Leeds United

Lewis Deighton
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It's 'Final Eve' in the Championship play-offs as Sheffield United prepare to face Sunderland. That could have happened to us, but it didn't!

Eleven months on from Wembley heartbreak, Leeds United are back in the Joy Division not only as champions, but centurions no less.

Financially, winning the Championship play-off final is undoubtedly the best way to be promoted. Dubbed 'the richest game in football', the winner receives a minimum of £200m - while ironically, winning the league only earns roughly 10% of that.

Having money and knowing what to do with it are two different things, though. Southampton, who beat Leeds in the final last season, have gone on to record the most losses ever in a Premier League season - second only to Derby County for the worst points total, too.

After a month of celebrations from Elland Road to Home Park, I look forward to watching tears that aren't our own on the telly.

I don't envy any fan in that ground. I remember that sinking feeling when the full-time whistle blew and it was still there when I opened my eyes the following morning - only to see the Wembley arch from my hotel window.

For obvious reasons, it would be funny if the Blades lose - but I would also rather like the Yorkshire derby, so I'm easy either way.

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Monday Night Club pundit Rory Smith believes a move to newly-promoted Leeds United would make sense for Jamie Vardy.

Vardy, who will leave Leicester City at the end of the season, told Sky Sports he has no intention of retiring and believes he can continue to deliver in the Premier League.

Speaking on who Vardy might be suitable for on BBC Radio 5 Live, Smith said: "I think he actually makes a lot of sense for Leeds if he can overcome his inherent Sheffield Wednesday fan status.

"The experience, there aren't that many proven goal scorers available. Leeds have plenty of goals in the team but they don't have a focal point.

"There's questions about whether Joel Piroe can make the step up. I think there's a logic to Leeds."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer

The BBC Radio Leeds 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet' team pop down to the pub to talk stadium redevelopment at Elland Road and how it will impact the community.

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix went to The Dragon pub in Wortley to look at a display of the plans and chat to supporters.

They also talk about ticket allocations and how they will be divided up.

You can listen to the latest episode and past editions on BBC Sounds.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds have been linked in recent days with out-of-contract players with Premier League experience and, among fans, the names have provoked a mixed response.

This is arguably the most important transfer window in the club's history and United must make every single signing count if they are to cement their place in England's top tier next season.

So caution is justified, but free agents have worked for Daniel Farke in the past.

In his first season in charge, Farke brought Sam Byram back to the club. An academy product, Byram's time away from Yorkshire was ravaged with injuries.

When rumours emerged of a potential return, some questioned whether his best days were behind him.

But in the past two seasons Byram has played almost as many league games (69) as he did in total during his eight years away from Leeds (80), and he has been a solid performer.

And when Ethan Ampadu and Illia Gruev got injured within the space of 70 minutes of football last September, United went looking for an emergency defensive midfielder and signed out-of-contract Josuha Guilavogui.

In Guilavogui they found more than a back-up player. The farewell messages written on his final matchday shirt indicate the impact he had on team morale.

Brenden Aaronson wrote: "Best mate, best player here, love you g", Jayden Bogle wrote: "The best human I have ever met", another wrote: "My brother, leader, legend, what a man you are mate".

There is caution among the fan base and rightly so about some of the names Leeds have been linked with over the past few weeks - and an acceptance that Leeds need to be shopping in a different market than previous seasons.

But with a young side, Premier League experience is needed and hard to come by, and Leeds must trust Farke to find the right characters for the squad.

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Image source, Rex Features

Leeds United have said captain Ethan Ampadu "had no responsibility" for a photo posted on social media of his young son wearing a Galatasaray shirt.

Two Leeds fans, Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus, were stabbed to death in Istanbul on the eve of the Uefa Cup semi-final match between Leeds and Galatasaray in 2000.

The Championship title winners said in a statement that the Wales international had separated from the boy's mother "several months ago" and "has the full support of everybody at Leeds United".

They added that Ampadu was "aware of and sensitive to the tragic loss within the Loftus and Speight families".

"The club asks for Ethan's privacy to be respected in what is a difficult time for him personally," they said., external

"Our captain has been a leader on and off the pitch this season, demonstrating his commitment to the club, its history, and the broader Leeds community."

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

Image source, Leeds United

Leeds United intend to submit the club's formal planning application to Leeds City Council this summer for the redevelopment of Elland Road into a 53,000 capacity stadium.

The hybrid application is full and detailed for the West Stand whilst an outline for the North Stand at this stage.

The former is expected to open in 2028 with a rise from 8,000 to 17,750 seats and the latter by nearly five-thousand to 15,300 in 2030.

According to the architect the design will encourage positive behavioural change of spectators to arrive earlier and stay longer to reduce congestion and improve the match day experience.

A recent pre-application proposal for the alterations was backed by the Council's City Plans Panel with several caveats.

Concerns over car parking, litter, nuisance and flooding were raised.

Councillor Andrew Scopes, who is a trustee to the Leeds United Foundation and councillor Dan Cohen, a self-confessed Leeds United supporter, both recognised the major benefits of the project to the city as a whole but say local residents must be looked after.

With that in mind Leeds United have begun to hold a series of community roadshows where Lucinda Yeadon, a former councillor, will ask residents to feedback their views and concerns to the club. At Tuesday night's drop-in event at Holbeck Working Men's Club residents did just that.

"It looks really good and obviously we want Leeds United to do well," Neil told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I'm not actually a football supporter but I live in the area. On matchdays we do have to work around the traffic in terms of timing when we go out or go shopping.

"So anything which will encourage more people to use public transport or make more public pedestrian accessibility from the city centre, especially with the increase in numbers they are planning for the stadium, would be beneficial for the area. We want the club to be successful and I'm pleased its going up into the Premier League."

Another Beeston resident, who asked to remain anonymous, added: "I am very supportive of the redevelopment plans for the stadium.

"We are truly delighted to see such a well thought out and elegant design. It looks amazing and really reflects the stature of Leeds United."

However, they warned they would be "massively affected".

"Everything is going to change from the view to the day to day experience of living here," they added.

"It's a substantial rise in footfall, traffic and noise on matchday which will have an impact.

"Most importantly we'd like the club to engage more directly with those of us who live here.

"The ideal outcome would be a more consistent collaboration between the club and Leeds City Council especially when it comes to traffic management. In my view, as a current concept, its inadequate and the new one has not convinced me it will resolve the issues we face.

"One other improvement would for the club to provide access to public toilets before the match for example. This would help to reduce some of the anti social behaviour we are currently experiencing.

"I just hope those impacts can be managed thoughtfully really with the club and the City Council working closely with residents to find practical solutions and to maintain a good quality of life in our area here. Make us feel like we're part of the process."

The next plans panel meeting of council members is scheduled for 3 July when there will be a report on the consultation feedback.

You can hear local residents reacting to Leeds United's plans to redevelop the club's Elland Road stadium

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Leeds United are mourning the death of Gerry Francis, the first black player to feature for the club.

The South African winger made 52 appearances for Leeds, scoring nine goals between 1957 and 1961.

Francis worked in a shoe factory before moving to England and played in Don Revie's first game in charge of Leeds against Portsmouth on 18 March 1961.

He also played 16 games for York City and eventually moved to Canada.

Francis died at the weekend at the age of 91.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

For the first time in decades Leeds United have owners with deep pockets and a competent board and management team who can match pragmatism with ambition.

And they will need all that nous to navigate this summer's transfer market.

No one can say who will make the step up to the Premier League within the squad. But there is a core group of players who I imagine would and that includes Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Jayden Bogle, Ao Tanaka and Dan James.

I would imagine the club are working on a deal to bring Manor Solomon back, as well as considering the merits of a new contract for Junior Firpo. The two linked up on Leeds' left side to great success last season.

Chairman Paraag Marathe confirmed sales will have to be made to ensure the club's position against financial fair play rules. This means any sales would have to represent a profit on the balance sheet.

So it would not surprise me should Illan Meslier be sold. The Frenchman fell out of favour towards the end of the season and could attract a price tag that would surpass what Leeds paid for him.

One player fans might expect Leeds to sell is Brenden Aaronson. But I do not see him attracting an offer that would secure a profit, and despite his deficiencies in possession, he has excelled without the ball in disrupting opposition teams' passing play.

Leeds will be defending far more in the Premier League than in the Championship and will need to adjust their strategy to survive, and that includes recruitment and retention.

United are back where the club and city deserve to be but they must put everything they have into this summer's transfer window if they want to stay up.

Leeds United's promotion party is over but Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix remain in the afterglow.

How do the team reflect on the celebrations and victory parade?

Who should be offered new contracts for a return to the Premier League?

What will be made of the plans to redevelop Elland Road?

These are just three things being discussed on the latest edition of 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet'.

You can listen to the latest episode on BBC Sounds.

"What a magnificent day that was... it's been a great few weeks for Leeds"

Episode 153 of BBC Radio Leeds' Leeds United podcast 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet' is available to download now via the BBC Sounds app, and it's a very special one.

After all the promotion celebrations in the city had calmed down, Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix took a deep breath and reflected on a huge weekend for club, the city and for the future of Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, who the chairman confirmed will still be in charge next season.

You can click here to listen via BBC Sounds.

Make sure you hit subscribe on the BBC Sounds app or wherever you get your podcasts and that way you won't miss an episode.

Adonis Storr
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Pascal Struijk's 2019/20 Championship winners' medal hung around his neck at the open-top bus parade in Leeds yesterday – a reminder of the celebration that never was.

This squad were partying for two. And it felt like that.

An estimated 150,000 people were in Leeds, and the city was as full of fans and stories as it was thick with fog from flares and fireworks.

Club captain Ethan Ampadu's sweary performance on the microphone was instantly iconic and will be remembered for decades.

The Welshman did as much to etch himself into the hearts of Leeds fans in one afternoon as he has done on the pitch in the last two seasons.

But in United's history, no group of players has deserved a party more than this squad.

A record-breaking century of points; securing promotion by reaching near-perfection in games against Stoke and Bristol City; and winning the league with almost the last kick of the season in injury time on the final day.

For modern footballers: whose sleep and diet are tracked, whose every word is scrutinised, who are well-compensated, but make many sacrifices – it was wonderful to see them celebrate.

And the city and fans deserved a party as well.

The last time the glittering silver lady toured Leeds on a bus was 1992 – and there will be many who weren't there or were too young to remember it.

And unlike during the pandemic five years ago when United won the Championship and the unannounced open-top bus was static outside Elland Road, this time the parade had been announced, and the wheels were moving.

Leeds fans finally had their day in the sun.

And though the blue powder from flares has settled, and the smell from the smoke will wash out, the memories made in a couple of hours on a bank holiday Monday will last a lifetime.

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"I've seen a lot of stuff from Leeds United, but to see the city like this, awaiting its latest band of heroes and its manager Daniel Farke to come, is something special.

"Nobody parties like Leeds United, and this is a special, special day, one already I know I'll be taking with me forever."

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs bassist' Simon Rix are at Leeds city centre as the Whites embark on their victory parade after winning the Championship on Saturday.

Join them for the celebration, won't you?

Listen to the full episode and more on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

Leeds United striker Joel Piroe has a personal achievement to go along with the side's promotion and title win on Saturday - the Championship's golden boot.

The Dutchman found the net 19 times to be named the second division's highest scorer, beating out Burnley's Josh Brownhill with 18.

"It's something I'm really happy with, personally," Piroe told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I said before if you become champion and you get the golden boot, you can't really complain as a striker, can you?"

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also had a personally gratifying experience.

Having played second fiddle to number one stopper Illan Meslier since joining from Newcastle in July 2023, a series of errors from the Frenchman gave Darlow first call on the team sheet for the final seven games of the season.

He kept four clean sheets across those games to help his side clinch the title - though when it comes to pride, it's the collective that matters.

"I've stayed professional throughout the whole thing and waited and bided my time to get an opportunity, to get a chance to get into the side," Darlow said.

"I'm just proud of what we've done as a group and how we've got over the line. We've won the last six on the bounce, and it's an incredible way, under massive pressure from a young squad, to galvanise to get over the line."

Listen to the full interviews and more on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

"For me the best thing is we uplifted a whole community, you know, of this whole city, of this whole area you could just feel it."

The day after the dramatic sealing of the Championship title, the Leeds United chairman, Paraag Marathe, was revealing how he could not have been more proud of seeing the club become champions.

"I wanted to win a trophy. Just like Daniel did, just like the players and just like all the staff did, that's what I wanted, and we got that goal."

With the mission accomplished, Marathe explained that he felt it was the most opportune time to speak to the local media and clarify the burning question over Farke's future before he was even asked it.

"I'm really excited about collaborating with Daniel, with Robbie Evans, who we promoted to managing director, and Adam Underwood, who we promoted to sporting director.

"We're going to build the best squad that we can with every penny we are allowed to spend to go and compete in the Premier League... I have ended the speculation; that is correct, he is my man."

Later in the interview he expressed his sorrow over the possible effects of recent media reports that Farke's position was in doubt.

"I felt bad that Daniel and the coaches were twisting in the wind a little bit. I tried to do what I could privately. For me, I'm going to speak when I have something to say and when the time is right.

"It's unfortunate that somebody else tried to speculate something a week or two ago because today was always the moment when I was going to speak with you all."

Marathe has been good to his word of two years ago when he appointed Farke on a four-year deal. "Let me be clear, this is not a short-term thing... This isn't just 'Hey, get us through the Championship'.

"I don't think he had a fair deck of cards when he got back up to the Premier League - his two shots at it. That's one thing we're going to rectify and give him the deck of cards he needs to be successful once we get back up because I think he can be a very, very successful coach across Europe."

So for a third summer the San Francisco 49ers Enterprises will twist again with Daniel Farke by giving him enough rope to make a ladder rather than a noose.

Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

Leeds United have made 26-year-old Marseille and Argentina centre-back Leonardo Balerdi one of their top summer transfer targets. (Sun), external

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