Leeds United A.F.C. season 2008-09
Encyclopedia
This article details Leeds United A.F.C.'s
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...

 2008–09 season
The Football League 2008-09
The Football League 2008–09, titled the Coca-Cola Football League, was the 109th completed season of the Football League. It began in August 2008 and concluded in May 2009, with the promotion play-off finals....

 in League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....

. This season was Leeds' second consecutive season in the third tier of English football
Football in England
Association football is a national sport in England, where the first modern set of rules for the code were established in 1863, which were a major influence on the development of the modern Laws of the Game...

 and for the second year running saw them finish in the play-offs. Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister MBE is a Scottish former professional footballer.McAllister played primarily as a midfielder, in a successful career spanning over nineteen years. He started his career at local side Motherwell before moving south of the border to Leicester City at the age of 20...

 started the season as boss, but after a poor run of games in late 2008, his contact was terminated and he was replaced by Simon Grayson
Simon Grayson
Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....

. After a nervy first few games, Grayson lifted the side from 8th to 4th, resulting in a place in the play-offs. During this time, the club recorded an incredible 11 consecutive home wins. Although to the heartbreak of Leeds fans, the club failed in the play-offs again, being defeated by Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...

 in the semi-finals. During the season, Jermaine Beckford
Jermaine Beckford
Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

 scored 34 goals in all competitions - the highest in the country
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

. Once again, the club received the highest attendance outside the Premier League on three occasions; the largest in the play-off semi final, recording a crowd of over 37,000. Off the pitch, the club made a profit for the first time in years.

Events

This is a list of the significant events to occur at the club during the 2008–09 season, presented in chronological order (starting from 26 May 2008 and ending on 14 May 2009). This list does not include transfers or new contracts, which are listed in the transfers section below, or match results, which are in the matches section.

May

  • 27 May: Leeds Chairman, Ken Bates
    Ken Bates
    Kenneth William Bates is a British businessman and football executive. The current chairman and now owner of Leeds United AFC, Bates was previously chairman and majority shareholder of Chelsea FC from 1982 until 2003....

     denies claims that Canadian sports firm, Maple Leaf Sports are in talks to take over the club.

June

  • 4 June: Leeds confirm they have had talks with out-of-contract West Bromwich Albion
    West Bromwich Albion F.C.
    West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...

     striker, Kevin Phillips
    Kevin Phillips (footballer)
    Kevin Mark Phillips is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Blackpool.Phillips was the Premier League top scorer in the 1999–2000 season with 30 goals for Sunderland, a tally which won him the European Golden Shoe. He remains the only Englishman to win the trophy...

    , regarding a move to Elland Road
    Elland Road
    Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...

    . However, the former England
    England national football team
    The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...

     international's agent says that it would be "unlikely" that Phillips would move to Leeds. Duncan Revie, the son of the late Leeds manager, Don
    Don Revie
    Donald George 'Don' Revie, OBE, , was an English footballer who played for Leicester City, Hull City, Sunderland, Manchester City and Leeds United as a deep-lying centre forward. After managing Leeds United he managed England from 1974 until 1977...

     says he is still interested in buying the club. Meanwhile, thieves steal an England
    England national football team
    The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...

     shirt worn by Don during the 1954-55 season.
  • 6 June: Chairman, Ken Bates
    Ken Bates
    Kenneth William Bates is a British businessman and football executive. The current chairman and now owner of Leeds United AFC, Bates was previously chairman and majority shareholder of Chelsea FC from 1982 until 2003....

     denies rumours that the club have bought back their stadium, Elland Road
    Elland Road
    Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...

     which is currently owned by the company, Teak Commercial Limited.
  • 16 June: The fixtures for the 2008-09
    The Football League 2008-09
    The Football League 2008–09, titled the Coca-Cola Football League, was the 109th completed season of the Football League. It began in August 2008 and concluded in May 2009, with the promotion play-off finals....

