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Post by QPR Report on Dec 20, 2008 22:04:51 GMT
 MK Dons 3 Leeds 1 - (although look at the MK Dons gate: 17,000+  Unfortunately Leeds only a few points outside the playoff spot news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/table/default.stmBBC - MK Dons 3-1 Leeds Striker Aaron Wilbraham bagged a brace as MK Dons sent Leeds crashing to a fifth successive defeat. The hosts took the lead when Jemal Johnson's corner found Sean O'Hanlon and he headed into the Leeds net. Their lead doubled when Wilbraham poked another Johnson corner in, before Leeds got back into the game when Robert Snodgrass volleyed in from 20 yards. But the Dons wrapped things up when Leeds left Wilbraham unmarked for him to head in Johnson's cross. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leeds United manager Gary McAllister told BBC Radio Leeds: "I feel I am letting the fans down. The city of Leeds deserves better. "We'll keep working, I'll continue to work hard with the players to put things right. That's my job." Milton Keynes Dons: Gueret, Stirling (Howell 90), O'Hanlon, Llera, Cummings, Johnson, Navarro, Leven, Puncheon, Wilbraham (Flo 82), Baldock (Wright 76). Subs Not Used: Abbey, Gerba. Goals: O'Hanlon 11, Wilbraham 17, 55. Leeds: Lucas, Assoumani, Marques, Michalik (Richardson 46), Sheehan, Delph, Douglas, Kilkenny, Howson (Showunmi 76), Snodgrass, Becchio. Subs Not Used: Ankergren, Hughes, Elliott. Goals: Snodgrass 49. Att: 17,073. Ref: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).
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Post by QPR Report on Dec 21, 2008 12:28:00 GMT
(As noted on the dot.org: McCallister has now been axed)
BBC Leeds dismiss manager McAllister
McAllister had seen his Leeds side lose their last five matches
Leeds United have parted company with manager Gary McAllister.
The club made the decision following a run of five successive defeats which has seen Leeds slip to ninth in League One, five points off the play-offs.
"The decision was made to ensure that the new manager has the maximum number of games possible to move the club up the table," read a statement.
McAllister, 43, who replaced Dennis Wise in January, saw his side lose 3-1 at MK Dons in his last game in charge.
Leeds said they had chosen to sack McAllister to give his successor time to "identify any new players he thinks can strengthen the current squad" before the transfer window opens in January.
Coming in to Leicester City on Boxing Day and the January transfer window, I'm surprised by the timing of the decision
Ray Fell
Chairman, Leeds United Supporters' Club
"The club would like to place on record its thanks for the loyal service given to Leeds United by Gary since joining the club as manager in January 2008, and wish him every success in the future," added the statement on the club's website.
"The club will make no further comment on a replacement until we are in a position to make an appointment, which we are committed to doing as quickly as possible."
Saturday's defeat at Milton Keynes marked a fourth consecutive league defeat for the Elland Road outfit - a losing streak compounded by defeat at Histon in the FA Cup last month.
Leeds sit 15 points behind League One leaders Leicester, who they face on Boxing Day, and five points off Oldham in sixth place, with 10 wins from 21 league outings.
606: DEBATE
I feel a bit sorry for Gary but even sorrier for us Leeds fans. We have been embarrassing the last few weeks
markybitesyerlegs
However, Ray Fell, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters' Club, expressed his surprise at the club's decision to sack McAllister.
"I realise the pressure the club's under but coming in to Leicester City on Boxing Day and the January transfer window, I'm rather surprised by the timing of the decision," he told BBC Sport.
"Some of the fans were getting frustrated but it's a minority that start that chanting, and most fans would understand that McAllister tried to bring some flair into the team.
"I do feel sympathy for the manager, the players have let him down. I sincerely hope whoever comes in is someone with the charisma and personality to lift the players and get them playing."
Last week, McAllister told BBC Leeds he did not think the situation was at "crisis level", but admitted it was the lowest ebb of his managerial career.
McAllister, who turns 44 on Christmas Day, was formerly in charge at Coventry City from 2002 until 2003, and spent six years as a player at Leeds in the 1990s.
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Post by QPR Report on Dec 22, 2008 16:33:12 GMT
Various sites saying Blackpool's Grayson....
Yorkshire Post Grayson in line for Leeds job
Phil Hay
Simon Grayson is poised to be named as Leeds United's new manager.
The Blackpool boss has been heavily linked with the position today after bookmakers reported a flood of bets on the 39-year-old replacing Gary McAllister at Elland Road.
Grayson, who began his playing career with Leeds, is understood to be ready to accept a move to Yorkshire, provided United and Blackpool can agree compensation.
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Post by QPR Report on Dec 22, 2008 17:30:20 GMT
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Post by QPR Report on Dec 23, 2008 12:59:03 GMT
And now it's confirmed: Grayson to Leeds
(Maybe can arrange a straight swop: Gorkss and Rehman to Leeds in return for Darren Beckford.
BBC - Grayson appointed Leeds manager
Grayson becomes the ninth Leeds boss in 10 years
Leeds United have appointed Simon Grayson as their new manager, the club have confirmed.
The 39-year-old leaves his post as Blackpool boss to take over the League One side, who sacked Gary McAllister on Sunday after five successive defeats.
Blackpool had initially refused Leeds permission to speak to the former Aston Villa defender on Monday.
But it is thought the two clubs have agreed a compensation deal for the West Yorkshire club to acquire his services.
Grayson, who started his career as a Leeds trainee, guided Blackpool to promotion to the Championship in 2007 after two years in charge.
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Post by QPR Report on Dec 23, 2008 13:01:04 GMT
Blackpool considering Legal Action (Guess they'll be getting compensation)
(And if they need a sports lawyer, I can think of one!)
Blackpool Official Site Club Statement
Blackpool FC can confirm that Simon Grayson tendered his resignation at 0830 on Tuesday morning. The resignation was not accepted by the board of directors and the club and are now considering legal action against both Simon Grayson and Leeds United.
A more detailed statement will be made later in the day.
Leeds Official Site NEW MANAGER APPOINTED 23 Dec 2008
Simon Grayson has been appointed as the new manager...
Simon Grayson has been appointed the new manager of Leeds United.
The 39-year-old joins the club after a six-year stint at Blackpool, first as a player then as manager, during which he guided the Seasiders to their highest league placing for over 40 years.
Grayson presided over the Blackpool side which won the League One Play-Off final in 2007 to secure Championship status.
The Yorkshireman also enjoyed a 17-year playing career that saw him make over 500 career appearances.
Simon started his career at Elland Road as an apprentice and made two senior appearances for the club before joining Leicester City in 1992.
From Leicester he enjoyed successful stints in the Premier League with Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers before loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday, Stockport County, Notts County, and Bradford City.
His playing career ended after a century of appearances for Blackpool when, following a successful spell as player-caretaker manager he was handed the managerial job on a permanent basis in the summer of 2006.
Grayson takes over at Leeds United with immediate effect
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Post by londonranger on Dec 23, 2008 17:04:53 GMT
Do we still have Rehmann? Gorkss stays!. He is playing better than Stewart these days.
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Post by QPR Report on Dec 24, 2008 10:35:02 GMT
Blackpool Chairman reporting club to the football league. Now where have I seen that before?!
(Seriously: Good luck to Blackpool - Maybe gets Leeds another 10 points deducted)
Yorkshire Evening Post
Blackpool accuse Leeds of cavalier attitude
By Lee Sobot
Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston has accused Leeds United of having a "cavalier" attitude but says the Simon Grayson affair "won't get ugly."
Oyston is unhappy at the circumstances surrounding Grayson's appointment as Elland Road boss and has reported the Whites to the Football League as well as taking out legal proceedings.
Blackpool refused to give Leeds permission to speak to their then manager and also did not accept Grayson's subsequent resignation, with the 39-year-old still having 18 months left on his contract at Bloomfield Road.
The Blackpool chief is now leaving matters to the Football League and legal advisors but feels United's behaviour is a result of their feelings of injustice when the club were docked 15 points last season.
However, while clearly unhappy with the Whites, Oyston has denied relations between the two clubs will deteriorate further.
"It won't get ugly - we'll put our cases forward and let the (Football) League panel decide," he said.
"I think Leeds have got a bit of siege mentality since they got the points deduction and they seem to be cavalier with rules and whether they should adhere to them.
"That's the issue I think here."
Controversial or otherwise, Oyston admits the Whites have snapped up a hugely talented young manager.
"He was always destined for great things," said Oyston.
"I am surprised he has taken a step back a division but I know he has got a personal affinity with Leeds so from that point of view it was hardly surprising.
"I'm not going to let personalities get in the way of what Simon's achievements have been since he has been at Blackpool - he's a really great bloke and a fantastic manager so I do wish him the best of luck.
"The only issues I have got are with the people in charge at Leeds."
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Post by eusebio13 on Dec 24, 2008 11:50:38 GMT
I was hoping for a Bates v Oyston slagfest over Christmas, tis is all too civil
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Post by QPR Report on Dec 25, 2008 9:35:49 GMT
Leeds are one of those clubs who think rules don't apply to them. Well I guess they need to be taught another lesson!
BBC - Leeds reported over Grayson move
Grayson becomes the ninth Leeds boss in 10 years
Blackpool have reported Leeds United to the Football League after the League One club named Simon Grayson as their new manager.
The Seasiders claim they rejected five approaches from Leeds and did not accept Grayson's resignation.
The Championship club are also seeking legal advice over an alleged breach of contract by Grayson.
Leeds chairman Ken Bates has insisted his club did nothing wrong in the process that led to Grayson's move.
Bates told Yorkshire Radio that after his initial approach was rejected "that was the end of it" until Blackpool put the news in the public domain.
He added that Grayson was appointed only after resigning as Blackpool boss.
"Simon saw Blackpool's chairman and they had a disagreement because he felt he'd done a good job there. He wanted this opportunity, and they were stood in his way," said Bates.
"He then resigned. As a free agent, we then offered him the job at Leeds."
606: DEBATE
He's done well at Blackpool and we're not in a position to attract world-class managers
BigJacksBlackBook
However, in a statement on their website Blackpool have criticised the actions of Leeds.
"The board feel Leeds have acted completely unprofessionally and underhandedly and have shown a total disregard for the rules and regulations that govern football," said the statement.
They have reported Leeds for an alleged breach of Football League regulations 20.1 and 20.2.
Regulation 20.1 states that no club shall take any steps to induce or attempt to induce another club's employee to terminate his contract of employment with that other club.
Regulation 20.2 states that no club will make contact or enter into negotiations relating to the the employment of another club's employee.
Why should we let Leeds think they get away with such a blatant disregard for the rules?
Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston
The statement also claims that Leeds made their final approach after they had rejected Grayson's letter of resignation.
"At 12.15pm, the club were notified that Leeds United 'had been aware' that Simon Grayson had resigned from the club's employment and that he had accepted their offer of employment as manager and that he had signed a contract with Leeds," the statement added.
Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston also considered taking out an injunction to prevent Grayson from taking charge of Leeds on Boxing Day.
"Why should we let Leeds think they get away with such a blatant disregard for the rules?," said Oyston.
"If it was legally possibly we would have pushed hard for an injunction against Simon Grayson to stop him taking charge of Leeds.
"But it's not easy to get in front of a High Court judge at this time of year.
"I think Leeds knew that and that's a point that we will be making in our case against them."
Grayson, 39, succeeds Gary McAllister, who was sacked on Sunday after a run of five straight defeats.
And Bates explained why he had opted for the former Leeds trainee.
"We're delighted to welcome Simon to the club," added Bates.
"I like him and he has a real personality, which is important. He's got a good track record, he knows our opponents, he knows the level we're at and he can get us out.
"He started his career here and he knows the club. He's a Yorkshireman as well and we have to have someone who is committed to living and working in this area."
Grayson guided Blackpool to promotion to the Championship in 2007 after two years in charge.
As a player he made two senior appearances for the Elland Road club before joining Leicester City in 1992. A £1.3m move to Villa followed five years later.
"When the opportunity came to come here I couldn't wait to be involved as quickly as possible," Grayson told the Leeds website.
"It's a massive club and close to my heart, having played here before and supporting the club. The size and the ambition is obviously an attraction as well.
"I had a great time at Blackpool. I had a great rapport with the fans and the board. I certainly wouldn't have dropped down a division for any other club and I feel this is the next stage of my managerial career.
"I know there is an expectancy level and it's a challenge I'm looking forward to."
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