Mighty Leeds Weblog

Yorkshire Post Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More Healy delay sees striker search widenRichard Sutcliffe KEVIN BLACKWELL does not intend increasing Leeds United's bid for David Healy but has stressed the offer remains on the table for the Preston North End striker. United have offered an initial £300,000 that could eventually double, depending on appearances, goals and Leeds achieving success. Preston turned down the bid but with Healy's contract due to run out next summer his value is dropping on a daily basis and North End will soon have to decide whether they can risk the Northern Ireland international leaving for nothing in the summer. Leeds have been caught in a similar situation to the one facing Preston, Lee Bowyer being offloaded for a paltry £100,000 in January 2003 just five months after Liverpool had bid £9m for the midfielder. Blackwell believes the offer represents a fair valuation for the 25-year-old and said: "At th...

BLACKWELL AIMING FOR STEADY PROGRESS: Sporting Life - Football | Premiership, Championship, Scottish & European News, Scores, Results BLACKWELL AIMING FOR STEADY PROGRESS Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell insists he will go on rebuilding the club in a "slow and proper manner" as they seek an instant return to the Barclays Premiership. The Whites booked their place in the third round of the Carling Cup with a 1-0 win over Swindon as Blackwell tried to give some of his players a break, with Sunderland due to visit Elland Road in the Coca-Cola Championship on Friday. The boss believes his squad is not quite at the level he would like yet but he is acutely aware that money cannot be thrown around to repeat the rapid improvement of the club under former chairman Peter Ridsdale. "I know there's a level we need to compete at and we've still got to get to that level, but we can't rush it, we can't do that any more," Blackwell said. "It's my...

Leeds United Football Club - Ricketts Signs! Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell has completed his fifth signing of the summer by capturing Michael Ricketts from Middlesbrough. Ricketts has signed a three-year deal, subject to a medical and will form part of an exciting new frontline with fellow new striker Julian Joachim. Michael began his career at Walsall in 1996 and scored 14 goals in 31 games before his style of play attracted interest from bigger clubs. He then joined Bolton for a fee of £400,000 after Walsall had been relegated in 2000 and had a fantastic season during Bolton's promotion winning campaign, scoring 24 goals. The following season though saw him fall out with Sam Allardyce but he still managed to score 15 goals in his debut season in the Premiership before International honours beckoned. He made his England debut against Holland and is still looking to add to his International cap. He signed for Middlesbrough in the January transfer window of 2003 fo...