Leeds United playing squad
2005-06 season
Coca-Cola Championship

Neil Sullivan   Neil Sullivan Position: Goalkeeper Squad Number: 1 International: Scotland full Kevin Blackwell said of Sullivan's signing: "Neil never discussed money at all, he just accepted what we offered him. All he wants to do is get playing football again, that's the most important thing for him." That's the commitment all Leeds Utd fans love to see from a player that joins the club and Neil will have earned a lot of brownie points with it. A Leeds Utd player and he never discussed money! Accepted what was offered! He would never have fitted into the relegation squad would he? I'd forgotten players like Neil existed! Despite being a full Scottish international keeper with 28 caps, Neil was born in Sutton, England on 24th February 1970. He stands 6ft 2inches tall and weighs in at a modest 14 stone. He has played previously for Wimbledon (1988-2000), Spurs (2000-2003), and Chelsea (2003-2004). 30th July 2004

Stephen Crainey   Stephen Crainey Position: Left full-back Squad Number:3 International: Scotland U-21 After starting the 2004-05 season with Kilgallon filling in at left full-back following the departure of Ian Harte during the close season, Kevin Blackwell made Stephen Crainey his first cash signing after signing 10 other players on free transfers. Crainey joined Leeds on a loan deal on Friday 6th August, before his move from Southampton was made permanent for £200,000 the following Monday! With Celtic from a youngster, he broke into the first-team in 2001-02 and went on to play 13 times for the Bhoys. But injury limited his chances the following season when the Hoops reached the UEFA Cup final. He was then left in the cold when Celtic manager Martin O'Neill switched to three centre backs while Crainey is an orthodox left back in a back four. So he made an ill-fated move to Southampton in the Xmas 2003 transfer window. But Crainey saw his chances of holding down a first team place evaporate when the man who bought him, Gordon Strachan promptly decided to quit his post at St Mary's! Towards the end of 2003-04 season he picked up a groin strain that required surgery at the start of the summer, but that went well and he arrived at Elland Road fully fit. He made his full Leeds debut in the 0-0 away draw with Wolves on August 14th 2004 Stephen was born in Glasgow on Monday 22nd June 1981, and stands 5ft 9 inches tall. After just ten games for Leeds Utd Crainey was struck down with Osteitis Pubis a painful overuse condition that affects the pelvis, causing pain during and after exercise, and commonly occurs through kicking activities. After the Cardiff game on 2/10/2004 he hasn't played since as the decision was made to give the problem time to heal itself before sending him in for an operation which would have put an end to his season. In mid-January he started jogging again but is still along way from playing. Crainey hadn't been at Leeds long enough to catch the eye before his injury but it is interesting to note that after the last game (Cardiff Away 0-0) in which he played, Leeds also kept a clean sheet in the following game against Preston. However, there then followed a string of 19 games without a clean sheet by Leeds. In his ten games for Leeds United at the start of the season we kept six clean sheets. Of course statistics can be misleading and contain spurious correlations but that is a dramatic difference between stats. The return of Crainey (or a similar performance of his temporary replacement, Michael Gray) could be the difference between mid-table or a play-off place. Updated 3rd Feb 2005

Dan Harding   Dan Harding of Leeds United   Real name Daniel Harding   Height 6'0"   Weight 165lbs   Date of birth 23 Dec 1983   Place of birth Gloucester   Position Left-sided Defender   Nationality English   Int. Caps None  Signed on 7 July 2005   Fee £850,003   Term n/a   Squad number 29 Dan signed from Brighton in a deal that had to be sorted out by an FA Panel because of his age. The Brighton manager whined and bitched so much that they came up with a ridiculous price for an untried youngster. Dan had a shaky start at left back and the return to fitness of ex-Bhoy Stephen Crainey has reduced his starting games to around 50% so far. Here's his career record so far: Club From To Fee League FA Cup League C Other Leeds 07/07/05 06/02/06 £850000  20 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 1 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 Brighton 01/08/02 07/06/05 Trainee  56 (11) 1 1 (0) 0 1 (2) 0 4 (1) 0   Totals 76 (11) 1 1 (0) 0 2 (2) 0 4 (1) 0 A G A G A G A G Last Update: 6 Feb 2006

