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Manor Solomon's late winner sparked wild celebrations Manor Solomon's stoppage-time winner secured Leeds United the Championship title as they won 2-1 at Plymouth Argyle With Burnley beating Millwall 3-1, Leeds take the title on goal difference having secured promotion back to the Premier League last month Argyle took the lead when the impressive Mustapha Bundu's shot came back off the post and went in off Sam Byram - just moments after the Plymouth forward had clipped the Leeds upright who topped the table going into the final day were repeatedly frustrated by a dogged Plymouth side until early in the second half when Willy Gnonto fired in Solomon's cross The visitors had a Joel Piroe goal ruled out for offside with 17 minutes to go as Daniel Farke's side hunted the winner they knew was required to secure the title But just as it seemed they would have to settle for second place Solomon cut in from the left and fired low into the bottom corner to send the travelling Leeds fans wild and set up a trophy lift celebration after the final whistle Leeds started well as Joe Rodon and Brenden Aaronson saw efforts saved by Conor Hazard before they fell behind Bundu had given Leeds a warning a minute before the goal as he beat three men before blasting an effort that grazed the outside of the post When the resurgent Sierra Leone forward cut in from the left moments later the net did bulge as his low effort came back off the far post and bounced in off a helpless Byram Piroe almost equalised within a couple of minutes when he turned Jayden Bogle's shot over the bar from six yards as Leeds tried to restore parity quickly Ao Tanaka and Willy Gnonto all had half-chances but Leeds failed to create another really good opening before the interval Piroe again fired over as the second half started like the first ended before Gnonto equalised from close range after Solomon had crossed low from the byline Byram saw a glancing header go wide of the post midway through the second half while a Piroe effort was disallowed when Gnonto was adjudged to be offside as he received the ball before crossing it for his team-mate - a call which replays suggested was very marginal As news of Burnley going ahead filtered through Farke brought on Patrick Bamford and Largie Ramazani to try and get a title-winning goal But it was Plymouth who almost snatched a winner when Ryan Hardie curled an 88th-minute effort wide from inside the box while Callum Wright sent a tame low shot into the arms of Karl Darlow two minutes later as the hosts caught Leeds on the break just as it seemed all hope of the title had gone Solomon broke into the penalty area and fired low past Hazard - sending the packed away end into raptures Willy Gnonto scored for the third successive game for Leeds United Plymouth Argyle head coach Miron Muslic told BBC Sport: "We faced today by far the best team in our competition We were relegated since last week and still showed this kind of performance to make it very difficult for Leeds to break us - it shows the good spirit and character of the lads "Our obligation today was to give it all we played for the Green Army and we wanted to reward our fans for the last time with a strong performance "The lads went all in and we simply needed maybe just 120 seconds to have a result we deserved But that's when you face the champions "Congratulations for an outstanding season to Leeds deserved champions and congratulations to my colleague Daniel Farke." Miron Muslic "proud" as Argyle run champions close Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke told BBC Sport: I want to send my congratulations to Burnley "Of course I'm happy that we won this game in the final stages and are officially allowed to label ourselves as champions and be the best team this season "It's an emotionally moving day because we have invested so much and wanted to crown ourselves with some silverware pretty special in the dressing room and I'm very happy for my players and staff Leeds United winger Manor Solomon speaking to BBC Radio Leeds: "I can't put into words what I'm feeling right now It is a dream come true to score the winning goal and take this championship Throughout the season we've shown we deserve this trophy and to finish in the first spot "We all knew what was happening at Burnley and we knew we needed to score It will take me a few days to digest what happened today I've been focused on this season; in two or three days we will talk and see what is happening I don't know what the future holds [Solomon is loan from Tottenham] but I can just say I love [Leeds]." Farke: 'A proud and emotionally moving day' To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made substituted for Mateo Joseph at 90 minutesNumber 44 Yellow Card at 85 minutesSubstitutesNumber 23 Wöber Match OfficialsReferee: Jeremy SimpsonAssistant Referee 1: Daniel LeachAssistant Referee 2: Nigel LuggFourth Official: Alex ChilowiczMatch StatsKey Scroll LeftScroll RightPlymouth Argyle are winless across their last 11 league games against Leeds United (D2 L9) losing each of their last five in succession whilst conceding 2+ goals in each Leeds United have won each of their last four away league games against Plymouth Argyle one more victory than across their prior 16 away meetings with the Pilgrims combined (W3 D4 L9) Plymouth have won four of their last six league games (L2) as many victories as across their prior 30 Championship matches combined (D11 L15) The Pilgrims are also looking to win four consecutive home matches in the second tier for the first time since April 2007 Leeds have lost each of their last two games on the final day of a league campaign as many defeats as across their prior 15 such fixtures combined (W9 D4) Leeds United have won 28 league matches this season their joint most in a league season along with the 2019-20 campaign The 93 goals they’ve scored are also only bettered by the 98 they scored in the 1927-28 season Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half Foul by Maksym Talovierov (Plymouth Argyle) Nikola Katic (Plymouth Argyle) header from the centre of the box is close Manor Solomon (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration Manor Solomon (Leeds United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time Jayden Bogle (Leeds United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left Joël Piroe (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul Michael Baidoo (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half Victor Pálsson (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the yellow card As the Leeds players and fans celebrated, Farke initially sat alone in the dugout. “I was too tired to celebrate even at the final whistle because I was so focused on winning promotion,” he said. “I really wanted to win this match and win the title for everyone at the club. I’m happy that we won this game in the final stages and are officially allowed to label ourselves as champions and be the best team during the whole season It’s a proud day and an emotionally moving day because we have invested so much and wanted to crown ourselves with some silverware.” It is the first time two sides have reached 100 points in the same Championship season but Solomon’s goal pooped the nascent party at Turf Moor “I’m absolutely delighted,” said the Burnley manager “The main objective was to get three points and end the season on 100 points “If you’d said to us at any point that 100 points this year wouldn’t get you the title we’d all be thinking To lose the title on goal difference is a little disappointing but I won’t let that overshadow a remarkable season.” Leeds’s Manor Solomon cuts in to score the title-winning goal Photograph: Steven Paston/PAEither side reaching three figures looked in doubt early in the day with Mihailo Ivanovic giving Millwall an early lead and a Sam Byram own goal doing likewise for Argyle But the division’s two outstanding teams clawed their way back Josh Brownhill soon equalised for Burnley and they seemed destined for a second Championship title in three seasons when Jaidon Anthony put them ahead with Leeds having pulled the score back to 1-1 thanks to Wilfried Gnonto and time ticking away ShowBradford clinched automatic promotion to League One after a dramatic 1-0 home win over Fleetwood. The Yorkshire side looked set for the playoffs after Walsall had beaten Crewe thanks to George Hall's solitary strike But Antoni Sarcevic scored a deflected winner in the sixth minute of added time to spark two pitch invasions before the final whistle Rob Street ensured Doncaster were crowned League Two champions with both goals in a 2-1 win at Notts County Port Vale's hopes of reeling in the leaders were dashed by Gillingham's Aaron Rowe who scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Vale Park Chesterfield will meet Walsall in the play-offs after their 1-0 win at Accrington who could only draw 2-2 at relegated Carlisle. Wimbledon who won 1-0 at Grimsby thanks to Sam Hutchinson will meet Notts County in the other semi-final Thank you for your feedback.But in the first minute of injury time Solomon swept home in front of the packed away end to spark delirium but the atmosphere was largely punctured at Turf Moor a point ahead of Hull in the final relegation place drop down into League One after a wild 5-3 defeat at West Brom while Hull held on for a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth to secure their Championship status Luton were plunged into the bottom three by Tom Fellows’s early goal for West Brom briefly out again thanks to Millenic Alli’s equaliser two minutes later but back in when Matt Crooks gave Hull the lead at Fratton Park and there they stayed Luton join a small band of unhappy clubs who have suffered back to back relegations from the Premier League: Photograph: Paul Harding/Getty Images EuropeWas this helpful?Thank you for your feedback.Daryl Dike Fellows and a Callum Styles double put a previously out-of-sorts Albion into a 5-1 lead just after the hour mark leaving Luton hoping for a Pompey comeback Christian Saydee did equalise to leave Hull sweating but the visitors held on and though Jordan Clark and Alli reduced the arrears at the Hawthorns there was to be no miracle “It was a particularly painful day for everyone involved at our club,” said the Luton manager whose team had come into the game having won three on the bounce to give themselves hope of an unlikely escape “We apologise to our supporters because a second relegation in a row is particularly painful for them “We were poor and it was very disappointing Over the previous couple of months we have dragged ourselves right back into it and the performances have been particularly good But this club comes back fighting and we will do again.” Luton’s captain looks dejected after defeat confirmed their fall to League One Photograph: Paul Harding/Getty ImagesDerby and Stoke who both began the day in relegation danger A dramatic day in the playoff race ended with Coventry and Bristol City taking fifth and sixth spots respectively Coventry’s ultimately comfortable 2-0 win over Boro was enough to make their place safe and set up a two-legged semi-final against fourth-placed Sunderland “It is human after five defeats to think now you are weak but it is not the reality,” said the Sunderland manager “We have to find the right rhythm to win again.” ShowDaniel Agyei scored twice as Leyton Orient claimed the final League One playoff place with a 4-1 win at Huddersfield Agyei's double came either side of a Jacob Chapman own goal and Josh Koroma's strike before Azeem Abdulai completed the job to hold off Reading The Royals' final-day charge never materialised as they went down 4-2 at home to Barnsley with Stephen Humphrys Jon Russell and Davis Keillor-Dunn's double doing the damage despite Lewis Wing and Billy Bodin replying Orient will face Stockport in the semi-finals after they cemented third place with a 3-1 comeback win at Wycombe with Benony Andresson Oliver Norwood and Will Collar finding the back of the net who beat Burton 3-1 courtesy of Matt Godden's double and an Alex Mitchell header Champions Birmingham rounded off their season with a 2-1 victory at relegated Cambridge which took their tally to a record 111 points Kelland Watts' own goal ultimately handing them three more while goals from Elliot Lee and Ryan Longman eased already-promoted Wrexham to a 2-0 win at Lincoln Thank you for your feedback.The Robins, meanwhile, had to come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with struggling Preston at Ashton Gate and line up a semi-final with third-placed Sheffield United who scuppered Blackburn’s hopes with a 1-1 draw at Bramall Lane Anel Ahmedhodzic’s second-half equaliser proving crucial in the final reckoning came out on top in the battle between former Arsenal teammates at Carrow Road with Aaron Ramsey’s already relegated Cardiff on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline having been reduced to 10 men by Calum Chambers’s 16th-minute red card Blackburn’s Emmanuel Dennis reacts with frustration in the draw against Sheffield United Photograph: Alex Dodd/CameraSport/Getty ImagesWilshere said he was keen on taking on a long-term role “I feel like I am ready to make an impact at this level,” he said “I don’t know what the process is [for appointing a new coach] but I guess over the next few days I will find out.” Swansea and Oxford ended their seasons in entertaining fashion with a 3-3 draw in south Wales while Sheffield Wednesday secured a first top-half Championship finish since 2019 with a 1-1 draw at Watford The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return 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If you recognise anyone in the photos, West Yorkshire Police say you should not approach but should instead contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 You should state the identity of the person shown and quote the reference number alongside the photo You can also send the information via online form Get all the latest and breaking West Yorkshire court news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here. CommentsCrime Type: Theft of Pedal Cycle Lawrence Clarke-Russam made his victim’s life an ‘utter misery’ A Leeds student studying law has avoided jail for stalking his ex-girlfriend was studying for his Master’s when he admitted to stalking his former partner by appearing at her home and workplace Clarke-Russam, from Meanwood, made his victim’s life an “utter misery”, the Yorkshire Evening Post reports faced challenges due to Clarke-Russam’s heightened jealousy and frequent cheating accusations The couple split in May 2023 and since then the 30-year-old repeatedly contacted his ex-girlfriend and visited her home with him turning up at her workplace and bombarding her with calls and messages from different phone numbers The woman eventually felt she had no choice but to move back home Clarke-Russam had no previous criminal record Mitigating, Jeremy Barton said: “There can be no excuses for his behaviour Mr Barton also argued that imprisonment would derail his studies Judge Simon Phillips KC described the case as “troubling” and highlighted the impact on the victim saying:  “She was the victim of a campaign of unwanted contact Clarke-Russam received a 24 month jail sentence He was also ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation days An indefinite restraining order was also issued to prevent him from contacting his ex-girlfriend Win £20 to spend at some of the UK's biggest retailers The theme hopes to thrust black dandyism back into the international spotlight Jotting down the rules for next year when I inevitably get invited ‘I made it very known I hated it’ Raegan and Iain call Montana’s daughter their niece She set up the page for people to send her money Students have just over two weeks to make their nominations The Annual Town Meeting for Horsforth took place at St Margaret’s Parish Centre where Katie White MP attended as a guest speaker This meeting provides a chance for Horsforth Town Council to present to the public the work they have been doing for the area as well as addressing any matters of interest or concern raised by the public Our recently elected MP Katie White provided a speech mentioning the good work the town council has been doing this year and talked of her experiences within the government and parliament since becoming an MP She also answered any queries from the people in attendance Among the people in attendance were Councillors Simon Dowling from Outer North West Neighbourhood Policing Team also gave a speech regarding the activities that the local police have been involved with this year He also answered questions raised by the people in attendance The introduction was made by the Town Council chair Cllr Simon Dowling then the minutes from the previous year were approved Katie White addressed the audience after PC Russel She mentioned the great variety of places to eat Ms White said that the community in Horsforth is “creative and thoughtful” with the events that are put on here The reason she wanted to become an MP was that she wanted to help this area with the initiatives that she can provide She grew up in this area having come from a family that has lived here for generations She feels that she is at the right age to be able to serve the constituency that she has been elected to represent Outside of the government she worked passionately for the environment and feels she can bring this to the job Is social media making the democratic system any better More details about Horsforth Town Council can be found here Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Sainsbury's is set to reintroduce the Fairtrade label on its tea products The Fairtrade certification on packaging ensures that producers are paid a guaranteed minimum price The entire "by Sainsbury's" classic teabag range will switch to Fairtrade the foundation's director of partnerships hailing the move as a "tipping point" for ethically sourced tea Sainsbury's director of sustainability commented: "We sell more than 880m teabags a year Cranston referred to the shift as a "bold move" aimed at enhancing relationships with tea producers "We have never pulled away from Fairtrade but we've talked about the risks in tea and have trialled different things," she explained She highlighted that the previous scheme, known as Fairly Traded, was implemented to better the supermarket's engagement with producers, yielding many successes and insights, reports Birmingham Live Thorogood called the tea agreement "incredibly significant" She added: "We're seeing this as a real tipping point for Fairtrade tea we really need other brands and retailers to be buying in the same way," an analyst from the Catholic charity Cafod voiced her apprehensions to the board: "I am concerned that after years of being an extremely valuable champion of Fairtrade Sainsbury's is starting in a direction that could undermine Fairtrade and lead to a plethora of different standards by different companies and confusion for consumers." another shareholder expressed confusion over the new terminology: "I have seen the publicity about the proposed change from Fairtrade to 'fairly traded' tea I have come across the term fairly traded when I have shopped in budget chains I don't know what it means and I don't think most people who shop in Sainsbury's do either." Sainsbury's CEO Mike Coupe defended their move asserting that the company was "trying to bring clarity to a very complicated environment" which involves a range of ethical standards and certifications Coupe further justified the change with assurance about upholding certain principles: "We are committed to the standards Fairtrade currently apply but we have to move on to ensure we cover social environmental and economically sustainable standards around the world," he maintained Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right West Yorkshire is at a pivotal and exciting moment witnessing a transformation that is not just reshaping its physical landscapes but also unlocking potential to further grow the local economy Having joined the authority just a few months ago it is already clear to me that Leeds is at the very heart of this evolution acting as the engine of a region poised for remarkable and sustainable growth Leeds City Council’s commitment to a collaborative approach is what puts us in a strong position to deliver on our ambitions We understand that true progress comes from leaning into the collective strength of our local authority partners and diverse organisations across the city and wider region – we want everyone in Leeds to be part of our growth story and see the benefits as we accelerate and transform over the next five to ten years At the core of this transformation lies ambitious investment in mass transit – the most significant advance in connectivity for decades This investment isn’t just about moving people; it’s about forging vital links between key cities located at the geographical heart of the UK being both at the centre of the region and providing seamless access from our city This accessibility is not just geographical; it’s about connecting talent collaborating to create an outstanding location for people to come and do their life’s best work in a supportive and thriving environment The confidence in Leeds is evident in the substantial investments we are attracting and our new partnership with the Government focused on transforming six of our communities on the periphery of the city centre are testaments to Leeds’s growing national significance the phenomenal growth of events such as The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) and Leeds Digital Festival over the past few years highlights the city’s attractiveness to investors and developers and how we really are a city that you can land in make connections and grow through a supportive ecosystem that opens doors for all involved We are proud to welcome leading organisations to our city including Microsoft and the Bank of England reinforcing Leeds’s position as a powerhouse for innovation and financial services The ripple effects of this investment extend beyond Leeds The region is unlocking significant opportunities leveraging its combined strength to deliver substantial economic and social impact With plans for a transformative integrated transport system alongside massive housing developments and building on our impressive strengths in health tech we are seeing real investment and delivery taking place across the region The combined population of the Leeds and Bradford conurbation is over 1.3 million – more than Birmingham and we are seeing real talent flow between our cities and with the brain gain from our many excellent universities this is only set to continue Leeds plays a vital role in driving growth across West Yorkshire positions it as a key driver of regional prosperity and the location of many high-value jobs We are not just a city; we are a catalyst for the region’s success Leeds is the fastest-growing city in the UK projected to reach a population of one million by 2050 signifies our economic power and acts as a launchpad for what is to come We are particularly proud of our strengths – including financial and professional services (FPS) digital and health – which place Leeds in a strong position for the future highlighted by the highly successful Leeds Digital Festival which showcases our cutting-edge technologies and advances and fosters collaboration across a wide variety of sectors UKREiiF has gone from strength to strength bringing economic benefits to the region of over £38.5 million since its inception in 2022 and now attracting over 17,000 delegates to the city in this May Our universities are incubators for talent and innovation feeding our industries with skilled graduates driving research and development creating and nurturing cutting edge businesses at the forefront of the economy Our thriving and expanding airport connect us to global markets and opportunities and with our focus on our masterplan for Leeds Station the busiest train station in the north of England we are securing our future growth through connectivity It’s a really exciting time to be in the city – we are building a future where regional connectivity and global ambition go hand-in-hand creating a prosperous and sustainable future for all We are confident that by continuing to work together we will unlock the full potential of our region and cement Leeds’s place as a leading city on the global stage which continues to build and grow for the benefit of everyone living and working there To find out more about UKREiiF and the team, visit here www.ukreiif.com Business Reporter® is a registered trademark of Lyonsdown Ltd Tickets & Hospitality Matches Shop LUTV Foundation More... Leeds United were crowned champions of the Sky Bet Championship with a stunning dramatic final day victory over Plymouth Argyle at Home Park The Whites needed to win on the South Coast owed to other results and with the scores level deep into stoppage time a fantastic run and finish from Manor Solomon proved the difference sparking wild scenes of celebration in Devon Daniel Farke’s side had secured promotion to the Premier League having won five consecutive matches but the title was still to be decided on the final day A first chance on goal came for United from a set-play Sam Byram leapt highest and connected well with his header but Conor Hazard was well placed to save Mustapha Bundu’s strike cannoned back off the post and against the defender before heading into the back of the net to give the hosts the lead A number of set-play opportunities gave the Whites opportunities to get back into the game but again Hazard was on hand to deny any attempt on his goal the hosts went into with the half-time advantage at Home Park HALF TIME: Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Leeds United Leeds knew they needed to start quickly with the title on the line and did just that equalising just a few minutes after the restart Clever play down the left saw Solomon cause problems before then drilling low across the box finding Willy Gnonto at the back post to turn home at close range Farke’s side kept pushing forward in search of a winner Solomon was lively again and had a couple of close efforts Patrick Bamford and Largie Ramazani were both introduced into the attack The magical moment came deep into added on time the attacker twisted one way and then another before drilling an inch-perfect finish into the bottom corner Defending heroically until the final whistle sounded Solomon’s strike proved the difference to take Farke’s side to 100 points and FULL TIME: Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Leeds United Map has ended speculation over the future of Daniel Farke by revealing he will stay on as manager at Elland Road in the Premier League next season Farke led Leeds to the Championship title and earned promotion back to the top-flight in his second season in charge of the club. Despite this success, there have been rumours that the 48-year-old could be relieved of his duties, having previously been relegated from the Premier League while Norwich manager after taking them up. Read moreMarathe has now confirmed that Farke will remain “I’m not one to respond because some random gossip paper wants to say something I’m not going to make comments based on rumours and gossip today is that day,” he told BBC Radio Leeds “My plan was always to come and speak to you all right after the season concluded and I want to tell you all that I’m very excited to run it back with Daniel.” He added: “I’m under no illusions that it is going to be easy The past two seasons the three promoted teams came straight back down but we have something they don’t have: we have Daniel Farke first of all.” Asked to confirm if his comments put an end to speculation over the manager’s future Marathe said: “I have ended the speculation I’m really excited about collaborating with Daniel we are going to build the best squad that we can with every penny that we’re allowed to spend to go and compete in the Premier League.” Free daily newsletterKick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football It’s the 80th anniversary of the the end of the Second World War in Europe in 1945 on May 8 – when the Allies accepted the surrender of Nazi Germany Four days of celebrations have been organised for this year’s anniversary VE Day commemorates the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8 Here’s a selection of some of the commemorative events happening in West Leeds this week. More can be found in WLD’s what’s on section There will be a service at Leeds Minster on Saturday hosted by Lord Mayor of Leeds councillor Abigail Marshall Katung choir – including Leeds Philharmonic Chorus – and bagpipe performances Leeds United are planning wholesale changes to their squad this summer as the club prepare to embark on their quest of establishing themselves back in the Premier League – and the likely first three players due to depart have come to light and with Paraag Marathe having explained why sales this summer WILL be necessary The Whites celebrated their dramatic coronation as Championship champions on Monday – sealed by Manor Solomon’s 91st-minute winner at Plymouth on the final day on Saturday – with a open-top bus parade with hundreds of thousands of supporters lining the streets of Leeds to celebrate Daniel Farke’s promotion-winning heroes But while the players who sealed the job can now look forward to a long break, behind the scenes Leeds United are working hard on re-shaping their squad ahead of the very obvious challenge of surviving in the Premier League two respected voices in the world of the Whites have revealed three players they now expect to depart Elland Road at the end of the season while doubts have emerged over four more stars too the first man out the door could well be Illan Meslier Speaking recently on The Athletic’s podcast I struggle to see being first choice at Leeds again But the way in which it has