Latest news with #Leeds'
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Premier League star wows thousands of fans as he plays guitar on stage with the Kaiser Chiefs at huge anniversary gig
THE Kaiser Chiefs pulled off the loan transfer coup of the summer - in front of thousands of delirious fans. Leeds' promotion-winning striker Patrick Bamford joined the rockers' homecoming gig on stage with a guitar. 4 Patrick Bamford seemed to enjoy his cameo almost as much as winning promotion back to the Premier League... almost! 4 Kalvin Phillips tagged in Patrick Bamford and Middlesbrough's ex-Leeds hero Luke Ayling in his Instagram post 4 Bamford made a crowd-pleasing appearance Kalvin Phillips then heightened talk of a return to Elland Road by labelling his former team-mate a "legend" for his cameo. Bamford electrified the atmosphere at Leeds' Temple Newsam still further as the crowd loved his surprise cameo. The Kaiser Chiefs are best known for their massive hit I Predict a Riot, which was also the theme tune for the Whites' party after Championship title glory last month. But no-one predicted Bamford's appearance at the gig on the 20th anniversary of the group's first album. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL GREAT OFFER Get £30 bonus for horse racing and 50 free spins when you stake £10 with Tote The 31-year-old, who won a single England cap four years ago, also went down memory lane - or Elland Road - with his choice of shirt for the event. He wore a Leeds top from 2000-01 with 'Viduka 9' on the back. Ex-frontman Mark Viduka, 49, had his longest spell in English football with the Whites - from 2000-2004. And he too reacted to Bamford's guitar-playing cameo. 4 The Kaiser Chiefs added to the party mood across the city BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK But it's just possible Viduka was referring to the hitman's kit rather than his musical ability as the Aussie posted: "What a privilege." Bamford's effort was all the more remarkable as it followed Leeds' prolonged celebrations, including a trip to Vegas, after they pipped Burnley to the second-tier crown. Inside Leeds stars' wild title celebrations as Bamford and Ampadu 'leave Burnley fanbase in meltdown' with karaoke song Daniel Farke's side are returning to the Premier League after two seasons out. And many reckon Phillips will be making his own comeback - to Elland Road. The 29-year-old has had a dire three years away after joining Manchester City, typified by injury and then mediocre loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich. Phillips bigged up Bamford on Instagram as he responded to the star's rocking intervention by posting: "What an absolute legend". That's also the status Phillips had at his hometown club Leeds. But the anchorman he could be out for two months following surgery on an Achilles problem. And for now Wham Bam is the man - thanks to the Chiefs. One fan raved: "Crowd were amazing and a lot of fun was had! Cameo performance from P Bamford an absolute highlight!!' Another wrote: "Great day out at what was a mini-festival more than a gig. Kaiser Chiefs were amazing, bringing Patrick Bamford and the Championship trophy out on stage added to a very Leeds-centric gig (so many LUFC shirts there)."
The Herald Scotland
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Ryan Hall says resurgent Leeds looking to challenge at top of Super League
It is no coincidence that Leeds' resurgence after two dismal seasons of missing out of the play-offs should come hand-in-hand with the return of Hall, a cult figure at Headingley who won six Grand Finals before departing his boyhood club in 2018. Ryan Hall believes he can continue adding to his huge Leeds trophy haul (Danny Lawson/PA) Advancing years have not dimmed the hunger of 37-year-old Hall to add to his collection of silverware before he finally hangs up his boots. 'I can't write an essay which some people might find easy, but I can score tries in the corner,' said Hall, who continues to motor clear on the all-time list with 259 to his name after eclipsing the then record holder Danny McGuire – now Castleford boss – last year. 'I love what I do and it's moments like that which reinforce that. As soon as I lose my passion for rugby, that might be the time I give it up, but I haven't lost that yet. It keeps me smiling and I am loving it at the minute.' "HALL HALL HALL!" 🤯 Ryan Hall in the last minute has pinched it back for @leedsrhinos 🦏#SuperLeague — Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 16, 2025 After two turbulent years Leeds have settled under current head coach Brad Arthur, who has managed to mould an eclectic mix of experience, in the likes of Hall and Jake Connor, who has excelled in a makeshift half-back role, with emerging youngsters like Hall's fellow winger Riley Lumb. It has raised realistic hopes that Leeds will return to the post-season stages and perhaps go on to grace Old Trafford for the first time since 2022. 'We want to stay in the top four and not just do that, we want to creep up and catch those above us,' added Hall. 'Leeds over the last six or seven years have really been struggling. It was hard to put your finger on what they were missing, but I can genuinely say now we are a good team. 'There games we've lost this year, apart from the one at Catalans, have been a narrow loss and we had realistic chances to win those games. 'If things had gone differently, we could have been sat at the top of the league with only one loss to our name.'