Gary Kelly   Gary Kelly of Leeds United   Real name Gary Kelly   Height 5'8"   Weight 152lbs   Date of birth 9 July 1974   Place of birth Drogheda   Position Defender   Nationality Irish   Int. Caps 51 (2 goals)  Signed on 24 Sep 1991   Fee Free   Term -   Squad number 2 Signed from Home Farm in the Irish Republic on 24th September 1991, Gary Kelly is our longest serving player. Had a new lease of life under Terry Venables in 2002-03 when he frequently played right midfield. Many fans thought it was his best season for ages. Loyal and committed to Leeds United, in fact, at the end of 2003-2004 he was the only full-time professional who was definitely NOT leaving Leeds. Eventually Duberry stayed too (sob!) Despite little difference in ages, he is the uncle of former Leeds United left-back, and fellow Irish international, Ian Harte who now plies his trade at Levante in La Liga. At 26/2/2005 his stats were as follows: (subs) League 351 (11) 2 goals; FA Cup 29 (1) 1 goal; League Cup 26 (2); Europe 35 (1) Update: Jan 2006 - Gary Kelly scored a sensational goal from outside the penalty area in time-added-on during the FA Cup 3rd round replay against Wigan. The game went to extra time and ended 3-3. We lost on penalties thanks to misses by Healy and Hulse, but none of that takes away anything from a wonderful strike by Kelly - his 4th goal in 493 games! Update: 25th Feb 2006 - Gary plays his 500th game in a White shirt, this time against Luton Town. Page Last Updated: 4 Sept 2006

Paul Butler   Paul Butler Position: Central Defender Squad Number: 6 International: n/a The 31 year-old was club captain last season during Wolves' Premiership campaign which ended in relegation along with Leeds Utd. He has a vast amount of experience at League Championship level. He will sign a two year contract with Leeds on July 1st, 2004. Wolves were only prepared to offer him a one-year contract and so he opted to take a free move to Leeds United. Manchester-born, (2nd November, 1972) Began at local club Bury before a £1m move to Sunderland in 1998 and then onto Wolves two and a half years later, for the same price. June 2004

Kilgallon Matthew Kilgallon Defender Squad Number: 26 International: U-21 Although Kevin Blackwell started the season 2005-06 with the successful pairing of Gregan and Butler in central defence, young Matthew Kilgallon celebrated a new contract with Leeds United by taking over the partnership with Butler. Sadly, in mid-January 2006 he received injuries in a FA Cup replay against Wigan that will reportedly keep him sidelined for up to two months. Updated: Jan 2006

Frazer Richardson Frazer Richardson Full Back - Right Squad Number: 15 International: England U-20 Frazer is a future United right-back as he continues to understudy Republic of Ireland, international Gary Kelly. His job has been made easier by the departure of Danny Mills to Middlesborough on a season-long loan "I was glad to see the back of the treacherous, bald bastard," said Frazer bluntly. (Nah, he didn't, only kiddin'). Despite being born in Rotherham, Frazer Richardson is a lifelong Leeds fan who has emerged through the Leeds United Academy ranks to become an established youth international. He was rewarded with a four-year contract which he signed in the summer of 2002. But he had to wait another season for his debut which cam in August 2003, when he came on as a substitute against Southampton in the 0-0 draw, at Elland Road. I've heard the comment that he's a bit one-footed, but he's young enough to overcome that and anyway, it hasn't done Saint Michael of Owen any harm has it?

Jonathan Douglas   Jonathan Douglas   Real name Jonathan Douglas   Height 6'0"   Weight 173lbs   Date of birth 22 Nov 1981   Place of birth Monaghan   Position Midfielder   Nationality Irish   Int. Caps 2   Signed on 19 Aug 2005   Fee On Loan from Blackburn   Term n/a   Squad number 20 Jonathan was signed on the same day that we sold Matthew Spring to Watford. Presumably as midfield cover. He started in the 2-0 League Cup victory over Oldham and made the bench for 2 Championship games in August 2005. His home debut was in the 3-3 draw with Brighton (10/9/05) in which he scored the sensational added-on-time equaliser to cement his place in Elland Road folk-lore! Last Update: 10 Sept 2005

Shaun Derry of Leeds United   Shaun Derry   Real name Shaun Derry   Height 5.10   Weight 10.13   Date of birth 06 Dec 1977   Place of birth Nottingham   Position Midfielder   Nationality English   Int. Caps None  Signed on 18 Feb 2005   Fee Undisclosed   Term 2½ years   Squad number 21 The signing of Shaun Derry was a direct sign of the huge change that had come over the wreck that was Leeds United AFC. We attempted to sign him back in November 2004 but the Board that saved Leeds from administration struggled and ultimately failed to come up with the finance needed to complete the deal. Humiliation followed as the deal had already been made public and the player was already training with the Leeds squad! Since those dark days Ken Bates has taken over and, with an infectious confidence now pervading the club, he has provided funds that have enabled Blackwell to finally complete the Derry signing. Shaun signed a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. As Leeds Utd is once again a private company expect more "undisclosed transfer fees" as Ken Bates keeps his financial cards close to his chest. Last Update: 18 February 2005

