Leeds United manager Simon Grayson has paid tribute Sir Bobby Robson after the former England manager passed away on Friday morning.

The 76-year-old passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. A family statement read: “It is with great sadness that it has been announced that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.

“He died very peacefully this morning (Friday) at his home in County Durham with his wife (Elsie) and family beside him.”

Sir Bobby, a former England international, managed Fulham, Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Barcelona, and England, who he guided to the semi-finals of the World Cup 1990.

A re-enactment of that World Cup semi-final against Germany was staged at St James’s Park last weekend in aid of the Bobby Robson foundation and, after originally being asked to form part of the guard of honour for the teams, Leeds United manager Grayson played 75 minutes of the match, alongside many of the heroes from the 1990 World Cup.

“I was really shocked and saddened when I heard the news on Friday morning,” said the Leeds boss.

“I was there at the weekend and, although I’ve played against his teams before, it was the first time I’d really met him.

“He’s been battling for a while, but having seen him as recently as Sunday, it came as a great shock.

“It’s a great loss to football, and you will see how much he meant to people over the next few days when you read and hear people paying their own tributes to him.

“He was a top manager, not just in England, but abroad as well, and he will be hugely missed.”

Sir Bobby was a close and trusted friend to former Leeds United head coach John Carver and our thoughts go out to him as well as the family of Sir Bobby.

Sir Bobby Robson has died at the age of 76. The former England manager, who had fought a long battle with cancer, passed away at his home this morning.

“It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer,” read a statement released by Robson’s family. “He died very peacefully this morning at his home in County Durham with his wife and family beside him.

“Sir Bobby’s funeral will be private and for family members only. A thanksgiving service in celebration of Sir Bobby’s life will be held at a later date for his many friends and colleagues.

“Lady Robson and the family would very much appreciate it if their privacy could be respected at this difficult time.”

Stricken by cancer Robson had looked frail when, in a wheelchair, he made his final public appearance last Sunday. Appropriately it was at St James’ Park, the home of the Newcastle United team he always supported and, for five uplfiting years, managed.

The occasion was a fund-raiser for Robson’s cancer charity involving a re-run of the England v West Germany Italia 90 semi final featuring many of the original participants. That World Cup semi-final saw England, then under Sir Bobby’s charge, lose to Germany on penalties in the cruellest moment of Robson’s often glittering managerial career.

Beginning with a lengthy spell at Ipswich Town – from 1969 to 1982 and embracing winning the FA Cup in 1978 and the Uefa Cup in 1981 – ahead of eight years in charge of England that career also spanned stints in charge of Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and, finally, his beloved Newcastle.

One of just a handful of English coaches to have prospered abroad, Robson had travelled a long way from his upbringing in Langley Park in County Durham but, never forgetting his roots, always hankered after the return to north-east England occasioned by Ruud Gullit’s resignation from Newcastle in 1999.

Although, as his wife Elsie and three sons rarely tired of reminding him, Robson remained a football obsessive he proved a far more rounded man than many of his peers. Well aware of life’s shades of grey, he was unusually generous spirited towards critics and opponents and consistently magnanimous in defeat.

Moreover Robson never failed to support fellow managers experiencing tough stints and took great pleasure in mentoring young coaches – most notably a certain Jose Mourinho, whose football life began as Sir Bobby’s interpreter in Portugal before later accompanying him to Barcelona.

On the pitch, Robson’s teams invariably played bold, expansive football frequently featuring two orthodox wingers and, if things were not proceeding to plan, he delighted in making sometimes match-winning triple substitutions.

Told he was destined to lose his fifth battle against cancer – something which first afflicted him in 1991 – Robson opted to spend his final months endeavouring to improve the lot of fellow cancer sufferers in the north-east and at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital in particular.

In March 2008 he established the Sir Bobby Robson foundation. By that November he had raised £1m and in the August he reflected on his own position with a typical realism and impressive lack of bitterness.

“My condition is described as static and has not altered since my last bout of chemotherapy,” said Robson. “I am going to die sooner rather than later. But then everyone has to go sometimes and I have enjoyed every minute.”

