Leeds United

Leeds United
Leeds United have been fined £3,000 for failing to control their players during the Coca-Cola Championship game against Gillingham at Elland Road on 12 March. United pleaded guilty to an FA misconduct charge after a 20-man brawl erupted during their 1-1 draw. The melee was sparked by an altercation between Leeds left-back Michael Gray and Gills striker Darius Henderson. Both players were sent off but the Gills successfully appealed against Henderson's red card. Gray, however, went on to serve a three-match ban. At Thursday's hearing, Leeds claimed that the players involved were attempting to quell the fighting

Leeds boss happy with foundation
Leeds United boss Kevin Blackwell feels the foundations have been laid over the last 12 months to ensure the club can move forward quickly next season. Blackwell believes that the team have stabilised and are in a better position to recruit players. "The last 12 months was a period of consolidation and has now enabled us to make more signings that can take the club forward," he told BBC Radio Leeds. "It'll be good to start pre-season with the right squad, unlike last year."

Arrests in football violence hunt
Twelve people have been arrested on suspicion of football violence after a series of raids across Yorkshire. More than 100 officers swooped on 16 addresses on Monday following violence after the game between Leeds Utd and Cardiff City on 15 January. One suspect was arrested at Pontefract Hospital where his partner was waiting to give birth. During the January disturbance, officers were pelted with missiles and confronted by fans armed with wood. Four months Det Supt Phil Sedgwick of West Yorkshire Police said those who thought police had forgotten the incident should think again. "Those involved in the violence know who they are. After four months have passed they probably thought we had let it go. "I'm here to tell them that we know who most of them are." Police said they would later be releasing photographs of anyone not yet identified. The raids were carried out in Gipton, Gledhow, Garforth, Seacroft, Woodlesford, Morley, Drighlington, Allerton in Bradford, Skipton, Doncaster, Batley, Cleckheaton, Gomersall, Catterick Garrison and Pontefract Hospital.

Helguson set to make Watford exit
Watford striker Heidar Helguson is set to leave the club after turning down the offer of a new three-year deal. The Icelandic international, 27, has been linked with Charlton, Stoke, West Ham, Leeds and Sheffield United. Helguson, who scored 20 goals last season for the Hornets, still has a year left on his existing contract. But the £1.5m signing from Lillestrom in January 2000 is believed to have demanded improved terms and now seems on the verge of leaving Vicarage Road.

Leeds boss monitors Paraguay star
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell is keeping tabs on highly-rated teenage Paraguayan star Rivaldo. The 17-year-old, who can play in midfield and up front, is on the books of Italian Serie B side Venezia. Blackwell flew to watch Rivaldo last weekend and was impressed. He said: "The boy is clearly a talent and has huge potential. "There are lots of questions to be asked and we are monitoring his progress," he told the Yorkshire Post.

Everton's Watson wanted by four
Everton's out-of-contract Steve Watson is being chased by four clubs. Blackburn, Wigan, Leeds and Sunderland are all interested in signing the 31-year-old, who is expected to leave Everton on a free transfer. Watson was dogged by injury problems last season and made only occasional appearances as Everton finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League. Watson, who joined Everton from Aston Villa in July 2000, is unlikely to sign a new deal at Goodison Park.

Crewe boss quashes Lunt rumours
Crewe boss Dario Gradi says there is no truth in speculation that midfielder Kenny Lunt is joining Leeds United. Lunt, 25, came through the Alex youth ranks and has a year left on his current contract. Gradi told the club's website: "No one has approached me about Kenny and I can say Leeds haven't been in touch. "I have circled Kenny's details to potential clubs. We will command a fee for him like we have done in the past for David Wright and Rob Hulse."

Butler hunts Leeds top-six spot
Leeds skipper Paul Butler says there can be no excuses if the Elland Road side finish outside the top six in the coming campaign. Manager Kevin Blackwell has boosted Leeds' squad with the addition of Shaun Derry, Ian Moore and Rob Hulse. Butler told Leeds' website: "We've got these players now and there's no hiding place if we don't finish in the top six - it will be a failed season. "The fans will expect a top-six finish and I know the gaffer will to."

Four offers for Ipswich's Miller
Ipswich midfielder Tommy Miller remains undecided over his next move with four clubs competing for his signature. The 26-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, has been offered a new deal by Ipswich but is also wanted by Sunderland, Leeds and Crystal Palace. "Tommy has not ruled out signing a new deal with Ipswich - that is still a very strong option," Miller's father Tommy Miller told BBC Sport. "He's torn been staying at Ipswich and getting a fresh start." At the weekend Miller married his long-time girlfriend and will make his final decision after returning from his honeymoon on 21 June. "The Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks called him before the wedding to wish him all the best," added the midfielder's father. "While he is away he is going to think what is best to do. "There have been lots of reports linking him with Celtic, but I've heard absolutely nothing on that front." Miller joined Town from Hartlepool in an £800,000 move in the summer of 2001.

Leeds complete swoop for Harding
Leeds United have completed the signing of Brighton defender Dan Harding. The 21-year-old England Under-21 international has signed a three year-contract at Elland Road. Harding's contract at the Withdean Stadium expires on 1 July and it is expected a Football League tribunal will set a fee of around £250,000. Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell said: "There has been major interest from other clubs and we are delighted to have Dan on board." He added: "We had been talking with him and the signs were good, but you are never sure until the deal has been done. "Dan is a young player with plenty of potential. He wants to develop his career with us and I'm looking forward to working with him."

Seagulls face compensation battle
Chief executive Martin Perry insists Brighton will battle hard to get the best possible deal over defender Dan Harding's move to Leeds United. The 21-year-old is out of contract, but the Seagulls are entitled to compensation as he is under 24. "If we don't feel that Leeds are offering us sufficient compensation, we will go to the tribunal," Perry told BBC Southern Counties Radio. "It's our job to get the best deal we can get." Harding had been close to agreeing a new deal at Withdean in March. Perry added: "He had confirmed he was going to sign his contract, but didn't do so, although it was on the table to sign at any time."

Clark move to Leeds falls through
Fulham midfielder Lee Clark's move to Leeds has broken down after the player failed to agree personal terms. The 32-year-old former Newcastle and Sunderland star is available on a free transfer but Leeds number two Sam Ellis said his wage demands were too high. "It looks unlikely anything will happen," he told the Evening Post. "Players coming out of the Premiership have to understand that until they are realistic in their demands, they won't be coming down to the Championship."

Bates makes wage demand warning
Leeds chairman Ken Bates believes that players leaving the Premiership need to be realistic in their wage demands. Fulham captain Lee Clark, 32, had been in line for a move to Elland Road but failed to agree personal terms. "Their expectations are too high and they are in for a real shock this summer," Bates told the Yorkshire Post. "I know of three players who have been asking for £12,000 a week. The average Championship wage this season is going to be around £3,000 to £4,000." Leeds encountered major financial problems after their relegation from the top flight and Bates is keen to avoid any such worries in the future. "We have also had one player, who will not even be fit for the start of the season, asking for £12,000 a week for a two-year deal and his agent wanted another £75,000," he added. "Well, I hope he enjoys his career as a hod carrier."

Tottenham clinch Lennon signing
Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Leeds midfielder Aaron Lennon, subject to a medical and agreeing terms. Locally-born Lennon made 27 appearances for Leeds in the Championship last season, starting 19 games, and was named Leeds' young player of the year. Lennon, 18, already has a link with White Hart Lane, having made his first Leeds appearance there in August 2003. Aged just 16 years and 129 days, he became the youngest Premiership player ever when he came on as a substitute.

Brighton hopeful of Harding deal
Brighton chairman Dick Knight is hopeful Leeds will make an improved offer for defender Dan Harding. The 21-year-old has already agreed personal terms with the Elland Road outfit and will complete his move when his contract expires on 30 June. But the two clubs are yet to agree a fee and face a transfer tribunal. "I spoke last with the chief executive of Leeds last Friday. He made an offer which is not acceptable to us," Knight told the club's website. "He may well come back to us with another offer in the next couple of days, but equally that may not happen, in which case it will go to a tribunal. "That tribunal can't take place until after 1 July, but we will be pressing the league for that to take place as quickly as possible." Harding had been close to agreeing a new deal at Withdean in March. Chief executive Martin Perry earlier said: "He had confirmed he was going to sign his contract, but didn't do so, although it was on the table to sign at any time."

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