Gylfi Einarsson   Gylfi Einarsson Position: Attacking Midfielder Squad Number: 16 International: Iceland full (7 caps at end of Jan 2005) Born 27th October 1978 in Iceland he began as a trainee with KR Reykjavik. Signed on a free transfer from Lillestrom of Norway on 1st Jan 2005. He was brought to the attention of Blackwell by a Scandanavian Leeds fan! A regular scorer for Lillestrom he scored the headed winner against Burnley at Turf Moor on 5th Feb 2005 which was only his third game for Leeds and only his second as a starter! Given the lack of punch from our current strikers his contributions from midfield are much needed. Frank Sinclair of Burnley was also sent off for kicking out at him following a midfield clash in the same game! 6th Feb 2005

Sean Gregan   Sean Gregan Position: Midfielder Squad Number: 8 International: Sean arrived at Elland Road after weeks of transfer negotiations for a fee of £500,000 that could rise to £1m based on appearances and promotion bonuses. The midfielder arrived in Leeds with over 450 games under his belt and the type of experience Blackwell was desperately trying to add to his squad. The former West Bromwich Albion captain brings real leadership qualities and is an uncompromising, tough tackler. 6ft 2 inch Gregan began life as a defender with Darlington and helped guide them to the old Fourth Division championship (now "League Two") before David Moyes signed him for Second Division Preston North End in a £350,000 move in November 1996. It was whilst at Preston that he was turned into a midfielder, and made captain. He was voted Preston North End Player of the Year in 1999/00 - the same year he helped them win the Second Division championship (now "League One"). He joined West Brom in August 2002 for £1.5m and quickly became a crowd favourite there too, taking on the captaincy and guiding them back to the Premiership at the first time of asking last season. Inexplicably he fell out of favour with (now ex-)Baggies boss Gary Megson and that allowed Kevin Blackwell to make his move. Guisborough-born (Friday 29th March, 1974) Sean once "did a Beckham", scoring from the half-way line, playing against Norwich in March 2001. Only don't tell Neil Sullivan! October 2004

Bakke The Gormless Eirik Bakke Midfielder Squad Number: 19 International: Norway full & U-21 Brought to the club for £1.75 million on 25/5/1999, as one for the future, Bakke quickly established himself in the team. Unfortunately his performances since O'Leary left have not been of the previous standard. More recently he has alienated fans and club with his behaviour. He was convicted of drunk driving and made a palaver out of the court case instead of just pleading guilty. After being banned he was caught driving in Norway. He explained a local policeman had said the ban didn't apply to Norway. Wrong!!! Given the club's recent bad publicity with certain Newcastle United players, and the driving ban, you'd have thought Bakke would have kept his head down and tried to appease his employers? Wrong!!! After being diagnosed with a knee injury late in the 2002-03 season, Leeds medical staff told him to rest it over the summer break. What did he do? Played three times for Norway! Result? Ten minutes on the pitch at York in a pre-season friendly, during which he scored. After the game we don't see him again pre-season because the Leeds staff diagnose he is suffering from patella tendonitous. Prognosis - out for 6 months! Irate Leeds Directors threaten to sue the Norwegian F.A. for a million pounds. As usual we hear no more and Leeds United are a player down for half a season due to FIFA's ridiculous games of power politics and a spoilt player who should try and remember who pays his wages. Consequently, during the relegation season, 2003-04 he makes ten ineffectual Premiership appearances. www.leedsutd365.co.uk 2003-04 rating: Gormless After relegation Leeds fans were delighted when Everton made a bid for Bakke. We get a transfer fee (most O'Leary players went for nothing) and we get his silly Ridsdale-agreed wages off the books. Wrong!! Bakke decides he wants to stay with the club (the wages more like) and get us back into the Premiership. A few weeks later and cruciate ligament damage meant he joined the other highest wage earner at Leeds, Seth "Sicknote" Johnson, on the treatment bench for six months. A bankrupt club is now paying £60,000 a week to two players who would not leave their wage packets if you put a bomb under them despite not doing what they were amply paid to do - keep Leeds Utd in the Premiership. 3rd Nov, 2004 Eirik Bakke makes his return to first-team football in the 1-1 draw with Brighton, 29/1/2005. He comes on for the last three minutes and manages to get himself booked. Amazingly he gets a rapturous welcome from the Elland Road crowd who, one thinks, must have the memory of a goldfish. Update 3rd Feb 2005 Eirik Bakke made a couple of appearances at the start of the 2005-06 season, but true to idiotic form after a couple of games he was called up by the Norwegians (must have run out of whales and seal pups to kill) for some meaningless friendly; the club said don't go , but the numpty went anyway and within seconds of coming on as a substitute at the start of the second half Bakke got injured! But to make matters worse he played on! In light of the above history this was unforgivable ingratitude by the turnip. This was the last straw for the club and for the pratt - he was shipped out to Villa on loan as soon as he returned. The deal would have been permanent but Villa could not afford his wages!! So we'll probably see the mental midget returning to us in January 2006 - what's the bet he's injured by then? Update 9th Sept 2005