     League One
    Football League One
    Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....

     season are released. Leeds start away
    Glanford Park
    Glanford Park is a football stadium in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, and the current home of Scunthorpe United. It is the smallest stadium by capacity in the Championship ....

     at Scunthorpe United
    Scunthorpe United F.C.
    Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....

     on 9 August, with their first home
    Elland Road
    Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...

     game against Oldham Athletic
    Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
    Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...

     a week later. The club's final match of the season is against Northampton Town
    Northampton Town F.C.
    Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...

     at Elland Road
    Elland Road
    Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...

    .
  • 26 June: A friendly match scheduled for 30 July against Rotherham United
    Rotherham United F.C.
    Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...

     is cancelled due to the "reputation" of the Leeds fans.

July

  • 4 July: The Leeds team return from their holidays for pre-season training. Leeds' opponents for the friendly match on 2 August at Elland Road
    Elland Road
    Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...

     are changed from Sporting Lokeren to FCV Dender after Lokeren struggle to get visas for their full team.
  • 9 July: Assistant manager, Steve Staunton
    Steve Staunton
    Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...

     is charged with a breach of FA
    The Football Association
    The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...

     rule E3 following comments he allegedly made to FA doping controllers after the club's defeat to Doncaster Rovers
    Doncaster Rovers F.C.
    Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...

     at Wembley
    Wembley Stadium
    The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...

     on 25 May 2008.
  • 10 July: The club's new kit for the 2008-09 season is revealed, with a full white home strip, a light blue/dark blue away kit and a full yellow alternative away kit. The club encounter contractual issues with the company who had agreed and signed a two-year contract with the club on 26 May 2008 to be the new shirt sponsor. The problem will force the team to wear shirts without a sponsor for the friendly against York City on the 11th..
  • 14 July: Gary McAllister
    Gary McAllister
    Gary McAllister MBE is a Scottish former professional footballer.McAllister played primarily as a midfielder, in a successful career spanning over nineteen years. He started his career at local side Motherwell before moving south of the border to Leicester City at the age of 20...

     leaves out Sébastien Carole, Anthony Elding
    Anthony Elding
    Anthony Lee Elding is an English footballer, currently playing as a striker for Conference National side Grimsby Town....

    , Trésor Kandol
    Tresor Kandol
    Trésor Osmar Kandol is a Congolese international footballer. He is currently a free agent after being released by Spanish second division club Albacete. Before playing for Albacete he played for Barnet, Chesham United, Darlington, Dagenham & Redbridge, Thurrock, Bournemouth, Cambridge United,...

    , Sebastian Sorsa
    Sebastian Sorsa
    Sebastian 'Seba' Sorsa is a Finnish footballer who is under contract by HJK Helsinki.- Career :After a successful winter trial, Sorsa signed for Leeds United, joining on an 18-month contract in a Bosman transfer from Finnish side HJK Helsinki on 2 January 2008.Sorsa failed to break into the Leeds...

    , Ian Westlake
    Ian Westlake
    Ian John Westlake is an English professional footballer, currently playing for the Montreal Impact of the North American Soccer League.-Early career:...

    , Curtis Weston
    Curtis Weston
    Curtis James Weston is an English professional footballer who plays for Gillingham.-Playing career:...

     from his squad for the pre-season tour of Ireland. Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

     and Neil Kilkenny
    Neil Kilkenny
    Neil Martin Kilkenny is an English-born Australian football player who plays for Bristol City as a midfielder. He is a member of the Australia national team.-Early life and career:...

     miss out due to international duty.
  • 29 July: Leeds agree a three-year shirt sponsorship deal with online travel company NetFlights.com.

August

  • 1 August: The squad numbers for the new season are revealed. Most notably, Carole, Westlake
    Ian Westlake
    Ian John Westlake is an English professional footballer, currently playing for the Montreal Impact of the North American Soccer League.-Early career:...

