Leeds hit with 15 point penalty

[pineapple stu]

Serious deduction (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/6920103.stm); relegation to Division Three a serious possibility now. Don't know if they could survive that.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Looks like we'll have to settle for second. Damn.:)

[Risteard]

In Division 3 already.
In fairness, that seems very harsh.
You either compete at an even keel or you're denied the right to compete.

[jebus]

I have good days, and I have bad days in this life, but through it all the plight of Leeds keeps a smile on my face :D

[Lionel Ritchie]

I have good days, and I have bad days in this life, but through it all the plight of Leeds keeps a smile on my face :D

Sure why wouldn't it make you smile. Without kicking a ball they're more entertaining than Wednesday.

:ball:

[jebus]

Sure why wouldn't it make you smile. Without kicking a ball they're more entertaining than Wednesday.

:ball:

Will you remember to send me a postcard back from whoever Leeds draw in the Auto-Whatsits Trophy? :p

[Lionel Ritchie]

Will you remember to send me a postcard back from whoever Leeds draw in the Auto-Whatsits Trophy? :p

Alas I can't find 'Bye' on the map.:p

You might get a kick out of this Jebus.

Wise tells Leeds squad they need 105 points to win League 1 (http://http://www.leedsunited.com/page/NewsroomDetail/0,,10273~1085068,00.html)

United boss Dennis Wise has told his players they'll need 105 points if they are to win League One at the first time of asking.

After being asked for his thoughts on the Football League's announcement that the share had been transferred and the club would be deducted 15 points for the new season, Wisey said: "I've told the lads - we'll need 105 points to win the league now."

The boss faced the media for the first time since Friday's announcement after watching his side edged out 2-1 by Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

"We've got to get on with it," said the boss.

"I just said we need 105 points to the win the league and if you perform like that (against Wigan) you have a chance.

"It's something that's been put in front of us and we have to deal with it.

"Hopefully something will change and it won't be 15 points, but minus 15 is minus 15 and it's not a nice situation to be in.

"It's a massive challenge, and there's the fact we couldn't sign anyone and are two months behind everyone else..it's been difficult.

"This is what's been happening. It's a blow, but we'll get on with it.


All I could think of was Hitler in his bunker in April 1945 ordering armies that no longer exist to counter attack on all fronts.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Leeds Uniteds appeal against their 15 point deduction has been rejected by the football league.
More here (http://www.leedsunited.com/page/Home/0,,10273,00.html)

[OwlsFan]

That's what happens when you let Master Bates anywhere near a club. Thankfully Wednesday rejected his advances and struggle along with their 25 million debt.

[Steve Bruce]

Slap it up them.

[Lionel Ritchie]

-12 and climbing!

:cool:

[DmanDmythDledge]

No chance of them being relegated. If they weren't deducted points people would be tipping them for the league. They'll make the playoffs.

[Cymro]

Well it was a good result today but then Sunderland also won and I think they'll be fighting relegation in the Premiership. Haven't Leeds won their opening fixture for like every tear the last 4 or so years and look where it's got them?

We'll see at the end of the year where they are though it was a good result today for them against one of L1's better teams.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Well it was a good result today but then Sunderland also won and I think they'll be fighting relegation in the Premiership. Haven't Leeds won their opening fixture for like every tear the last 4 or so years and look where it's got them?

We'll see at the end of the year where they are though it was a good result today for them against one of L1's better teams.

I don't have the stats to hand but would be surprised it we had won our opening fixture in the last four seasons. Take your word for it though.

Leeds also had a Beckford goal disallowed today so they're going in from different quarters now at least. Scandalous number of cards as well ...some things never change.

[Lionel Ritchie]

-9.

But for the points deduction they'd be top of the table.

Can't remember the last time Leeds won 3 on the trot.

[sky blue]

well we are looking good now alright if we can keep this run going we will be well up the league by christmas. bring on portsmouth tues week. marching on together....;)

[gilberto_eire]

if there head and shoulders above the rest they could easily climb into the play-off zone by seasons end...juve went on to win the seria b even with there deduction...differant kettle of fish i know but it can be done!!

[sky blue]

ya it can be done alright great attendance at elland road on sat 24,053 more than any championship match played sat and 4 premier league matches played so it just goes to show the support they have

[Lionel Ritchie]

13 points, 12th in the league. Didn't play well against Yeovil yesterday but still won. Consistently higher attendances than more than half the premier and the entire championship. Nice to have something to smile about. :)

[OwlsFan]

Consistently higher attendances than more than half the premier

Not quite true. More than 7 of the Premiership but then Reading, Portsmouth, Wigan, etc are not big clubs.

http://stats.football365.com/dom/ENG/PR/attend.html

[Lionel Ritchie]

Not quite true. More than 7 of the Premiership but then Reading, Portsmouth, Wigan, etc are not big clubs.

http://stats.football365.com/dom/ENG/PR/attend.html

You can't bring me down with your meticulous scrutiny and number crunching.:p

Though my stats were still a little bald. My "more than half" was liberally applied to describe the four out of seven saturday afternoon premier league games Leeds had trumped for numbers.

How's the Wendies doing anyway? Sure we might find out first hand next season ...though that might require Leeds going on a protracted losing streak.;)

:D

[OwlsFan]

How's the Wendies doing anyway? Sure we might find out first hand next season ...though that might require Leeds going on a protracted losing streak.;)

:D

Might be exchanging leagues the way things are going :o Still glad the Owls didn't allow Bates take over.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Will you remember to send me a postcard back from whoever Leeds draw in the Auto-Whatsits Trophy? :p

Leeds beat Darlington 0-1 in the Johnsons/Johnstons Paint trophy last night having fielded a team of kids. Now from I saw of "Darlo" last night any team of kids drawn from any primary school would have run them close.
They should've had a honky tonk piano going and a commentator with a 1930's style Oxford English accent making witty quips like "here comes a slippery customer ...he calls this move the 'arse-over-elbow'..." :D

The JP trophy itself -which was there on show resembles a tidied up creamery jug or a rhubarb forcer and frankly I'll be at least as embarrassed if Leeds win it as I will be if they don't.

[Cymro]

Even though we have won it before the Football League Trophy (to give it its permanent, sponsorless name) is basically just a reserves and kids competition for most League One and some L2 sides. Until, that is, it gets down to the later stages and the prize money becomes worthwhile and the prospect of a journey to Wembley (or Cardiff in our case) becomes more real.

The final itself is actually a pretty good 'craic' as you would say, it's just the first few rounds that are pretty dire.

[Lionel Ritchie]

I'm sure it is Cymro and I shouldn't be trite.

It's just there's a Billy Bragg lyric that comes into my head "It's a mighty long way down rock'n'roll/ from top of the pops to drawing the dole."

Also to Darlingtons credit their ground looked the business. Nigel Martyn likened it to a "mini-Middlesborough". :ball:

[Lionel Ritchie]

...is indeed the new Leeds United boss.

For reasons beyond being a Leeds fan I wish him the very best.

[Plastic Paddy]

Me and all. I'm no fan of Leeds (as I know you know from our past exchanges Lionel) but Gary McAllister is a man who draws a tremendous amount of goodwill from football fans of all persuasions. I think he's an excellent appointment; it's good to see him back in football and I wish him and your club well.

:ball: PP

[Sligo Hornet]

Me and all. I'm no fan of Leeds (as I know you know from our past exchanges Lionel) but Gary McAllister is a man who draws a tremendous amount of goodwill from football fans of all persuasions. I think he's an excellent appointment; it's good to see him back in football and I wish him and your club well.

:ball: PP

I echo your sentiments.......a true Gentleman with a footballing brain...a very rare commodity...good luck GM

p.s. good point for us last night PP.....please God let us finally win at Home on sat!

[jebus]

Staunton has been appointed assistant manager at Dirty Leeds today apparantly, it's going to be odd for me to 100% dislike Leeds with McAllister and Stan in charge :)

[Lionel Ritchie]

Staunton has been appointed assistant manager at Dirty Leeds today apparantly, it's going to be odd for me to 100% dislike Leeds with McAllister and Stan in charge :)

...are you not one of the bizarre cluster of Limerick Wendies on this board? If so when did you have 99% dislike or less? :p

I wish Stan well and would like to pass on some helpful hints to enable him perform his new duties with uttmost effeciency ...None of the squad take sugar in their tea but Casper does like a danish butter cookie with his. There's spare mugs in the press marked "Mr Stauntons Office" and there's a tarp down low in same -spread it BEFORE cleaning the boots.

[bellavistaman]

Leedsd should be deducted another 15 points for running there club in such a unprofessional manner.

[Thunderblaster]

Steve Staunton in his press conference: I'm the assistant gaffer, I'm the assistant boss. When Gary's not around, the buck stops with me!!:rolleyes::D

[Risteard]

It looks to me like Leeds are going to get somewhere with this appeal.
Official site (http://www.leedsunited.com/page/NewsroomDetail/0,,10273~1251306,00.html)

[Lionel Ritchie]

Fingers crossed. A couple of months back I'd have told the league they can stick their unfairly deducted 15 points up their collective hole. But the way things on the field have gone tits up lately I'll have them back now thank you very much.

[OwlsFan]

Arbitration means perhaps 10 instead of 15. Might give them a play off place.

[Lionel Ritchie]

From Leeds United.com (http://www.leedsunited.com/page/NewsroomDetail/0,,10273~1253594,00.html)


Leeds United have agreed, under protest, to the Football League's demand of a private arbitration hearing regarding the 15-point sanction imposed on the eve of season. United chairman Ken Bates said: "We have agreed under duress to arbitration in private. But what have they got to hide?
We believe this should be conducted in the open because people have a right to know. This is supposed to be about transparency."

The arbitration panel will consist of one member appointed by the Football League, one appointed by Leeds United, and a neutral appeal court judge.

I can't believe I'm agreeing with Ken Bates on anything but I'm inclined to here. What's the Leagues problem that they want this done behind closed doors?

[oldyouth]

Leedsd should be deducted another 15 points for running there club in such a unprofessional manner.
Stupid comment. You can't go around deducting points 'cos you don't like a club or it's chairman, manager, players etc. I'm no fan of Bates but where has the 'unprofessional manner' been evident since he took over? Basically, he will not lie down and grovel at the feet of the Football League.
MOT

[Lionel Ritchie]

Stupid comment. You can't go around deducting points 'cos you don't like a club or it's chairman, manager, players etc. I'm no fan of Bates but where has the 'unprofessional manner' been evident since he took over? Basically, he will not lie down and grovel at the feet of the Football League.
MOT

I might be wrong but I think Bellavistamans comment might've been somewhat tongue in cheek. Many of us would consider giving Stan paid work not just unproffesional but criminal and suicidal. I just wish Stan had cut his teeth at this level BEFORE destroying an Irish international campaign.

[oldyouth]

I might be wrong but I think Bellavistamans comment might've been somewhat tongue in cheek. Many of us would consider giving Stan paid work not just unproffesional but criminal and suicidal. I just wish Stan had cut his teeth at this level BEFORE destroying an Irish international campaign.
You're probably right. I can get oversensitive on LUFC issues.:(

[bellavistaman]

I might be wrong but I think Bellavistamans comment might've been somewhat tongue in cheek. Many of us would consider giving Stan paid work not just unproffesional but criminal and suicidal. I just wish Stan had cut his teeth at this level BEFORE destroying an Irish international campaign.

yup the unprofessional bit was a joke about stan the post was about a month before the ken bates thing. Chill out man.

[Lionel Ritchie]

So -anyone care to predict with 72 hours at most to D-day what the Arbitration panel are going to do?

Interesting articles here http://www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s277/st128474.htm and here http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leeds-case-must-lead-to-reform-of-rules-say-chairmen-816178.html

One article I read the other day suggested that the panel are now considering one question only -were the league right to deduct 15 points from Leeds when they'd already been docked 10 at the arse end of last season. This suggests the panel have no further interest in the argument that LUFC accepted the lawfulness of the punishment when they recieved their "Golden Share". This seems sensible to me as Leeds were being strong-armed.

Some of the whispered solutions are not for the squeamish mind. One mentioned was that Leeds would be promoted along with Swansea and whoever finishes second and the league would pay compensation to those who miss out on competing in the play offs.

That struck me as an odd way to square a circle. I'd have thought that in the scenario that Leeds get the 15 points back and are jumped to second then the league could just compensate whoever it was dropped out of the automatic promotion spot ...and even then maybe only if they don't win the play off. Why discommode three when you only need do so to one ...and when two of those three aren't materially worse off anyway whether Leeds get all or no points back?

[Cymro]

I imagine the tribunal will toe the fence and award 5 points back to Leeds. That way, it keeps Doncaster, Forest and Carlisle's fate as much in their own hands as it is now, while also giving Leeds an outside shot at automatic promotion.

I doubt that outcome will please anyone, but this was never going to result in anyone being pleased anyway, and it might stifle some of the wrath which a more controversial decision would have brought.

In any case, we're up, so I don't really care! :p

[Plastic Paddy]

That's far too sensible Cymro. Given the half-arsed job they've made so far of deciding the outcome, I can't see the panel buying that at all.

:ball: PP

[Lionel Ritchie]

In any case, we're up, so I don't really care! :p

...and deserve to be! I'm genuinely delighted for the swans

[DmanDmythDledge]

I imagine the tribunal will toe the fence and award 5 points back to Leeds.
There was something on Off The Ball around a month ago saying that arbitration panel will only be deciding whether or not deducting the 15 points was lawful- basically their decision will be to give Leeds back the 15 points or leave things as they are.

[Cymro]

...and deserve to be! I'm genuinely delighted for the swans

Thanks Lionel.

I only wish I could say the same about Leeds if you come up, but........:o

Well, at least if you do, you'll only be my second least favourite team in the division next year. I'm sure you can guess the first.

Dman etc - I read in the Western Mail (Welsh national daily newspaper) about a week ago that it could be anything between restoring 0 points or 15 points. Still, I'll take that with a pinch of salt, and I won't discount what you said.

[Red&White Rover]

Decision time just half an hour away....Nerves are going a wee bit!

Hopefully Leeds'll get them back....then the party begins!

[DmanDmythDledge]

Unsuccessful (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/7375942.stm)

[Cymro]

I'm not particularly surprised. If Leeds had got all their points back and leapfrogged the four teams above them there'd have been outrage amongst the fans of those teams.

I thought Leeds would get 5 points back, but if not I thought it would be this outcome.

Play-offs it is for your boys then, Mr Ritchie. ;)

[Lionel Ritchie]

Play-offs it is for your boys then, Mr Ritchie. ;)

Indeed, that's the end of it. Bring on the play-offs.
No matter what we'll be back.