happened this season dropping out of the team on the back of two or three years of downward spiral “It makes you think he needs a fresh start and Leeds need to go after a new first-choice goalkeeper The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth has also confirmed our story from last week that Patrick Bamford has likely now played his last game for Leeds bringing an end to his seven-year stint at Elland Road “In my head, next summer, Bamford leaves. That means Leeds will already be one down. I would probably be thinking we’ll get a 9 but keep Piroe, a very good finisher, as a sub and keep Mateo Joseph to develop,” he said on the Inside Elland Road podcast The Whites are also expected to bid farewell to veteran midfielder Josuha Guilavogui who moved to Elland Road on a free transfer in October as Leeds sought to bring in midfield cover for the injuries sustained to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev The Frenchman is out of contract on July 1 READ MORE ⚪🔵🟡 Bamford lines up shock Champ move as Leeds turn to veteran Prem goal-grabber TEAMtalk understands that the Whites will listen to offers for Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood while Sam Byram will also likely depart as a free agent at the end of his deal and loan star Joe Rothwell are still to be made though the Whites are intent on keeping Tottenham loanee Solomon Having this weekend confirmed that Farke will continue as manager in the Premier League next season Marathe has now confirmed that players will likely have to leave this summer and that big-money sales are not out the window altogether “Your speculation is probably right – it’s going to be a mix of inbounds along with outbounds,” he told BBC Radio Leeds We are looking at maximising what we can do Leeds are also looking to bring in lots of Premier League experience to enhance their chances of beating the drop and there is a growing belief that a deal for Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff could be one of the first deals over the line The midfielder has been on his hometown team’s books all his career but has fallen down the pecking order under Eddie Howe this season And while he has made 31 appearances in all competitions across the 2024/25 campaign Newcastle are understood to be ready to green light his exit if an asking price of around £10m is sent their way this summer — James Marshment (@marshyleeds) May 5, 2025 He’s been a brilliant servant to the football club,” Howe said during a press conference last week he can dictate what happens with his future He’s still a very valued member of the squad With Leeds seeking a new goalkeeper, one man who could fill that position is Caoimhin Kelleher. Now Liverpool have named their final price for the Irishman to leave this summer Leeds and Chelsea all learning his likely next destination Meanwhile, Leeds have added Troy Parrott to their striker shortlist for the summer window with the former Tottenham man under consideration along with two Premier League forwards And finally, there is also growing optimism that a deal for Manor Solomon will also seen be done after sources told us that Tottenham are open to the Israeli’s sale this summer and with Leeds growing increasingly confident a deal will soon be agreed Daniel Farke will get the chance to lead Leeds United into the Premier League after chairman Paraag Marathe gave him his full backing following their Championship title triumph Following confirmation of the club’s promotion back to the English top flight last month reports had suggested that Farke’s position may be in doubt despite the German still having two years to run on his contract at Elland Road However, while speaking with local media after the club were crowned Championship winners on Saturday Marathe has set the record straight on where the truth lies The American says he is excited to continue working with Farke, Robbie Evans and Adam Underwood, who were promoted to managing director and sporting director respectively this week. “I want to tell you all I’m very excited to run it back with Daniel,” he said “I’m really excited about collaborating with Daniel we are going to build the best squad we can with every penny we’re allowed to spend to compete in the Premier League “I’m under no illusions it’s going to be easy Last season’s three promoted clubs went right back down As reported by The Athletic last week the calming presence Farke provides to the club is highly valued by those at the top of the organisation Marathe recounted the moment the manager told journalists he was 100 per cent convinced the club would be promoted despite a disappointing late draw with Swansea City The chairman also recognised how difficult it had been for Farke to face recent questions on his future while there was no public backing from his paymasters Marathe insists that support was there behind the scenes “(A calming) presence would be an understatement “When he told you all he was 100 per cent confident we’re going to the Premier League I’m looking forward to moving forward together “I didn’t feel like it was my time to speak because someone wanted to put out a rumour or whatever It wasn’t my place in time to speak at that point Marathe feels Leeds are in a far better state than Ipswich Town Leicester City and Southampton were when they got promoted 12 months ago “We have players that believe the sum of the parts is greater than the individual pieces “We have a community that supports our club We have a 28,000-person paid season ticket waiting list Twenty-eight thousand is more than many Premier League clubs’ actual season ticket list Our front of shirt (sponsorship deal) goes up significantly There’s an opportunity for us to take all of that extra revenue and pour it right back onto the pitch “I feel that we’re going to be better equipped than the previous clubs We have a really great team working together to go and attack the transfer market but that doesn’t mean the work hasn’t been done but we’ve been working on Premier League market plans for the last six months.” Among the various changes expected at Leeds this summer will be chief executive Angus Kinnear’s departure to Everton who has been working as an interim football advisor at Elland Road for two years Hammond is renowned for his role in the transfers Leeds have secured in and out of the club but Marathe was keen to emphasise his departure will not cripple the club’s efficiency in the market The chairman has always seen it as a team effort “Nick wasn’t doing everything in a vacuum last season,” he said “It was always a team effort and it’s going to continue to be a team effort probably even more so this season because we are going from being the big fish in a little pond to a little fish in a big pond “We need to fight together and work together we’re going to work together to make the best decisions for the club we can.” Everything in a football club flows from who the manager or head coach is Marathe needed to provide this clarity as soon as possible Some supporters may have preferred this message after several national newspapers reported doubts about Farke’s future The proof will be in the pudding ultimately A club has to make its decisions and hope they prove to be the right ones on the pitch There are legitimate criticisms of Farke’s substitutions in-game tactical management and entertainment value but can anyone argue with the results he has been getting After amassing 190 points across two seasons with a third Championship title in seven seasons he has surely earned the right to take the club into the top flight No fair comparisons can be drawn with what happened to him at Norwich City in 2019-20 or 2021-22 This is a different beast with a different funding model and a different fanbase This is why he came here in 2023 and he will back himself to buck the trend that has developed over the last two years The six most recently-promoted outfits have been relegated the following season Marathe feels Farke himself is one reason why Leeds can escape that fate financial backing of Red Bull among others and the planning which has gone into one of the most important transfer windows of recent memory Beren Cross is a football writer for The Athletic, covering Leeds United. Before joining The Athletic, he reported on Leeds United for Leeds Live. He was born in Doncaster and grew up in Lincoln. Follow Beren on Twitter @Berencross Leeds was promoted to the Premier League as second-division champion on Saturday after Manor Solomon's dramatic winner in stoppage time. Solomon's late goal sealed a 2-1 comeback win against relegated Plymouth and saw Leeds top the Championship — edging out second-placed Burnley on goal difference. Both teams had clinched promotion last week but fought to go up as champion. They ended the season level on 100 points each after Burnley beat Millwall 3-1 and was promoted as runner-up. Coventry and Bristol City took the last two playoff places. Coventry beat Middlesbrough 2-0 to end the season in fifth place and Bristol City was sixth after a 2-2 draw against Preston. Third-place Sheffield United and Sunderland in fourth complete the playoffs lineup. Those four teams will compete for the third and final promotion spot. Luton Town was relegated for the second year in a row after a 5-3 loss against West Brom. Luton was a Premier League team last season, but will be playing in the third tier of English soccer next term after Hull climbed out of the relegation zone in the final game of the season with a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth. Leeds and Burnley were neck and neck at the top of the standings going into the last round of games. And it looked like Burnley — relegated from the top flight last year — would clinch the title with victory against Millwall. Leeds trailed at second from bottom Plymouth in the 18th when Sam Byram put through his own net. Wilfried Gnonto leveled the game at Home Park in the 53rd, but time was running out to complete the comeback. That was until Solomon's dramatic winner in the first minute of stoppage time. Students wear fancy dress during the Otley Run pub crawl on Saturday Max Hut (second from right) said he felt reassured by an increased police presence A week after two women were injured in a crossbow attack on the route of the Otley Run pub crawl in Leeds people have been returning to the bars in force the police tape has been taken down and students could be seen wearing fancy dress and in high spirits on Saturday there are mixed feelings among residents and revellers alike with some expressing fears about a rise in misogyny and violence against women A 19-year-old woman underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries following the attack on 26 April while a 31-year-old woman was also taken to hospital Owen Lawrence – the 38-year-old man later named as the key suspect in the attack – had posted a hate-filled online manifesto describing the planned violence as "misogynistic rage" He was arrested at the scene and later died in hospital from self-inflicted injuries. Some bar-goers who spoke to the BBC earlier said they had been "apprehensive" about returning to the pub crawl, but felt safe thanks to a show of strength by the police. Image source, BBC/Grace WoodImage caption, Sophie Barraclough (left) wears fancy dress as part of birthday celebrations with friends Sophie Barraclough, an 18-year-old student at the University of Leeds, said a friend had been in a pub not far from the place of the attack in Otley Road. "What happened is really tragic and really sad, but if everyone keeps a watch out – and it's good to see all the police around – it makes me feel safer," she said. "The Otley Run is a lot of fun. It's a classic thing to do when you're in Leeds and all my friends from Newcastle have come." Max Hut, a 19-year-old student who was taking part in the pub crawl for the first time, said he thought this week "would be the safest it's ever going to be" because of the police presence. But for art student Jess Anderson, 20, the incident had "brought it close to home that there is actually a rise in violence against women". She said she enjoyed dressing up for the pub crawl and being with the people she loved, but was "concerned there might be copycat people". Her views were shared by student Christi King, 21, who lives in Headingley and said the attack had made her "even more aware" of her surroundings. Image source, BBC/Elizabeth BainesImage caption, Christi King says boys are being "roped into" false ideas about women "We did not really believe what was happening at first," Ms King said. "It is sad that girls cannot just go out and feel safe." "Violence against women is rising and people need to wake up to that." She would like to see further education for young men on the issue. "We are seeing a rise [in misogyny] on social media specifically targeting younger boys," she said. "They are getting roped into these ideas about women which are completely false, so what is being done to make sure women are safe?" Image source, BBC/Elizabeth BainesImage caption, Kate Morris says women have to think about threats when going on nights out Kate Morris, 23, had been planning to take part in the Otley Run when the attack happened. "I think we will try our best to not let it affect us," Ms Morris said. "As much as this is horrifying, when we go out we always have to think about threats. "We still have to think about walking home - these people do exist." Following the attack, Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin moved to reassure women and girls and called their safety "a top priority". Image source, BBC/Elizabeth BainesImage caption, Iwan Grant says "armies of police" patrolled the streets last Saturday Iwan Grant, a graduate of Leeds Conservatoire who has lived in Headingley for three years, said the event was "an attack on the way of life" in the suburb. "I literally live on the road where it happened, that does not happen here," the 24-year-old said. Despite the attack, which saw "armies of police" patrolling the streets, he said his social circle felt safe. "That is not something that is going to change," he said. Image source, BBC/Cathy KillickImage caption, Police cordon off the area following the attack An increased police presence in Headingley has been in place in an attempt to reassure those living, working, studying or visiting the area. Ch Supt Steve Dodds, Leeds District Commander, said this would continue over the coming days "both on the streets and around key events in the community". West Yorkshire Police was "absolutely committed to making sure that people feel safe to go about their daily lives in the area", he added. Another resident, 25-year-old Tim Brown, said life was going on, but "we are all thinking of the women hurt". "There are plenty of big community events and people have not seemed too fussed, but there is the wider issue of femicide that needs tackling," he added. Image source, BBC/Elizabeth BainesImage caption, Tim Brown is concerned about attempts to radicalise young men online The nearby