    , Weston
    Curtis Weston
    Curtis James Weston is an English professional footballer who plays for Gillingham.-Playing career:...

     and Bayly
    Robert Bayly
    Robert Bayly is an Irish footballer currently unattached who last played for Bohemians in the League of Ireland Premier Division.His two uncles Ritchie Bayly and Martin Bayly had distinguished careers in the League of Ireland....

     are demoted to numbers 35, 37, 40 and 41 respectively, suggesting their careers at Elland Road
    Elland Road
    Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...

     may be coming to an end.
  • 9 August: Frazer Richardson
    Frazer Richardson
    Frazer Richardson is an English professional footballer who plays for Southampton. He had been Leeds' longest-serving player, and in 2009 was the only member of the Leeds squad who was with the club when relegated from the Premiership in 2004.- Leeds United :Richardson made his Leeds debut as a...

     is named as Leeds' club captain for the 2008-09 season. Leeds win their opening game of the season with a 2-1 away victory over Scunthorpe United
    Scunthorpe United F.C.
    Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....

    .
  • 29 August: The club confirm they have been charged by the FA
    The Football Association
    The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...

     with making payments to an unlicensed agent during the transfer of Anthony Elding
    Anthony Elding
    Anthony Lee Elding is an English footballer, currently playing as a striker for Conference National side Grimsby Town....

     from Crewe Alexandra
    Crewe Alexandra F.C.
    Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...

     in January 2008.
  • 30 August: The club's new home shirt is made available for the first time in the official club shop.

September

  • 3 September: Leeds' first goal against Bristol Rovers
    Bristol Rovers F.C.
    Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....

     on 30 August is awarded to Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

     after there was initial confusion where the goal had in fact been an own goal by Bristol defender, Steve Elliott. The club plead guilty to the FA
    The Football Association
    The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...

     charge in regard to payments to unlicensed agents in the Elding
    Anthony Elding
    Anthony Lee Elding is an English footballer, currently playing as a striker for Conference National side Grimsby Town....

     transfer.
  • 6 September: The club announce that OHS will be the club's secondary shirt sponsor for a further two seasons. OHS were the club's secondary shirt sponsors in the 2007-08 season
    Leeds United A.F.C. season 2007-08
    This article details Leeds United A.F.C.'s 2007–08 season in League One. This season was Leeds' first ever season in the third tier of English football and saw them finish in the play-offs. Dennis Wise started the season as boss, but left the club in January 2008 to join Newcastle as Executive...

     as well.
  • 27 September: The club's new away shirt is made available for the first time in the official club shop and online.
  • 30 September: The club are fined £7,500, with a further suspended fine of £12,500, for using an unlicensed agent in the transfer of Anthony Elding
    Anthony Elding
    Anthony Lee Elding is an English footballer, currently playing as a striker for Conference National side Grimsby Town....

     from Stockport County
    Stockport County F.C.
    Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...

     in January.

October

  • 27 October: Plans for the re-development of the East Stand of Elland Road
    Elland Road
    Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...

     are revealed. As part of the re-development, a hotel, arcade, shops, restaurants, bars, nightclub, office block and a new club shop will be built.

November

  • 27 November: The club directors reveal that the audited accounts for the 14-month period to the 30th June 2008 show the club have made a profit of £4,553,000. The club also announce that due to savings on VAT, ticket prices as of 1 January 2009 will feature a £1 reduction.

December

  • 13 December: Leeds defender, Paul Huntington
    Paul Huntington
    Paul Huntington is an English professional footballer. He plays primarily in the centre half position and currently plays for Yeovil Town.-Newcastle United:...

     is given a three match ban (suspended until May 2010) and fined £1,500 following his gestures towards the Carlisle United
    Carlisle United F.C.
    Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....

     fans at their defeat to Leeds at Elland Road
    Elland Road
    Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...

     in April.
  • 18 December: The club's first team coach, Neil McDonald leaves to become new Blackburn Rovers
    Blackburn Rovers F.C.
    Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....

     manager, Sam Allardyce's
    Sam Allardyce
    Samuel "Sam" Allardyce , nicknamed "Big Sam", is an English football manager and former professional player. In June 2011 he was appointed as manager of West Ham United....

