On Loan to Division One - A Leeds United Story

[TerryVenables]

Disclaimer: I have already played a season in this save, so this story starts in the year 2011.

A Year Later - Leeds Are Back!

Just five years ago, Leeds United were in disarray. They saw their beloved side slide down from Champions League contenders to League One. It took them three years to get out of the "****" as many fans described it. When they finally got out, fans were finally able to relax, with Leeds firmly on the way up. Then, rumours were doing the rounds that Simon Grayson, the messiah who led them to promotion from League One quit in a rage during what should have been a routine board meeting with Ken Bates. They were proved to be true, as Ken had said to Grayson no money would be available to strengthen the squad.

Bates was sure to be in the bad books of Leeds fans, after Martin O'Neill refused to become manager of the club, saying Ken Bates was a "cretin" and should be avoided. Simon Grayson decided to give Leeds a final gift, however, giving a glowing reccomendation of one of the clubs scouts, Elwood Boyce. After many managers refused to be a manager under the tutelage of Bates, he had no choice and turned to Boyce.

Already up against it, with fans not yet on his side, Boyce had it all to do. He went about his transfers in an astute way, signing young talent and experienced talent, giving Leeds what looked, on paper, to be a very good squad. Many faces left the club, most of them were agreed with by the fans, except the sale of Bradley Johnson to Millwall, and Max Gradel to Derby County. However, these sales were soon forgotten, when Boyce used the money available to strengthen his squad thoroughly. He brought in Taufic Guarch, Calum Davenport, Kristjan Sigurdsson, Franck Signorino and Hans Somers. Leeds began poorly, but by January they looked very good, in 9th place. On the last day of the season, they leapfrogged Hull and Leicester into 5th. Eventually, they denied Cardiff City in the final of being the first Welsh Club in the Premier League, and ended the long wait, and finally were into the Premiership once again. They also won the Carling Cup, with an easy route to the competition, beating Bolton in the Quarter Final, Birmingham in the Semi Final and Swansea in the final.

Boyce is quickly becoming a saint at Leeds, and he has a task of keeping them up this year, and giving Europe a good go.

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[b0sw0rth1]

Looks good so far.

 

[TerryVenables]

Leeds Bring in New Faces

After gaining promotion, Leeds United were given a sizeable budget to stay in the Premiership by Ken Bates. Elwood Boyce set straight to work. Out went Luciano Becchio, who was stupidly let go by Boyce after forgetting to renew his contract. He tried to re sign him, but couldn't, Becchio stating he would get more game time in a lower league anyway. This led to the signing of Andy Carroll, Newcastle's young target man, for 4 million pounds. Boyce was said to be very pleased with this signing, claiming he could get the best out of Carroll, and get him into the England team.

Next was the signing of Mark Randall. The sure fire future international was signed on a bosman after he ran his Arsenal contract out, claiming he wasn't going to get much of a chance in an ever growing Arsenal squad.

Another free was soon to follow as Andres D'Alessandro joined. The attacking midfielder will provide good backup to Jonny Howson, who looks set to keep his place in the team. It is thought that D'Alessandro was brought in to tutor Ramsey, although Boyce has yet to say anything regarding that matter.

Next was another prospect for the future, as Ghana under 21 international Boakye joined for the sum of 5 million. He was bought, obviously, for the future, but the youngster said he wants to get into the team as soon as possible, and thinks he will be good enough, but for now he is happy enough to be backup.

Another signing was that of French full back Romain Danze for 2 million. The young full back will be starting right back for this season, but you must feel this could be a panic buy after Boyce wasn't able to get his first choices in.

One of the better signings for Leeds has been Mark Gonzalez, signed for 3.4 million from CSKA Moscow. He is an exciting left winger, who will look to be providing the crosses for Carroll this season. Boyce named Gonzalez as his "one to watch" for this season.

Another young player joined, by the name of Charlie Adam from Blackpool for 1 million. He is a great player, who Boyce felt he deserved another crack at staying in the big time. He will be providing competition for Howson and D'Alessandro for the attacking midfielder position.

The last signing was Ola Tovoinen for 1.5 million. He is a great all round striker, who should be a great strike partner for Carroll, and hopes to keep the likes of Somma and Guarch out of the team.

Only time will tell how this Leeds team can gel, but what we know for sure is that Leeds fans are just glad to be back, come what may.

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---------- Post added at 10:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:19 AM ----------

]

European Nights briefly returned for the rejuvenated Leeds.
The Relegation Run In

After getting promoted through the playoffs last year, Leeds boss Elwood Boyce knew he had a huge task keeping Leeds United in the top tier of English football, while juggling a European Campaign after winning the Carling Cup last season. He made some very good signings, and hoped that these would push Leeds to safety. In January, they looked down and out, 4 points from safety, out of Europe, and struggling for goals in the 4-4-2 system that worked so well to get them promoted out of the Championship.

First, that European run. They entered a very tough group, with Bourdeax from France, Metalisk Donetsk from Ukraine and Rangers of Scotland. They were without some key players for a lot of these matches, and it came down to the last day, Leeds vs Rangers, the winner taking 2nd behind Bordeaux, the loser coming third. Leeds took an early lead, and were 2-1 up in the last minute. Unfortunately Kyle Lafferty scored an equaliser in the 94th minute to break Leeds hearts, and send them crashing out of Europe.

Looking back, that was a blessing in disguise. Leeds' performances were picking up, and while not getting the results they deserved, they were entertaining to watch. Fast forward to the present day, before the West Brom match, they were in 16th, 4 points away from the drop zone, after a change in formation worked wonders. It was essentially a 4-3-3, but in a very different shape. Boyce said he based his formation on the Arsenal tactic of 3 "rotating" central midfielders. This is the part that has fancy labelling him as a tactical genius in the making. He used Mark Randall in an unfamiliar holding midfielder role. Not the usual, tough tackling defensive midfielder though, more of a Pep Guardiola role. He was somone who sat in front of the defence, providing the link between defence and midfield. The next midfielder was the box to box midfielder, providing a link between attack and defence. Charlie Adam and Jonny Howson both were used in this role, because of the amount of stamina needed for this. The next midfielder was an attacking midfielder, D'Alessandro, who bombed past target man Andy Carroll, drawing the defence all over the place.

Watch Leeds at 7PM tonight, 22nd February 2012, on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1.​

 

[computerholic14]

this story looks really good, possibly the best fm11 one so far, will follow

 

[Chris]

Very nice. Enjoying this so far.

Keep it up!

 

[cfc12345]

great so far mate will follow

 

[TerryVenables]

On his way out?

Leeds Agree Fee for Disgruntled Starlet

Today, Leeds United agreed a fee for Arsenal and England starlet Jack Wilshere, according to Sky Sports Sources. Leeds manager Elwood Boyce has not yet confirmed or denied this, but a club source has confirmed it to be true. Wilshere is the latest of Arsenal's youngsters to fall out with Arsene Wenger, after being on the phone with Leeds player, and former Arsenal youth, Mark Randall. Randall is enjoying his football with Leeds, and wants Wilshere to join him at Leeds. This is an exciting time for Leeds fans, who could be faced with the prospect of a brilliant all English midfield of Randall, Wilshere and Howson.

Leeds have recently been their usual selves, losing to West Brom, Fulham and Arsenal, but winning against Liverpool. They still sit in 16th with 7 games to go, but could find themselves back down in the drop zone if they continue to falter.

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[shadowsc2]

Nice Leeds story, but I think you should have shown some things like league table, match stats from some of the better games etc. Check out my Blackpool story http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/f116/a-tough-challenge-the-blackpool-story-t53592.html

 

[TerryVenables]

Jubilant scenes around Elland Road, Leeds are staying up!

Wilshere Rejects Leeds, As They Stay Up

Today marks the new dawn in the history of Leeds United. With their good run of form towards the end of the season, they managed to do what looked impossible in January, and stay up. They finished the season in a remarkable 15th.

Unfortunately, Jack Wilshere rejected Leeds for the Wolves team, claiming a team with the financial clout of Leeds will be buying players, and he will be less likely to get games.

Next season Elwood Boyce could have a large transfer budget, and with the team needing a top class defence, and possible a winger, he will need to use every penny, and push on.

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[computerholic14]

looking good, but i agree with the league table and stats every game month or two

 

[Wilko]

Unfortunately, Jack Wilshere rejected Leeds for the Wolves team, claiming a team with the financial clout of Leeds will be buying players, and he will be less likely to get games.​

If only Wilshere joined in real life.. i'd love it..

anyway keep up the good work, i'm sure i'll be making a fm2011 story soon KIU!!

 

[TerryVenables]

Summer Roundup; 2012/13 Preview

After a good season last year, Leeds manager Elwood Boyce wanted to make sure he could make the right signings so they could improve on last years finish. After a takeover at the beginning of the summer, where board member Yvonne Allen took over from the old "scrooge" Ken Bates, Boyce finally found out his budget, and identified his targets to pursue.

His main target was a holding midfielder after Fredson was allowed to leave on a free. Eventually, a signing for the sum of 7.5 million pounds was agreed for Metalist's Gary Medel. Medel is a very accomplished Chilean holding midfielder, who many pundits are calling the signing of the summer already. This season looks like it could be a big one for Medel.

Their second summer signing was from Liverpool on a free, addressing the gap left when Franck Signorino left on a free. This was a free signing of 32 year old Fabio Aurelio. Aurelio has plenty of European experience, and should help steady the Leeds defence, and provide some good crosses going forward. This means that Leeds know have a very experienced back line of Aurelio, 2 of Kisnoro, Sigurdsson and Davenport, and Danze.

The third signing was another free signing of quality. Surprisingly, Marseille let go of Hatem Ben Arfa, so Leeds quickly snapped him up. He should add another dimension to a strong Leeds attack. What is there to lose on a free?

The last signing was definately one for the future. Elwood Boyce signed Spain's 16 year old striker Rafael Rodriguez Perez. He was signed for 750K from Cordoba, and was immediately placed back into the Under 18's. It is thought that he will be in the Under 18's for this season, out on loan the next and break into the first team the year after.

Leeds have high hopes for their season, and it all kicks off on Sunday, 3PM against Hull.

Screenie of the regen is attached.
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[computerholic14]

looking good, and so does your regen.
Good luck