, Former Leeds United man explains why he left the club to join rivals Sheffield United

Former Leeds United man explains why he left the club to join rivals Sheffield United

There are many rivalries in football concerning different teams in different cities, some more fierce than others. London derbies and Manchester derbies are amongst the most elite in English football but there are others than somewhat, fall under the radar.

Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday are united in their distaste for one another whilst Leeds United and Manchester United aren’t the firmest of alliances to say the least.

Both based in Yorkshire, over the years the rivalry between Leeds United and Sheffield United has become larger and there was real delight from Blades fans as they not only prevented Leeds from winning promotion but then found themselves in the top flight at their expense.

Back in January 2007, defender Matthew Kilgallon left the Whites to join Sheffield Utd and as all transfers involving rivals, it raised a few eyebrows.

Kilgallon explained that although it was a tough decision to leave Leeds he felt his departure came at the right time.

“All I knew was Leeds,” Kilgallon told the Undr The Cosh podcast. “It was a time when Leeds needed money and they were in the Premier League, Sheffield United.

“Obviously they’re a massive club as well and I wanted to play in the Premier League. When you start out, that’s your aim.”

“I was up for it and wanted to go there. Obviously I was gutted to leave Leeds and had so many memories, but it was time for me to go. Sheffield United had always stayed there with me and always wanted me.”

With Leeds having struggled with financial issues during the end of Kilgallon’s tenure, the move for the defender most probably came at the right time as his former club ended up dropping into League One but the move remains a controversial one.

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