Sub’s – 2009 / 2010 Season .
As from Thursday 6th August ( Meeting @ Rugby Club ) subs for next season are due . These can be paid to Jeff / Dave / Frazer / Mif . Jeff has already printed membership cards for any of last season members . Any new members can join for the same price as existing – Adult’s £5.00 and Juniors £1.00 .

Bus Prices – Having not raised the bus prices last year we have reluctantly had to do so for next season due to losses of approx £750.00 over two seasons . We are leaving Junior prices at £5.00 , but adults are now £12.00 .

Exeter City @ home – 8th August .
Our next bus is to the above fixture , leaving Langbourne Road @ 11.30am . Please order your seat as soon as possible by contacting Mif 604742 / Dave – 821258 / Frazer 820817 / Jeff 811005 .

Following Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at Newcastle United, Leeds United legend Peter Lorimer has moved to reveal the story behind Alan Smith’s move to Manchester United.

The trip to St James’s Park was the first time Smith has faced Leeds since his £6m move to Manchester United in the summer of 2004, following the club’s relegation from the Premiership.

Since Smith’s move there has been a simmering anger among many fans, and a large of number of the amazing travelling support of around 3,500 Leeds fans made their feelings known at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The striker spoke afterwards about the “stick” he had received and while admitting he expected it, he also stressed that he fully understood the reaction of the travelling fans and pointed out that he would always remain a Leeds fan.

And, following the game, Elland Road legend and one-time director Lorimer, said he felt the time had to come to reveal the facts about Smith’s move across the Pennines.

“Our fans are fantastic and the support again at Newcastle was terrific,” he said.

“I think we all expected Alan to get some stick – he expected it as well – but I did feel a little sorry for him because while he went to our biggest rival football-wise, it’s never been known by anyone what was behind him going to Old Trafford and I think now is the right time to clear that up.

“What happened was that going back to the Gerald Krasner board at that time, they had just taken over, the club had massive debts, the tax man was pressing, we were struggling to pay the wages and we needed money in desperately.

“The biggest asset at that time was Alan Smith. We had offers from Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Everton, and various other clubs were interested, but we also knew Manchester United were interested.

“I was asked personally by the board of that time to ring Alex Ferguson to let him know that Alan was available if he was interested and tell him how much we were looking for.

“And the reason he had to go there was that we were so pressed for money, and it was such a desperate situation, that they were the only team who could pay us the full amount there and then.

“The other teams who were interested – as with most transfers nowadays – were on partial payment terms over a longer period of time. But the club was in such dire straits we needed the money there and then. That was the reason why he went there.

“To a degree he might not have chosen Manchester United had he been given the choice, but he wasn’t. The club led him down that line. His agent and Alan were made aware of the situation at that time, and the neccessity was that he went to Old Trafford.

“Leeds fans didn’t want him to go there but as far as the club is concerned, Alan Smith going there probably saved us from going into administration or liquidation a lot earlier than we did.

“I know Alan. He is a Leeds fan and he always will be a Leeds fan and there is nobody more aware than him of how much it hurt our fans, but I would like to put the record straight.

“I fully understand how the fans felt, but he was made fully aware of how bid the situation here was and what the club’s preference was.

“I hope they appreciate that he still loves Leeds and maybe now it’s time to bury the hatchet.

“Our fans are fantastic. When you think what they have gone through over the past few years, from where we were to where we are. Hopefully we are on the way back. Our fans stood up to it and they are still following the club.

“It’s sad our club has had to sell so many players, but all these lads don’t forget their roots and I know Alan is the same.”

Leeds United’s squad numbers have been confirmed for the new season.

New signing Jason Crowe has been allocated shirt number two with fellow new recruit Patrick Kisnorbo being handed the number three shirt.
New goalkeeping recruit Shane Higgs will wear 12.

There are few changes to the list, although Lubo Michalik will now wear 17 and Paul Huntington has the number 24 shirt.

The number four shirt, worn by Jonathan Douglas for the past few seasons, is also vacant.

SQUAD NUMBERS 2009/2010

1 Casper ANKERGREN
2 Jason CROWE
3 Patrick KISNORBO
4
5 Rui MARQUES
6 Richard NAYLOR
7 David PRUTTON
8 Neil KILKENNY
9 Jermaine BECKFORD
10 Luciano BECCHIO
11 Alan SHEEHAN
12 Shane HIGGS
13 Mike GRELLA
14 Jonathan HOWSON
15 Fabian DELPH
16 Bradley JOHNSON
17 Lubomir MICHALIK
18 Andy ROBINSON
19 Ben PARKER
20 Tresor KANDOL
21 Enoch SHOWUNMI
22 Andrew HUGHES
23 Robert SNODGRASS
24 Paul HUNTINGTON
25 Alan MARTIN
26
27
28
29 Tom ELLIOTT
30
31 Jonathan WEBB
32 Aidy WHITE
33 Josh FALKINGHAM

New Leeds United signing Patrick Kisnorbo is looking forward to his Elland Road baptism this weekend.

The Australian international will make his debut against Blackburn Rovers as United’s pre-season preparations move up a level against Premier League opponents.

Patrick joined his new team-mates for the first time on Thursday morning at Thorp Arch, and will be joined in the home debut stakes by Shane Higgs and Jason Crowe on Saturday (3pm).

“I’m looking forward to Saturday,” said Patrick.

“It should be a great test for us against Premier League opposition.

“It’s all about getting belief and being able to take things forward into the new season.

“We’ve got three good games coming now against good opposition and that’ll be important for us.

“Our first game is against Exeter, and you are always guaranteed a hard game to start the season.”

Leeds United are proud to announce the unveiling of the NEW 2009/11 replica away kit.

The kit will be worn for the first time by the players in our pre-season friendly against Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road on Saturday July 25.

Men’s and Ladies Shirts are priced £40, with Junior Shirts at £33 and will be available to purchase at 9am on Saturday July 25 from the Elland Road and Online Superstores.

ALL Season Ticket holders and Members are entitled to a 10 per cent discount on production of a valid membership card/number at the Elland Road Superstore and Online Superstore.

Don’t forget, everybody who purchases the shirt will have a chance to enter our competition, looking for fans wearing their new shirt in any location, anywhere in the world.

The amazing prizes include a holiday of a lifetime for two to South Africa, courtesy of our shirt sponsor netflights.com. To enter you must submit a photo of yourself wearing your new shirt(s) in different countries around the world.

We’ve already received a number of fantastic pictures from the Leeds faithful donning the new home kit all over the World.

Visit www.weareverandever.com for the latest entries and for details of you can enter.

AVAILABLE FROM 9AM ON SATURDAY JULY 25 – CLICK HERE FOR THE ONLINE SUPERSTORE!

Patrick Fabio Maxime Kisnorbo (born 24 March 1981) is an Australian footballer of Mauritian and Italian heritage, currently playing for Leeds United in League One of the English Football League. Kisnorbo is also an Australian International with 14 Caps to his name so far.

Kisnorbo, who carries an Italian passport, can play in midfield or defence, but regularly plays at centre back. He was a fans’ favourite at Leicester City, having played there for four years, accumulating over a hundred appearances. During his time with Leicester, he was at the centre of a number of controversies relating to refereeing. This involved plays involving him that had officiating calls that were later shown to be wrong. He has also suffered some injuries that affected his playing ability for a time. Kisnorbo has represented the Socceroos at the international level in three tournaments; the 2002 and 2004 Oceania Nations (OFC) Cups and the 2007 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. He started his professional career at South Melbourne and later played for the Scottish club Hearts before joining Leicester and then to Leeds United.

Early Life

Patrick Kisnorbo was born in Melbourne to a Mauritian father and an Italian mother from Trieste. Because of his mother’s birth, Kisnorbo holds an Italian passport, which allows him to bypass European Union restrictions under the Bosman ruling.

Career

Kisnorbo began playing football as a youth in his hometown with Essendon City and Bulleen. He then played in the South Melbourne youth team for two seasons before being selected for the senior team, which was competing in the now defunct National Soccer League.

Hearts

Following the collapse of the Australian National Soccer League, he made his move from South Melbourne Football Club (FC) to the Edinburgh-based Scottish Premier League club Hearts in July 2003, signing a two-year contract. He was recommended to Hearts by former player Dave McPherson.[8] Kisnorbo quickly became a regular for the first team where he made 48 appearances in two seasons, scoring his only league goal in a 2–1 win over Hibernian on 24 October 2004.[9]

Kisnorbo also played in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Cup against such clubs as Bordeaux, Feyenoord, FC Schalke and Ferencváros, and scored a goal against Portuguese club SC (Sporting Club) Braga. He spent 18 months at Hearts, playing a total of 64 competitive games, before his contract expired at the end of the 2004–05 season. It was not renewed by the club.

Leicester City

Kisnorbo joined Leicester City in April 2005 after leaving Hearts, signing a pre-contract agreement in January. He followed former Hearts boss Craig Levein, teammates Mark de Vries and Alan Maybury across the border to the Midlands club.

Kisnorbo’s first goal for Leicester came on 15 October 2005 against Watford at Vicarage Road, which turned out to be the match winner. His initial appearances for Leicester were as a midfielder, and at first he failed to adjust and was booed by his own fans during a 2–1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday. However, a move back to defence resulted in a change in fortunes for Kisnorbo, and his partnership with then-teammate Paddy McCarthy was instrumental in helping Leicester avoid relegation to League One that season.

Transfer speculation linked Kisnorbo to Wigan Athletic at the end of the 2005–06 season season, but he decided to extend his stay with Leicester by signing a new three-year contract, less than 12 months after joining the club. Kisnorbo began the 2006–07 season well, scoring two goals and putting in fine rear-guard displays against Coventry and Southend, helping the club survive relegation yet again. He was linked with a move to Fulham during the January transfer window. His performance in the 2006–07 season earned him the players’ player of the season award from his teammates. It was also at this point that he became a fan favourite.

2007–08 season

In the 2007–08 season, Kisnorbo was relegated to League One with the club, but was also on the receiving end of no more than three controversial refereeing decisions. His first was a goal against Scunthorpe United on 20 October, which referee Scott Mathieson ruled out for an offside, depriving Leicester of an away win. Video replay showed that Kisnorbo’s disallowed goal was actually onside, greatly frustrating him, while Leicester coach Gerry Taggart commented “We have all seen the replay of Patrick’s goal in the dressing room and he is clearly not offside.” Kisnorbo’s second was a red card by referee Phil Joslin for what the linesman claimed was a foul on Pablo Couñago. Joslin awarded Ipswich Town a penalty kick, and Ipswich won 3–1. Joslin admitted his mistake, and had the ban rescinded the following day after video replays showed Kisnorbo actually won the ball outside the penalty area. Leicester’s then-manager Ian Holloway described the sending off as a “complete kerfuffle.” The Leicester club was fined £3,000 by The Football Association, however, because of Kisnorbo’s teammates angry appeals to Joslin during the game. Kisnorbo’s third was another red card by referee Mike Pike for a foul on Billy Sharp on 5 April 2008. Pike awarded Sheffield United a penalty kick as they won 3–0. Video replays, however, showed no contact between the two, confirming that Sharp was diving. Holloway branded Pike’s decision “embarrassing”, saying “that was the biggest blunder I’ve seen in a long time.” Leicester also succeeded in their appeal against the second red card.

Further misfortune came when Kisnorbo suffered damaged knee ligaments in 3–1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on 26 April 2008, sidelining him for six months. His injury badly affected Leicester’s hopes of surviving in the Championship. He played his 100th game and scored his last ever goal for Leicester in a 2–0 home win over Ipswich on 26 December 2007.

2008–09 season

Kisnorbo returned to action the following season in a 3-0 reserve team win over Rushden and Diamonds on 2 October. He later returned for the first team coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Oldham Athletic on 18 October 2008. However, he was struck with another ligament injury to his other knee in a 3–0 FA Cup win over Stevenage Borough on 9 November, putting him out for two more months. Kisnorbo made his competitive return as a second half substitute in a 1–0 win over Millwall on 14 March 2009, but by then was facing competition in the first team from teammates Wayne Brown, Jack Hobbs, Michael Morrison and Aleksandar Tunchev. He started just three games in the second half of the season, which saw the club secure their promotion as League One champions.

It was reported on 28 April that manager Nigel Pearson told Kisnorbo he could leave on a free transfer the following summer as the club began their preparations for their Championship campaign the following season. Leicester on 29 May 29 released Kisnorbo at the end of his contract, along with Paul Henderson, Marc Edworthy, Bruno N’Gotty and Barry Hayles. Kisnorbo stated he was “very disappointed to have been released”, and made it clear that he wanted “to show Leicester next season what they are missing because I’m desperate to stay in the Championship.” He went on trial with Crystal Palace, and later had another trial with Leicester’s local rivals Derby County, however did not feature in their friendly against Chesterfield, leading to more rumours that he is set to join Palace, whereas rumours before this game were that he instead would join Derby County F.C.

Leeds United

On 22nd July, 2009, Kisnorbo signed for Leeds United on a two year deal.

International Career

Kisnorbo was part of Australia’s 2001 Youth World Cup campaign, playing five matches for the Young Socceroos in Oceania qualifiers, including a goal against Papua New Guinea. He remained on the squad for the finals, appearing in all the matches leading up to Australia’s second-round elimination at the hands of Brazil. His performances in the under-20 level led to his first international appearance on 6 July 2002 against Vanuatu in Australia’s first match of the 2002 OFC Nations Cup. He made three appearances in the tournament including the defeat to New Zealand in the final.

In 2004 Kisnorbo was again selected for the squad for the Oceania Cup. In Australia’s last group match against Solomon Islands he was sent off for receiving two yellow cards, ending his tournament. He declined to join the Olyroos squad for an Olympic preparation tour in July, electing to concentrate on cementing a place at Hearts F.C. in the pre-season. This decision harmed his national team aspirations, as he was left out of the squad that eventually lost to Iraq in the quarter-finals.

Kisnorbo made appearances for the Socceroos in friendlies against Ghana, Denmark, China and Uruguay. These performances led to his selection for the Australian Asian Cup squad, playing in the first two group matches against Oman and Iraq. After Australia tied the first match and lost the second, Kisnorbo was dropped from the starting line-up amongst a host of changes. He played no further part in the tournament as Australia were eventually knocked out by Japan.

Kisnorbo is hoping that his form for Leeds United over the 2009-10 season will help earn him a place in the Australia 2010 world cup squad.

New Leeds United signing Patrick Kisnorbo turned down the opportunity to play in the Coca-Cola Championship in favour of a move to Elland Road.

The 28-year-old Australian international was attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs following his departure from Leicester City at the end of last season, but he opted for a two-year deal with Leeds United.

“There were other clubs interested, but I saw more in this club than in the others,” he explained.

“None of them appealed to me as much as this club.

“Leeds has a great tradition and history and I want to be part of a successful club.”

Following his departure from Leicester at the end of last season, the defender had said he would be aiming “to prove a point” to the club following a frustrating season on a personal level.

Despite being a regular for the previous three seasons – clocking up over a century of appearances – he figured just 10 times last term as the Foxes won the League One title.

“They are the ones who let me go and didn’t let me play,” he said.

“The gaffer there had his own ideas, although I’d played regularly over the previous three years. It wasn’t nice, but it’s just one of those things.

“But I also want to pay back the staff, the players, and the fans here at Leeds. Everyone has already made me so welcome and shown me support.

“I don’t like talking about promotion, it’s all about treating each game as it comes.”

While the club already has one Australian international in Neil Kilkenny, there is another familiar face in the Leeds camp who Patrick knows well.

“I know Ian Miller from his time at Leicester,” said the defender.

“Ian rang me in the summer to ask if I was interested and I was.”

Leeds United have signed Australian international Patrick Kisnorbo on a two-year deal.

The central defender opted to join United despite interest from a host of Championship clubs, and he put pen to paper at Thorp Arch on Wednesday morning.

The 28-year-old joins after a four-year stint at Leicester City, where he made 140 appearances. He was a virtual ever present for his first three seasons at the Walkers Stadium, but made just 10 appearances for the club last season.

United manager Simon Grayson was delighted to capture the Aussie star: “Patrick is an experienced defender who has played regular football in the Championship.

“He is strong, aggressive, and has leadership qualities. Having spoken to him, his desire and hunger is clear and he just the type of character I want at the club.”

The defender started his career with South Melbourne before moving to Scotland with Hearts. He featured in the UEFA cup for the Tynecastle side, and moved south of the border two years later to join Leicester.

Kisnorbo, who was quick to speak of his desire to prove Leicester City were wrong not to extend his stay, brings a wealth of experience to the United squad.