Fans demand answers from Leeds supremos

LEEDS supremos Peter Ridsdale and Allan Leighton are being urged to “come clean” and reveal the full extent of the crisis at Elland Road.

Club chairman Ridsdale and plc chief Leighton have incurred the wrath of supporters furious at the prospect of Jonathan Woodgate being sold to Newcastle, although the Magpies are still to table an official bid.

The fans are at a loss to understand the policy of a board who have already sold Rio Ferdinand, Lee Bowyer, Robbie Keane and Olivier Dacourt this season, while Robbie Fowler would now be with Manchester City player if he had not turned his back on a £7 million move to Maine Road.

While Seth Johnson is locked in talks with Middlesbrough over a £4million deal, with the delay believed to be because the two parties are struggling to agree personal terms, it is the Woodgate saga which has caused considerable uproar.

The Leeds board have been accused of “asset stripping” by irate fans who today besieged a national radio phone-in in protest at Woodgate’s potential departure, with Ridsdale and Leighton the target of their fury.

The two men are currently maintaining a low profile and have so far refused to comment on the transfer turmoil which is currently engulfing Leeds, but the fans believe it is time they answered their critics.

Simon Jose, co-founder of the Leeds Supporters’ Forum, said: “We want a statement from the board because we want answers. It is time they come clean and told the fans just what is going on. It is obvious the fans do no want to see Jonathan go, and by all accounts, neither does Terry Venables. Surely the board have to listen.”

Venables has made his feelings plain for when asked about Woodgate’s potential departure he said: “I find it disconcerting myself, but our fans can rest assured I will do everything I can, and more, to keep him.”

Matthew Upson has revealed Leeds were interested in signing him, but instead he today penned a three-and-a-half year deal with Birmingham, meaning another target has slipped from Venables’ grasp with Newcastle hoping to sign the 60-year-old’s long-time target in Brazil World Cup-winner Kleberson.

There is a very bitter taste in the mouth of many of the fans, one Leeds legend Peter Lorimer can understand as he said: “They are very disappointed to think they might lose Jonathan Woodgate. But unfortunately the club are in turmoil financially just now.” With Woodgate seemingly on his way, Leeds are understood to be lining up his replacement in £6m-rated Gabriel Milito as Independiente claim they have received a faxed Leeds offer