     assistant.
  • 21 December: Gary McAllister
    Gary McAllister
    Gary McAllister MBE is a Scottish former professional footballer.McAllister played primarily as a midfielder, in a successful career spanning over nineteen years. He started his career at local side Motherwell before moving south of the border to Leicester City at the age of 20...

     is sacked as Leeds' manager after 11 months in charge of the club.
  • 22 December: Assistant Manager, Steve Staunton
    Steve Staunton
    Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...

     parts company with the club following Gary McAllister's
    Gary McAllister
    Gary McAllister MBE is a Scottish former professional footballer.McAllister played primarily as a midfielder, in a successful career spanning over nineteen years. He started his career at local side Motherwell before moving south of the border to Leicester City at the age of 20...

     dismissal. Reserve Team Manager, Neil Thompson
    Neil Thompson
    Neil Thompson is an English former footballer who played in defence, chiefly on the left side of the pitch, for Scarborough, Ipswich Town and Barnsley amongst others. Thompson subsequently became a football coach and had spells at York City, Scarborough and Boston United as player-manager...

     and Goalkeeping Coach, Andy Beasley are put in charge of first team training until a new manager is appointed. Blackpool
    Blackpool F.C.
    Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...

     turn down Leeds' approach for their manager, Simon Grayson
    Simon Grayson
    Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....

    .
  • 23 December: Blackpool
    Blackpool F.C.
    Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...

     announce they will be taking legal action against Leeds following Simon Grayson's
    Simon Grayson
    Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....

     decision to tender his resignation which was rejected by Blackpool's directors. Several hours later, Leeds appoint Grayson as their new manager.
  • 26 December: The club announce that former Blackburn
    Blackburn Rovers F.C.
    Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....

    , Leicester
    Leicester City F.C.
    Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...

     and Wolves
    Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
    Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...

     coach, Ian Miller has joined Simon Grayson's
    Simon Grayson
    Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....

     new coaching team.
  • 29 December: Midfield starlet, Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

     is charged with drink driving following an incident on 23 December. Manager, Simon Grayson
    Simon Grayson
    Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....

     states that Delph is not for sale after it is reported that Arsenal
    Arsenal F.C.
    Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...

     and Newcastle United
    Newcastle United F.C.
    Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...

     are ready to launch a bid for the 19 year old in the January transfer window.

January

  • 1 January: Leeds' academy is re-structured with Daral Pugh being promoted from Under 18s Manager to Assistant Academy Manager, with responsibilities for under-16s. Neil Redfearn
    Neil Redfearn
    Neil David Redfearn is an English former footballer and manager who is currently under-18s coach and reserve team manager at Leeds United....

     joins the club to replace Pugh as Under-18s Manager..
  • 3 January: The away match at Hereford United
    Hereford United F.C.
    Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...

     is postponed to due a frozen pitch.
  • 17 January: Leeds rejects bids from two un-named Premiership clubs for starlet, Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

    .

February

  • 2 February: Glynn Snodin
    Glynn Snodin
    Glynn Snodin is a former professional footballer who was recently an assistant manager at Leeds United...

     returns to the club as Assistant Manager having left the club as a player over 15 years ago. The away match against Leyton Orient
    Leyton Orient F.C.
    Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...

     is cancelled a day in advance because of heavy snow.
  • 11 February: Striker, Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

     is charged with violent conduct and offered a three match ban following an incident in the match against Millwall
    Millwall F.C.
    Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...

     two days earlier.
  • 13 February: Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

     pleas guilty to the violent conduct charge by the FA resulting in an automatic three match suspension.

March

  • 18 March: Following news that Sheffield United
    Sheffield United F.C.
    Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...

     have won their battle to gain compensation from West Ham
    West Ham United F.C.
    West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...

     as part of the Tevez affair, Leeds chairman, Ken Bates
    Ken Bates
    Kenneth William Bates is a British businessman and football executive. The current chairman and now owner of Leeds United AFC, Bates was previously chairman and majority shareholder of Chelsea FC from 1982 until 2003....

     confirms that the club will claim compensation from Sheffield United
    Sheffield United F.C.
    Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...