St Michael and All Angels' Church has opened its doors to provide comfort for anyone feeling concerned. James Eames, who was working at a hair salon on Otley Road at the time of the attack, said: "Social media forces people to live in bubbles, people fall down a pit and it is hard to get out of." The 25-year-old raised concerns about online echo chambers reinforcing extreme views. "On your phone you could see another bloke that backs a theory about women, but it comes from this idea of women that is not the real world," he said. "Technology has to be able to tackle that." People had been "shaken up" by the incident, but it would not stop them from "living their lives", he added. Tell us which stories we should cover in Yorkshire Contact formContact formListen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Crossbow attack suspect put 'massacre' plans online 'Otley Run should be happy and silly but this is scary' From other local news sitesEd Anderson CBE: 'I'm Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire - I came here in 1969 and fell in love straight away' 22 of the best photos take you back to 1996 Middle-aged drug dealers spared prison due to 'squalid' existence 'I didn’t realise I was being controlled' - type of abuse on the rise in Bradford Calls for 'lessons to be learned' over Bradford Interchange as all services to return Calderdale From Above: Spectacular aerial photos of Halifax at night Information about BBC links to other news sitesTop storiesUkraine drone attack shuts Moscow airports, says Russia Met Gala 2025: Stars don their tailored best in suits, feathers and ties VE Day 80: Poignant thank you to a heroic generation Americans used to be steadfast in their support for Israel. Those days are gone Attenborough at 99 delivers 'greatest message he's ever told' 'A day to remember' and 'PM prepares' for Russia attack What impact might Trump's Hollywood tariffs plan have? What Canada's Mark Carney can expect when he meets Trump India worried about Chinese 'dumping' as trade tensions with Trump escalate VE Day moments so far - and what's still to come Politics Essential: Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox every weekday The final series of Man Like Mobeen has arrived Louis Theroux visits the West Bank to meet Israeli settlers crews with Hurricane Valley Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a vehicle fire about 2.5 miles up Oak Grove Road MORE | Car fire: Three people injuried in fiery Washington County crash Firefighters extinguished the flames before it spread to nearby vegetation The cause of the fire is under investigation USMNT star Brenden Aaronson has been told that he is “nowhere near Premier League level” as Leeds return to the top tier of English football Freelance Sports ReporterPublished: Invalid Date LEEDS have made their final decision on the future of the promotion-winning manager Daniel Farke The Yorkshire side sealed their return to the Premier League after relegation in 2023 Farke, 48, was also able to take Leeds to the Championship title as they edged out Burnley on goal difference there had been question marks over Germany's future It had been suggested that Leeds could sack Farke due to his experience in the Premier League He suffered relegation with Norwich City in 2020 and was then sacked just 11 games into the 2021/22 season after coming back up He had also been on the end of some criticism at Elland Road after losing in the Play-Offs last season Fans have also taken issue with his playing style, substitutes and until recently, an insistence on sticking with keeper Illan Meslier. Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe has issued a nine-word statement on the manager. He told the BBC: "I have ended the speculation He added: "I'm not going to make comments based on rumours and gossip "I was waiting for the season to conclude "My plan was always to come and speak to you all right after the season concluded and I want to tell you all that I'm very excited to run it back with Daniel "I'm really excited about collaborating with Daniel we are going to build the best squad that we can with every penny that we're allowed to spend to go and compete in the Premier League Farke will be relieved with the news and can start planning for the summer ahead of the club's return to the Premier League THE German's record in the top-flight with Norwich is not inspiring.. Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Tens of thousands of celebrating fans lined the mile-long route The parade took in the full length of City Square The Headrow and parts of Wellington Street and Vicar Lane The Whites' promotion was confirmed on Easter Monday as they beat Stoke City 6-0 and picked up the Championship with a last-gasp win over Plymouth on Saturday That's the end of our live coverage of Leeds United's promotion parade There's more on Look North plus in-depth coverage of the club, promotion and summer on Radio Leeds You could even subscribe to the sports team's Don't Go to Bed Just Yet podcast which is all about the Whites We'll leave you with the scene on The Headrow after the parade passed through Get that cleared up and then I'm sure thoughts will turn to the Premier League and summer signings Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingHow many fans?published at 15:48 British Summer Time 5 May15:48 BST 5 MayImage source PA MediaWe've just heard from Leeds City Council about the numbers of people on the city's streets today Local authority estimates put the number of fans in town at about 150,000 Just as well there are plans to make Elland Road a bit bigger Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingIt's all overpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 5 May15:31 BST 5 MayThe bus has finished making its way through the centre of Leeds and is now making its way out of town The city centre was turned into a sea of blue Fans of all ages lined the streets for the celebrations Daniel Farke's side sealed the Championship title with 100 points on Saturday The Championship trophy was paraded through town as the buses made their way through the city centre Fans of all shapes and sizes came out in force to celebrate with their heroes Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWhere Flare!published at 15:13 British Summer Time 5 May15:13 BST 5 MayEleanor InglebyBBC News The pyro party ratcheted up a notch as the team parade moved onto The Headrow Huge crowds lined both sides of one of Leeds's best-known streets They may be under the smoke captured in this video They sound in fine voice wherever they are Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingAll Leeds aren't we?published at 15:04 British Summer Time 5 May15:04 BST 5 MayImage source A contender for Leeds United's youngest fan gets in on the action The canine supporters' club were also represented at the parade Several generations of Leeds fans have turned out for the celebrations Supporters have been catching a glimpse of the buses wherever they can Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Once a White always a White'published at 14:45 British Summer Time 5 May14:45 BST 5 MayMother and daughter Christene and Robin drove three-and-a-half hours from Colchester to make the parade Christene is a lifelong Whites fan and attended the 1975 European Cup final with her dad as a young girl Mother and daughter Christene and Robin have ventured up from Essex for the promotion party Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPromotion party in full swingpublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 5 May14:37 BST 5 MaySteve JonesBBC News Space is at a premium in Leeds city centre this afternoon The city centre has been transformed into a sea of blue Fans are out in force for the promotion party Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingReady to go on The Headrowpublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 5 May14:26 BST 5 MayImage source Eleanor Ingleby/BBCFans have left City Square with many streaming up to The Headrow to get a second glance at their heroes It's filling up there now - particularly close to the Town Hall and city art gallery Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThe players are herepublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 5 May14:13 BST 5 MayThe three buses carrying the players and staff made their way into City Square to jubilant scenes The promotion party is well and truly under way in the centre of Leeds Daniel Farke's Leeds United are back in the top flight Thousands have lined the city's streets to celebrate 'All Leeds aren't we' is one of the many songs blaring out as the players make their way through town Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingFarke's 'firebeasts' and other reasons to be cheerfulpublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 5 May14:03 BST 5 MayAdam PopeBBC Radio Leeds commentator Listen: Chairman Paraag Marathe says Daniel Farke will manage Leeds United in the Premier League Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThis is what City Square looked likepublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 5 May13:50 BST 5 MayThis video can not be played Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThe scene on the groundpublished at 13:49 British Summer Time 5 May13:49 BST 5 MayOli ConstableBBC Yorkshire in City Square and everywhere you look is a sea of yellow and white Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'The Whites are going up!'published at 13:32 British Summer Time 5 May13:32 BST 5 MayIt's getting loud in Leeds city centre as the open-top bus makes its through City Square Leeds topped the 2024/25 Championship table with 100 points Fans young and old are lining the city's streets Leeds last played in the top flight in 2023 Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Marching on together' rings outpublished at 13:25 British Summer Time 5 May13:25 BST 5 MayThe Leeds United anthem rings out as the buses which form the parade get nearer to City Square The air is thick with smoke from flares as people hail their heroes Leeds players bounce up and down on the top deck of the buses The parade hasn't reached its official start yet Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBus near to start of routepublished at 13:19 British Summer Time 5 May13:19 BST 5 MayImage source is almost at the start of the route at City Square It's fair to say it's a proper turnout from the people of Leeds Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingSeason's support has been 'unparalleled'published at 13:10 British Summer Time 5 May13:10 BST 5 MayAdam PopeBBC Radio Leeds commentator Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Shoes off if you love Leeds'published at 13:00 British Summer Time 5 May13:00 BST 5 May Jubilant fans are getting into the party spirit in Leeds city centre Leeds are celebrating their return to the top flight of English football after a two-year absence Thousands of fans have packed the city centre's streets for the parade Some fans are enjoying a VIP view of the celebrations Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingThey predict a riotpublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 5 May12:53 BST 5 MayJonny BuchanBBC Radio Leeds sports editor This was the scene in City Square an hour ago Thousands of fans belt out the Kaiser Chiefs anthem I Predict a Riot The tune has become synonymous with the club including a powerful airing when the team clinched promotion against Stoke Leeds United fans sing Kaiser Chiefs anthem Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingSo different to last timepublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 5 May12:48 BST 5 MayImage source PA MediaNon-Leeds United fans may be wondering why this is such a big deal after the club were so recently in the top flight Leeds were Championship winners in 2020 - but that was in the middle of Covid restrictions The rules at the time saw empty grounds and a ban on people gathering There was a celebration which saw some fans at the ground but this year's public celebration aims to offer fans a chance to celebrate with each other and the team- which they were denied due to coronavirus Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingFans lining the streetspublished at 12:47 British Summer Time 5 May12:47 BST 5 MayImage source Caroline and Heather are in the party spirit City Square just after 11:30 - 90 minutes before the parade gets under way US EditionUK EditionScottish SunIrish SunSearchMy Account Daniel Farke will be Leeds' manager in the Premier League next season That's according to the club's chairman Paraag Marathe who has commented on the German's future amid intense speculation he could depart despite securing Promotion from the Championship Leeds had reportedly been weighing up whether to keep Farke in charge for their top-flight return His side clinched the title and reached 100 points by beating Plymouth on Saturday Chairman Marathe has now confirmed Farke will remain at the helm for next season The American told BBC Radio Leeds: "I'm very excited to run it back with Daniel and collaborate with him When asked if he had any question marks over the manager, Marathe added: "I have ended the speculation. He is my man." Farke has been in charge at Elland Road since 2023, guiding the club to the play-off final in his first season as boss. His previous two promotions with Norwich both ended in disappointment, though. he is set to be backed in the transfer market by Leeds' owners this summer Marathe explained: "Together we are going to build the best squad we can with every penny we are allowed to spend to be competitive in the Premier League "We are going to attack the transfer market and it's something I'm really excited about." He also hailed Farke's calming influence around the club continuing: "He is such a calming force - presence would be an understatement He told you all he was 100% confident we were going to the Prem after the draw with Swansea "He has that conviction and belief and I told him privately that I was looking forward to moving forward together but I didn't feel like it was my time to speak because someone wanted to put out a rumour." Farke's Leeds contract still has two years remaining with his deal not set to expire until the summer of 2027 His third season in charge will begin in the top-flight in August as Leeds return after a two-year hiatus The Whites' most recent stint in the Premier League lasted three seasons before relegation on the final day in 2023 believed to have shot two women in Headingley before turning weapon on himself The suspect in the Leeds crossbow attack wrote a Facebook manifesto espousing plans for “terrorism revenge and misogynistic rage” that referenced the 2019 massacre in New Zealand Owen Lawrence is suspected to have shot the women on Saturday in Headingley before turning a firearm on himself with one sustaining life-threatening injuries also cites “neurotypical” people as targets as well as general categories such as “humanity” and “human race” the