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jose Mourinho tipped to replace 'Championship manager' Daniel Farke at Leeds
Daniel Farke recently led Leeds to automatic promotion back to the Premier League but questions about his future have been raised and Jose Mourinho has been tipped to replace him Leeds have been told that Jose Mourinho would be a 'good candidate' to replace Daniel Farke, who's been labelled a ' Championship manager'. German boss Farke is fresh off celebrating Leeds' promotion back to the Premier League, having clinched the second-tier title on the final day. But the jubilation came amid reports that Leeds were considering sacking Farke and appointing a manager who's proven in the Premier League. There aren't many managers still working today who are as experienced in the English top flight as Mourinho, currently in charge of Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Ex-Leeds defender Stephen Warnock believes that his former club need someone like Mourinho to consolidate their Premier League status, revealing that he would 'probably' sack Farke, whose two top-flight spells with Norwich ended in relegation and the sack. "I still think Daniel Farke could leave Leeds before the Premier League because in my opinion he's a Championship manager," Warnock told Casino Apps. "I understand why it could happen and if I were the Leeds owners, I would probably make the same decision as well - he's not a Premier League manager for me. "If the owners do replace him, then they need to go with someone who's experienced and knows the league. Leeds fans probably won't like me saying this, but I'd possibly be looking at the likes of Jose Mourinho. "He's not going to win them the league, but he's knows enough about the league to keep them there. I think he'd be a good candidate to do that." Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe, however, declared after the club's title triumph that Farke, 48, was 'his man'. "I'm very excited to run it back with Daniel and collaborate with him," Marathe confirmed to BBC Radio Leeds. "I'm under no illusions that it is going to be easy. The past two seasons the three promoted teams came straight back down but we have something they don't have, we have Daniel Farke first of all... I have ended the speculation. He is my man." Should Leeds sack Daniel Farke and appoint Jose Mourinho? Have your say in the comments section. Aside from Farke's future, Warnock is confident that Leeds will be able to survive the drop next season - but it depends on recruitment. "I think Leeds can stay up in the Premier League next season, but they need to sign players," he continued. "Elland Road is a fantastic place to play football and it will be difficult for teams to come and visit, so they need to make sure their home form is strong throughout, but it's all about the transfer business they do in the summer."
New York Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NBA's Larry Nance Jr. on his Leeds United ownership: ‘Tallest Leeds fan in the world'
The Old Peacock pub was packed with Leeds United supporters. The classic alehouse is a stone's throw away from Leeds' home ground, and on April 28, the fans were in a celebratory mood. It was two hours before the last home match of the season against Bristol City and the beer was flowing. Leeds had earned promotion to the Premier League for the 2025-2026 season a week prior following a 6-0 win over Stoke City. After two years in the second division, a return to England's top flight was an expected reward after Leeds' 100-point campaign in the Championship. Advertisement Among the crowd at the Peacock that day, and easy to spot in his Leeds shirt and yellow bucket hat, was NBA power forward Larry Nance Jr. The 6-foot 8-inch, 10-year NBA veteran became a minority stakeholder of Leeds United in 2023, buying in through Leeds owner 49ers Enterprises. Since then, he has traveled to West Yorkshire whenever possible to take in the fervent atmosphere that is synonymous with the club. 'When everybody started getting off work it just filled up to the brim,' Nance told The Athletic. 'It was nothing but Leeds fans in there singing and drinking and just having a great time.' At first, Nance would go relatively unnoticed when he visited. 'I could be anonymous, which was fun,' he said. From the Peacock he made the short walk to Elland Road with a group of friends. With a yellow scarf in hand, he witnessed Leeds' commanding 4-0 win over Bristol. For Nance, watching the team that he invested in play like a Premier League-caliber squad was a euphoric experience. A week later Leeds was crowned league champion after besting Burnley on goal differential on the last matchday of the season. Nance, though, felt that the stars had aligned for him to watch an emphatic Leeds victory in person. 'It was one of the best days of my life, ever,' Nance said. 