    . Sheffield's relegation in 2007 saw Leeds miss out on contingency payments in relation to Premiership survival for the transfers of Rob Hulse
    Rob Hulse
    Robert William "Rob" Hulse is an English footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers as a striker.He had primarily spent his career at second tier level, playing there with Crewe Alexandra. West Bromwich Albion, Leeds United, Sheffield United and Derby County...

    , Matthew Kilgallon
    Matthew Kilgallon
    Matthew Shaun Kilgallon is an English professional footballer currently playing for Sunderland. He is a central defender who can also operate at left back.-Leeds United:...

    , and Ian Bennett.

April

  • 9 April: The club announce that Blackpool's
    Blackpool F.C.
    Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...

     dispute with Leeds over Simon Grayson's
    Simon Grayson
    Simon Nicholas Grayson is a retired English footballer and current manager of Leeds United. He is the elder brother of cricketer Paul Grayson....

     appointment as manager of the Yorkshire
    West Yorkshire
    West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....

     club has been resolved. Leeds City Council
    Leeds City Council
    Leeds City Council is the local authority for the City of Leeds metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England.-History:The city council was established in 1974, with the first elections being held in advance in 1973...

     grant the club planning permission for their plans to redevelopment the East Stand of Elland Road
    Elland Road
    Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...

    .
  • 21 April: Leeds' place in the 2008-09
    Football League One play-offs
    The Football League One Playoffs are a series of playoff matches, contested by the teams finishing from 3rd to 6th in the NPower Football League One table to determine the third spot for promotion to the second tier of English football, the Championship....

     League One
    Football League One
    Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....

     play-offs is confirmed following Scunthorpe's
    Scunthorpe United F.C.
    Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....

     3-3 draw with Northampton
    Northampton Town F.C.
    Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...

    .
  • 28 April: The club's reserve team win their league - The Central League, Division One East and hence quality for The Central League play-offs.

May

  • 1 May: The new kit for the 2009-10 season is unveiled, featuring a new NetFlights.com logo, a white and blue collar, a blue slash adjacent to the club badge and a blue Macron logo. It is announced that the new kit will be worn for the final games of the season, starting with the final league game of the season against Northampton Town
    Northampton Town F.C.
    Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...

    .
  • 2 May: The normal league season
    Football League One 2008–09
    The Football League 2008–09 , was the seventeenth season under its current league division format. It began in August 2008 and concluded in May 2009, with the promotion play-off finals....

     comes to a close with Leeds beating Northampton
    Northampton Town F.C.
    Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...

     to finish 4th. The result means that Leeds will play Millwall
    Millwall F.C.
    Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...

     in the play-off semi finals with the 1st leg away on 9 May and the 2nd leg at home on 14 May.
  • 14 May: The club's play-off campaign comes to an end as they draw 1-1 with Millwall
    Millwall F.C.
    Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...

     resulting in a 2-1 aggregate score to Millwall.

Squad information

Appearances (starts and substitute appearances) and goals include those in The Premiership, The Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...

 (and playoffs), League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....

 (and playoffs), FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...

, League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...

, Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...

, and UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...

.

1Player first came to the club on loan and was transferred the following year.

2Player is at the club on loan


Squad includes players registered with the club on the last day of the season (14 May 2009) only.

Squad stats


Most frequent start

Most frequent starting line-up

Most frequent starting line-up uses the team's most used formation: 4-4-2. The players used are those who have played the most games in each respective position, not necessarily who have played most games out of all the players.

Captains

Disciplinary record

Suspensions

No. P
Football (soccer) positions
In the sport of association football, each of the eleven players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players who fill various defensive, midfield and attacking positions depending on the formation deployed. These...

Name No. Matches
Banned
Reason for Suspension Notes
6 DF Michalík
Lubomír Michalík
Ľubomír Michalík is a Slovakian footballer who plays as a centre back for Carlisle United and the Slovakian national team.-Bolton Wanderers:...

1 Red card for second bookable offence
11 DF Sheehan
Alan Sheehan
Alan Michael Anthony Sheehan is an Irish footballer who plays for Notts County as a defender. His position is mainly recognised as an attacking left back and he is a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international...

