Leeds United

By Jake Walton

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’d know all about the current events that’s going on at Leeds United. If you have been living under a rock I’ll summarise the events.

Since November-ish the Leeds owners, GFH Capital have been looking for a new owner for the club, this has culminated in controversial Italian, Massimo Cellino becoming favourite to become the owner. Cellino is the current owner of Cagliari, where if I’m not mistaken he has had 36 managers in 20 seasons, add this onto the fact that he’s been charged with fraud twice and there has been uproar. Combine the fact that a fraudster is favourite to become owner along with the fact that another consortium has pulled out the bidding and issued a winding up petition to the High Court about unpaid debts that GFH loaned from the leader of the consortium, Andrew Flowers, who is also Managing Director of the shirt sponsor Enterprise Insurance and you have very unhappy locals!

This all came to a head on Transfer Deadline Day when Brian McDermott got a call from a lawyer representing Cellino saying he was sacked. Captain Ross McCormack responded by talking live on Sky Sports News voicing his dissatisfaction. 1st February, Leeds were playing Huddersfield at home in a Yorkshire derby. They won the game 5-1, each goal accompanied with the chant ‘OH BRIAN MCDERMOTT!’

Later that day Leeds became a laughing stock when it was revealed that Cellino hadn’t taken over when McDermott was sacked therefore he had no power over the sacking, meaning that McDermott still held his post as manager. The date is currently Monday 10th February and Cellino is expected to finalise his takeover on Wednesday when he passes the Football League ‘fit and proper persons test.’

What do Leeds fans think? As a Leeds fan myself and reading many Leeds fans opinions regarding the matter the reception towards Cellino has slowly gotten warmer, due to the fact that people were sick to the back teeth of GFH’s lack of investment in the transfer window and the fact Cellino has promised to plough money into the club and buy Elland Road from the council the day after he takes over. I am prepared to give Cellino a chance. Obviously I am wary of him because of his past but as long as he doesn’t become trigger happy and sack the much loved McDermott and puts money into the club I will be more than happy with him, he can’t be much worse than Ken Bates anyway! FORZA LEEDS!