Whites confirm Becks request

Striker submitted request prior to Cup shock

Last updated: 6th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Whites confirm Becks request

Beckford: Wants to leave

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Leeds United have confirmed that striker Jermaine Beckford submitted a transfer request prior to their win over Manchester United.

The 26-year-old netted the only goal of the game as Leeds upset their illustrious rivals in the FA Cup third round at Old Trafford on Sunday.

However, Leeds have revealed that Beckford requested to leave two days after scoring a brace in their 4-2 League One win at Stockport.

Although Leeds have consistently maintained the striker would not be leaving before the end of the season, his stance means they will now consider suitable offers.

With Newcastle interested in securing the marksman, Leeds say Beckford can leave at the right price providing a replacement can also be found in January.

Request

"Leeds United can confirm that Jermaine Beckford has handed in a transfer request," read a statement on the club's official website.

"The transfer request was handed in on December 30.

"By handing in a transfer request it clearly indicates that the player wants to leave Leeds United.

"However, that will only be allowed to happen in the event that it is decided to be in the best interests of Leeds United.

"The best interests of Leeds involve receiving both an acceptable transfer fee and securing a suitable replacement to ensure his departure does not have an adverse effect on the club's overall aim of securing promotion back to the Championship."

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Comments (144)

Joe ? (Leeds United fan) says...

I'm sorry but how on earth are Newcastle a bigger team, now or in the past? All be it they may be in a higher league (for now) but that's where their superiority ends. Leeds have fan clubs from around the world ranging from Norway to Australia to Canada, I doubt Newcastle have the same. Newcastle fans are the least loyal fans I've seen, the first sign of trouble they're all outside protesting, they're losing a game and you see half the fans leaving whilst the rest remain in the ground to boo the players, if Newcastle were in league1 they wouldn't have half the fans attending matches that Leeds do. Newcastle fans are like Liverpool fans, delusional! They think they support their club more than other fans do their own club, far from it. And if Newcastle are such a big club, what was the last major trophy u won? The league in 1927? Or maybe you count your glorious run in the intertoto cup as an achievment. As for Beckford, if he doesn't want to play for the club let him go and get some cash in, providing we have an adequate replacement lined up, and despite what Beckford thinks, he is definately replaceable. All the people saying they don't understand Leeds fans problems with Beckford try watching him every week, he's like a moodier version of Berbatov who can score in a low league, against pacy defenders he struggles and if he's not scoring he's doing nothing for the team, unlike Becchio who is a work horse and grabs some goals. At the end of the day Newcastle fans know deep down Leeds is the bigger club, and in 2-3 years time we'll be beating you in the Premiership....again (providing you can stay there)

Posted 10:11 13th January 2010

Kev Pattison (Leeds United fan) says...

Thought this debate was about beckford not which club is the bigger,?beckford has outstayed his welcome at elland rd,his mood swings etc have shown his true side couldnt even score or perform against wycombe,if we get 2 mill for him i for one would be pleased,ken give simon the 2 plus to get ricky lambert from the saints,get rid of beckford now he has become a prima donna that thinks he is capable of playing at a higher level we will see and also a disruption in the dressing room,we also have tresor kandol who can fill beckfords boots.

Posted 07:50 12th January 2010

Ian Wood (Newcastle United fan) says...

i would love it to see the shock on the fans of leeds when beckford gets a BIGGER and BETTER pay raise. He is a good talented player that is good for newcastle. If he i lazy or not he wont for us !! only why he is lazy is cause he wants out of the club that isnt going to give him more money for the sake of an extra 1 or 2 thousand pound extra terrible well if i was chris or mike i would put a 3.5mill bid and that will make leeds be happy. Overall beckford is talented more then david healy or billy sharpe a wouldnt waste money on them. beckford and ameobi up front we will rock thu championship to thu max !!!!!!!! GEORDIE BORN AND BRED !! C'MON THE LADS !!!!!!!!!

Posted 16:36 11th January 2010

Crab Apple (Newcastle United fan) says...

I think Leeds are going to regret not getting something for beckford now. yes it wouldnt be the £2m they were after but considering they will get nothing for him in the summer means they still have to replace him and replace him with their own money which they clearly dont have.

Posted 15:45 11th January 2010

Aidan Mckenna (Leeds United fan) says...

Personally I think we should sell Beckford 'sooner rather than later'. 2-3 million for a player who has a poor first touch, over inflated ego and not a team player break newcastles arm for it! Granted he has pace to burn, a good goal scoring record for us but dont forget that bechio, (previously kandol) and the rest of the team constantly work their socks off to set chances up for him. After his quite performance today against Wycombe I'm fearing he could become a distraction to the team and the whole transfer saga could affect future team performances. 'Remember the play offs - Beckford hid whenever we needed him most'. Ive great faith in Simon Grayson so Bates should back him financially to find a replacement asap. David Healy has stated that he would drop down a league or 2 to get 1st team football, I think he would be great in this leeds team playing alongside grella and gradel and might even be available on a free! MOT

Posted 18:29 9th January 2010

Peter N. (Leeds United fan) says...

How do you classify who is the bigger club ? Is it by supporter numbers, success or something else. If it is based on success it is hard to split them. Newcastle have one major trophy to their name in the last 55 years, inter-cities fairs cup/uefa cup, which Leeds won twice along with a European Cup Final and semi - final appearance. Not much to brag about when you compare them to the BIG clubs in Europe and don't get too carried away with being runners up, Leeds have been there plenty of times as well. Newcastle have a far, superior FA Cup record, winning it 6 times from memory, last time in 1955, compared to Leeds single win. Leeds had the glory years through the late 60's - early 70's and became a very good side before it collapsed in spectacular fashion earlier this decade. Newcastle also had opportunities in the 1990's but were not strong enough mentally i feel. The Toon should go back up this season but Leeds will be a few years away yet from playing in the top flight again. Remember that Newcastle were not in the same dire financial position as Ridsdale had put leeds in, so really, what was their excuse. I do believe that both these clubs should be in the Premier league but they have to earn it ahead of teams like Hull, Stoke, Burnley, Wigan and others, but will they ever be able to match it with the likes of Chelsea, United, Arsenal, Liverpool. Maybe not, but i hope they can.

Posted 14:33 9th January 2010

Richard Bee (Leeds United fan) says...

Let him go. Any player who feels that they dont have to shake their bosses hand when he is doing the best thing for the club (always) will never lose that level of dis- respect never ever. I dont think he will be a winner with the Newcastle fans and they have much better choices available. I hope he stays at Leeds we get promoted then he leaves. He is not close to good enough or fit enough for what the premiership demands and I feel thats where Newcastle will be next year where they belong. Till then Come on Leeds keep his dummy sweet for 4 months and have done with it. Its worth more than 3 mill to go up.

Posted 11:46 9th January 2010

Lewis Potter (Newcastle United fan) says...

come on jermaine get us back were we belong. £3 mil what a bargain. Dont think leeds will ever be as big as Newcastle now lads.Sorry to say as i do like Leeds!.

Posted 00:05 8th January 2010

Kris Sykes (Leeds United fan) says...

If Beckford wants to go let him, let another manager deal with his tantrums and dummy spitting. I'm not saying that Leeds won't miss him, but a player with a better strike rate and a less inflated sense of his importance would be the best thing for the club. C'MON THE MIGHTY LEEDS!!!

Posted 22:18 7th January 2010

P Todd (Leeds United fan) says...

If Jermaine Beckford does go, who would you rather have? Billy Sharpe or David Healy, as he has already said he would drop down to the Championship and League 1. Personally I would go for David Healy, why - becasue tried and tested at Leeds.

Posted 21:46 7th January 2010

Paul Fletcher (Leeds United fan) says...

Let him go, greedy, moody, lazy thats beckford. wont run for a ball has to have it to his feet or its hands on his hips and sulking face. Goes missing in big games. Poor first touch. Needs several chances to score one goal. oh and did i mention he is lazy lazy lazy lol for those who buy him you will see. MOT

Posted 21:45 7th January 2010

Adam Crawford (Newcastle United fan) says...

Personally I hope we dont get Beckford, how many players make the conversion from League One to Premiership (If we get there) Kris Boyd would be a much better signing for the same price. Beckford seems like to much of a sulk and thinks he is better than he is, we have just got rid of 3 of them (Messrs Owen, Viduka and Martins) As for the Leeds fans how are you a bigger club, you talk about your history, isnt that history?? Wait til May when you have thrown your lead away again and are in the playoffs (again!!!) which you will end up losing.

Posted 21:08 7th January 2010

Glen Buckland (Arsenal fan) says...

Where do you so called fans get off ?30 goals each season....get offered a new contract and its not what he wants so says no... Bates puts him on the transfer list because he wont sign .... and then you slate the guy for wanting to move and get a pay rise...i bet half of you would move if another job came along at a couple of grand more.....

Posted 20:10 7th January 2010

Robert Robbins (Newcastle United fan) says...