3 Red card for violent conduct
15 MF Delph
Fabian Delph
Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

1 Five yellow cards
7 MF Prutton
David Prutton
David Thomas Michael Prutton is an English footballer, currently playing for Sheffield Wednesday after leaving Swindon Town, having previously played for Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Leeds United, as well as representing England at Under 21 level 25 times.- Nottingham Forest :Prutton was...

1 Red card for second bookable offence
9 FW Beckford
Jermaine Beckford
Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

3 Violent conduct Incident not spotted by referee during play.
Suspension handed after match.
10 FW Becchio
Luciano Becchio
Luciano Héctor Becchio is an Argentine footballer who plays for Leeds United as a striker. Born in Córdoba, Argentina, Becchio began his career at Boca Juniors before moving to Europe on an Italian passport, where he established himself in the Spanish lower leagues.He moved to England in the...

1 Five yellow cards
14 MF Howson
Jonathan Howson
Jonathan Mark "Jonny" Howson is an English footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Football League Championship team Leeds United. A graduate of Leeds' prolific youth system, he serves as club captain....

1 Red card for second bookable offence
9 FW Beckford
Jermaine Beckford
Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

1 Red card for second bookable offence
15 MF Delph
Fabian Delph
Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

2 Ten yellow cards

Official Player of the Year Awards

The results of the 2008-09 Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...

 Player of the Year Awards were announced at a dinner on 14 April 2008 at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...

 http://www.leedsunited.com/page/NewsroomDetail/0,,10273~1301352,00.html.
  • Fans' Player of the Year: Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

     (Runner-up: Robert Snodgrass
    Robert Snodgrass
    Robert Snodgrass is a Scottish footballer who plays for Leeds United as a winger comfortable playing on either side of the pitch. He can also play as a forward...

    )
  • Fans' Young Player of the Year: Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

     (Runner-up: Aidan White
    Aidan White (footballer)
    Aidan 'Aidy' Peter White is an English-born Irish footballer who plays for Leeds United. He made his debut for the club aged 16...

    )
  • Players' Player of the Year: Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

  • Goal of the Season: Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

     (vs Brighton
    Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
    Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....

    , 17 January)
  • Best Contribution to Community: Andy Hughes
    Andrew Hughes (footballer)
    Andrew John Hughes is an English footballer, currently playing for Charlton Athletic in League One of the English Football League. Known for his versatility, his main position is as a central midfielder, but he has also played regularly at fullback during his career...

  • Chairman's Special Award: Jonathan Douglas
    Jonathan Douglas
    Jonathan Douglas is an Irish football player who currently plays for Brentford. Douglas made his debut in the League of Ireland for Monaghan United aged 16...

     and Ben Parker
    Ben Parker (footballer)
    Benjamin Brian Colin "Ben" Parker is an English footballer who plays for Leeds United. He is a defender in the left back position though can also play at centre-back who has had loan spells with Bradford City and Darlington...


Regional Members Clubs Player of the Year Awards

  • Player of the Year: Robert Snodgrass
    Robert Snodgrass
    Robert Snodgrass is a Scottish footballer who plays for Leeds United as a winger comfortable playing on either side of the pitch. He can also play as a forward...

  • Goal of the Season: Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

     (vs Millwall
    Millwall F.C.
    Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...

    , 9 February)

Official Goal of the Month

  • August: Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

     (12 August vs Chester City
    Chester City F.C.
    Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...

    )1 http://www.leedsunited.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10273~1386955,00.html
  • September: Andy Robinson
    Andy Robinson (footballer)
    Andrew Mark "Andy" Robinson is a professional football player, who plays for Tranmere Rovers. He plays as a Winger and is comfortable playing on either side of the pitch.-Early career:...

     (6 September vs Crewe Alexandra
    Crewe Alexandra F.C.
    Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...

    ) http://www.leedsunited.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10273~1412017,00.html
  • October–January: n/a
  • February: Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

     (9 February vs Millwall
    Millwall F.C.
    Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...