author says he has read the manifesto of the far-right mass murderer Brenton Tarrant who carried out the massacre in Christchurch Tarrant killed 51 people in and close to two mosques The Facebook post details the attack type as: “Mass murder Counter-terrorism police have taken the lead in investigating after concluding that the suspect was likely to have written the tract One of his victims has been discharged while the other is in a stable condition said: “We can confirm that the 38-year-old man who was arrested and taken to hospital on Saturday with a self-inflicted injury “This man was the key suspect and we can name him as Owen Lawrence from Headingley We believe he was acting on his own and are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with this matter “Counter Terrorism Policing North East will continue to conduct a thorough and extensive investigation to establish the facts and circumstances around the incident A file will be compiled and passed to the coroner.” The Guardian understands Lawrence was unknown to counter-terrorism police or the security services as a suspect beforehand The senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism is still to declare the attempt at a mass casualty attack as a terrorist incident Lawrence lived barely 200 metres off Otley Road and his last address was a flat that has been raided and searched by police said: “The events in Headingley this weekend have deeply alarmed our community not only the planned attack but the disturbing rise in violent misogyny too We continue to hold the two women attacked in our thoughts as they recover and it’s essential we tackle any culture that normalises misogyny and opens the door to extremism.” with police trying to determine how their suspect got hold of it The head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East said: “We understand there are concerns around the incident and questions about how and why this has happened Our teams are committed to carrying out an in-depth investigation to provide answers to those affected.” an account that appears to be linked to Lawrence lists things that he hates In this post and his supposed manifesto posted on Facebook he referenced “the great replacement theory” This is a bogus far-right claim that white populations are being replaced in society Material from the suspect’s electronic devices is being investigated as is his mental health and neurological state said: “My thoughts remain with the victims and wider community following the horrific incident in Headingley at the weekend.” Counter-terrorism’s workload increasingly includes people who have no clear ideology or where the causes driving them to violence are unclear A fortnight ago, the Guardian revealed that counter-terrorism police and the National Crime Agency had set up a joint taskforce to tackle young males fixated with violence online that is often also fuelled by “strongly misogynistic” online material This follows on from the plans outlined in September of 2024 Leeds City Council’s Executive Board unanimously agreed the regeneration vision and Councillors will now be discussing the pre-application for the modernisation of Elland Road Stadium at a Plans Panel meeting on Thursday 8th May 2025 with the view to increase the capacity from 37,645 to up to 56,500 The estimated final capacity of the design in progress is approximately 53,000 An evolution of what makes Elland Road great the revitalisation of the West and North Stands will provide greatly improved general admission and hospitality facilities with 26,000 supporters currently on the club’s season ticket waiting list Fans and members of the local community can visit a public exhibition at the Centenary Pavilion at Elland Road which will be open from Thursday 22nd May 2025-Friday 23rd May 2025 or one of two consultation events as part of a community roadshow in Leeds: Public Exhibition at The Centenary Pavilion Thursday 22nd May 2025 (11am-12pm) BSL and Quiet Session Leeds United endeavours to ensure the consultation process is as accessible as possible and would also like to hear your views and thoughts. Feedback and comments can be submitted via [email protected] A crossbow and firearm were found at the scene in Headingley and a man with a self-inflicted injury arrested Counter-terrorism police have been called in after two women were seriously injured in Leeds and a crossbow and a gun were seized by police, while a male suspect with a self-inflicted injury was arrested. West Yorkshire police were called at 2.47pm on Saturday after reports of a man with weapons. The two women injured were taken to hospital, while a 38-year-old man was arrested and taken to hospital. Their injuries were not regarded as life-threatening, police said. Counter Terrorism Policing North East said it had taken over the investigation “due to the circumstances surrounding the incident … Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.” The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: “I am being kept updated on the serious violent incident in Leeds this afternoon. Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response. My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack.” The head of CTP North East, DCI James Dunkerley, said: “From the enquiries undertaken so far, there is no evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in the attack, and, at this time, we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.” Assistant chief constable Carl Galvin of West Yorkshire police, who commanded the police operation, said officers were in the area to “reassure residents and continue our enquiries”. “I also want to thank members of the public for the support they gave victims and the emergency services as we attended the scene,” he said. “We would strongly urge people not to speculate online or share information or footage which could affect the active investigation and continue to work closely with colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing North East.” The incident happened on the Otley Run, a pub crawl that is popular with students, just days before the summer term starts for many university courses. Bethany Connelly, who works in the area, told Yorkshire Live: “I was at work at a nearby restaurant and some girls were sitting outside. “They asked if they could come in and finish what they were having because they’d seen someone with a crossbow. This was all before the incident, and a few minutes later, we saw ambulances and police rushing down the roads. “The roads were getting blocked off, and we’d been told by police to keep everyone indoors and away from the area.” Rachel Reeves, the chancellor and MP for Leeds West and Pudsey, said the incident was shocking, telling the BBC: “My thoughts are with all of those affected.” 1730 CommentsLeeds United and Burnley have sealed their places in the Premier League with two games to spare Both could end the season on exactly 100 points - yet will be immediately tipped for relegation next season For the Clarets it is an immediate bounce back while the Whites took two years to secure their top-flight return Both clubs' managers have similar records in English football management - with three promotions from the Championship but no seasons of staying in the Premier League So how will they fare back in the top flight The past two seasons have shown they will have their work cut out Six moments that mattered as Leeds won promotion We bored our way to the Premier League - Brownhill Leeds & Burnley promoted to the Premier League - reaction & Phil McNulty Q&A Parker 'hugely proud' of Burnley promotion Burnley's last season in the Premier League was under Vincent Kompany But they continued trying to play like that in the Premier League and it did not work. Well it worked for Kompany, who was hired as Bayern Munich manager at the end of the season this promotion campaign has been very different It was based on a solid defence - conceding only 15 goals in 44 league games so far They are on a club record 31-game unbeaten league run Manager Scott Parker had previously won promotion with Fulham and Bournemouth His record in the Championship is three promotions from three seasons In his two and a half years with Fulham they were relegated from the Premier League twice At Bournemouth he got them promoted in his first season in charge but left just weeks into the following season Former Clarets defender Michael Duff told BBC Radio 5 Live: "There are going to be tough times next season [for Parker] He's proven that he's a good manager and he's not going to become a bad manager in three or four games." added: "There is no way he is going to come away from that [defensive strategy] next season especially after what he has seen in the last two seasons from newly promoted sides." Daniel Farke has managed something only Marcelo Bielsa has done with Leeds since 1990 - winning promotion to the top flight The German led Norwich to promotion from the Championship twice but they went straight back down the first time and he was sacked in the November of the second Premier League campaign They have more points than they did in their 2019-20 Championship title-winning campaign under Bielsa (93) - having lost in last season's play-off final But no manager will ever compare to the iconic Argentine Bielsa - who was sacked 18 months into his Premier League stint - to Leeds fans Former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford said: "When you've got players such as Archie Gray Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville - three key players leaving last summer who would have foreseen the overturn in fortunes "The players that came in - man for man - may not have been as good individually as the players that left But what they did bring was unity and team spirit we've got more points [than under Bielsa] but those stats do get overlooked because Daniel Farke is not Marcelo Biesla." Monday Night Club: How will Leeds and Burnley cope in the Premier League Leeds and Burnley will hope they can buck the new trend of promoted teams going straight back down Only once between the Premier League's foundation in 1992-93 and 2022-23 had all the promoted teams gone straight back down But it is set to happen for the second season in a row now This season Leicester and Southampton are down and Ipswich will join them soon barring a huge turnaround in the final few weeks they will be the two lowest ever points totals for three relegated teams It used to be more common for no promoted teams to go back down - happening four times Hart added: "I think fans are going to have to get on board that their teams are going to be looking to grind out results "I think it has been shown over the last two seasons what an impressive league this is and you really have to be squeaky clean if you want to play that sort of football - because you will get picked apart and hurt." One thing hindering promoted clubs is the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) - which punishes clubs which post losses of more than £105m over a three-year reporting cycle Burnley chief finance officer Sasha Ryazantsev told BBC Sport: "A promotion to the Premier League has the obvious positive impact of the higher broadcasting and commercial revenues Burnley will have one of the lowest revenues "Player wages is the best predictor of on-the-pitch performance in the Premier League the average wages of the three promoted clubs were five times lower than the average for the top three clubs and half of the average of the seven clubs immediately below them "Such disparity means that it has become increasingly difficult for newly promoted sides to stay up and clubs need to find a way to outsmart the opposition as outspending them is just not a viable option." Is this the worst bottom three in Premier League history The Premier League's worst bottom three ever Joe Hart on goalkeepers Meslier and Trafford Leeds have been more impressive going forward this season Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu look capable of coping with the step up," said BBC Radio Leeds reporter Adam Pope of the Wales internationals Winger James has played in the Premier League with Leeds Manchester United and Fulham and centre-back Rodon has already played in the top flights in England "There is an argument to suggest Ao Tanaka Jayden Bogle and Willy Gnonto could follow suit with the latter pair having had 74 appearances between them in the Premier League already," added Pope "Joel Piroe has the quality to finish at the top level Dutch forward Piroe is the Championship's top scorer with 19 goals - including four in Monday's 6-0 win over Stoke. The man who has dominated headlines for Burnley this season has been England Under-21 goalkeeper James Trafford. He has kept 28 clean sheets in 43 Championship games, including a run of 12 in a row, conceding 15 goals - one every 258 minutes. Last season he had conceded 62 goals in 28 Premier League games, with only two clean sheets. Former Clarets keeper Hart said: "I love him, he is so confident and charismatic. He really believes in himself and I know for a fact he has been working hard on his physical development. He will be at the centre of plenty of activity this summer." Ex-Clarets winger Glen Little, who is BBC Radio Lancashire's summariser, says their centre-backs - who like Trafford are both 22 - have been their best two players. "I'd have Maxime Esteve as the player of the season and CJ Egan-Riley right behind him. The defence have been really good," he said. Both clubs are owned by Americans, with investment from people linked to American football. ALK Capital LLC has majority control of Burnley, with Alan Pace the chairman. Former NFL player JJ Watt is a minority stakeholder in the club. Leeds are owned by the San Francisco 49ers Enterprises group, with investors including American golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Red Bull has a minority stake in the club. Leeds reporter Pope said: "I expect Daniel Farke will be backed by the owners, unlike his time post winning two titles at Norwich City. "Financially Leeds United are in as solid a position as I can recall. "The one concern is that the club has £142m to fork out in unpaid transfer fees, but the profit from the sales of Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter will offset some of that." Burnley's owners have a decision to make. Two summers ago they spent a fortune and got relegated with 24 points. "A couple of years ago they shocked everyone," said Little. "They spent about £100m. It was a disaster. It didn't work. "Will they reign it in a bit this time and go for more experienced Premier League players? Or will they take the money and say 'it's a young team, shall we go with it and see how we get on?' "The one thing they didn't do last time, which was a mistake, was they didn't sign a proper centre-forward. This time around hopefully they've learned their lesson there. That would be my first business." 