Eddie Lewis   Eddie Lewis of Leeds United   Real name Eddie Lewis   Height 5'9"   Weight 167lbs   Date of birth 17 May 1974   Place of birth Cerritos, CA, USA   Position Midfield (Left)   Nationality American   Int. Caps (Goals) 49 (4)   Signed on 24 June 2005   Fee Free   Term n/a   Squad number 11 Eddie Lewis signed for Leeds United from Preston on a free transfer as he was out of contract. In the previous 2004-05 season he had been influential in Preston North End's successful season which saw them reach the Coca-Cola Championship play-off Final, where they lost out to West Ham. Interestingly, he turned down a new contract with Preston because he felt Leeds United offered him a better chance of reaching the Premiership next season. He will play on the left side of midfield. Last Update: 6 August 2005

Danny Pugh   Danny Pugh Position: Left-Back/Left-Wing Squad Number: 12 International: none Kevin Blackwell's first signing as Leeds United manager. Danny signed on a two-year contract at Elland Road. He arrives in Yorkshire as part of the deal that took Alan Smith to Old Trafford. Being part of any deal that took Alan Smith away from Elland Road would, up to last week, be to effectively end your Leeds career before it started as far as the fans were concerned. However, since Smith's hypocritical move to the Scum, Pugh will now be seen in a very positive light as he chose to leave the Reds and come to Elland Road. The 21-year-old made seven first team appearances for Manchester United, including three in the Champions League. Kevin Blackwell said Danny offers him a lot of options: "Danny is a young up and coming player who I was aware of and he has the hunger to do well that I want to bring to this club. "He hasn't had a lot of first team experience but he knows that if he does well then he will get the chance to play regularly. "He can play in a number of positions and that could prove very useful to us. I have already mentioned that bringing him in allows us to fill that left hand side and move James Milner, a right-footed player, to the right wing or even upfront." Reading what Danny has to say in response, he could certainly make a living as a diplomat. In the following interview with the official Leeds web-site he pushes all the right buttons: "I've had a look around the place today and got a good feeling about it. I'm just looking forward to getting started here now. I got to a stage at Manchester where I needed a change and I think this is the perfect place for that change. "Obviously when you are at a club you want to play as many first team games as you can, that's what you are judged on, I would have liked to have played more games but it didn't happen and I believe I can do that here now. "High standards have always been expected of me at Manchester United since I've been there, and hopefully that's what I can bring here and carry it on."   Danny Nets vs Terriers   "I met Kevin today and I was very impressed with him, he's very enthusiastic and you can tell he wants to take the club forward and that's what I am looking forward to as well." Danny follows some illustrious footsteps in making the short trip from Manchester to Leeds, such as, Johnny Giles, Brian Greenhoff, Gordon Strachan and Lee Sharpe. All those players were taken to by supporters at Elland Road, and he's hoping to follow suit and with his attitude we have no doubt that he will. "I don't know how the fans will take to me, but if I am performing well on the pitch then I am sure they won't have a problem with me. It won't matter then who I played for before - as long as I am doing a job for Leeds United it will all go well. "If I have half the impact of someone like Gordon Strachan then I will have had a great start. "It's definitely a challenge, but I'm looking forward to that challenge and hope I can succeed here. If I can play as many games as possible and establish myself as a regular then I will be happy. I know it's not going to be easy to get into the side but I will work as hard as I can." June 2004

Matthew Spring   Matthew Spring Position: Midfield Squad Number: 17 Place & DoB: Harlow; Sat, 17 November, 1979 Height: 5' 11" Signed: 1/7/2004 Sold: 19/8/2005 One of many summer signings that arrived at the start of the 2004/05 season on a free transfer, Matthew Spring was seen as a key addition to the "Blackwell Revolution". However, injury and personal tragedy meant that Spring got very little first team action during the 2004-05 season. Meanwhile as the club's finances strengthened under Ken Bates Kevin Blackwell was able to bring in midfielders like Shaun Derry, Einarsson, Eddie Lewis and Steve Stone and Spring was seen as surplus to requirements. He was sold to Watford at the start of the 2005-06 season and immediately began to show Blackwell that he had made a mistake in selling him. He played the day after his transfer and bagged a goal! Matthew Spring may well prove to be the one that got away. Here's his Leeds United playing record: League: Played 4 (9) Goals 1 League Cup: Played 2 Goals 0 9th September, 2005

Simon Walton   Walton, Simon Position: Central Defence, Midfield Squad Number: 18 International: N/A Made his debut, aged 16, in the centre of midfield for Leeds Utd versus Claudio Raneiri's Valencia in a pre-season (2004-05) friendly. Memorable as he scored a penalty and then got sent off! He immediately became a crowd favourite replacing the recently departed Alan Smith in their affections. He was rapidly signed on a a full professional contract and he became a Blackwell midfield regular at the start of the season and against Portsmouth in the Carling Cup, in October, he played in the centre of defence after Butler and Kilgallon were suspended. October 2004

Jermaine Wright   Jermaine Wright Position: Midfielder Squad Number: 7 International: 28-year-old Jermaine Wright was out of contract at Portman Road after rejecting Ipswich's contract offer at the end of last season (2003-04). The midfielder was an ever-present in the Blue's run to the play-offs, and he collected five goals along the way. In an epic 51-game season Jermaine can boast to never having been cautioned during the campaign! The Greenwich-born player has been with Ipswich for five years following a move from Crewe, and just last week Ipswich manager Joe Royle confirmed that his old club Everton was interested in buying him Height: 5' 9" Weight: 10st 3lbs Date of birth: 21-10-1975 Games 03/04 - 51; Goals 03/04 - 5 Cards 03/04 - 0 y 0 r 29th June 2004 Update: 13th September 2005: Jermaine Wright signed a three month loan deal with Millwall. He has only appeared three times this season for Leeds (including the opening game against Millwall).

Robbie Blake   Robbie Blake of Leeds United   Real name Robert Blake   Height 5'9"   Weight 154lbs   Date of birth 04 March 1976   Place of birth Middlesborough   Position Striker   Nationality English   Int. Caps None  Signed on 18 Jul 2005   Fee £800,000   Term -   Squad number 28 Robbie was signed in the close season from Birmingham City. He joined Rob Hulse and Richard Cresswell as newly signed strikers to give Blackwell a choice from six strikers! He made his debut alongside David Healy in the home victory against Millwall on the opening day of 2005-06 season (it was televised on SKY). He broke his scoring duck 2 days later in the 22nd minute in the away game at Cardiff in a 1-2 defeat. Last Update: 9 September 2005

David Healy   HEALY, David Position: Striker Squad Number: 9 International: Northern Ireland Full David signed a four year contract for Leeds United on 29th October, 2004, the purchase from Preston North End having been agreed between the clubs only the day before. The fee was undisclosed having been the result of at least four separate bids Leeds as Blackwell showed all the tenacity to get his man that he had showed when pursuing Sean Gregan earlier in the season. David has been given the number 9 shirt made famous at Leeds by Mick Jones and Joe Jordan and if he's half as good he'll still be a major asset. David began his career as a trainee Manchester United. Previously this might been seen as an obstacle to gaining the acceptance from the fiercely partizan Leeds faithful. However, it is David's good fortune that another Reds cast-off, Danny Pugh who joined directly from Man United in the summer of 2004 is currently the outstanding player in the team and has become a firm favourite with the Elland Road crowd knocking in an impressive six goals from midfield by October. Anyway David Healy only made three appearances as a substitute for the Orcs so he is only slightly tarnished goods! He was brought to Preston by the now-Everton manger David Moyes for £1.5m in January 2001. In a little over three seasons he has scored 44 goals in 120 starts for Preston and he is currently Northern Ireland's all-time leading goal-scorer with 15 goals from 39 caps. Not bad considering George Best played for Northern Ireland! In fact it was a recent spectacular strike for Northern Ireland that seemed to bring Healy to everyone's attention and it is amazing considering the protracted transfer deal that a Premiership club has not stepped in to hijack the deal. Created: 29th October 2004 Updated: 9th September 2005The first season with Leeds Utd showed a poor return as he was often played out of his favourite position and the club was in dire straits off the pitch. However, he started the 2005-06 season with a bang getting 2 goals in the first game against Millwall. However, rumours started that newly promoted West Ham were looking to make a bid to take him to the Premiership and he was dropped to the bench after a couple of matches. The rumours were strengthened after the Blackwell signed striker Richard Cresswell from Healy's old club Preston North End. He was in addition to close season signing, striker Robbie Blake from Birmingham. With 6 strikers on the books and Rob Hulse in excellent form it seemed David was on his way but the transfer deadline passed and it was Michael Ricketts who was shipped out (on loan to Cardiff). Kevin Blackwell will have been pleased he didn't succumb to West Ham's temptations as Healy's value rocketed in early September 2005 following his much publicised "dream goal" that he scored, at Windsor Park, for Northern Ireland to beat Sven's England in a World Cup qualifier. The marvellous strike from the left-hand of the penalty area flew past former Leeds Old Boy, Paul "Mars Bar" Robinson (who got a good hand on it but still couldn't stop it) after another ex-Leeds Utd player Rio Ferdinand played Healy onside whilst in a dream-world all of his own.

Rob Hulse   Rob Hulse of Leeds United   Real name Robert Hulse   Height 6'1"   Weight 168lbs   Date of birth 25 Oct 1979   Place of birth Crewe   Position Striker   Nationality English   Int. Caps None  Signed on 9 May 2005   Fee £1,100,000   Term n/a   Squad number 10 Rob Hulse played a major part in WBA's promotion from the Championship in 2003-04 season. He scored 13 times in an injury hit season. However, after Megson's managerial departure at the start of the 2004-05 Premiership season he had little opportunity under new manager Bryan Robson to show his talents. Blackwell rescued him from the reserves with a season-long loan to Leeds to partner David Healy up front. To say Rob's debut was spectacular is an understatement! Healy put Leeds 1-0 at home against high-flyers Reading when Rob came along in the second half to steal the show with two individual goals struck from outside the box. He was booked in Leeds' abysmal defeat at Wigan the following week but returned to goal scoring form in his third match for the Whites, this time against West Ham United, with a another brilliant goal; a full volley after great work from Aaron Lennon. Last Update: 26 February 2005

Michael Ricketts   Michael Ricketts Position: Striker Squad Number: 30 International: England full Made his name with Bolton in their promotion season. A £2,500,000 move to Middlesborough followed. However, despite an England cap in 2002 Michael never made the grade at Boro and both club and player were happy to sever the connection. Michael arrives on a free but Leeds United will pay Middlesborough FC a fee if Leeds Utd are promoted during the contract. Created: 24th June 2004 Update 22nd Feb 2005: Michael Ricketts is sent on loan to Stoke City until 23rd March. The writing was on the wall after the loan signing of Rob Hulse and his startling 2 goal debut last week against Reading. By comparison Ricketts has only scored once and that was in the League Cup against Swindon back in September. Blackwell hasn't selected him to start since the embarrassing defeat against Rotherham way back in November when he was particularly ineffective compared to defender Clarke Carlisle who managed to hit either the post or bar three times in the first seven minutes! He has been on the subs bench thirteen times whilst making only eleven starts in Championship and League Cup Matches. Update 24th March 2005: Ricketts loan has been extended to the end of season 2004-05 Update 31st August 2005: Michael returns from the close season 21lbs lighter and turns in some impressive pre-season performances and scores some goals. However, the writing is on the wall as during the close season Blackwell signs three strikers, Cresswell, Hulse and Blake. On deadline day Cardiff City agree to take him on loan until January 2006. It's a deal good for both Leeds and player and he goes with the fans best wishes. Update 30th January 2006: Ricketts did well during his loan period, netting 5 times in 17 games for the Bluebirds. But when it came time to make a move for him City, run by Ridsdale, who else, couldn't find the money, so Michael unexpectedly washed up at Elland Road again. This time it was Burnley who offered Michael a playing lifeline by signing him on loan, as they has just sold Ade Akinbyi to the Blades for a cool £1.75 million. Update 12th Feb 2006: Michael responded well to the move scoring a goal in each of his first two games: debut story, second goal against Ipswich Town.