#LUFC Greatest Matches: Magic Cantona Lights up Wembley

Hat-trick hero Cantona celebrating his first goal

We asked Leeds fans what their favourite match was from the past 25 years, and we’ve had some excellent suggestions. The first in the special set of articles comes from Gregg Huish (@HuishGregg) who suggested the game which brought Leeds’ last cup success, a thrilling 4-3 victory in the Charity Shield against Liverpool.

The hero of the day was, of course, Eric Cantona, who netted a stunning hat-trick in one of the best fought matches in recent times. The first goal came from excellent play by Rod Wallace, who himself caused problems for the Liverpool defence. A neat cut-back left Cantona with enough time to smash the ball past Bruce Grobbelaar, and give Leeds a perfect start. But after 34 minutes Liverpool were level after a near-post header from Ian Rush.

Less than ten minutes later, after some neat build up play, Leeds received a free kick which Tony Dorigo duly obliged to take, which skewed off the wall before nestling in the bottom left corner of the net. Leeds were back in the lead before half time, and Wembley was rocking to the sound of “Marching On Together.” Liverpool manager Graham Souness changed things around after half time, giving former Doncaster Rovers manager Dean Saunders a more central role, which paid off in the 65th minute when Saunders received a slice of luck to emphatically score past John Lukic. Arguably the best goal of the game came from the ominous Cantona, who hit a fierce shot into the goal from a McAllister free-kick. Wallace darted into the box, and after a brief scramble, the ball fell for Cantona to fly past Grobbelaar, and the hysterical Leeds crowd went mad with delight.

The 4th goal, and Cantona’s hat-trick, was in no small part down to the ball bouncing kindly off the corner flag, for Wallace to kink a cross to the back post. Grobbelaar misjudged the ball, Cantona did not. With the game all but over, Gordon Strachan produced what must be the strangest own goals in Wembley history, juggling the ball between his heels before letting it stray over the line.

If you want to share your most memorable Leeds game from the past 25 years, get in touch on Twitter, @jakerleedsblog

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#LUFC: T-Shirts Now Available

Viduka’s Quartet is pleased to announce that T-Shirts are now available to buy from redbubble.com. The shirts, which have been specially designed, pay homage to Mark Viduka’s 4th goal against Liverpool. The quote is also one of the best known in Leeds’ recent history.

Let us know what you think of the design on twitter (@jakerleedsblog) or in the comments section below

You can buy the T-Shirt at this link: http://www.redbubble.com/people/jaker055/works/10735165-vidukas-quartet

#LUFC: IIB Reveal Q2 Financial Results

IIB-Bahrian, the Bahrain based bank which owns a stake in Leeds United, have released financial results for the 6 months up to June 30th.

The bank has revealed a year-on-year increase in quarterly income, but the first six months of this year has seen a downturn in income, compared to the first six months of 2012. Net profit has also decreased to around $240,000.Just over $1,000,000 has been added to the companies total assets between December and June of this year.

So does this have any effect on Leeds? For a start, we know that IIB originally purchased 10% of LUFC after the turn of the year, paying £2.5 million. The recent ownership statement read that IIB now own more than they originally bought. This is in line with what was said in IIB’s annual report. Aabed Al-Zeera, who is a director of Leeds City Holdings and also Chief Executive at IIB, suggested that the companies shareholders would see LUFC as an “attractive investment opportunity” once GFH had solidified the football club’s financial position. Now GFH have streamlined Leeds into a more amicable financial future, investors will be more keen to buy into Leeds.

The intentions of IIB increasing their stake in Leeds United seems to be profit driven, as well as a need for diversification within the companies portfolio. This diversification is central to the bank’s strategy to reducing its credit risks. As stated in the company’s additional public disclosures document, to “avoid excessive concentrations of risk, the Bank’s policies and procedures include guidelines to maintain a diversified portfolio.” Clearly then, the bank is maintaining a stake in LUFC to help diversify against it’s competitors in Bahrain and the Middle East.

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#LUFC: Wootton Signs up for The Whites

Scott Wootton in action against CFR Cluj

Leeds United confirmed last night that Manchester United defender Scott Wootton has joined the club on a three-year contract, for an undisclosed fee.

The deal is thought to involve an upfront fee, with various clauses which could increase the price Leeds pay for the 21 year-old. Wootton has made an appearance in the Champions League and the League cup for Man United, and he has also enjoyed spells at Peterborough, Nottingham Forest and Tranmere Rovers. Last night, Leeds boss Brian McDermott was delighted to land a player he has been tracking since the beginning of the summer. Owners GFH-Capital have been shrewd in the market this summer, but this signing is in line with what the owners envisaged; players who will only get better. Wootton is still young and has a lot to learn, but if McDermott’s signings are anything to go by, he will be hungry to improve his game.

The so called “one in one out” strategy implemented to reduce the wage bill at Elland Road looks to have been sidelined for this particular deal. Wootton will by no means be the highest earner at the club, as he was on a month-by-month contract. The player joins a squad in need of defensive reinforcements, and as Wootton can also play across the defensive line, his versatility will prove a big asset.

 

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#LUFC: Al Khalifa behind GFH after all?

An interview with Leeds United chairman Salah Nooruddin has seemingly shed more light on the potential backer behind the GFH takeover of Leeds in December.

Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, a member of the Bahrain royal family, is thought to be in “daily contact” with the Leeds chairman, suggesting that the Sheikh has personal involvement (or intends to have involvement) in Leeds United. The man himself failed at a takeover attempt in 2003, and he was a name mentioned early on by local media when the club first revealed that LUFC were in takeover negotiations. It is widely known that Gulf Finance House have links to the Bahrain royal family, it therefore seems possible that the significant cash injection required to force a deal with Ken Bates, came from the highest level. Sheikh Abdulrahman is a life long Leeds fan, who fell in love with the club during the great Don Revie era. Just how much the Sheikh has in his bank account is unknown, but he is known to have a large gambling debt. He certainly isn’t a man who possesses billions of oil money, but as he is a royal family member, it is certain he has several contacts.

Also in the interview, Salah Nooruddin outlined his plans to strengthen the clubs global exposure, by selling merchandise across the globe. He also stated the club would, in the future, look to sign players from the Middle East. This, according to Nooruddin, would give Leeds “some Arab flavour,” and of course more brand exposure. Signing Middle Eastern players is not new in the championship, Nottingham Forest handed trials to several players from the Middle East after their recent takeover.

News about an Elland Road buy-back seems to have gone cold, but there does seem to be work going on behind the scenes regarding investment opportunities. Salah himself has dealt with several investments before regarding real estate. Nooruddin is CEO of a company named Investate Realty, who deal with private equity investment as well as real estate. IIB-Bahrain, the company which owns upwards of 10% of LUFC, also specialises in real estate investment. Investors who are already on board could stump up the cash to aquire Elland Road again. Buying back the stadium remains something which GFH want to do while at Leeds, although there seems to be no real urgency in securing the funds needed.

The transfer window remains on the lips of everyone involved at Leeds, even the chairman agrees we need to bring in new recruits. Nooruddin believes a new winger and centre back are needed. Boss Brian McDermott has been desperate to land at least another target for the past six weeks, the wage bill at Elland Road looks to be the sticking point. ‘The men in suits’ are willing to publicly state they are backing Brian in the transfer market, while no real progress is being made. With around two weeks to go, there is still every opportunity for the owners to bring in the right players.

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#LUFC: Viduka’s Quartet Needs You!

Here at Viduka’s Quartet, we’re looking to engage with the amazing LUFC fan base. As part of a special set of articles, we want you to tell us about your favourite Leeds game from the past 25 years. it can be for any reason whatsoever, maybe it was your first game? A wonder goal perhaps? Or maybe it was an important result for the mighty whites. Simply send us an email or Direct Message @jakerleedsblog on Twitter and your chosen game could be used in a future article.

Email me: jake.ross1@mail.com

#LUFC: Leeds United Ownership

A link to a basic visualisation of the current ownership situation at Elland Road:

http://infogr.am/Leeds-United-Ownership/

Dominic Poleon: Impact Sub or 90-Minute Man?

It’s 3 games into the new season and already manager Brian McDermott has a selection dilemma on his hands…what to do with Dom Poleon?

It’s been no secret since the end of last season that the new boss is an admirer of Leeds’ latest young hotshot. After the stunning win at Watford, McDermott hailed Poleon as a “real asset” for the season ahead. It seems he was right. Dom has had a stellar pre-season, netting more times than any other striker on the wage bill at Elland Road. Against Brighton he was used as an impact substitute, along with new signing Matt Smith. Both played a vital role in turning the game in Leeds’ favour. Poleon hassles and runs at defenders, he also has something the team still lacks, pace. On Sunday against a star-studded Leicester team, he showed more creativity than any other in the final third. Surely then, his recent performances warrant a first-team start?

New boy Noel Hunt takes up the role that Poleon would take if he were to start. Although he hasn’t caught the eye with scintillating performances or a stack full of goals, he works very hard to create chances. To me, Hunt seems to be more of a poacher when it comes to goals, whereas Poleon works opportunities for himself. However, a fan rightly suggested to me on twitter, that defenders would rather be facing Hunt than Poleon at the moment.

It would seem that young Dom could well earn a start against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. However, it seems McDermott will stick by Hunt for now, and use Poleon from the bench. Last season the squad lacked depth, and at times when a game needed changing, there was nobody on the bench to do that. Poleon fills that gap. We also have to remember that Dom is still very young, his game suits the impact role, where he can run at tired defenders and cause problems.

So is Dominic Poleon best used as an impact sub, or is he a 90-minute man? Have your say here:

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#LUFC: GFH Reveal Q2 Financial Results

Leeds United owners GFH have revealed financial results in the 6 months up to June 30th. The statement to the Bahrain Bourse revealed a year-on-year downturn in profit, but the company has still made a total of $4.2 million in 2013 so far.

Company acting CEO Hisham Al Rayes, also on the board at LUFC, stated that in Q2, GFH were successful in attracting more Strategic investors alongside GFH themselves, in Leeds United. No specific names have been given, and will most likely remain disclosed due to company regulations and confidentiality. The investors have come through GFH, so seemingly, no shares of Leeds City Holdings have been sold. The money raised from investors is likely to have been directed towards running costs rather than transfer fees.

Other interesting pieces of news in the financial results come in the form of assets held for sale. As of January 1st, over $82 million worth of assets were held for sale. This has now significantly reduced, now at only $22 million. Part of this reduction has been due to a subsidiary bank merging with another bank in the gulf region, but, as has previously been the case, LUFC has been held for sale since its acquisition.

So why has the apparent value of LUFC significantly reduced? There are possible answers to this. Firstly, GFH may now see Leeds United as more of a long-term investment rather than a short-term flip, and want to retain a greater stake than first envisaged. As GFH have already injected significant funds into LUFC, the company will want to maximise profits when the club return to the Premier League. Holding a greater share in the club will obviously give them the opportunity to reap greater financial reward in the medium/long-term. GFH may only have shuffled the value of LUFC away from its assets “held for sale.”

However, the financial statement could also suggest that a large stake in Leeds has been sold during Q2. There has been recent speculation that an investment deal has been struck which involves the re-purchase of Elland Road. As the buy-back value of the stadium stands at £15 million, any deal could involve a significant share sale. It is unknown how close or indeed how much the investment deal is worth on top of the Elland Road purchase.

Latest transfer Rumours: Goodwin linked with Leeds

Leeds United are being linked with Newcastle Jets star Craig Goodwin. The winger, who is poised to make his first international appearance for the socceroos, is thought to be interesting English clubs. Last year Goodwin was on trial with Reading, but relegation to the championship halted contract talks. McDermott is known to be an admirer of the player, and Goodwin could fill a sizeable gap in the Leeds squad, with only one out-and-out winger in the team, Ryan Hall. Australian news sites are picking up on English interest in Goodwin, so a move could well be on the cards for the talented Aussie winger.

Finances still seem to be tight at Elland Road, and McDermott is looking to offload fringe players to make way for new recruits. This policy has frustrated many fans, but transfer activity seems to continue behind the scenes. Club Managing Director David Haigh has held talks with McDermott since coming back from Slovenia, and it seems the club are striving to make deals happen, although it is proving difficult shifting unwanted players.

Players such as Danny Pugh and Jason Pearce are tentatively being linked with moves away from Elland Road, although nothing concrete has happened to date. Leeds need to act fast if they want prime targets in before the start of the season.