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Read about our approach to external linking. with Leeds needing to win to move back to the top above Burnley on goal difference with one game remaining who leads a consortium of about 100 investors making up 49ers Enterprises and will have the final say needs to be convinced by Farke and wants to hear how he would approach a season in the Premier League The owners have ambitious plans to turn Leeds into a top-10 club and to expand Elland Road’s capacity to 56,500 Leeds’s managerial plans are complicated by financial restrictions that have left them with little profitability and sustainability headroom and a limited budget to make changes The club have posted combined losses of £94.5m over the past two seasons and their permitted loss for the next three-year reporting cycle will be £61m Leeds have released plans for an expanded Elland Road Illustration: LUFCFarke has two years on his contract and would be due a year’s salary in compensation if dismissed leaving Leeds to focus on alternatives who are out of work or available for limited compensation Initial soundings have been made towards the former Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst PSV and Benfica coach Roger Schmidt and Davide Ancelotti The first two are out of work and Ancelotti is expected to leave Real with his father in the summer Another potential problem for Leeds is the owners’ determination to take charge of player recruitment through a data-led approach Leeds backed Farke by retaining him after they lost to Southampton in the playoff final last season but Marathe failed to offer any personal support after securing promotion at the second time of asking last Monday Marathe is due to stay in Leeds all week and attend their final game of the season at Plymouth on Saturday On appointing Farke Marathe said the former Borussia Mönchengladbach coach had been recruited with a view to managing the club in the Premier League “I don’t think he had a fair stack of cards when he was in the Premier League,” he said “We’re going to give him the deck of cards I think he could be a very successful coach across Europe This isn’t just: ‘Hey get us through the Championship.’” Up in the directors’ box, Paraag Marathe looked on inscrutably. If, and it remains quite a big if, he really is considering sacking Farke, the club’s chairman – who, perhaps significantly pulled out of a planned pre-match television interview at the last minute – must surely be having second thoughts after this. Read moreWin at Plymouth on Saturday and Farke’s formidably impressive Leeds will finish the season on 100 points and, due to their superior goal difference, clinch the Championship title. All kaleidoscopic passing and movement, they simply steamrollered Bristol City into submission and the visiting manager can only hope that a defeat that could have been considerably heavier does not exert too much psychological damage at a vital moment Although City are well placed to finish in the top six they may still need to beat Preston at Ashton Gate on Saturday to secure a playoff semi-final against Sheffield United or Manning’s players did not have a shot of any description until the 75th minute here Given Farke’s achievement in securing a top-two place last week despite losing three of his best players in a £140m fire sale last summer reports that he could be about to be sacked seem absurd Although the manager is due to meet with Marathe this week to “discuss the future” club sources claim it is all part of a routine end of season review and nothing out of the ordinary Whatever the precise truth – given that the stories have not emerged from thin air it seems someone somewhere clearly has an agenda –the club’s owners are surely misguided if they really believe they can get a better manager Do they not appreciate just how good Farke is the outgoing Everton-bound Leeds chief executive penned an ode to the German in Monday’s match programme “I want to congratulate Daniel on an almost immaculate season,” he wrote “This club needs a leader with broad shoulders strong principles and unshakeable belief if it is to be successful I don’t believe we could have a better leader.” Farke himself remained characteristically poised before kick-off telling a television interviewer: “It’s not my topic … I just recommend you don’t believe everything you read in a newspaper.” Largie Ramazani fires home Leeds’ fourth goal in stoppage time Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty ImagesAfterwards still soaked in the champagne his players had sprayed over him at the final whistle “Right now it’s just about celebrating this special day,” said Farke I signed a long term contract here and the next step is to establish this side in the Premier League.” Farke took his place in the home dugout on an unusually warm late April evening the ground turned into a sea of twirling yellow scarves as the stadium rocked to a raucously rousing rendition of the club anthem “Marching on Together” Five years ago when Leeds were last promoted to the Premier League the Covid pandemic dictated that locals were denied their party They certainly made up for it here and a City team penned into their own half and struggling to string two passes together proved perfectly obliging guests With the once again excellent right-back Jayden Bogle rampaging forward and the outstanding Japan central midfielder Ao Tanaka integral to much glorious movement the ever dangerous Manor Solomon swiftly swept the ball into the back of the net Although that effort was disallowed as Joël Piroe had strayed offside Tanaka soon half-volleyed Solomon’s clever looping cross beyond Max O’Leary may have been encouraged to note that Tanaka was unmarked City mark zonally but that system failed here with the best of several fine saves denying Solomon Leeds though monopolised possession and doubled their lead when Wilfried Gnonto ran onto Piroe’s superb through ball and expertly lifted his shot over the advancing O’Leary By way of emphasising that 30 points separate these sides substitute Largie Ramazani scored the third with his first touch after meeting a ball from Junior Firpo as perfectly calibrated as Leeds performance When Ramazani controlled Ilia Gruev’s through pass and whipped a stoppage-time fourth past O’Leary Elland Road offered Farke a standing ovation Crossbow and firearm recovered from city’s Otley Run pub crawl route where two women were seriously injured Facebook posts appearing to contain plans for a “massacre” are being examined by counter-terrorism police investigating an attack in which two women were seriously injured in Leeds. A man, 38, who suffered a “self-inflicted injury” was arrested and two weapons – a crossbow and a firearm – were recovered from the scene, on the popular Otley Run pub crawl route in the north of the city. He was described on Sunday as a “key suspect” by police who said he remained in hospital in a critical condition. One of the two women – who are aged 19 and 31 – has been discharged from hospital, but the other underwent surgery after suffering life-threatening injuries and is in a stable condition. Police also said they were aware of video being circulated on social media, a reference to footage which appeared to have been taken from a passing car and shows a black-clad man carrying an implement and with a carry case slung over his shoulder. The head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, Det Ch Supt James Dunkerley, said officers were working at pace to establish the full facts and circumstances of Saturday’s incident, but added: “We are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with this matter, which has caused understandable concern. We believe it was an isolated incident.” Alex Sobel, the Labour MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, said he had spoken to the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, on Sunday afternoon and would remain in touch with her as well as the security minister, Dan Jarvis, regarding aspects of the incident. “I want to thank local people and the blue light services in how they responded to this and the fact that the area has now been cleared and is no longer a live crime scene,” he said. “The broader implications of an attack in which lethal weapons were found in a very busy area where the country’s most populous pub crawl takes place is a real concern,” he added. Sobel said he would be raising the issue of the availability of weapons linked to the incident, and how to keep people safe when they are standing in large groups and queueing. Counter-terror police are examining a number of Facebook posts – including one which appeared to include plans for a “mass-murder” attack – to determine if they are linked to the attacker or the incident. The post appeared before the attack on a Facebook account that indicated far-right sympathies as well as reflecting the “mixed ideology” that has increasingly been on the radar of counter-terrorism police. The posts listed as “targets” students, nightclub goers and “neurotypicals”. Reference was made to a “manifesto” written by a man who killed 51 people during shootings at a mosque and Islamic centre in New Zealand in 2019. Facebook’s parent company, Meta, told the Guardian that it had taken action to remove an account apparently associated with the incident. The home secretary received further updates on Sunday from counter-terrorism police after she was first briefed in the wake of the attack. The incident caused shock across the community in the Headingley area of Leeds over the weekend, where large numbers of students and others routinely take part in the pub crawl route, days before the summer term starts for many university courses. One venue, Taylor’s Sports Bar and Grill, remained closed all weekend due to the police investigation but posted on Facebook that it intended to reopen on Monday, “While appalling to witness some of the scenes first-hand, lowlife scum like this will never win in our society,” the statement added. A member of staff at another bar said they had seen dozens of emergency service vehicles descend on the area on Saturday afternoon after the attack, although it took hours for people to become fully aware of what had happened. “We were told and were on high alert, but otherwise you wouldn’t have known. It wasn’t until the evening that people started asking about it,” they said. “I think people have been really shaken by it.” A fortnight ago, the Guardian revealed that counter-terrorism police and the National Crime Agency had set up a new joint taskforce to tackle young males fixated with violence online which is often also fuelled by “strongly misogynistic” online material. Published21 April 2025Leeds United have sealed their return to the Premier League after two years back in the Championship From a slow start to a silent January and changing goalkeepers with seven games to go BBC Sport looks at the key moments in their successful promotion campaign long time in football and so it was that the mood around Leeds United three games into the season was in stark contrast to the one there now A helter-skelter 3-3 opening-day draw with Portsmouth was followed up by a thumping 3-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup and then an uninspiring 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion The Whites headed to Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday on a Friday night with the pressure on to get their season kick-started Brenden Aaronson celebrates scoring their first goal in the 2-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday Off the back of a mind-numbingly boring goalless draw at West Brom the climate ahead of the trip to Hillsborough felt like that around the Birmingham City defeat early on in the previous season Did Leeds have enough players to challenge for promotion Georginio Rutter was on his way to Brighton following Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville to the Premier League Was Willy Gnonto next to go before the window shut A clean sheet and a first victory of the campaign in what Farke described "the perfect away performance" allayed the fears of some fans who were considering whether to let Brenden Aaronson back into their lives after he had returned following jumping ship to Germany for a season His goal and the quality of Dan James' finish provided some evidence that Patrick Bamford's prophecy may prove true when he told his podcast partner Joe Wilkinson that week: "Every time that I've been in a team when we haven't gone up Farke admitted after the game that more additions were needed and wingers Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon duly arrived before deadline day Two defeats in their 12 matches after the Sheffield Wednesday win had seen Leeds cruise up towards the top two places A comfortable 2-0 win over Sheffield United in October had seen Blades boss Chris Wilder call them the best team in the division and by late November it was becoming hard to argue Then Swansea City head coach Luke Williams said before the game he fully expected Leeds United to be promoted having gone so close last season but he could not have predicted the glut of goals which followed on a weekend where Storm Bert had wreaked havoc throughout south Wales The fact Leeds scored four times was a big deal because the Swans had not conceded more than a single goal in 17 matches up to that point Gnonto came off the bench to score the winner very late on after Leeds let a 3-2 lead slip It showed the fighting spirit was there if not game management and sent Leeds top for the first time this season on goal difference Willy Gnonto takes in the adulation from the Leeds fans after his last-minute winner at Swansea Sometimes the wisest thing to do is nothing at all Farke had been adamant he would only look to make additions if they were better than what he had Southampton striker Cameron Archer was linked with a move but it came to nothing and two days before the transfer window closed the Whites demolished struggling Cardiff 7-0 Transfer deadline day passed without a single addition Everybody knew the squad as it stood had the ability to win the league but the point was how much of it would still be standing if injuries hit How costly would it be not to sign a number nine with Patrick Bamford a long-term injury These were the big questions in the wake of a window which saw their main rivals strengthen while Leeds were left lighter Two days later United went to in-form Coventry City and won 2-0 and it could have been 12 Ao Tanaka headed Leeds into the lead late on at Sheffield United before Joel Piroe's thumping finish sealed the win Leeds headed into mid-February in great shape before back-to-back Monday night challenges against top-four rivals The former took an early lead at Elland Road through Wilson Isidor and with time running out it looked like the Whites were going to fall to a damaging defeat Centre-back Pascal Struijk was the unlikely hero against the Black Cats as the Dutchman headed in two wicked deliveries from fellow replacement Joe Rothwell to produce a dramatic turnaround Leeds would head to Bramall Lane top of the table Five points clear at the top and for many it felt like promotion was guaranteed After the game left-back Junior Firpo gave a timely reminder that everyone should just calm down He talked of the need to "stay humble" He was right and he was also correct about how powerful Leeds were late on in games Once the Dominican Republic international had deservedly equalised with a thumping header with 18 minutes remaining Blades boss Chris Wilder and assistant Alan Knill looked spooked on the touchline Defeat looked inevitable for the hosts from that moment and Leeds did not disappoint. A precision header from Ao Tanaka and a rip-snorter from Joel Piroe ignited euphoria in the away end inside an otherwise empty Bramall Lane on full time Leeds had seen it through in a massive game Illan Meslier has not featured for Leeds since his mistake in the 2-2 draw with Swansea Promotion had felt inevitable after those raucous Monday night wins in February but March brought the kind of jeopardy Whites fans had feared The unbeaten run which stretched back to a 1-0 reverse at Blackburn on 30 November was ended on 9 March by a 1-0 defeat at struggling Portsmouth Although Millwall were despatched 2-0 three days later Farke's men then needed to recover from a horror start at QPR to escape with a 2-2 draw The international break looked like it had come at a good time to reset and refocus with the lead over third-placed Burnley cut from seven points to just two Managerless Swansea arrived in town in poor form and hopes were high of a return to winning ways Gnonto looked to have won the game from the bench late on to send Leeds top and rescue goalkeeper Illan Meslier after a calamitous drop under no pressure had gifted Swansea an equaliser But Meslier eventually cost his side top spot and himself a place in the side thereafter by allowing another equaliser to squeeze through him from a tight angle in the final seconds The credit for his earlier penalty save was completely eradicated as it felt like a defeat and the Frenchman's litany of errors was now too severe for him to keep his place "You have to suffer a little bit," Farke told the press after the game and that despite March seeing them slip from first to third amid a run of one win in five games he was "100% confident his side would be playing Premier League football next season." others called for a head which was keeping composed when some were being lost Karl Darlow was given the gloves for the draw at Luton the week after the Swansea debacle There was little he could do to stop Isaiah Jones netting the opener before James levelled with a fine finish but some fans were unhappy that Farke called the point against the strugglers a good result as their own poor run stretched to one win in six Sheffield United's unexpected loss at Oxford later that day when a win would have moved them four points clear of the Whites The battling 1-0 midweek win at play-off chasing Middlesbrough ended a run of three straight draws and Leeds had turned third back to first in no time at all heading into the final five matches Leeds players showed their appreciation after the 2-1 win over Preston This was a battering for Preston make no mistake. Leeds backed up a gritty win at Middlesbrough to produce a cracking performance under intense pressure to hit the top of the table Joel Piroe should have had a hat-trick but his battling and link-up play were intrinsic to United carving Preston apart With James injured it needed him and Manor Solomon to step up The latter was unplayable at times and scored a curling pearler in the first five minutes to set Leeds on their way Once in front Leeds do not lose and so it proved The news filtering through from Home Park of a third consecutive defeat for Sheffield United created an incredible atmosphere inside Elland Road for the latter stages of the match Coinciding with concrete news from the club's owners that steps were definitely being taken to expand its capacity the famous old stadium provided a timely reminder of how unique it is as a footballing experience A free bar was laid on afterwards to say thank you to the fans - pints and points on a pivotal day Leeds United promoted back to Premier League Leeds destroy Stoke as they go on to win promotion More on this storyLatest Leeds United news Follow Leeds United in the BBC Sport app Listen to the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast The Championship’s best team will need to be smart in the transfer market to give themselves a chance next season When Leeds United sold £140m of playing talent last summer, Daniel Farke deviated from accepted managerial convention and declined to throw his toys out of the pram. Farke is a little too unconventional, a little too resistant to groupthink, to always do the expected and his club’s owner, the San Francisco‑based 49ers Enterprises, is poised to reap the benefits. The German’s unusual amalgam of high emotional intelligence and advanced numeracy have helped to provide the framework for the freshly secured promotion to the Premier League that Leeds so narrowly missed out on last May. Read moreAs the stars of that campaign – Crysencio Summerville Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter – departed and Elland Road regulars despaired With English football’s spending rules complied with the manager reconstructed a slimmed-down squad in a manner befitting his former roles as an economics student and the sporting director of the German club Lippstadt came Ao Tanaka for £3.5m from Fortuna Düsseldorf Jayden Bogle for £5m from Sheffield United and the Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon While Japan’s Tanaka proved one of the second tier’s best anchoring midfielders Bogle shone as an increasingly outstanding attacking right‑back and Israel’s Solomon impressed on the left wing Farke had never really wanted to be a coach As a third-tier player in Germany he studied economics and became more interested in contracts His dream was to remain in football as a sporting director and it came true at Lippstadt where he oversaw the construction of a new stadium temporarily combining that job with training the team An offer to coach Borussia Dortmund’s second string scuppered a subsequent plan to take a sabbatical travelling the world and the experience of working alongside his friend Thomas Tuchel helped to persuade him he was not too shabby at tactics after all Three promotions from the Championship the most recent showcasing the 48‑year‑old’s ability to create a Leeds side arguably exceeding the sum of its parts Solomon have the ability to hold their own in the top tier so too do the Welsh trio Ethan Ampadu (Farke’s excellent captain) Karl Darlow has been first choice for Leeds during the run-in but Daniel Farke has also shown a lot of trust in Illan Meslier Photograph: Danny Lawson/PAThis time last year Farke said his team would have been promoted had Patrick Bamford stayed fit but 12 months later the Championship has been escaped despite an injury‑plagued Bamford kicking far fewer balls than his manager would have liked Much of that is down to Joël Piroe’s 19 goals but the limitations of Piroe’s all-round game dictate that a centre‑forward – along with a No 10 and a goalkeeper – seems to be a transfer priority If Bamford undoubtedly retains the quality to excel at Premier League level his fitness record leaves question marks and Illan Meslier’s goalkeeping talent has been undermined by a creeping susceptibility to making mistakes under pressure Meslier is far too gifted – his footwork is top-drawer – for the Frenchman’s career to be written off but he quite possibly needs a change of scene replaced Meslier with Karl Darlow during the run-in but although the former Newcastle No 2 proved solidity personified the manager’s long-running persistence with Meslier suggests he may not quite trust Darlow at the highest level As Leeds enjoy the moment, such decisions remain for the future. “Don’t stress me with the Premier League right now,” Farke said after confirmation of his team’s promotion on Monday night. “We want to become an established Premier League side but lots of work, lots of ambition, is needed.” It perhaps does not help that Elland Road’s much-admired chief executive, Angus Kinnear, is leaving for Everton this summer. The most recent accounts (compiled before those £140m player sales) show that Leeds sustained a £60.8m pre-tax loss during 2023‑24 and had a Championship‑record £127.6m turnover. That latter figure is relatively modest by Premier League standards, dictating that staying within profitability and sustainability rules will remain an issue next season. “The domestic transfer market’s overpriced,” Farke said recently. “That means we have to be creative and think outside the box; we’re increasingly looking outside Europe.” Matters are complicated further by the need for 49ers Enterprises to invest significant funds in updating and expanding an outdated Elland Road, with a formal planning application due for imminent submission to the city council. It appears Farke may soon need to draw heavily on the emotional balance and original thinking that shine through during his invariably sure-footed yet always interesting media addresses. Club officials say his dressing-room persona is little different but it will be intriguing to see whether a manager uncomfortably aware that last season’s cohort of promoted clubs are coming straight back down will take into account the height and physique of new signings. If a possession-dominant, technically accomplished Leeds are, by common consensus, the Championship’s best side, they are comparatively diminutive. At a time when athleticism and physicality are increasingly prized top-flight attributes, that matters. “In the past 21 years this club has spent only three seasons in the Premier League but that’s where Leeds belongs,” Farke said. “My job was to get us there – now it’s keeping us there.” 838 CommentsLeeds United have been promoted back to the Premier League after two years in the Championship The Whites secured promotion with two games to spare after Sheffield United lost at second-placed Burnley, a result which meant the Clarets also confirmed their return to the top flight Daniel Farke's men had crushed Stoke City 6-0 in their own game earlier on Monday to leave promotion a mere formality They will win the title with victories over Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle in their final two matches barring a mathematical miracle goal difference swing from Burnley Leeds finished third with 90 points in 2023-24 before losing to Southampton in the play-off final The summer saw highly-rated academy product Archie Gray sold to Tottenham while Championship player of the season Crysencio Summerville left for West Ham Those exits had seemed likely but the sale of talented forward Georginio Rutter to Brighton after the season had started was unexpected and unwelcome the Whites boasted a strong squad for the level and the permanent additions of Spurs defender Joe Rodon after his loan last season ex-Sheffield United full-back Jayden Bogle and Japan international midfielder Ao Tanaka plus the loan signings of Joe Rothwell and Manor Solomon from Bournemouth and Tottenham respectively On the pitch the campaign started with no wins from their first three games in all competitions but they kickstarted things with a 2-0 victory at Sheffield Wednesday and scarcely looked back Despite a narrow home defeat by fellow promotion hopefuls Burnley on 14 September to date their only loss at Elland Road this season by the third international break of the season in November After ending that month with a 1-0 home defeat at Blackburn they then went on a three-month unbeaten run in the league that included a 7-0 demolition of Cardiff and dramatic comebacks to beat top-four rivals Sunderland and Sheffield United on successive Mondays in February The victory over the Blades left them five points clear at the top and with a seemingly favourable run of fixtures until the end of the campaign March brought just one win from five and the 2-2 draw with Swansea saw Farke drop goalkeeper Illan Meslier for Karl Darlow after the Frenchman who had also made costly errors in draws at Sunderland and Hull City gifted the Welsh side their first equaliser The German boss was then criticised by some after saying the point from the 1-1 draw at lowly Luton in the next game was a good result but it proved to be the case as the Blades totally lost their way with three successive defeats and the Whites went from third back to first and five points clear of Chris Wilder's men in third with three games to play Leeds players celebrated with the fans after Monday's 6-0 win over Stoke had left them on the cusp of promotion Monday's demolition of struggling Stoke meant that thanks to a vastly superior goal difference a point from their final two matches would have been enough to go up but even that was not needed thanks to Burnley's win who had chosen not to make any further signings in the January transfer window is now closing in on a third title at this level after winning two with Norwich A huge summer awaits as Leeds look to buck the worrying trend that appears set to see all of the past six teams promoted to the Premier League go straight back down Plans to avoid that fate will now truly begin in earnest on Tuesday but for now Farke and the Leeds fans robbed of being able to properly celebrate their last promotion to the top flight in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic View comments | 838Top storiesTrailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China 226 CommentsLeeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has said he has "ended speculation" over the future of manager Daniel Farke by confirming the German is "my man" The Whites secured promotion back to the Premier League two weeks ago and won the Championship title with a 2-1 victory at Plymouth on Saturday there were some reports the club were considering changing manager in the summer "I'm very excited to run it back with Daniel and collaborate with him," Marathe told BBC Radio Leeds. "I'm under no illusions that it is going to be easy The past two seasons the three promoted teams came straight back down but we have something they don't have Asked whether he had ended the question marks over the manager Marathe responded: "I have ended the speculation This season's title was the third time that Farke having previously twice finished top with Norwich He has found life in the Premier League far tougher though with his only full season at that level ending with a bottom-placed finish before he was sacked in November of his second campaign in the top flight with Norwich in the relegation zone Marathe had said previously that Farke had not been given the financial backing required to compete before "Together we are going to build the best squad we can with every penny we are allowed to spend to be competitive in the Premier League," the American said Leeds secured the title thanks to a run of six successive wins - after a stretch of just one victory in their previous six matches Marathe praised Farke's temperament in guiding the club back up to the top flight after two seasons in the Championship "He is such a calming force - presence would be an understatement," Marathe said View comments | 226Top storiesTrailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China has outlined his desire to see the club become “one of the best in all of Europe” as fans enjoyed the open-top bus parade to celebrate promotion to the Premier League Leeds city centre came to a standstill on Monday as Daniel Farke’s side took to the streets to celebrate with more than 150,000 of their supporters. Leeds returned to the top-flight after a two-year absence and Marathe declared their bold ambitions from one of three parading buses. “I don’t think anyone realised, this wasn’t fucking easy,” said Marathe, whose 49ers Enterprises completed a full takeover of the club in July 2023. “This was really hard to do. Two years of getting to this point, but all that hard work and all that difficulty, makes right now that much more rewarding and makes today so special. I hope I never forget this moment. I want to live in this moment as much as I can. but we are going to get where we want to go and we are going to be one of the best clubs in all of Europe.” City-centre streets in Leeds were closed at 8am and supporters gathered hours before the players’ bus began its crawl down Wellington Street at 1pm towards the City Square and then along the Headrow to the town hall The short route took almost two hours as fans lined the streets climbed trees and scaled lamp-posts and traffic lights to gain a better vantage point Both Leeds and Burnley finished on 100 points – the first time two Championship sides have hit the landmark in the same season – but Leeds’ superior goal difference saw them claim the winners’ trophy Leeds last secured promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020 That came during the Covid-19 pandemic – the final nine games were played behind closed doors – and success under Farke is the first time Leeds have celebrated promotion to England’s top tier with their fans since 1990 xemailAo Tanaka’s stunning strike away against Hull City has been voted as the Leeds United Goal of the Season the Japanese international drew Daniel Farke’s side level with a memorable finish from the edge of the area that arrowed into the top corner The award-winning goal was Tanaka’s first of a terrific maiden campaign for United with the impressive midfielder going on to finish with a tally of five to his name Ao has received recognition by being named in the Sky Bet Championship Team of the Year after a fine season in West Yorkshire Also nominated for the award were Manor Solomon (versus Preston North End) Dan James (versus Luton Town) and Pascal Struijk (versus Sheffield United) xemailPreparations are continuing for Leeds United’s Bank Holiday promotion parade and the opportunity it will give fans and players to jointly celebrate the club’s return to the Premier League Large crowds are expected to turn out on Monday (May 5) to salute Daniel Farke and his team as they make their way through the city centre on an open-top bus Leeds City Council – which is organising the event in conjunction with the club with support from various multi-agency partners – has been working hard to ensure the day runs safely as the countdown continues to the celebrations the council is now asking people to remember the following key messages: There is no single focal point or set-piece location for the event; Fans are encouraged to spread out and line the full length of the city centre route so they can get the best close-up views of the bus and its VIP passengers; The council is urging people not to engage in any behaviour – such as climbing up buildings lampposts or bus shelters – which could put themselves or others at risk of harm; Anyone coming into the city centre on Monday should plan their journey carefully and take into account the extensive road closure and traffic measures required to safely facilitate the parade; to use public transport – including the buses that will be running from the park and ride sites at Temple Green and Stourton towards City Square from Wellington Street They will then move slowly through City Square and along Boar Lane New Market Street and Vicar Lane before turning left and travelling down the full length of the Headrow United’s promotion heroes will be ‘on the mic’ and interacting with fans throughout an event that is sure to generate an unforgettable carnival atmosphere across the whole city centre As is standard practice for an occasion of this size a major programme of road closures will be in force between 8am and 5pm on Monday The list of roads that will be fully or partly closed for some or all of that time includes Albion Street Park and ride services will be operating from Temple Green and Stourton between 10am and 1pm, with return journeys running between 2.30pm and 5.30pm. Further details about park and ride provision on the day can be found here Non-park and ride buses will also be running, although some services will be diverting from their usual routes and a number of stops in the city centre will be suspended. People intending to travel by bus are advised to check the relevant timetables and journey information in advance via the Metro website Council-run car parks will be open as normal but are likely to be extremely busy and – in some cases – access will be affected by road closures Information on Bank Holiday train services, meanwhile, can be found at the National Rail website Leeds City Station will be operating as normal although people are being encouraged to use its New Station Street entrance Emergency service access in the city centre will be maintained before which is expected to last between an hour and an hour-and-a-half While the way the event has been organised means people will have a clear sight of the bus wherever they are on the route two dedicated and accessible viewing areas for disabled fans and companions will also be in place One of these areas will be outside Leeds Art Gallery and the other in a position directly in front of the Queens Hotel on City Square that can be easily reached from Leeds City Station Both areas – which will be protected by barriers and managed by stewards – are ground level and will not have seating but are immediately adjacent to the parade route Companion access to the areas will be limited to one per disabled person Some on-street disabled parking provision will be suspended on Monday as part of the arrangements for the safe delivery of the parade but spaces will remain available at locations including The Calls “Monday promises to be a fabulous occasion and my thanks go to all the people at the council Leeds United and agencies such as West Yorkshire Police who have helped make it happen with the road closure programme forming a key part of our efforts to ensure that it passes off safely and successfully “The closures will inevitably disrupt some people’s normal routines and we thank all those affected for their patience and understanding on this hugely important day for the city “We would also encourage anyone coming into the city centre on Monday to plan their journey carefully and to consider as there is no single focal point for the event fans can expect the same exciting experience wherever they position themselves “By lining as much of the route as possible supporters will create a city centre-wide carnival atmosphere and give Daniel Farke and his players the reception they deserve.” People who cannot make it to the parade will be able to follow proceedings via a live stream on United's LUTV channel More.. 364 CommentsAn incredible Championship title race came to a fitting end on Saturday running all the way into stoppage time before Leeds United finally pipped Burnley to the post Manor Solomon's last-gasp winner at relegated Plymouth Argyle meant Leeds matched the Clarets' win over play-off chasing Millwall just as the home fans at Turf Moor were gearing up for an almighty party It was an epic ending to what has statistically been the most closely-fought hunt for the title two teams reached 100 points in the same Championship campaign with Leeds' superior goal difference proving decisive With Birmingham City also finishing with 111 points in League One it is the first time in the Football League's 137-year history that three sides have earned a century of points in the same campaign Leeds seal title with late winner as Argyle go down Burnley beat Millwall but miss out on title Championship: Leeds clinch title; Luton down Pop star Natasha Bedingfield sang on the pitch after Burnley secured promotion including a Championship-best 30 clean sheets - equalling Port Vale's Football League record set in 1953-54 - and have conceded just 16 goals and have been unbeaten in 33 Championship games since losing at Millwall in November It seemed unlikely they would not return to the Premier League as champions "If you'd have said to me you'd reach 100 points 16 goals conceded and you wouldn't win the league I'd have said 'no chance'," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire after adding a third promotion to his name after success with Fulham in 2020 and Bournemouth in 2022 "We've done remarkably this year We came into today hoping it would go our way but wanting to win the game and get to 100 points where Burnley have thrived as a defensive unit they were by some distance the top scorers in the division Dan James (12) and Solomon (10) have all reached double figures this season It is a dream come true to score the winning goal and take this Championship," an emotional Solomon told BBC Radio Leeds at full-time "Throughout the season we've shown we deserve this trophy and to finish in the first spot It paid off and the ball went into the net right now I'm going to celebrate." Leeds boss Daniel Farke (right) has won promotion from the Championship for the third time Leeds boss Daniel Farke has vast experience of getting out of the Championship He did so as champions with Norwich City in 2019 and 2021 and has now led the West Yorkshire club back to the Premier League after bouncing back from play-off final heartache against Southampton a year ago Farke told BBC Sport: "Of course I'm happy that we won this game in the final stages and are officially allowed to label ourselves as champions and the best team this season Nobody should forget Sheffield United, either. Although four defeats in five games in April, including a loss at Burnley which ultimately knocked them out of contention for automatic promotion the Blades led for long periods and looked the most likely Chris Wilder's side will need to go again in the play-offs starting against Bristol City in the semi-finals They have shown their readiness for the Premier League this season a tally which would have been enough to go up automatically in three of the previous six seasons While that points to a more competitive top of the Championship than ever successive seasons with all three promoted clubs coming down A strong defensive unit will be crucial to hopes of survival believes his team have a strong chance of improvement this time around we look in really good shape to go up for next season and hopefully stay up It is going to be difficult but we've worked hard on everything; our defensive record speaks for itself," he told BBC Radio 5 Live "Credit to the staff and the fans but mainly the gaffer our defensive record has been exceptional." Never before have two teams accrued so many points in the same season at the top of the second tier Their consistency and strength of character laid the groundwork both they and Burnley can revel in achievements fit for the history books View comments | 364Top storiesTrailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China xemailFollowing a tremendous campaign in front of goal Amy Woodruff has been named Leeds United Women’s Player of the Season for 2024/25 The striker is a deserved winner of the prestigious award following a superb term in front of goal which has seen the forward net 18 times in just 21 appearances in the FA WNL Division One North Having already enjoyed a stellar spell with the club previously the Barnsley-born attacker rejoined the Whites at the start of the campaign having taken time out of the game to welcome her newborn son into the world Amy’s tally of 18 has helped fire United to a fourth-place finish in the final league standings as well as seeing her crowned joint-winner of the league’s Golden Boot award Woodruff was at her deadly best in last weekend’s final fixture grabbing a brace against rivals York City Ladies away from home having reopened her account for the club with a header against Stockport County back in September Having fended off competition from a number of her teammates Leeds United would like to congratulate Amy on a fantastic season with the club xemailLeeds United are thrilled to announce that Ao Tanaka has been named the Players’ Player of the Year for the 2024/25 campaign In an outstanding first campaign for the club the Japanese international has been one of the standout performers across the division playing a crucial role in helping Daniel Farke’s side secure the Sky Bet Championship title Bundesliga outfit Fortuna Düsseldorf last summer the midfielder has made 45 appearances across all competitions for the Whites this term One of those strikes has already seen the 26-year-old gain recognition this evening with Ao’s stunning finish away against Hull City being voted by supporters as the club’s Goal of the Season Tanaka was also commended at the recent EFL Awards being named in the Championship’s Team of the Season to crown a stellar start to his time in West Yorkshire xemailLeeds United are delighted to announce that Willy Gnonto has been named the club’s Young Player of the Year for the 2024/25 campaign The 21-year-old has impressed throughout this term for the Whites making 43 appearances in the Sky Bet Championship and scoring nine goals Gnonto opened his account for the season with a well-taken effort against Portsmouth on the opening day and would cause problems for defences throughout with his pace The Italian international has been in scintillating form to end a tremendous campaign for United scoring in memorable Elland Road victories against Stoke City and Bristol City as promotion to the Premier League was secured the forward netted a timely equaliser against Plymouth Argyle before assisting Manor Solomon’s incredible last-gasp winner to crown Daniel Farke’s side as champions the attacker has received recognition with his country making three appearances for Italy’s Under-21s team to add to his international honours Each week we publish a list of the latest planning applications related to the seven council wards in West Leeds The following applications were published on the Leeds City Council website in the past seven days Here are the planning applications decided by Leeds City Council this week: