Fat lady warming up as Leeds suspend trading

LEEDS UNITED'S long battle for financial survival moved into the end game yesterday after the creditors refused to sanction a further extension to the standstill agreement.

For almost three months Leeds chief executive Trevor Birch has traded on his good relationship with the creditors to win the cash-strapped club time and hopefully find a buyer.

It was widely anticipated Birch and Leeds would be granted a sixth extension to the arrangement which had been in place since December.