Grayson hails players

Whites boss praises players after clinching second

Last updated: 9th May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Simon Grayson was full of praise for his Leeds United players after they won promotion to the Championship on Saturday.

The Whites needed to simply win their last League One game of the season against Bristol Rovers to clinch second spot in the table.

It looked like being another missed opportunity early in the second half with Darryl Duffy opening the scoring and compounding Max Gradel's dismissal.

However, the introduction of Jonny Howson swung the game Leeds' way with his goal levelling matters before Jermaine Beckford's close-range goal settled the contest.

Grayson was not dwelling on Leeds' poor second half of the campaign and is just pleased they are finally back in the Championship after three long seasons in England's third tier.

The ex-Blackpool boss is expecting big celebrations from his players on Saturday, although he insists the hard work planning for next season begins now.

Fantastic

"Fantastic achievement. We didn't do it the easy way after going down to 10 men and a goal behind early in the second half," he told Sky Sports News.

"Credit to the players. It was a fantastic effort from everybody. We're back were we deserve and hopefully we can kick on.

"We'll enjoy tonight, but it's a fantastic achievement what the players have managed to do, today and for the whole of the season.

"It's never easy when you've got ten men to play with, but we've got belief and determination that we could do it.

"They kept going right until the end. Full credit to them. They are a fantastic bunch of players to work with."

"You've got to make decisions sometimes and sometimes it works," he added on Howson's introduction.

"We're back in the next level of football were we deserve to be I think. We'll take stock and get ready for next year."

Comments (5)

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Gary Jacobson (Leeds United fan) says...

Been a lifelong supporter of Leeds and have followed their ups and downs for years. That is not easy from Sydney Australia and I was up until 2.30am watching them manage promotion. Its great to see people like Shane Lowry, Paddy Kisnorbo and Neil Kilkenny making such a great fist of it for Leeds, made us all proud to be Aussies. Good on you boys and may the Whites continue to climb through the Championship and back to the EPL where they deserve to be.

Posted 04:36 10th May 2010

Arron Fellows (Leeds United fan) says...

Paul, I know you're happy, just as much as I am. If not over the MOON with the result. But stop saying 'Leeds way'.

Posted 13:44 9th May 2010

Martin Mccourtney (Leeds United fan) says...

The first step on the long road back to the promised land of the Premiership. Now, more than ever, we need Ken Bates to invest in quality players. The present squad have done really well to gain promotion, BUT, without the addition of four or five quality players we will not be good enough to take the next step. Its time for Ken Bates to show the Fans that he is as committed to Leeds United as much as they are. Thanks to everybody at Elland Road for a Season to remember and another to look forward to. MARCHING ON TOGETHER.

Posted 13:04 9th May 2010

Mark Henry (Leeds United fan) says...

Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Beckford really proved his worth yesterday, i shall be sad to see him leave our club but he will do so with his head held high and in the knowledge that he has achived hero status amoungst the ranks of Leeds United fans. Once agaon well plyed Leeds and thank you JB.

Posted 12:29 9th May 2010

Paul Sherman (Leeds United fan) says...

Leeds Way! At last promotions here We¿re going up and that is certain Out of this tinpot league after three long years of hurting We did it in the end We went to each and every hellhole And more, much more than this we did it Leeds way! Great wins, we had a few Especially the one at Man United We did what we had to do to win the points and get excited Simon planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway And more, much more than this we did it Leeds way! Yes, there were times I¿m sure you knew We started great then blew a fuse But through it all, there was no doubt We pulled together to fight it out We faced it all and we stood tall and did it Leeds way! We won, we lost, we drew We had our fill, our share of losing And now as we move on we find it all so amusing And we must say, not in a shy way Oh no, oh no not us, we did it Leeds way! Now this is our club, what have we got? Great fans, top players and a boss Now chairman please put your hand in your pocket We don¿t want to fall we want to rise like a rocket The table shows we took the blows and did it Leeds way! We did it Leeds way!

Posted 09:45 9th May 2010
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