'I play basketball, but I love soccer. I love football. Outside of my wife and kids, football is the biggest part of who I am. This last time, the anonymity was over. I'm not Larry Nance the basketball player. I'm Larry Nance, the Leeds supporter.' #NewProfilePic 🏆 — Larry Nance (@Larrydn22) May 3, 2025 Asked what the beer of choice is at the Peacock, Nance laughed and said that he didn't know. He has been unable to buy a beer at the well-known establishment, no matter how hard he tries. 'Every time I've gone to get in line to get a beer, I never get a beer. I'm just handed one,' Nance said. 'Leeds fans love their team, so if we're doing well, having a good season, they're like, 'We love this guy too.' I don't know. It's some kind of lager, like a light ale, a Peroni or something in that realm. It's in a cup and they hand it to me, and I'm like, 'Yeah, thanks'.' Advertisement Nance's enthusiasm for Leeds is evident, which is refreshing in an era when American ownership in English football, and celebrity stakes in clubs across the country, has become the norm. Billionaire owners of Premier League clubs or those who acquire Championship and other lower-division sides, for example, take control of those clubs and manage them like an extension of their business portfolio. There are success stories. Wrexham FC, behind their Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have dramatically changed the club's culture and fortunes. A minority owner has a much different role, albeit often a visible one due to the trend of high-profile athletes and celebrities who are investing. In 2011, NBA icon LeBron James acquired a stake in Liverpool. Most recently, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, a Hall of Fame NBA player, joined Everton's ownership group. Kidd followed NFL greats Tom Brady (Birmingham City) and J.J. Watt (Burnley) to England. 'It's about being able to join a winner,' Kidd said in April via the Mavericks' social media account. 'I'm very lucky to have this opportunity to invest with (the Friedkin Group),' Everton, though, hasn't won a major trophy since 1995. The club will, however, unveil a new $1 billion stadium in August. Everton executive chairman Marc Watts referred to Kidd as 'a respected leader' and mentioned the NBA great's expertise in high performance as an asset. While that may be true, investing in English football is a lucrative business decision. Nance offered his own opinions on minority ownership and provided some insight into the perks that come with it. 'The biggest reason a lot of these guys are in it is because of the money,' Nance said. 'The opportunity, the money is very real. But one thing we do have as Americans is we understand how to market, license and make money off of that. And that is one thing that I would say that football, especially European football as a whole, that's where we shine. The Americans shine at generating revenue and generating all that type of stuff. It's a great investment.' Advertisement One advantage of being an investor in Leeds is the access. Nance receives match tickets when he requests them, something that is considered a treasure within the Leeds community. 'We have 25,000 people on the season ticket waitlist,' Nance said. 'It's a nightmare. So yes, you get in.' Nance is also given some behind-the-scenes information about footballing decisions. 'I know about all the stuff that's potentially going on and (what players) we're looking at. I get to know all that,' he added. 'Some of the things are just obvious to me, but I guess I've never had to explain what actually comes with it.' When Nance was announced as a minority owner, there was a report in the U.S. that suggested that he and another NBA player/Leeds investor, Indiana's T.J. McConnell, would be entrusted with returning Leeds to the Premier League. 'That is not true,' Nance said unequivocally. 'I'm a basketball player. It would be a disservice to Leeds United to think that I could make decisions and lead them back to the Premier League. I wouldn't dare overstep my bounds like that. We probably are kept privy to things more than most, but it's not like 'Hey, Larry, we're considering signing Manor Solomon from Tottenham. What do you think?' My role is basically the tallest Leeds fan in the world. That's my claim.' But what about his investment? 'If I can be 100 percent honest with you, I hope I never see my investment in Leeds United ever again,' Nance said. 'If it triples, if it doubles, if it quadruples, I hope I never see that money again. Which means I just get to stay with my chunk and be a part of this historic club that I've fallen in love with.' Nance has a collection of football shirts that are part of his standard wardrobe. Some of his favorites are a vintage Brazil national team Pelé jersey and a 1986 version of Argentina's away kit with Diego Maradona's iconic No. 10 on the back. A Samuel Eto'o Cameroon national team jersey is a preferred choice, too. Advertisement Nance used to have an assortment of Premier League jerseys, but that changed in 2023. 'There are no other English clubs in my closet anymore. I won't do that,' he said. 'Some of the legends like Pelé, (Lionel) Messi, and Eto'o, they get to stay. But I won't wear anything other than Leeds that's English from here on out.' Nance's attraction to English football, he said, is aligned with his own personality as a hardened competitor. Nance joined the Atlanta Hawks as part of a multi-player trade in June of last year. His decade-long NBA career has included stints with the Lakers, the team that drafted him, his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland and New Orleans before arriving in Atlanta. A versatile big man who is known for his high basketball IQ and blue-collar mentality, Nance missed the late portion of the NBA season after suffering a knee injury in February. The Hawks qualified for the play-in round as the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference, but Atlanta lost those games to the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat and failed to advance to the playoffs. Nance's experience and rugged style of play were missed. He managed to make a bit of a fashion statement, though. Nance was on the bench for both games. Against the Magic he wore a 2001 Robbie Keane Leeds jersey. Nance then appeared in a Lucas Radebe alternate Leeds kit against the Heat. The images made the rounds on social media, as Leeds fans exalted Nance's sense of style. In the fashion-forward world of the NBA, Nance was happy to be an outlier. 'I've never been like a walk-in guy, you know. High fashion, that's not my lane,' he said. 'I wasn't necessarily aware that it caught some attention, but it's kind of cool that it did. I do take great pride in some of my football kits and that's something that I'll have to do more of next year. I've got an entire closet full.' His acumen in Leeds history debunked the notion that athletes and celebrity minority owners aren't truly engaged with the clubs they've invested in. Nance lauded Radebe's contributions as a former Leeds captain and he made a point to clarify that Keane spent a brief period at Elland Road on loan from Inter Milan. Nance then casually mentioned former Leeds manager Don Revie when discussing Leeds' yesteryears. Advertisement Nance also spoke highly of current Leeds manager Daniel Farke and praised the German's 'connection to the players.' 'Last year we didn't go up and we're one of the first teams ever to not go up from the Championship on 90 points,' Nance said. '(Farke) has earned the chance to show over the course of two seasons that 'I'm the right guy for the job'.' But mention Marcelo Bielsa to Nance and he reacts like a true Leeds supporter. Despite not yet being a Leeds investor during the Argentine's two seasons at the club, Nance admired Bielsa's style of play from afar. 'I adore Marcelo Bielsa,' he said. 'A manager who got us promoted and then finished ninth in his next season? Please, please if you've got any years left we'd love you.' On American Jesse Marsch's tumultuous spell as Leeds manager in 2022-2023, Nance was diplomatic when asked about his countryman, comparing Marsch's succession of Bielsa to what occurred with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. Mitch Johnson, 38, replaced the legendary Gregg Popovich, who in May stepped down as Spurs coach after 29 seasons. 'I've never spoken to (Marsch), but I've heard nothing but really great things about how he conducted himself and how everybody appreciated him around Leeds. But you're the guy replacing 'Pop' in San Antonio. That's really hard. Those are big shoes to fill.' Nance has good rapport and regularly texts with several first-team players. They relate to each other as athletes, he said. Still, one player whom Nance has not yet met formally is American winger Brenden Aaronson, but he sees something in the 24-year-old that he recognizes. 'I'm a Brenden fan. I see a lot of my basketball play style in him,' Nance said. 'No real gaudy numbers in terms of goal output. But if you look at all the in-between numbers, the tactical side of the game, we are better with him on the pitch versus off.' What he called the 'rabid' nature of English football has long appealed to Nance. He said that he watches the Championship 'religiously' and referred to the league as 'managerial-based,' adding that the talent level and physical demands of England's second division has surprised him. 'I'm just so thankful that I don't have to play in it,' Nance said. Advertisement '(In the NBA) we play 82 games a year. Some guys are still playing,' he added. 'I wasn't fortunate enough to but that's close to 100 games in a year. (Championship) players are putting in marathons. I'm exaggerating but soccer is a way more physical game than it's perceived to be in America. It's 46 games, plus the FA Cup, plus the domestic cups and all that. It is just an absolute grind.' And when asked about his thoughts on promotion and relegation, Nance answered decisively. 'I love it. It's something to really fight and play for.' American athletes aren't exposed to the pressures of relegation football. Intense scrutiny is part of American sports culture, but the consequences of a failed season don't compare to the often devastating nature of being dropped to a lower division. 'If the Hawks lose every single game next year, there's no real punishment other than losing those games,' Nance said. 'As a competitor I am not really a fan of that approach. I love the fact that you've got to keep fighting for something. Now, we can never have (relegation) because we have a salary cap. But I love the general idea behind it.' Nance admitted that he doesn't watch MLS, although it's a league he'd like to learn more about. In March, owners of the United Soccer League (USL), which includes the second and third tiers of American soccer, voted to implement promotion and relegation by 2028. Nance was unaware of that plan but left the door open to becoming involved. 'It definitely piques my interest,' he said. 'It's not something that I would dive head first into right now. But if it was looking all right, I'd jump right into it.' Back at the Old Peacock, Nance feels at home. He has enjoyed meeting Leeds supporters and having conversations with them about Daniel James' 12-goal, nine assist season. Before Leeds kicked off against Bristol, Leeds supporters asked Nance about promotion to the Premier League and what he believes the club needs in terms of reinforcements. He appreciates that the topics of discussion always relate to football. Advertisement 'It's general conversations about the team and the sport that we love,' said Nance. 'It's not about basketball, which after a year of balling, I'm done talking about that, you know? I'm glad that they don't want to know what it's like to guard LeBron. I answer that 12 times a day. 'Of course they ask me, 'What's your aim here? Why us?'' And I just have the most genuine answers for them. Because I love you. It's truly because I'm passionate about this sport. This is one of the biggest clubs in the world.' Nance referred to his relationship with the club as a journey, one that he is happy to traverse whether Leeds is in the Premier League or battling for promotion in the future. 'I don't know what's next. But what I hope is next is a long, happy and healthy stay in the Premier League,' he said. 'I have no idea if we'll be in League Two in four years, but I promise you if I'm still in the NBA, I'm still going to wear my Keane and (Tony) Yeboah jerseys. Whatever happens, I'm there for it.' (Top photo courtesy of Larry Nance Jr./Illustration: The Athletic)
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leeds must put everything into summer recruitment
For the first time in decades Leeds United have owners with deep pockets and a competent board and management team who can match pragmatism with ambition. And they will need all that nous to navigate this summer's transfer market. No one can say who will make the step up to the Premier League within the squad. But there is a core group of players who I imagine would and that includes Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Jayden Bogle, Ao Tanaka and Dan James. I would imagine the club are working on a deal to bring Manor Solomon back, as well as considering the merits of a new contract for Junior Firpo. The two linked up on Leeds' left side to great success last season. Chairman Paraag Marathe confirmed sales will have to be made to ensure the club's position against financial fair play rules. This means any sales would have to represent a profit on the balance sheet. So it would not surprise me should Illan Meslier be sold. The Frenchman fell out of favour towards the end of the season and could attract a price tag that would surpass what Leeds paid for him. One player fans might expect Leeds to sell is Brenden Aaronson. But I do not see him attracting an offer that would secure a profit, and despite his deficiencies in possession, he has excelled without the ball in disrupting opposition teams' passing play. Leeds will be defending far more in the Premier League than in the Championship and will need to adjust their strategy to survive, and that includes recruitment and retention. United are back where the club and city deserve to be but they must put everything they have into this summer's transfer window if they want to stay up. Latest Leeds United news, analysis and fan views Follow Leeds United in the BBC Sport app Listen to the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast
