Leeds United World: the number one unofficial site!

United are understood to be ready to hold talks with a property developer over building a new 50,000 all-seater stadium.

The proposed site is a former opencast mine next to the M1/A1M near Stourton.

United have already had preliminary discussions with Kelda who part own the Skelton Grange site.

Opinion amongst the fans is understood to be mixed with many wanting a new complex to match the efforts on the pitch and others desperate to stick with tradition.

Chairman Peter Ridsdale said: "A lot of my mail recently has said let's have a ground we can be proud of as well as the team.

"The tone recognises that Elland Road leaves a lot to be desired."

Saturday, June 30th 2001

Sparta date to be brought forward

Leeds' pre-season friendly with Dutch outfit Sparta Rotterdam could be brought forward a day to Friday, August 10 on police advice.

A dance parade in the city is taking place on the Saturday and Dutch police have requested that The Whites' visit takes place 24 hours earlier.

Friday June 29th 2001

Ridsdale denies Dyer interest

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has revealed that The Whites are not interested in signing £20million-rated Newcastle midfielder Kieron Dyer.

Leeds were thought to be leading the chase for the England international, having tried to sign him two summers ago from Ipswich. But Ridsdale said: "Have you ever heard us express an interest in Kieron Dyer, we have never expressed an interest in him except when he was at Ipswich and at that stage we decided not to move for him."

Speculation will now increase as to who exactly Leeds have targeted this summer, with Ridsdale claiming to be ready to spend between £12-£18million on one of two players.

Another link shot down by Ridsdale this morning was a move for Club Bruges' Peruvian striker Andres Mendoza.

"I knew nothing about him until I picked up the papers this morning, in fact I can tell you we have made no move for anybody," Ridsdale added

"I don't know where they make all these stories up from."

Right now Ridsdale is concentrating on keeping Aussie hitman Mark Viduka at Elland Road. He will meet Viduka's accountant next week in a further effort to persuade him to sign a new deal similar to the one Olivier Dacourt signed this week.

"Our main efforts at the moment are concentrated on keeping our squad together, it is crucial that we do that," Ridsdale said.

"My main effort is to get Mark Viduka signed up, I am meeting his accountant next Thursday.

"Keeping what we have got is the first priority and then if we add to the squad so be it.

"I was delighted when Olivier Dacourt signed up for five more years and even more delighted with the sort of comments he made about the club.

"He never said he wanted to go but there was a lot of newspaper speculation about other clubs interested in him and it is reassuring to know that people believe in what we are trying to achieve."

Friday June 29th 2001

Big guns fight for Aussie starlet

Leeds, Arsenal and Liverpool are leading the chase to sign Feyenoord's £6million-rated Australian midfield star Brett Emerton.

Emerton has been linked with a host of Premiership clubs, including Manchester United, Newcastle, Ipswich and Middlesbrough, but it is understood that Arsenal and Leeds are the only real rivals to Liverpool's reported £5million opening bid.

Some reports say that Leeds have already upped the ante by offering £6million, which looks as though it is going to be the asking price for the player.

This though has been denied by Chairman Peter Ridsdale who said: "We have made no offer for him."

Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus have also been linked with the 22-year-old, who can also play at full-back, but he is thought to favour a move to the Premiership.

Middlesbrough were one of the frontrunners for his signature until Terry Venables left The Riverside last month. Venables coached Emerton while he was boss of the Australian national team and is a very big admirer of the player.

But Leeds now look to lead the chase as Emerton would be keen to link up with fellow Australians Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Jacob Burns and Danny Milosevic at Elland Road.

Feyenoord are reluctant to let Emerton go and will resist all attempts to prise away their star midfielder, although a bid of around £6million could tempt the Dutch giants into parting with a player they got for nothing.

Emerton himself has said recently that although he does not want to leave Feyenoord, he has always wanted to play in England and it would be hard to say no if the right offer came along.

Friday June 29th 2001

Kick-off times announced

Leeds have confirmed two outstanding kick-off times for the forthcoming season.

Manchester United at home on March 30 has been switched to an 11.30am kick-off at the request of the police and West Ham at home on January 1 will be 3pm as opposed to a night match.

Leeds' pre-season fixture in Holland against Sparta Rotterdam has been brought forward 24 hours from Saturday August 11 to Friday August 10 with the same 8 pm kick-off local time. The change comes after consultation between the Dutch FA and local authorities.

Meanwhile, tonight sees the launch of the new away kit at Elland Road, the show starts at 9pm and there are lots of giveaways and plenty of entertainment on offer.

The first 50 people, not 100 as was first reported, through the tills get a voucher for the new home kit that will be launched next summer.

Alan Smith will be making a personal appearance at the launch.

Friday June 29th 2001

Bruno nears Portuguese return

Former Leeds star Bruno Ribeiro looks set to make his loan move back to Portugal permanent after securing his release from Sheffield United.

Ribeiro, who was once compared to Johnny Giles, never recovered the impressive early form he had shown for The Whites and, after having an operation on a bad groin injury, he was sold off to Sheffield United.

The Blades have not even seen glimpses of that sort of ability and now Blades boss Neil Warnock is hoping to agree a pay-off deal with the midfielder after wanting to offload him for some time as he is a high wage earner at Bramall Lane.

Portuguese midfielder Ribeiro, who cost £500,000 from Leeds in October 1999, had a spell on loan with Portuguese side Uniao Leiria.

It is understood that he plans to stay in Portugal when he has secured his release from United. Thursday June 28th 2001

Safety fears over World Cup play-offs

There are growing worries about the safety of players as it looks like Australia's World Cup play-off matches will be against Columbia.

Australia will play the fifth-placed side in the South American group, which at the moment is Columbia. Uruguay are sitting in sixth spot, two points behind with a game in hand, so they could still replace Columbia if all went their way.

Columbian vice president of the Soccer Federation, Heinan Meija Campuzano, has been kidnapped by a terrorist group which has led to the Copa America (equivalent of the European Championships), which was due to be held in the troubled country, being cancelled. Should Columbia make it through to the play-off there would be fears about the players' safety, especially the high-profile players like Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.

Australian coach Frank Farina was due to watch Columbia in July but will not now be going and said: "It is something we have got to look at and decide whether we are happy or not.

"The security of players and staff overrides everything else."

Australian FA spokesman Tony Labbozzetta said: "We need to be very very careful in terms of what we need to do and we will be in touch with FIFA to ensure all the necessary security that needs to be put in place will be put in place."

Columbia have had security problems before, particularly when midfielder Andreas Escobar accidentally put into his own net in USA 1994 which prevented them qualifying for the second group stage, and was shot dead in the street when he returned home.

The fears are very real and Leeds and many other clubs will be keeping a close eye on the developing situation.

Thursday June 28th 2001

Duo out for up to seven matches

Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka could miss up to seven games because of Australia's World Cup play-off matches in November and December.

Australia have revealed the details of their play-off matches and it does not make very good reading for Leeds fans.

On November 11, a free weekend in England, Australia play a warm-up game against France in Melbourne in which they will probably want to field their full-strength team. Their first leg play-off match is on Sunday, November 25, which is the day after Leeds play Aston Villa at home, while the second leg is two weeks later on December 9, a day after the Blackburn away match.

The chances of the pair travelling back between games looks remote and there is a real fear that when they leave after the Spurs home match on November 3 they won't be available again until December 15 when Leeds are at home to Leicester.

Which would mean they miss four league games and two UEFA Cup matches plus a Worthington Cup fourth-round game.

FIFA have a five-day rule so Leeds could bring the players back between the matches but with all the flying and jet lag involved there may be little point.

Even if Leeds took those measures, the pair would definitely miss the Villa home and Blackburn away matches and both legs of the third round of the UEFA Cup.

There is also the chance that Jacob Burns could be called into the squad and possibly Danny Milosevic, which would see Leeds without four players for the games.

Thursday June 28th 2001

Viduka next

Having tied Olivier Dacourt to a new improved five-year contract Leeds will now concentrate their efforts on securing Mark Viduka's future.

Peter Ridsdale has been over to see Viduka in Croatia and he is confident that he will be able to get the striker to sign an improved deal at the club to fend off any interest from Spain or Italy.

Despite reports of interest from Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Real Madrid Leeds have not received any actual offers for Viduka and nor do they want to.

With just over a week to go before the players begin pre-season training, Leeds will be anxious to pin him down to a deal at the club which will ensure he stays on board for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile Olivier Dacourt has revealed he has strict rules about rooming with players and will only share with Lucas Radebe.

Dacourt said: "It is no joke - everything has to be clean.

"Lucas is a good man, very good but I can't room with Rio Ferdinand or Robbie Keane.

"It is not possible to share with them, everything is everywhere.

"It is the same thing with Eirik Bakke and Dominic Matteo, I can't be with these men.

"When Lucas is injured I room alone, that's a rule between him and me."

Thursday June 28th 2001

Pay per view games to be announced

The fixture switches to accommodate pay per view games will be announced over the coming week.

Clubs have until the end of today to hand in any alterations that they wish to make to the current fixture list because of European commitments or any other reason.