Well firstly I think that Leeds are a big club in terms of history, but recently they've had nothing too brag about, their fingers burnt and all because of their foundationless attempts at the big time. Newcastle aswell have had the same but their reputations are more intact as historically there not as big. However in modern days Newcastle are bigger club as their in a bigger league that Leeds wouldnt have as much success in (maybe playoffs at the most). The beckford issue is a funny one as i personally think he's a decent tallented striker who can give us the edge over lesser defences and can convert chances that Ameobi, Ranger and carroll would struggle with. What we really need though is a creative midfielder an actuall right winger or left winger.

Posted 19:56 7th January 2010

Craig Hartley (Newcastle United fan) says...

Look why has this turned into school yard banter (My dads bigger than your dad) he's a footballer like any other they go where the money is theres no loyaltys any more.But what do you class as a big club? for me the top 4 clubs are the big clubs and the rest of us are just striving to get there yes we are a big fanbase and have a big ground but i get sick of hearing "we are a bigger club than you" and you can prove that how? by past experience? its all nonsens we are all football suppporters and we all love our prospective teams so duz who is a bigger club realy matter?

Posted 19:36 7th January 2010

Graham Thompson (Newcastle United fan) says...

Not that bothered about signing beckford. He's ok, but not gonna set the championship on fire. What's the craic with you Leeds fans giving us Newcastle fans jip? Newcastle and Leeds should be in the premiership, but the plain and simple fact is that we are closer to getting back there than you are. We may go up, then go back down, but we're still a bigger club than Leeds!

Posted 19:35 7th January 2010

Paul Senior (Leeds United fan) says...

Beckford has scored a lot of goals for leeds, but more importantly he has needed five or six chances on average to convert just one goal. He will not get the same chances at the highest level.His first touch is well below average,he very often gives the ball away when under pressure, and he is greedy and will never pass if he thinks he has a half chance of getting a strike on goal. When he shoots wide or over the bar or loses the ball when he has good support available, he never apologises, but if any other player does the same to him he slaps his thigh and moans and complains. He sulks when he is substituted, no good saying your sorry after you have refused the handshake from your manager when he has taken you off. He can go to any club who offer him what he wants, that is his choice. I dont think he is good enough for Newcastle, I also dont think he will be good enough for us next season. If Jermaine was as good as he thinks he is, then how come at the age of 26 has he never played at premiership level, or even championship level for that matter. As for the debate about who is the bigger of the two sides, If both teams were in the premiership, Leeds would undoubtably have the advantage when it came to attracting big names, history proves that we have had more success, and also whenever ive been abroad and talked to locals in various countries the only teams they know, are teams who regularly figure in europe. Leeds were often mentioned, Newcastle never were. Leeds have played in a champions league semi final albeit 8 or 9 years ago, Newcastle cant match that performance. Big teams are those mentioned when you ask a neutral. Newcastle would not be on the tip of anybodies tongue outside the north east, Leeds wouldnt roll off the tongue either, but if you asked which team was the bigger of the two, i would be amazed if anybody said Newcastle. Perhaps soccer am could do a poll.

Posted 19:00 7th January 2010

Andrew Ratcliffe (Newcastle United fan) says...

Let's get one thing straight both of us USED TO BE big clubs but not anymore. Hope Beckford does sign for us, it will give us more options upfront but we need to strengthen elsewhere too. A centre back, some cover for Enrique, a right winger and please please please buy Danny Simpson or at least extend his loan until the end of the season and then sign him on a free.

Posted 18:56 7th January 2010

Craig Foster (Newcastle United fan) says...

Leeds United, The biggest support outside of the top four? Are you for real? Newcastle have far more support and when we get promoted back up we'll have even more. As for Beckford, I think he's quality. As it stands we dont have any fast speedy players really, maybe Gutierrez and Pancrate are quite fast but no way near as quick as Beckford. Ameobi and Beckford sounds super, even Carroll and Beckfords still good. Pace and height, a great combination. Howaay the Toon!

Posted 18:54 7th January 2010

Stephen Lowthian (Newcastle United fan) says...

How bitter are leeds fans, beckford has done tremendous for them, hes a goalscorer (poacher) like lineker , andy cole were. Players like these dont track back but can win you games. I hope he signs for the toon because its a great opportunity, not many players from the lower leagues get the chance to prove themselves so i hope he does. Nufc signed andy cole from bristol many years ago and what a signing he turned out to be. Touch wood we sign him an he gets us back in the premiership.

Posted 17:41 7th January 2010

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