    )2 http://www.sport247.tv/lufc


1Winning goal was the player's third goal in the match.
2Winning goal was the player's first goal in the match.

League One Team of the Week

The following Leeds players have been selected in the official League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....

 team of the week.

Others

  • PFA Fans' Player of the Year (League One)
    PFA Fans' Player of the Year
    The ESPN Professional Footballers' Association Fans' Player of the Year award is given to footballers in the top four flights of English football, the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two.The shortlist is compiled by the members of the Professional Footballers'...

    : Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

  • PFA Team of the Year (League One)
    PFA Team of the Year
    The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...

    : Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

  • PFA Fans' Player of the Month (League One): Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

     (September, March), Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

     (November, January)
  • The Football League Golden Boot: Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

  • League One Young Player of the Year: Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph
    Fabian Delph is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Aston Villa and has represented his country at under-21 level. He was on the books of Bradford City as a youngster until he moved to Leeds United aged just 11...

  • League One Player of the Month: Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

     (September)
  • Yorkshire Evening Post
    Yorkshire Evening Post
    The Yorkshire Evening Post is a daily evening publication published by Yorkshire Post Newspapers Ltd in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...

     Player of the Year (Leeds United): Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Beckford
    Jermaine Paul Alexander Beckford is an English footballer who plays for Leicester City as a striker. He started his career as a trainee at Chelsea...

    , (Runner-up: Robert Snodgrass
    Robert Snodgrass
    Robert Snodgrass is a Scottish footballer who plays for Leeds United as a winger comfortable playing on either side of the pitch. He can also play as a forward...

    )

In

1As the player was under the age of 23 at the time of the transfer, an undisclosed compensation package was due to the player's former club.

2Although intended to be undisclosed, it was revealed on Yorkshire Radio
Yorkshire Radio
Yorkshire Radio is a British digital radio station broadcasting to Yorkshire on DAB. The station is owned by Leeds United A.F.C. and broadcasts live coverage of all first-team games, plus pop music from the 1960s to the present day.-History:...

 on 18 April 2009 that the compensation paid to the player's former club was £35,000.

3Although intended to be undisclosed, chairman Ken Bates
Ken Bates
Kenneth William Bates is a British businessman and football executive. The current chairman and now owner of Leeds United AFC, Bates was previously chairman and majority shareholder of Chelsea FC from 1982 until 2003....

 revealed on Yorkshire Radio
Yorkshire Radio
Yorkshire Radio is a British digital radio station broadcasting to Yorkshire on DAB. The station is owned by Leeds United A.F.C. and broadcasts live coverage of all first-team games, plus pop music from the 1960s to the present day.-History:...

 on 19 May 2009 that the compensation paid to the player's former club was £300,000.

4Player originally joined the club on a non-contract basis, but signed a one year contract lasting until 2009 several weeks after.

5Player joined the club on a non-contract basis.

Out


1Player was at the club on a non-contract, pay-as-you-play deal which include a clause in which either party could cancel the agreement with 7 days notice. The player was the party that triggered the clause, resulting in his release from the club.

Loans

New Contracts

1Automatically extended until 2012 if the club is promoted to The Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...

.


2Player's first contract included an appearance related clause which was automatically triggered in March, resulting in a one year contract extension commencing in June 2009.

Kit

|
|
|
|

Non-playing staff

Includes staff currently registered with club only.

Former staff

Other information

Overall summary

1Qualified for play-offs. Lost to Millwall in the semi-final.

Table

Results summary

Results by round

Play-offs

Last updated: 15 May 2009.

Source: Competitive Matches

1Scunthorpe beat MK Dons 7-6 on penalties.

Pre-season

----

----

----

----

----

----

----
----

League One

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----

----
----

----

----
----

Football League Cup

----

----

----

----
----

Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy 2008–09
The Football League Trophy 2008–09, known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2008–09 for sponsorship reasons, is the 25th Football League Trophy, a knockout competition for English football clubs in Leagues One and Two, the third and fourth tiers of English football. Luton Town won the...

----

----
----

FA Cup

----

----

----
----

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK