Leeds United and their ever suffering supporters have been through the mill over the last decade and a half, but with their new owner and his capable sidekicks, things are beginning to look up in West Yorkshire. The clubs new venture has tongues wagging in football circles, mostly in admiration.
Since taking the rickety reigns at Elland Road, Andrea Radrizzani has made huge strides in revitalising the club and re-engaging with both fans and the local community. He has bought back Elland Road following it’s sale in earlier years of financial mismanagement and has modernised the decor in and around the stadium, bringing Leeds into the modern day.
But it isn’t just on the outside that the Italian Media Mogul has had a positive effect, he, along with his two sidekicks (Angus Kinnear and Victor Orta) have gone to extraordinary lengths to transform the playing squads and management into one that is currently the envy of all Championship clubs.
With Marcelo Bielsa and his coaching team firmly in control of playing matters, the hierarchy has taken steps to secure a new location for the clubs training facilities, with the new plot set to be much closer to their Elland Road home than the current ones, which reside in Thorp Arch, a good twenty minute drive from the ground.
So when asked regarding this new venture, former striker Noel Whelan told Football Insider his thoughts…
“The board are doing a tremendous job of putting their money out there, bringing it back to Leeds – just like the stadium, buying it back – they’re doing everything right.
“The thing is the training ground, when I was there, was always in the shadow of Elland Road. As a young lad, and the community all around, it was great to see the players on your doorstep, your heroes training there.
“To be able to see Elland Road in the background, a stone’s throw away where you’re aiming to get to, that gives them a real purpose, aim and desire to fulfil their dreams. It’s out of the way in Wetherby, you want it in your home city, you want it near your stadium.”
Sentiments that are shared throughout the fan base of The Whites and a move by the club that will surely move to further enhance its relationship with those around them in the city of Leeds.