Sky have already picked the two matches per weekend which they intend to screen, normally on Sunday afternoons and Monday nights but occasionally on Saturday mornings.

After today Sky will pick up the revised list and choose one game every weekend to show on pay per view on Saturday lunchtimes or Sundays at 2pm.

So if you were planning a Saturday away trip it could be switched to Sunday for pay per view purposes, when it is far harder to travel on public transport.

Thursday June 28th 2001

Shirt launch

Leeds are to launch their new away kit tomorrow night at 9pm at the Elland Road superstore.

The club are said to be happy with the 3,000 pre-ordered shirts and the first 50 people through the tills get a voucher for a new home shirt next season, the next 100 get a free Nike ball and the third 100 get a free Leeds Leeds Leeds magazine. There will also be loads of other giveaways and Alan Smith is making a personal appearance.

It remains to be seen how well the shirt will sell, as some fans think the design is the worst since the blue Admiral shirt with yellow flecks in which was worn in the 1992-93 season, while others like it.

Wednesday June 27th 2001

Dacourt agrees deal as speculation goes mad

On the day that Olivier Dacourt has agreed a new deal Inter Milan have been linked to him and three other key players for £40 million.

The mischief-makers have had Inter down as moving for Mark Viduka for the past few weeks although their president Massimo Moratti has denied recent quotes attributed to him, saying: "The things that they reported me saying are completely false.

"The only decision about strikers that Inter has to make is regarding Christian Vieri, and nobody at the club wants to lose him."

Now he is apparently about to move not only for Viduka but also Ian Harte, Paul Robinson and Olivier Dacourt in a combined £40million deal.

News on Wednesday morning is that Dacourt has actually agreed to the new deal which Leeds have offered him and that is a massive boost to the club after rumours linking him with a move away. Peter Ridsdale is also very confident that Viduka will sign the extension to his deal which will also reward him for a successful season and that his first priority of keeping the players he wants at the club will be finalised.

The Inter story is so far off the mark it hardly warrants a mention but Viduka and Dacourt alone are worth around the best part of £40million and Robinson is the future England number one, while a better striker of the ball than Ian Harte you are unlikely to find.

As Ridsdale says, these stories are a price you pay for having a quality squad and that is what Leeds have at the moment.

The chairman has consistently said no-one is for sale and that they have received no offers from anyone for any player.

Wednesday June 27th 2001

Duo linked with moves

Tottenham are thought to be ready to make a move for Michael Duberry and Manchester City are likely to do the same for Jason Wilcox.

Spurs are again being linked with a bid for Duberry and a firm approach can be expected at any time.

Duberry, who was close to joining Charlton last season, would probably welcome a return to London so he could be nearer his children.

Duberry's chances of first-team football would probably be better at Spurs than they are at Leeds and a move to White Hart Lane would also reunite him with Glenn Hoddle, the manager who gave him his early break at Chelsea.

Meanwhile, City boss Kevin Keegan is ready to step up his efforts to land Wilcox from Leeds and could up his bid to over £2million. Keegan has apparently already had a bid of around £1.75million turned down for the former England international left-winger.

David O'Leary has said he wants to keep Wilcox and the player himself has declared his desire to stay and fight for his place, but with Harry Kewell chomping at the bit again Wilcox's chances of a regular first-team spot look to be remote.

Peter Ridsdale described the Jason Wilcox reports as 'nonsense'.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old defender Damien Lynch has been handed a month-to-month contract to enable him to prove his fitness before he gains a permanent move away from Elland Road.

Wednesday June 27th 2001

Lucas sits it out

Leeds skipper Lucas Radebe has not been named in the South African squad to play Burkina Faso this weekend.

Lucas was out of the Leeds side towards the end of last season due to injury and he was hoping to miss the World Cup qualifiers so he could have a full summer off and recharge his batteries in readiness for next season.

This now seems as though it is going to be the case, as the game against Burkina Faso looks to be a lot more of an task than the one against Malawi in a couple of weeks time, therefore if Lucas isn't needed for the first game he probably won't be called up for the second.

South Africa are hoping this weekend's game will be played on Saturday so if they pick up the one point needed, they will pip Cameroon as the first team to qualify for the World Cup finals.

Wednesday June 27th 2001

Sky fixtures

Sky have announced the matches they intend to screen until the end of December and Leeds feature on five occasions.

The away clash at Arsenal on Tuesday, August 21 will be televised as will the match at Ipswich on September 30.

In October Leeds are live three times, away at Liverpool on the 13th, home to Chelsea on the 21st and away at Manchester United on the 27th.

Both the Liverpool and Manchester United away matches are noon kick-off.

Wednesday June 27th 2001

Aussie launch goes well

A Leeds United delegation have just returned from Australia after enjoying a highly successful launch of their commercial brand.

The launch was at the Australian national sports fayre in Sydney and it was the start of Leeds' partnership with sports retailers Down Under to sell United-related goods.

Leeds still intend to link up with a club in Australia to take the cream of their players, but until the Aussie league is sorted out then no decision on which club it will be.

A delegation from Community United flew to South Africa yesterday for a conference sponsored by the British Council to explain Leeds' work in the community.

Leeds have strong links with the Republic because of Lucas Radebe's involvement at Elland Road.

Wednesday June 27th, 2001

VIDUKA TALK PURE FANTASY

by Chris Bargh

REPORTS over the weekend that Inter Milan were set to make a £20 million bid for United striker Mark Viduka were fabricated from 'made up' quotes.

Internazionale president Massimo Moratti has slammed reports from Spain that he is poised to swoop for Leeds' Aussie ace, and denies that he even spoke to the source that falsely quoted him.

Moratti was quoted in Spain as saying that they were ready with a £20 million bid for Viduka, but the angry Inter supremo has suggested that his comments were made up.

"I have never spoken to any Spanish websites," stated Moratti. "The things that they reported me saying are completely false.

"The only decision about strikers that Inter has to make is regarding Christian Vieri, and nobody at the club wants to lose him."

And one of Mark Viduka's agency team has also slammed the reports.

Rudi Horvat told the Australian, "These stories come up every three days. The only difference is that the asking price keeps climbing. I can assure you, nothing is happening."

Leeds Chairman Peter Ridsdale is still confident the 25 year old will accept the new extended contract offer made last week when Ridsdale flew to Croatia.

"Mark is waiting to hear from his advisor on the proposal I made to him last week about a new contract," said Ridsdale.

"The situation is on going and I just don't see a problem. He has four more years left on his contract.

"My view that if there is nothing happening the papers will make it up."

Wednesday June 27th, 2001

HARTE HAS HIGH HOPES

by Chris Bargh

IAN HARTE'S had a memorable year so far - 11 goals for United last season, recently married and playing a big part in the Republic of Ireland's bid to qualify for the World Cup finals - the Leeds defender looks back, ahead and shrugs off rumours of him leaving Elland Road.

The 23 year old international spoke to www.lufc.com about last season and promised United fans that The Whites would be challenging for honours on all fronts when the new campaign starts.

"We've got to look ahead to next season and I think we can with a great deal of optimism," said Ian.

"Our priority will be to give Manchester United and the other contenders a good run for their money in the Premiership. We'll be out to push them a lot harder than anyone managed to do this season.

"We did well in our first taste of the Champions League and while that's the top competition, we're still in a European competition next season and we'll give that a good go as well. But the Premiership will be our number one target."

That will convince those United fans who have been taken in by tabloid transfer gossip that Harte will be at Elland Road come the big kick off on August 18.

Ian insisted all the speculation - he has been linked with Newcastle, Fulham and Inter Milan in recent months - is nothing out of the ordinary.

"You always get that in the papers, people moving here and there, it's nothing unusual," he added. "It's only paper talk and I don't take any notice of it. I am just concentrating on my career at Leeds."

Tuesday June 26th, 2001

O'Leary staying put - Ridsdale

Chairman Peter Ridsdale has moved swifty to allay fans' fears over David O'Leary's future at the club, saying the manager has never been happier.

Ridsdale's comments were prompted by a Channel Four programme to be screened soon in which O'Leary admitted he was fed up with the collapse of the court case against Jonathon Woodgate and Lee Bowyer and the events surrounding it that he could walk away from the club.

However, O'Leary's mood has eased since the programme was recorded and he is looking forward to the new season, despite the fact that Leeds will barely be back into their stride before the retrial starts.

Ridsdale said: "I had dinner with David last week, he has never been happier and is raring to go.

"When he made his comments it was amid the emotion of the original court case collapsing and the retrial being ordered."

Tuesday June 26th, 2001

Leeds wait on South Africa Lucas call

Leeds are still waiting to hear from South Africa about whether they require Lucas Radebe to play in two forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.

South Africa have a match against Burkina Faso on July 1 and against Malawi on July 14 and it was originally thought that Radebe would play in only the first of those matches before reporting back to Leeds for pre-season.

But South Africa need just one point to qualify for the finals so it is not vital that he plays in either match, with the Malawi clash looking to be a foregone conclusion.

The Leeds captain had a knee injury at the end of last season and has been home in South Africa recovering over the summer.

Meanwhile, Radebe is hopeful of winning something next season with Leeds but knows he faces strong competition for his place from Dominic Matteo and for the captaincy from Rio Ferdinand. Radebe, like the rest of his team-mates, believes it is time Leeds started to win some major honours and is hopeful the club can mount a serious challenge for the Premiership title.

Tuesday June 26th, 2001

Aussie call-up for duo

Leeds United are likely to lose both Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka for Australia's World Cup play-off match in the autumn.

The dates for the two-legged tie, against the fifth-placed team in the South American group, are yet to be confirmed but Leeds can expect Kewell and Viduka to be called up.

Neither of the players were involved in the World Cup qualifiers in Oceania, which ended at the weekend with Australia's defeat of New Zealand.

But Socceroos coach Frank Farina will order Leeds to release them for the World Cup decider, which could conceivably be against Brazil.

Leeds and Soccer Australia officials held talks last season in an attempt to bring an end to the impasse which has existed between the two sides over international call-ups.

Elland Road chairman Peter Ridsdale has indicated Leeds are prepared to allow Kewell and Viduka to play in the play-off, and said: "When you sign players from overseas, it is to be expected that there will be times when they are not available.

"We can only cross that bridge when we come to it."

Tuesday June 26th, 2001

Whites announce fixture changes

Leeds have announced three fixture changes with matches against Charlton, Everton and Ipswich all moved to accommodate their UEFA Cup campaign.

The Whites' trip to The Valley to face Charlton on Saturday, September 15, has been moved back 24 hours to Sunday, the visit of Everton at home has also gone back 24 hours from Tuesday, 18 September to Wednesday 19, and Ipswich away on Saturday, September 29 has now been moved to Sunday, 30 September.

Similar changes are likely to occur all season depending on how far The Whites progress in the competition, but there other reasons why matches will be moved and Sky TV are to announce their plans on Wednesday.

Pay-per-view games could be played on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. PPV is an option supporters have not had to contend with before and seems to have sneaked in the back door. Fans will be anxious to see what effect they have on matches.

Tuesday, June 26th, 2001

SUPPORTERS CANVASSED OVER STADIUM PLANS

by Chris Bargh

LEEDS have confirmed they will be contacting supporters to gauge public opinion on whether to redevelop Elland Road or move to a brand new purpose built stadium.

Over the next six weeks United Chairman Peter Ridsdale will be writing to season ticket holders, shareholders and members of the supporters club to detail exactly where the Club currently stand in their plans to improve facilities at the current ground or move to a new site.

Representatives of Leeds have recently been to America to meet experts in the world of stadium sponsorship as part of the on-going feasibility study into the future of Elland Road.

Previously United staff attended a conference where the subject of new stadia was high on the agenda. The two day meeting at London Arena looked at design, construction and refurbishment of stadia.

Now Leeds want to hear the views of the supporters, who are said to be split over the proposal.

The communication will carry a response card to allow all supporters to voice their opinion.

Tuesday, June 26th, 2001

Ridsdale hits back at 'confident' Inter

Peter Ridsdale has hit back at Inter Milan's president Massimo Moratti who has said he is 'confident' of signing Mark Viduka.

Inter have admitted that they hope to lure Viduka to the San Siro and have warned Leeds to expect a £20million bid within two weeks.

Inter president Massimo Moratti said he was 'confident' the 25-year-old would be at the San Siro in time for the start of next season and that he had 'already discussed' a possible £20million move with Viduka's advisor.

Ridsdale remains upbeat about his chances of agreeing a new deal with the Australian striker, who shot to prominence by helping The Whites into the Champions League semi-finals last season.

Peter Ridsdale said: "If that is the case I am very pleased for Mr Moratti but the fact is that we have had no bid for Mark or anyone else Mark has said he is happy to stay and I am taking that at face value.

"I have spoken to Mark this morning he said he is very happy and relaxed, he is waiting to hear from his advisor on the proposal I made to him (Viduka) last week about a new contract.

"The situation is on going and I just don't see a problem.

"He has four more years left on his contract presumably if someone is working out these massive bids they have lost my pone number.

"My view that if there is nothing happening the papers will make it up."

Nonetheless the ambitious Inter supremo said: "We have received positive news from Mark's agent and are confident we can sign him. We will be contacting Leeds over the next two weeks."

Monday, June 25th, 2001

Argentine youngster not a target

Leeds have been linked to Nicolas Burdisso of Boca Juniors, but Peter Ridsdale has denied any interest in any player from Argentina.

It was reported at the weekend that Leeds scout Ian Broomfield had made a secret trip to watch the 19-year-old defender last month but Ridsdale says this is not the case.

"We can't send a scout anywhere without people assuming we are buying a whole team," he said. "We are making no moves for anybody in Argentina."

Elsewhere on the transfer front, Leeds have one definite target and another possible one but the club are ready to bide their time and wait in order to get their man.

"Things are very quiet at the moment. If the players David wants ever become available we will go for them," added Ridsdale. "If not, we will bide our time as we did with Rio last year."

As for transfers out, Michael Duberry has been linked with a move to Spurs, as Glenn Hoddle looks for a replacement for the departing Sol Campbell.

Duberry has pledged his future to Leeds and the club would be reluctant to let him go unless an offer came in which they could not refuse.

Duberry will no doubt be worried about his first-team chances at Leeds with plenty of competition for the two central-defensive berths and if he feels he may not get a look-in he may instigate a move himself.

Monday, June 25th, 2001

Casualty list shortens

Leeds' list of walking wounded appears to be improving and the club hopes to have all their injured players back for pre-season training.

Paul Robinson returns to see the surgeon who operated on his finger today. He dislocated the finger in training and played through the pain until the end of the season but underwent a much-needed operation a few weeks ago.

It was initially thought that the operation would keep him out until well into August but the finger has healed more successfully than hoped and he should be able to join in with the pre-season work.

Michael Bridges is on target to be fit for the start of pre-season training on July 9, after getting the go-ahead to step up his running following a minor setback which at one point threatened to keep him out for a lot longer.

Michael Duberry is coming along nicely with his knee injury and Stephen McPhail is also recovering well from his double Achilles operation. Both are hoping to be fit for pre-season.

David Batty has also been reporting to the training ground to do some work on his all-round fitness.

Monday, June 25th, 2001

Fans being robbed

Leeds are the only club in the country who do not charge interest on season tickets purchased by monthly instalments.

Other clubs have been accused of greed by robbing their own fans through interest on season ticket prices.

Middlesbrough and Aston Villa are the worst offenders, charging a massive 29.8 per cent interest on their schemes but they are not alone in charging.

Steve Powell from the Football Supporters Association said: "We find it deeply disappointing what clubs are doing with these schemes.

"Chris Smith (the former Culture Secretary) asked it to be made a priority of the Football Commission to look at the instalment plans.

"Yet clubs have looked at them and simply ignored all the pleas to be sensible."

Meanwhile, the kick-off for Leeds pre-season friendly against Dublin at Tolka Park on Friday, August 3 has been confirmed at 8pm.

Monday June 25th 2001

Is Woody finished?

Do the weekend's reported moves for teenage Argentinian defender Nicolas Burdisso and Standard Liege's Belgian international defender Daniel van Buyten mean that Woody's days at Elland Road are numbered? Such a notion would have been unthinkable a couple of years ago, when he was seen as probably the brightest young defensive hope in the Premiership.

However, given the way he "buckled" under the strain of the court case last season, still has the October re-trial to endure and is currently behind The Chief, Matteo and Mills as candidates to partner Rio in central defence, things aren't exactly looking good for the lad, are they?

Let me know what you think here.

Monday June 25th 2001

Viduka deal: too good to refuse?

If yesterday's Sunday People article, suggesting that Roma are lining up a £23million bid for Mark Viduka, is true...are Peter Risdale and DOL right in turning them away - or should we be "biting their hands off"? What do you reckon?

The big man certainly had a good season last time round - but is he really worth the "silly money" being quoted. Personally, I'm not too sure. I don't think he's completely won over all supporters at Elland Road, some of who still feel he looks a little out of condition, unmotivated at times and not always "up" for the big games. This might seem harsh - but at £23 million, I think I would be expecting a near faultless finisher.

Let us know what you think by clicking on our Message Board here.

Monday June 25th 2001

O'Leary outlines his frustrations

David O'Leary has spoken of the off-field problems that have dogged Leeds for the past 18 months and said he considered quitting at one stage.

The Whites boss says he is reaching the end of his tether over the court case involving Lee Bowyer and Jonathon Woodgate, which has been ordered for a re-trial later this year.

O'Leary also revealed he considered quitting Leeds during the height of the high-profile court case as he said he felt his job was being undermined by outside influences.

O'Leary also had some harsh words for the Elland Road boo-boys. In an interview to be screened by Channel 4 next month, O'Leary said: "People can't believe what's gone on off the field here. I'm totally fed up with it, because I'm running a football club and then I'm dealing with solicitors - and I've had enough of it."

O'Leary also had a dig at Leeds fans for booing the team during a lean spell last season.

He fumed: "I called them prats at the time and it still stands. They're a bunch of prats."

"They annoyed me and my young team, who, when they needed help, didn't get it from that certain section."

Sunday June 24th 2001

Argentinian wonder-kid linked

The Whites are being linked with a £5million move for teenage Argentinian defender Nicolas Burdisso.

The 19-year-old Burdisso plays for Boca Juniors, but has also been playing for his country in the Under-20 World Championships in South America.

David O'Leary is reported to be set to fly out to Argentina some time in the near future to watch the highly-rated youngster in action.

Meanwhile, The Whites are reportedly facing competition from Marseille to sign Standard Liege's Belgian international defender Daniel van Buyten as speculation increases that United's next signing will be a long-term defensive partner for Rio Ferdinand.

Sunday June 24th 2001

TRANSFER TALK HOTS UP

by Chris Bargh

LEEDS striker Mark Viduka continues to be the centre of transfer speculation, United defender Michael Duberry is reportedly interesting Spurs and Newcastle's Kieron Dyer is again suggested as a target for David O'Leary.

Viduka, who has been offered a new improved five year contract last week when Leeds Chairman Peter Ridsdale flew to Croatia for talks, is now said to be the main target for Italian giants Inter Milan.

Inter president Massimo Moratti has made it clear that he wants to sign Viduka as a replacement for Juventus bound Christian Vieri.

"We are confident that we can sign Viduka, " Moratti is quoted as saying. "We have received positive news from his agent and will be contacting Leeds over the next two weeks."

But Leeds are confident that the Aussie will pledge his future to Elland Road and are waiting for him to accept the new terms, hopefully this week.

Michael Duberry is suggested to be the subject of a £5million bid from Glenn Hoddle at Tottenham who may tempt United's hand.

The 25 year old missed the most of last season with a a serious knee injury, but has pledged to battle for his place this season.

Duberry faces stiff competition for a place at the centre of the United defence from Rio Ferdinand, Lucas Radebe, Dominic Matteo and Jonathon Woodgate.

Meanwhile the Daily Mail suggests that Leeds are tracking Magpies ace Kieron Dyer, despite the fact that the England international has pledged his future to Newcastle.

Sunday June 24th 2001

Viduka future latest

The Whites remain hopeful of persuading Mark Viduka to stay at Elland Road despite fresh speculation of an approach from Roma.

Talk of a possible swoop by the recently-crowned Italian champions for the United striker is hardly new, with the latest report in The Sunday People suggesting that Roma are lining up a £23million bid for the Australian, as well as a £27million bid for Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.

Inter Milan are also reported to be lining up a sizeable bid for the striker within the next few weeks.

Roma were reported to have offered The Whites £16million for Viduka at the end of last year, so their bid has increased by a staggering £7million in barely six months - not bad for a player who cost United £6million last summer from Celtic.

All Leeds fans will surely be hoping that Viduka will pledge his future to the club as soon as possible to finally put an end to any talk of a move to Roma.

Saturday June 23rd, 2001

Ridsdale's duo contract hopes

Chairman Peter Ridsdale is hoping to dot the i's and cross the t's on improved deals for Olivier Dacourt and Mark Viduka in the near future.

The duo have been the subject of transfer speculation with both players having been rumoured to be the subject of interest from clubs in Italy and Spain.

It is believed that the pair have been offered a one-year extension on their current deals worth £5,000 a week more than their reported current £20,000-a-week wage.

Ridsdale said that 'to the best of his knowledge' a new deal had been agreed verbally with French international Dacourt. He added: "I have faxed confirmation to his agent and hope things will be sorted out very soon.

"The same applies to Mark Viduka."

Both Dacourt and Viduka were key players in last season's campaign. Aussie strike ace Viduka averaged a goal every two games in the Premier League while Dacourt exerted a huge influence with his tigerish performances in midfield.

Saturday June 23rd, 2001

Duberry move talk

Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle is reportedly lining up defender Michael Duberry as a replacement for Sol Campbell.

Campbell has been tipped to move to Catalan giants Barcelona and his departure from White Hart Lane will leave a void at the back. Duberry, 25, has been a bit-part player at Elland Road since his £4.5million switch in the summer of 1999.

The central defender made just five league starts last term and has not played for Leeds since September after he ruptured his Achilles tendon.

David O'Leary has three top-quality central defenders in Jonathon Woodgate, Rio Ferdinand and Lucas Radebe and with Dominic Matteo and Danny Mills also able to play at the heart of the defence Duberry faces stiff competition for a centre-half berth at Elland Road.

Saturday June 23rd, 2001

Dutch friendly confirmed

Leeds will travel to Holland for a pre-season friendly against Sparta Rotterdam on August 11.

It was rumoured that Leeds would face Vitesse Arnhem but that was cancelled and they will now face Sparta Rotterdam with kick-off at 8pm local time.

The match will be at Holland's oldest stadium of Het Kasteel which has a 12,000 capacity and plenty of Leeds fans are expected to make the short trip.

Saturday June 23rd, 2001

Early fixture change

Leeds' early-season fixture schedule has already been altered, with the visit of Everton, scheduled for Tuesday, September 18, put back 24 hours.

The change comes because Leeds are playing in the UEFA Cup the week before and because that game will be played on a Thursday, their game against Charlton will be played on Sunday, September 16.

Leeds would have had only 48 hours before the Everton game, so that fixture has been put back by a day.

Friday June 22nd 2001

Viduka set for pay hike

Leeds are to offer Mark Viduka a pay rise of around £5,000 a week in an effort to ward off interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona and AC Milan.

The powerful Aussie caught the eye of the European super powers last season with some tremendous displays in the Champions League, and they are said to be ready with offers of around £22million for the striker.

Although that would be a massive profit on the £6million Leeds paid Celtic for Viduka, David O'Leary is keen for him to stay and lead the fight for silverware at the club.

Viduka himself has said he wants to stay and win something with Leeds and that his future is not all about money.

Viduka is 12 months into a five-year deal at the club and the wage hike would see his weekly income increase to around £25,000, which is still said to be less than record signing Rio Ferdinand is getting.

Peter Ridsdale said: "I am hopeful Mark will sign a one-year extension to his contract. I met Mark in Croatia on Wednesday and we had a chat.

"He told me he is very happy at Leeds and has never been as settled anywhere, he appreciates the club taking the initiative to talk to him which is what we promised we would do if he had a successful season.

"Hopefully matters will be swiftly concluded with confirmation that Mark will be staying and adding a further year to his contract.

"There has been a lot of speculation from clubs from abroad but that doesn't matter, the key thing is that he is under contract for four years at the moment and I hope it will soon be five.

"We had a very pleasant day in Croatia and he paid the bill."

On the transfer in front Ridsdale repeated that he had two names on his list one of which could be soon and would cost more than Robbie Keane but not as much as Rio Ferdinand.

Friday June 22nd 2001

Aussie deal still on

Leeds are still hoping they can forge a link-up with an Australian club after the restructuring of the league Down Under.

A deal which would bring the cream of Australian youngsters to Elland Road looked to have been shelved when the league was being restructured, but this is now almost complete and a deal is back on the cards.

Leeds are in talks with two clubs but have not revealed their identities.

Peter Ridsdale said: "The Australian clubs have been going through a major restructuring of their league and we said we wouldn't do anything until it became clear which teams were going to be in the league and which were going to be out.

"I think it was announced which teams would be in the league 10 days ago but there are some appeals going on so when that is sorted out it is likely we will go back down the road of trying to form links with one of two clubs we have short-listed.

"We were not going to get caught out by inviting in a club that wasn't in the top league."

Friday June 22nd 2001

Dacourt's title blast

Olivier Dacourt says he believes that Leeds can overtake Manchester United and claims The Reds will not win the Premiership next season.

Dacourt, who like Mark Viduka appears to have been given a pay rise in the region of £6,000 a week to ward off would-be buyers, is confident that Leeds can overtake Manchester United, but has a blast at "small clubs" in the Premiership.

Dacourt said: "All the small clubs are afraid to face Manchester United.

"They are not trying to win, they are just concentrating on not conceding more than two goals, they make it easy for them.

"But when they play us, Liverpool or Arsenal they try to give 500 per cent.

"I am confident we can overtake United and I don't think they will win the Premiership.

"They lost a lot of points against the big teams like Leeds, Arsenal, and Liverpool last season."

Dacourt also blasted the stories which said he wanted to leave Elland Road, saying: "I have never said that I wanted to leave Leeds, I am happy and the manager is building a very good side."

Friday June 22nd 2001

Former player news

Former Leeds midfielder Lee Sharpe looks set to sign for Portsmouth for £250,000 from Bradford City in the next fortnight.

Sharpe, who cost Leeds over £4million when they bought him from Manchester United in the summer of 1996, spent the last few months of last season down at Fratton Park on loan from Bradford and now looks set to join them on a permanent basis.

Robert Molenaar is set to sign a new contract at Bradford within the next two weeks after impressing Jim Jefferies since joining The Bantams back in January.

Matthew Jones must be slightly concerned that Leicester have bought Dennis Wise to play in their midfield. Following his injury Jones now finds himself behind Wise, Robbie Savage and Muzzy Izzet, and faces battling with Junior Lewis to get a place on the bench. Certainly not what he had in mind when he joined The Foxes for £3million back in December.

Friday June 22nd 2001

SECOND BELGIAN LINK DENIED

by Chris Bargh

ONLY hours after revealing Leeds were patiently biding their time in the transfer market, United Chairman Peter Ridsdale has denied any interest in Club Bruges defender Nzelo Lembi.

Reports on Thursday afternoon suggested the 25 year old Congo international, who also holds Belgian citizenship, had emerged as a target for United boss David O'Leary, with German Bundesliga side Kaiserslautern having had a £4million bid rejected.

But Peter Ridsdale denied any knowledge of the player, telling www.lufc.com: "I've not heard of the player and I can definitely say he is not on my list."

The 25 year old centre-back was previously a target for Tottenham Hotspur, while Turkish side Trabzonspor and French outfit Strasbourg, have also tried to sign the player.

Speculation as to who Leeds may be waiting for is rising following comments made by Peter Ridsdale, who admitted on Wednesday: "We are doing all we can to secure the players that we want, but it isn't that simple.

"There is a chance that our targets could not be at Leeds before the start of the new season, but I am not saying that this is definitely the case.

"The most important thing is that we secure the services of the right players. We won't be rushed and it is important to remain patient in these situations."

Ridsdale also rejected speculation linking Leeds with another Belgian, Daniel van Buyten of Standard Liege.

But it appears United will splash the cash when the right player becomes available, although one of O'Leary's targets may be out of reach at the moment.

"David has given me the name of two players he'd like to add to the squad if they become available. One is gettable," added Ridsdale.

"We would pay more than we paid for Robbie Keane and less than we paid West Ham for Rio Ferdinand's signature."

Friday June 22nd 2001

LEEDS TREAD SOFTLY SOFTLY

by Chris Bargh

Peter Risdale, speaking on the official United site:

"...We are doing all we can to secure the players that we want, but it isn't that simple.

"There is a chance that our targets could not be at Leeds before the start of the new season, but I am not saying that this is definitely the case.

"The most important thing is that we secure the services of the right players. We won't be rushed and it is important to remain patient in these situations.

"There is nothing urgent at this stage and there is nobody our manager David O'Leary wanted who has gone elsewhere since the end of last season.

"We spent a lot of money last year when others were holding back. Despite the criticism we received for spending money when people thought the transfer system was up in the air, others now appear to be trying to catch up with us and good luck to them."

Thursday June 21st 2001

Ridsdale reveals Viduka interest

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has revealed that the Elland Road outfit have received three bids of over £20million for striker Mark Viduka.

The Australian marksman has been the subject of regular interest from overseas clubs after impressing for Leeds in the Premiership and Champions League since his £6million move from Celtic last summer.

Viduka has stated that he is enjoying life at Elland Road but has made no secret of the fact that he would eventually like to ply his trade in Italy or Spain. The clubs believed to be interested in taking the striker are Barcelona, Real Madrid, Milan or Roma.

Ridsdale has said that his priorities this summer are not buying new players but holding onto his current squad, and he has spent the last couple of days with Viduka in Croatia trying to persuade the player that he should stay at Leeds.

"Three clubs in Europe have said they will pay in excess of £20million for Mark," said Ridsdale.

"So I've been trying to convince him over the last couple of days that his future lies in Leeds and not at Real Madrid or Barcelona."

Ridsdale has also revealed the Yorkshire club could easily sell Rio Ferdinand for £25million - if they wanted to - and that they are more likely to spend millions on one quality player than a number of squad players.

Thursday June 21st 2001

Flying start for The Whites

Leeds will fancy their chances of opening the new campaign with a win as Southampton are the first opponents of the new season.

Leeds kick off their campaign at home against The Saints on August 18 but then face two trips to the capital in quick succession.

Leeds will be looking for revenge for their defeat at the end of last season when they travel to Highbury to face The Gunners on August 21 and they will also be looking to continue their recent good run against West Ham at Upton Park on August 25 before entertaining newly-promoted Bolton on September 8.

The two biggest clashes of the season with arch rivals Manchester United are almost on the same dates as last year.

Leeds will be desperate to have a fully fit squad when they go to Old Trafford on October 27 and not one decimated by injuries like last season.

David O'Leary will also be keen not to have a win snatched from his grasp by an incorrect off-side flag when The Reds visit Elland Road on March 30.

Thursday June 21st 2001

Lampard never a target - Ridsdale

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has again been talking about the transfer market and insists his side were never serious bidders for Frank Lampard.

Ridsdale, who is adamant there is not a transfer target his side have missed out on this summer, said: "There is nothing urgent at this stage and there is nobody our manager David O'Leary wanted who has gone elsewhere since the end of last season.

"We were never seriously in for Frank Lampard we did not feel he was worth the value placed on him.

"I would like to feel we have demonstrated that if we want somebody we can get them.

"There is no truth at all in the Seth Johnson rumours and Lucas Neill is a name that has not cropped up.

"We spent a lot of money last year when others were holding back.

"Despite the criticism we received for spending money when people thought the transfer system was up in the air, others now appear to be trying to catch up with us and good luck to them."

With speculation surrounding moves for the likes of Mark Viduka and Olivier Dacourt amongst others, Ridsdale says it is more important to keep what we have rather than add to it.

He continued: "There is not a lot we want to happen on the transfer front at the moment, it is not as if we are chasing five or six players.

"Our priority at the moment is trying to make sure that those players we have got stay at the club and if one or two players become available we would have a look."

Leeds legend Peter Lorimer agrees with the chairman and he too believes that keeping what the club has at the moment is more important than adding to the squad.

He said: "I am more concerned with reading about possible departures for Olivier Dacourt and Mark Viduka among those who have been linked with other clubs.

"I think it is more important to hold on to players of their calibre than to strengthen the squad at this stage.

"Though I am sure the chairman and manager will have something up their sleeves.

"They like to keep things secret so I'll be surprised if there are no deals on the way this summer.

"Dacourt and Viduka were vital players for us last season so it is absolutely vital to hold on to them."

Thursday June 21st 2001

Oldham link-up back on

Peter Ridsdale has confirmed that he is to meet the new Oldham chairman Chris Moore to discuss the idea of a link-up between the clubs.

Under the proposal, Oldham will reportedly receive half of the costs of running Boundary Park's School of Excellence and in return Leeds will be given first refusal on any young stars in the making.

Oldham would also be able to loan players from Elland Road and that could possibly take in first-team players coming back from injury as the Second Division would certainly prove a tougher test than playing in the United reserve team.

Ridsdale said: "Their chairman is to come and see me in the next week or so, they have been taken over and I think their chairman wants to resurrect talks about a possible link-up with us.

"There is interst from other clubs in pursuing this kind of idea.

"There seems to be a ground as well on this issue of link-ups between clubs like ourselves and others and I think you will see the idea resurrected not just by us but by several clubs shortly.

Thursday June 21st 2001

Spanish ace linked

Leeds have been linked with Spanish striker Ismael Urzaiz from Athletic Bilbao, though the chances of them making a move seem to be remote.

Sunderland are the latest club to be linked to the 29-year-old striker who has expressed an interest in playing in the Premiership.

It is doubtful that Leeds would be interested in the player as they already have four top-class strikers fighting for two positions and chairman Peter Ridsdale has already pointed out that Robbie Keane and Michael Bridges will be fighting for a place on the bench next season. It is no coincidence that Urzaiz is out of contract in a year and Bilbao would much rather get a price for him now rather than let him go for free next summer.

Lucas Neill at Millwall has also been linked but has been ruled out by the chairman, stating his name has not cropped up on David O'Leary's wanted list.

Thursday June 21st 2001

Fixtures due out today

The fixtures have been announced much sooner than usual this time round, to give us a full Summer to sit drooling over next season's Premiership delights.

To get the 2001-2002 fixtures and comment, click here or here.

Then, click here to chat to other United supporters about the new fixtures - on the Leeds United World Message Board.

Wednesday June 20th 2001

UNITED DUO TO FACE SOUTH AMERICANS

by Chris Bargh

It now looks certain United's Aussie duo Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka will face a World Cup South American showdown this year.

Two goals by Brett Emerton, linked with a move to Leeds last season, gave Australia a 2-0 win over New Zealand in the World Cup Oceania zone playoff, first leg in Wellington last night, meaning Kewell and Viduka look to be heading for a clash with a South American nation to decide who qualifies for the finals in Japan and South Korea next summer.

Feyenoord star Emerton struck in each half to put the Socceroos firmly in command for the second leg which takes place in Sydney on Sunday.

Viduka and Kewell were omitted of the Australia squad by coach Frank Farina, who checked on the United duo's fitness before deciding to leave them out of his plans for the play-off.

Australia now look destined to meet the team coming fifth in the CONMEBOL preliminary competition in a home and away play-off.

That means the Socceroos are likely to face one from Brazil, Colombia or Uruguay later this year.

Wednesday June 20th 2001

Chief defends transfer delay

Peter Ridsdale has been defending the club's apparent inactivity in the transfer market, revealing that the cash is in place for two purchases.

Ridsdale highlighted the purchases of Robbie Keane, Rio Ferdinand, Mark Viduka, Dominic Matteo and Olivier Dacourt in the past year and said that other clubs are playing catch up with Leeds.

In a move which could be seen as a first step to allaying any criticism from fans for their lack of purchases, Ridsdale told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "We already have a fantastic squad - one that is capable of making a serious assault on both the Premiership title and the UEFA Cup next season - and it would not be a disaster if we began the new campaign without a single new face.

"As it stands David O'Leary's wish list contains just two names. The money is in place and we will be actively pursuing their signatures throughout the summer and beyond if necessary.

"These things take time look at how long it took us to finally bring Rio into the club.

"What I would say to fans who believe that we should have signed this player and that is 'Be patient, look at what we already have and instead of thinking negatively just start savouring the prospects'."

Wednesday June 20th 2001

Young quartet are released

Leeds have released Damian Lynch, Kevin Dixon, Simon Watson and Chad Harper, in addition to Warren Feeney, who has already gone to Bournemouth.

Midfielders Lynch and Dixon, winger Simon Watson and keeper Chad Harper must all look for work elsewhere after the club revealed that they were not being retained on the staff.

Swindon Town had Lynch on loan for a week last season but they do not intend to move for him this time.

Their managing director Peter Rowe said: "The manager (Andy King) has not mentioned Damian's name to me.

"He spent a week down here last season and played for our reserves but our plans for next season are well advanced and his name has not cropped up."

Lynch has suffered with injury and although he has been released he is still able to use all the facilities at Thorpe Arch.

Three other youngsters have been given further one-year contracts. They are midfielder Gareth Evans, striker Tony Hackworth - who looked to be Northampton-bound on loan but no deal materialised - and fellow frontman Wesley Boyle, who has suffered badly with injury but came back well towards the end of the season.

All three will be hoping to show over the next 12 months that they have a long-term future at Elland Road.

Wednesday June 20th 2001

Fixture news

The fixtures are out on Thursday but Leeds have already confirmed that they have four mid-week dates booked for the coming season.

The four mid-week games scheduled are on August 21/22, September18/19, January 29/20 and March 5/6.

The full list of fixtures are released at 10am on Thursday and Sky changes are announced either on Friday night or Monday morning.

The League games on September 15 and 29 will have to be moved back 24 hours as Leeds are involved in UEFA Cup action action during the week.

The rumour mill has been grinding out all sorts of fixture stories all week and Leeds are rumoured to be playing Middlesbrough at home on the opening day, by 10am Thursday we will all know the truth.

There will be no August Bank holiday match on the Monday due to England playing Germany on the Saturday after.

The season starts on August 18 and finishes on May 11, the FA Cup final is on May 4.

Wednesday June 20th 2001

Defender linked

Belgian defender Daniël Van Buyten continues to be linked with Leeds, but has agreed to play for French side Olympique Marseille next season.

However, the 23-year-old Belgium international will reportedly only join Marseille if the club is granted a reprieve to play in the French First Division next season. They are appealing after being relegated for financial reasons at the end of the last campaign.

Van Buyten's club Standard Liege and Olympique Marseille are linked through Robert Louis- Dreyfus, as the Frenchman owns Marseille and also has a majority stake in Standard.

Marseille technical director Tomislav Iviç left Liège to coach the Mediterranean club in the final months of last season.

The news of Van Buyten's transfer comes amid rumours that the centre-half had also been approached by Leeds United.

Wednesday June 20th 2001

Wijnhard on the mend

Former Leeds striker Clyde Wijnhard has recovered from his horrific car crash and is now back in full training with Huddersfield Town.

Wijnhard, who needed two major operations to repair a shattered arm, is hoping to spearhead The Terriers' push for a swift return to Division One after their final-day relegation.

Tuesday, June 19th, 2001

SMITH AIMS FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

By PA Sport Staff

Leeds striker Alan Smith is aiming to help the club make a quick return to the Champions League with a successful league campaign in the season to come.

David O'Leary's team reached the semi-final of last year's competition before losing to Valencia and their league form picked up too late to qualify for the 2001-2002 Champions League as they were forced to settle for a UEFA Cup place.

Smith said: "We'll still be in Europe, in the UEFA Cup, and while this is not the top competition in Europe, it is still a quality one.

"Next season there'll be an extra place in the Champions League up for grabs so the top four teams in the Premiership will go into it.

"Apparently that's a result of Leeds, Manchester United and Arsenal doing well in Europe over the past two seasons.

"That's good to know, but we'll be hoping to finish higher than fourth in the Premiership.

"We had our first taste of Champions League football, which was a tremendous experience for us all.

"I love playing in big games and at big stadiums and we were all sorry that we didn't qualify for the Champions League again for the coming season," he told icons.com.

Tuesday, June 19th, 2001

UEFA draw finalised

The final places in next year's UEFA Cup have all but been finalised and Leeds could face the likes of Valencia or Inter and AC Milan.

The clubs that make up the final places are Inter, AC Milan and Fiorentina from Italy and Valencia and Celta Vigo from Spain, with another from Real Zaragoza or Atletico Madrid to come from the Cup.

Maritimo from Portugal, who were beaten on penalties by Leeds in 1998 in George Graham's last ever game for the club, Dynamo Bucharest from Romania, KVC Westerlo from Belgium and CSKA Kiev from Ukraine are other clubs in the draw.

The draw for the first round is on August 24 in Monaco. Leeds are expected to be seeded in the competition so they ought to miss the big guns in the opening rounds.

Meanwhile, Leeds are quietly pleased that Alan Smith has just picked up a two-match ban for his red card at the end of the Champions League semi-final against Valencia. The ban means Smith and Lee Bowyer will both miss the first round of the UEFA Cup.

Leeds were expecting Smith to be out for three matches, in line with the ban that Bowyer picked up for what looked to be a lesser incident, and they will be pleased he has just picked up the two.

The Worthington Cup draw will take place today but Leeds do not feature until the third round because of European qualification.

Tuesday, June 19th, 2001

O'Leary backs coaching class

David O'Leary has spoken of his delight after attending the National Coaching Foundation's relaunch of itself as Sports Coach UK.

The aim of the organisation is to develop the profession of coaching in the UK by enabling and continuing professional development of coaches at all levels.

O'Leary was joined by the likes of Arsene Wenger, Kelly Holmes, and Clive Woodward at the relaunch of the foundation.

O'Leary said: "I am delighted to help launch sports coach UK.

"Coaching is so important at every level of the sport, in the UK we really need to promote more extensively the work that coaches do.

"It is good the the FA recognises managers by awarding Manager of the Month but this should be repeated across all sports.

"Most athletes and teams and teams would not reach their full potential without the support and guidance of their coach.

"One of my biggest challengers as a coach is bringing together the natural skills of individual players to make a united team, so far it seems to be working pretty well."

Tuesday, June 19th, 2001

Stats put Harte in front

Despite the fact that Lee Bowyer won every player of the year award going at the club, OPTA statistics make Ian Harte the top Leeds player.

OPTA statistics have named their top five Leeds players of the last season and it does seem to show that there are lies, damned lies and statistics.

The top five, based on tackles made, crosses, goals, goal assists etc are Ian Harte with 1,046 points, Lucas Radebe second with 936 points, Lee Bowyer third with 876 points, and Rio Ferdinand and Olivier Dacourt fourth and fifth respectively.

Tuesday, June 19th, 2001

Former target to join Reds

Former Leeds target John Arne Riise of Monaco looks set to join Liverpool after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

Liverpool have yet to agree a transfer fee with Monaco for the Norwegian international, though after transfers to Leeds and Fulham both failed to materialise for various reasons, Anfield boss Gerard Houllier will be hoping for a quick conclusion to the deal.

Riise looked certain to join Leeds last summer, but after the player announced the deal had been agreed, Monaco upped the price at the last minute. Peter Ridsdale and David O'Leary's stark refusal to pay the French outfit the extra cash meant the deal, in the end, was scrapped and Liverpool will no doubt hope their bid to sign the player goes through without any similar last ditch glitches.

Riise, who has agreed a five-year deal at Anfield, pulled out of a move to Fulham recently after suggesting the club may struggle in the Premiership.

Tuesday, June 19th, 2001

Defender's Marseille deal done

Belgian defender Daniël Van Buyten, who has been linked with Leeds, has agreed to play for French side Olympique Marseille next season.

The 23-year-old Belgium international will, however, only join Marseille if the club is granted a licence to play in the French First Division next season.

Standard and Olympique Marseille are linked through Robert-Louis Dreyfus, as the Frenchman owns Olympique Marseille and also has a majority stake in Standard Liège.

Standard's technical director Tomislav Iviç left Liège to coach Marseille in the final months of last season.

The news of Van Buyten's transfer comes amid rumours that Van Buyten had also been approached by Leeds United, but the Premiership side appear to have lost out in the race if they were interested at any stage.

Monday, June 18th, 2001

Op success for Robinson

Paul Robinson will be fully fit for pre-season training after an operation to cure his fractured little finger proved a success.

The highly-rated England Under-21 stopper struggled with the injury late last season and had an operation to correct the problem as soon as the campaign had finished.

Robinson, though, who this week jets out for a fortnight's holiday, has declared the operation a big success and says he fully expects to be fit for pre-season training and launch his fight for a first-team place with regular custodian Nigel Martyn.

He told his personal website: "I'm out of the country for the next couple of weeks now but I thought I'd take time out to let you know how my finger is coming on after the operation.

"I had an operation on the little finger on my left hand a couple of weeks ago and I'm pleased to tell you everything went well.

"Since then I've been back to see the surgeon on two occasions, firstly to have the plaster cast removed and secondly to have the metal pin removed from inside my finger.

"Everything has gone really well for me and I'm now able to bend the finger and make a fist without any real discomfort. I've been told not to straighten the finger fully for a little while and they've given me a splint to use to prevent that happening.

"It seems the recovery is going well and the surgeon even said that he was delighted with my progress - he thinks I'll be back a lot earlier than expected and that's great for my pre-season plans.

"Of course when I'm fully fit again my main aim is to get back into the Leeds first team."

Monday, June 18th, 2001

Johnson linked again

Leeds have again been linked with a move for Derby's combative midfielder Seth Johnson.

Johnson has been linked with The Whites in the past and is yet to put pen to paper on an extended deal at Pride Park.

County boss Jim Smith has said he wants to keep him but he knows that they may well have to sell players to balance the books. He is also known to have looked at two midfield players over the summer, which suggests he is resigned to losing one of his three main assets in Johnson, Rory Delap or Malcolm Christie.

County are also about to sign Fabrizio Ravanelli from Lazio on a free transfer with wages of £35,000-a-week which they will be looking to make up somewhere.

Although he is a left-sided midfielder, Johnson has also shone at left wing-back so he is a versatile player - and Dominic Matteo showed last season what an asset a good versatile player is.

Monday, June 18th, 2001

UEFA hand Smith two match ban

UEFA have handed Leeds striker Alan Smith a two-match ban for his red card in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Valencia.

The club anticipated that Smith would sit out three games for his rash challenge on Valencia star Vicente late in the 3-0 defeat at the Mestella.

However, European football's governing body has decided that the 20-year-old should miss only two games, meaning that the England international will only be absent from the first round of next season's UEFA Cup.

Monday, June 18th, 2001

Master-ful Leeds seal final joy

Leeds won the Yorkshire Masters in Sheffield last night when they beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 in the final.

Leeds now go through to the finals in London in September where they will meet the winners of all the other area finals.

Neil Aspin was the star of the show in the final, getting himself on the scoresheet.

On the way to the final Leeds thrashed Sheffield United 6-3 with Tony Dorigo bagging two goals, Carl Shutt two, Aspin one and Arthur Graham, who at the age of 48 was the oldest player in the tournament, netting one.

Leeds then lost 4-2 to Sheffield Wednesday with Dorigo and Brendan Orsmby the Leeds scorers.

They beat Barnsley 3-2 with goals from Shutt, Ian Snodin and Aspin and in the final got revenge over Wednesday with Shutt bagging a brace and Aspin and Graham getting the other goals in the 4-2 win.

Manager Peter Lorimer said: "Our game plan was to close down Chris Waddle and John Sheridan because they use the long ball so well. We wanted to limit them and I thought we did it very well.

"Scott Sellers was outstanding for us and so was Tony Dorigo.

"It was hard work but we had the advantage because some of our lads have only just finished playing at league level.

"We worked well as a team and now we can look forward to the national finals in London in September."

Lorimer was in charge last season when Leeds finished bottom of the pile.

Aspin was delighted with his own efforts in the tournament and said: "I always knew I was a good goalscorer, unfortunately it has come too late at the age of 36 but this is my kind of football.

"We new Wednesday were the team to beat before the competition started."

Leeds' 10-man squad was Neil Aspin, Tony Dorigo, Scott Sellers, Phil Hughes, Ian and Glynn Snodin, John Pemberton, Brendan Ormsby, Carl Shutt and Arthur Graham.

Monday, June 18th, 2001

Okon blasts Leeds duo

Paul Okon has criticised Leeds duo Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell as they are set to miss this week's World Cup play-off with New Zealand.

The Australian captain has questioned the pair's commitment to the Australian cause and says he hopes they will rediscover the desire to play for their country. Middlesbrough's Okon was speaking out after Socceroos boss Frank Farina had omitted Viduka and Kewell from his squad, saying he did not believe they were 'mentally and physically prepared' after being on holiday and not training for a month.

Okon said: "If I didn't believe in this team, then maybe I'd have had an excuse to take a holiday too."

Australia will face the fifth-placed South American side for a place in next summer's World Cup finals should they overcome New Zealand in their two-legged play-off. Farina insists the duo will feature in the two-legged South American play-offs - scheduled for November - if his side see off their Kiwi rivals this week, though Okon still believes the duo are missing vital matches for their country now.

He added: "Everybody would like to be somewhere surrounded by sand, sea and beautiful women, but what we have with this national team is so good, it's a thrill just to be part of it.

"Hopefully our recent results will give Harry and Mark the desire to want to be a part of it all."

Okon may well be airing views held by some of his team-mates but in defence on both Kewell and Viduka they have had a heavy work schedule and in Kewell's case, he is yet to regain his full fitness.

Monday, June 18th, 2001

Weekend transfer round-up

The usual rounds of unlikely transfer speculation appeared over the weekend, this time involving Paul Robinson and Tomasz Radzinski.

Chelsea are reportedly set to make a £5million bid for Robinson. Why they would feel Leeds would sell the future England keeper for a knockdown price is anyone's guess and David O'Leary has already made it clear he will not entertain the idea of selling him.

The England Under-21 international, and this year's Young Player of the Year, is sure to be part of the Leeds line-up for many years to come and has already proved his worth to be far more than £5million.

Meanwhile, United will have to spend in the region of £7million if they want to lure Anderlecht striker Radzinski to Elland Road.

Everton have already admitted their interest in the Canadian international following the departure of Francis Jeffers to Arsenal and they appear to be favourites to land the player ahead of reported interest from both Newcastle and Leeds.

Again, why Leeds would want another striker when they already have four quality frontmen is hard to fathom. Next season's frontline of a combination of Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, Robbie Keane and Michael Bridges is formidable.

Sunday, June 17th, 2001

Blues prepare Robinson bid

Chelsea are reportedly set to make a £5million bid for United keeper Paul Robinson, although it seems certain to be rejected out of hand.

According to the Sunday Sport, Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has already asked about the England under-21 star several times but has, not too surprisingly, received no encouragement from Leeds that a deal may be possible.

Today's newspaper report claims that The Blues will test Leeds' resolve with a £5million bid, but even though Robinson seems likely to start the new campaign as Nigel Martyn's deputy once again, it would surely be inconceivable of David O'Leary not only to sell the young keeper, but also to sell him to one of The Whites' major rivals next season.

Sunday, June 17th, 2001

Anderlecht striker won't come cheap

United will have to spend in the region of £7million if they want to lure Anderlecht striker Tomasz Radzinski to Elland Road.

According to several Belgian newspapers, Everton would be willing to pay up to £4million for Radzinski, but that offer has already been rejected by Anderlecht president Roger Vanden Stock.

Stock told Gazet van Antwerpen: "The £4million offer is nowhere near enough. I have always said that if clubs put in bids this late in the transfer season, they will have to pay a high price. £7.5million? That would be over the top, but it won't be much less than that."

The Anderlecht president insists the Belgian champions have no need to cash in on Radzinski following the recent departure of two of their other star names.

He added: "Luckily we are in a comfortable financial position thanks to the transfers of Bart Goor and Jan Koller. We don't need money, what we need are players."

"I am disappointed in Radzinski's attitude. He had promised me to inform us about his plans immediately after the season. And now all of a sudden, just two weeks before training resumes, he's talking about Everton."

Sunday, June 17th, 2001

Wilcox going nowhere

Jason Wilcox has pledged to stay at Elland Road and fight to regain his first-team place after rumours of a possible exit for the midfielder.

The 29-year old midfielder has been linked with moves to several sides this summer, among them his former club Blackburn Rovers, as well as Everton and Manchester City, now managed by Kevin Keegan, the man who gave Wilcox two of his three England caps.

However, the Bolton-born player has no intention of going anywhere, and has pledged to stay with United and try to win back his first-team place.

Sunday, June 17th, 2001

Sven praises Rio contribution

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson has praised the contribution made by Rio Ferdinand in the recent resurgence of the national side.

The Whites' defender has been a key figure for Eriksson's side, and the Swede has been greatly appreciative of Ferdinand's ability.

Eriksson was quoted as saying last week : "Before I came to England I didn't realise how good Rio Ferdinand was. I have seen him a lot now. He's a great defender and he's not just a defender, he's very good on the ball as well."

