rayner Manager Daniel Farke promised to be the "first on the table" after Leeds United clinched promotion back to the Premier League following two years away. The Whites romped to a 6-0 win over Stoke City, then saw Sheffield United fail to win at Burnley in the 5.30pm kick-off, a result which guaranteed promotion for his side. Farke, whose side were beaten in the Championship play-off final at the end of his first season at Elland Road, promised to enjoy the celebrations to the full, but added his players will have stopped partying in plenty of time for their next game, at home to Bristol City seven days later, as they look to close out the title. "I normally celebrate with cake and coffee on the sofa because I'm at an age where I'm pretty tired after a game," said Farke, his eyes barely straying from the media room television showing the first half from Turf Moor as he spoke to the media. "When I was younger, as a player I was able...

Leeds are PROMOTED back to the Premier League after a two-year absence, with Burnley's win over Sheffield United sending the Clarets back up too Leeds have secured promotion with two games left following Burnley's victory They thrashed Stoke 6-0 earlier on Monday to put themselves on the brink By LEWIS BROWNING Leeds promotion back to the Premier League was confirmed on Monday evening after Burnley beat Sheffield United in a crunch Championship clash. Daniel Farke's side were on the brink of their promotion being confirmed following their match on the same day, with the league leaders thrashing Stoke 6-0 at Elland Road in an earlier game. It meant the Whites only needed Sheffield United to avoid victory in the evening game, and they did just that - also at their own expense. Burnley's victory meant they too were promoted at the first time of asking, led to the Premier League under Scott Parker following relegation under the stewardship of Vincent Kompany l...

Leeds United broke with tradition to give supporters the ultimate hope. Leeds United never usually do it the easy way. It’s supposed to be a hard, long slog. A tense finale that rests on the finest of margins. Easter Monday was anything but that. There was a buzz around Elland Road hours before kick-off. Many had decided to get to the ground early ahead of what was a big day. A few more supporters than usual had filtered into Elland Road when the turnstiles opened, partly due to the weather but also due to what was at stake. Each name on the teamsheet was given a huge cheer, especially for the young Harry Gray who made the senior matchday squad for the first time. Supporters lined the advertising hoardings in the warm-up with barely any shoulder space to spare, with the faithful keen to get a close-up glimpse of their heroes. Stoke City tried mind games early on with a switch of ends before kick-off but it was the Potters who were shell-shocked by half-time. Five goals down a...

Whites produce a stunning performance at Elland Road. Leeds United recorded another impressive victory with a resounding success over Stoke City, with four goals from Joël Piroe helping the Whites to a stunning 6-0 triumph! The hosts started impressively in front of a packed-out Elland Road and took the lead after just six minutes through the clinical Piroe! Great intensity from Daniel Farke’s side saw Leeds win the ball back on the edge of the Stoke area, before Willy Gnonto found the run of Manor Solomon. The in-form attacker crossed into the path of the onrushing Piroe who dispatched a fine finish beyond Viktor Johansson and into the bottom corner! Within minutes, United and Piroe would have a second! Superb intensity again, this time from Jayden Bogle, allowed the full-back to race onto a loose ball, darting into the box before crossing low for the striker to net his 17th of the Sky Bet Championship campaign! Before the 20-minute mark, Piroe completed his hat-trick! Cam...

By Stuart Rayner Leeds United partied like it was 1990 on Easter Monday. It took Burnley’s vicory against Sheffield United to confirm promotion, but after a rampant 6-0 win over Stoke City, there was little doubting their fans had got it right as early in the afternoon they began singing "The Whites are going up." Leeds have only once won promotion to the top division since 1990, and that was behind closed doors during the Covid-19 pandemic. If Carlsberg did Easter Mondays, this is how they would do them for a Leeds supporter. Manager Daniel Farke had been relaxed enough not to even put his best player, Daniel James, on the bench after the Hull-born winger complained of a sore hamstring after making his return from injury at Oxford United on Good Friday. With just 20 minutes gone, Joel Piroe already had a hat-trick as his team-mates pressed with the hunger of a team locked up without food since Lent ended. By half-time he had four, and Leeds five. Farke even bro...

By Lee Sobot Leeds had the chance to tee themselves up for possible Monday night promotion against Stoke. Leeds United now find themselves on the cusp of automatic promotion after absolutely smashing Stoke City 5-0 in Easter Monday’s Championship clash at Elland Road. Incredibly, having gone nine games without scoring, Whites striker Joel Piroe bagged four inside the game’s opening 41 minutes including a 20-minute hat-trick to send him top of the Championship top scorers table. His side also remain top of the table that matters most and Daniel Farke’s Whites will be promoted on Monday evening if Sheffield United fail to win at second-placed Burnley in a 5.30pm kick-off. In an absolute cauldron of noise, Leeds got off to a brilliant start as a strong tackle by Ilia Gruev paved the way for Joel Piroe to net a sixth-minute opener. As Stoke got themselves in bother on the edge of the Leeds box, Willy Gnonto played in Manor Solomon who supplied a pinpoint cutback to Piroe and th...