"He's a modern defender and I believe he can get even better."

England's next game is the friendly against Holland at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, August 15, three days before the start of the new Premiership season.

Saturday, June 16th, 2001

Hackworth reports denied

Northampton have responded to renewed talk of a move for striker Tony Hackworth by denying any new interest in the player.

The hitman has been linked with Northampton in the past, with The Cobblers looking to bring in the 21-year-old prior to last season's deadline, but more recently speculation has suggested a possible year-long loan switch for Hackworth.

Northampton have, however, responded to such talk by reaffirming that no new contact has been made between The Cobblers and Leeds concerning the striker.

"We enquired about him on transfer-deadline day but there's no fresh link," said press officer Gareth Willsher.

Saturday, June 16th, 2001

`GENTLE GIANT' HUMBLED BY AWARD

By Frank Malley, PA Chief Sports Writer

Football legend John Charles flew out to Turin on Friday afternoon, proudly planning to tell all his old Italian pals about his new trophy.

The former Leeds and Wales star, who became Britain's most successful Soccer export in a five-year spell with Juventus in the late 1950s and early 1960s, receives the CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

``It's wonderful, but it came as a complete shock,'' said Charles. ``I mean, I've been finished a long time now. It's unbelievable. I've no idea why I've got it now.''

It was the sort of modesty so typical of the man the Italians dubbed `Il Buono Gigante' - the Gentle Giant - who was never sent off or even cautioned during a career in which he was indisputably the greatest Welshman ever to pull on a pair of soccer boots.

Charles, 69, broke into the Leeds first team at just 17, was capped by Wales before his 19th birthday and transferred to Juventus in 1957 for a record £65,000 - a staggering fee in those days.

In 155 league appearances for Juve he scored 93 goals, 29 of them coming in his first season in Turin, one in which he led the club to the first division championship and was voted Italian Footballer of the Year.

On Sunday he and wife Glenda will attend Juve's Serie A match with Atlanta during a week-long break in Italy where he will catch up with old friends such as Boniperti and Sivori.

``I enjoyed my time there so much,'' he said. ``I lived the life of a film star but that's what all Italian footballers did. I can still speak the language or at least make myself understood anyway.''

He plans to take his wife Glenda to Buckingham Palace with him to receive his honour but he has already met the Queen, back in those heady days in Turin.

``She came to meet the team and as I was the only one who could speak English we had a little chat,'' he said. ``I don't think she would remember, it was so long ago, but it will be nice to meet her again.''

Charles' recognition comes after two years in which he has battled against cancer.

``I'm all right now,'' he said. ``I don't have to go to the hospital any more.''

He can still be seen at every Leeds home game and, as a member of the club's former player's association, attends speaking engagements to raise cash for local hospitals.

His dearest wish is to see Leeds capitalise on the exciting form of last season.

``It has been wonderful to see them doing so well,'' he said. ``And I can see them winning the Premiership next season.''

Saturday, June 16th, 2001

Legend Charles receives CBE

Leeds United legend John Charles has received a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to football.

The award is due recognition for a player who scored 154 goals in 308 appearances for Leeds.

The strike ace, who was also an exceptional centre-half, spent two spells at Elland Road. He made his debut for the club in 1948, playing 297 times before making a pioneering move to Italian giants Juventus.

The Swansea-born star, who also enjoyed a distinguished international career for Wales, continued to score freely in Italy, netting at a rate at over a goal every two games.

After six successful years at Juve Charles returned to Leeds for a second spell, joining Don Revie's fledgling team.

After just one season back at Elland Road Charles returned to Italy to join Roma before finishing his playing career in his native Wales with Cardiff.

Saturday, June 16th, 2001

Kewell: Silverware the next step

Harry Kewell says that as Leeds continue to progress the next step is to get some silverware in the cupboard.

Leeds have enjoyed great success in the last two seasons, especially in Europe where they reached the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup in the 1999-2000 campaign, and the semi-finals of the Champions League last season. But despite cementing a reputation as one of England's top teams, the current Leeds side have still to get their hands on their first trophy.

Kewell believes that once that first cup is won many more will follow. The Aussie ace told the Sun: "Once we've had a taste of real success this team will go a long way."

The Sydney-born star says Leeds just need to get over that hurdle, noting as an example the success enjoyed by rivals Manchester United. He commented: "They (Manchester United) won the championship in 1993 and they haven't looked back since."

Friday, June 15th, 2001

Hackworth loan exit reports

Northampton Town are rumoured to be lining up a year-long loan move for 21-year-old striker Tony Hackworth.

Hackworth made three appearances for Leeds last season - all from the bench and against such diverse opponents as Barcelona and Lazio in the early rounds of the Champions League, and Tranmere Rovers in the Worthington Cup where he came on as a substitute and was then substituted himself.

His chances of first-team football are very limited at Elland Road, and a move for 12 months to establish himself may well suit all parties concerned.

Northampton boss Kevin Wilson said prior to the close season: "I am actively working on bringing more players in, including two younger players on long-term loans from Premiership clubs."

Hackworth's former youth team team-mate Warren Feeney recently joined Bournemouth while other players who have failed to break into the first team from the reserves are also expected to move on over the summer.

Friday, June 15th, 2001

Leeds miss out on Lampard

Frank Lampard has joined Chelsea for the expected £11million after Leeds failed to follow up their interest in the England midfielder.

Where does this leave Leeds on the transfer front after they had been strongly tipped to match The Blues' bid for the former West Ham star?

Lampard was expected to join his good friend Rio Ferdinand at Leeds but Peter Ridsdale said that there was no way Leeds would pay more than £10million for the player.

Lampard said: "I'm looking forward to playing for a big club and playing in Europe. I was flattered to be linked with Leeds, but Chelsea are the sort of club I have always wanted to play for."

In a busy night of transfer activity Francis Jeffers joined Arsenal which could mean Newcastle renew their interest in Michael Bridges despite the fact that Leeds want to keep him and he wants to stay at Elland Road.

Rangers midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst was linked with Chelsea but they opted for Lampard and many wondered if Leeds would move for the Dutch international.

Arsenal, though, are expected to complete an £8million move for the former Feyenoord star and if Leeds have any interest, which is doubtful, they had better move quickly.

Seth Johnson from Derby is another who has been linked and that could resurface as the latest transfer merry-go-round gathers pace.

Friday, June 15th, 2001

Rio on Moore comparison

Rio Ferdinand hopes the comparisons between himself and the legendary Bobby Moore are a thing off the past now he's at Leeds.

Ferdinand is a Leeds player through and through now but he still gets compared with England's World Cup winning skipper Moore but now believes it is time to drop the comparisons.

"When I was at West Ham there were comparisons made between me and Bobby Moore, I always felt honoured by that," he said

"He won the World Cup with England and to be honest there is nobody around like him.

"But while the tag remained around my neck when I was at West Ham, I'd like to think it will be put aside now I've joined Leeds.

"I have always said I play my own game and I want to be recognised in my own right.

"Ultimately I want to be judged on my own achievements not crucified for failing to live up to a man I can never touch."

Friday, June 15th, 2001

Squad numbers

Leeds have denied that the new squad numbers have been unveiled and that Rio Ferdinand has got his old number 15 shirt that he had at West Ham.

The squad numbers for 2001-2002 were said to be as as follows.

Goalkeepers

1. Nigel Martyn 13. Paul Robinson 26. Danny Milosevic

Defenders

2. Gary Kelly 3. Ian Harte 5. Lucas Radebe 6. Jonathon Woodgate 15. Rio Ferdinand 18. Danny Mills 21. Dominic Matteo 22. Michael Duberry 24. Danny Hay and 27. Alan Maybury

Midfielders

4. Olivier Dacourt 11. Lee Bowyer 14. Stephen McPhail 16. Jason Wilcox 19. Eirik Bakke 23. David Batty 25. Jacob Burns 28. Jamie McMaster 31. Gareth Evans

Forwards

8. Michael Bridges 9. Mark Viduka 10. Harry Kewell 7. Robbie Keane 17. Alan Smith 38. Tony Hackworth

Leeds say this is not the case and that the squad numbers will be announced when the players report for pre-season training, they also dismissed reports that Rio would get the number 15 shirt which he had at West Ham.

Not that matters particulary but we'll wait and see.

Thursday June 14th 2001

EIGHT CHARGED OVER VIOLENCE

By Ashley Broadley, PA News

Eight men have charged with threatening behaviour following clashes between rival fans at a Premiership football match.

Up to 50 fans were involved in disturbances after the Leeds United v Manchester United match at Elland Road in March this year.

Three men aged 19, 35 and 37 from Leeds, will appear before magistrates in Leeds on Tuesday

A 32-year-old man from Flint in North Wales, two aged 16 and 19 from Middleton in Manchester, a 32-year-old from Royton in Oldham and a 39-year-old from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, will appear at the same court on Wednesday.

A 27-year-old man from Leeds was still being questioned by police.

Police have released pictures of a further nine men they wish to question in connection with the violence.

Thursday June 14th 2001

NO KEWELL, NO VIDUKA FOR OZ