Well, another transfer market shut, and Jermaine Beckford is still a Leeds player, so the woman on the Football League (that SHALL remain nameless) wasn’t right. What a surprise!

So, onto transfers, and as the title says, Leeds signed 2 on Tuesday, and shipped 2 out on loan. Leigh Bromby has signed for a 6 figure sum, which is believed to be £250,000. Also, we completed the free transfer of Davide Somma, a South African striker. Somma is a former San Jose Earthquakes player, and has played for various other clubs across the world.

So, on deadline day, I got updates from probably every site to do with Leeds United site possible! It was a long day for many Leeds fans, all of us wondering if Jermaine Beckford would still be a Leeds player, and I think all Leeds fans breathed a sigh of relief when that transfer window closed at 5pm on Tuesday. But enough about the one and only Beckford, lets talk about the players who have left the club. First, Tom Lees, one of the acedemies hottest prospects, has gone on loan to Accrington Stanley till January to get some match experience, and Alan Sheehan has gone on loan to Oldham Athletic for a month, after finding himself out of the picture so far under Simon Grayson.

So, onto the weekend’s win against Stockport. Another good win, and another club record broken! How many more can we break this season? Well, Jermaine was 50/50 the night before the match Peter Lorimer said and I don’t think Simon Grayson wanted to aggrevate it by playing him, so he didn’t put him in the starting 18. Instead, he played one of our most skillful strikers upfront, and that is the one and only, Mike Grella. and he opened the scoring within 9 minutes with a fantastic curling shot that went right into the bottom left hand corner, a corker of a goal and the delight on his face was obvious, one of my two choices for man of the match anyway!

Another person who played well on Saturday was Lubomir Michalik, who had one or two slip ups, but apart from them, he did well, and he even got on the score sheet! Yes, you did read correctly, he got on the score-sheet, which is actually his 2nd goal for Leeds, his first was in 2007 when he headed home the winning goal against Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road, when he was on loan during our relegation fight.

Another surprise during the match on Saturday was Rob Snodgrass missing a penalty, everyone expexted him to score, with him having such a good record at taking penalties, but it was poorly struck and it was an easy save for Owain Fon Williams in the Stockport County goal.

So, onto a charity that has recently been set up, it’s called Leeds Fans Remembrance. It is a charity that has been set to remember the Leeds fans we have lost in tragic circumstances over the years, but mainly for the upcoming tenth anniversairy of the death of Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight. I have put a link on the home page of our website, and I will be updating our website with their events on out events calender. The website link is http://www.leedsfansremembrance.com/.

As you may know, Whitby Whites annual Leeds on the Road is on Friday 16th October. We now have one confirmed guest, and that is our honoury president, Peter Lorimer. The start time this year 7:00pm and ticket prices are £10 for adults and £5 for juniors. Last year’s guests were Peter Lorimer, Eddie Gray, John McClelland, Paul Huntington and Scott Gardner. In the first year our guests were Peter Lorimer and Brendan Ormesby.

Well, thats all from me for another blog, i’ll be writing again on Saturday after the game with Southend United, and I will hopefully have more information on our Leeds on the Road.

Leeds United will play Darlington in the second round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

The tie will be played at Elland Road during the week commencing Monday October 5.

It will be the second time the two clubs have met in cup competitions already this season.

An Enoch Showunmi goal secured us a 1-0 win at Darlington in the first round of the Carling Cup in August.

Ticket information for the JPT tie will be available on leedsunited.com next week.

Leeds United’s Carling Cup third round tie against Liverpool at Elland Road will be played on Tuesday September 22 (7.45pm).

The game will be screened live on Sky, and will be a Category B fixture.

The East Stand Upper will be open for this game and will be priced the same as the North Stands. Prices start at £21 adults, £14 senior citizens and £9 juniors for the North Stands/East Upper, £19 adults, £14 senior citizens and £7 for juniors for the Members Only Family Area, and £29 adults, £22 senior citizens/students* and £19 juniors* for East Central Lower and West Stand.

Liverpool fans will be allocated the South Stand and the South East Corner.

Tickets will go on sale to Members on Wednesday September 2 and will be available exclusively to Members until close of business on Friday September 11. Members can buy one ticket each.

Memberships are still available to purchase, priced at £30 adults and £20 juniors. The club reserves the right to withdraw the sale of Memberships without prior notice.

Season Ticket Holders seats will be reserved until close of business on September 11. Season Ticket Holders signed up to the Auto Cup Scheme will receive their tickets through the post. Any Season Ticket Holders who do not wish to receive a ticket for this game must contact Ticket Services before close of business on Thursday September 3.

The balance of remaining tickets for the Liverpool game – subject to availability – will go on sale from Saturday September 12 to any fans who present a purchased match ticket (home areas only) from the Stockport County game on Saturday September 5 at the Ticket Office.

For more information please contact Ticket Services on 0871 334 1992 or e-mailtickets@leedsunited.com.

* The concession prices in the East Central Lower / West Stand are only available to concession Season Ticket holders in these areas.

Davide Somma (born March 26, 1985 in Johannesburg) is a South African soccer player, of Italian heritage, who plays as a forward for Leeds United in League One.

Career

Youth & College

Somma started playing at an early age of 5 at Edenvale Footbal Club, Johannesburg, until age 11. He grew up in Florida, played club soccer with Sarasota Storm, St. Pete Raiders in Clearwater, Sarasota Footbal Club Division 1. Played 4 years for Riverview High School. His senior year the team won district champs. Davide was awarded top athletic performer in area, in 2003. Spent one year playing soccer with Tyler Junior College, Texas in 2004, scoring 13 goals and 9 assists. Was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XIV 1st team USA. After one season with Tyler, Somma enrolled in an international soccer school program.

European Clubs

Joined Spanish team’s CD Logroñés youth system, his Italian passport giving him the opportunity to pursue a career in Europe. Somma then signed a 4 year contract with Italian club Perugia, only to last about 6 months as Perugia’s president bankrupted the club and it went under.

Davide transferred to Pro Vasto and also played in Coppa Italia for both seasons, with goals and assists. He later played for Olbia Calcio the following season and played in Coppa Italia that year, before returning to the United States in 2008.

Major League Soccer

Somma signed a developmental contract with the San Jose Earthquakes in September 2008 and made three regular season appearances for the club during the 2008 season, in addition to five reserve team appearances in which he notched two goals and three assists.

In December 2008 he joined the Generation Adidas team in London for a 3 game tour of England and scored two goals for the squad as they faced the reserve teams of Reading, Chelsea, and West Ham. In February 2009 Somma signed a senior contract with the San Jose Earthquakes, but was placed on waivers on May 26 of that year.

Leeds United

On 21st July 2009, Somma won a trial with Queens Park Rangers and played in a friendly game for them on the wing. A week later Somma was on trial at Leeds United and impressed significantly that the club extended it for a further two weeks, Somma scored in a pre-season friendly against Newport County, witht he Leeds XI comprised of mainly youth players. Somma is believed to be in talks with Leeds over a move to the West Yorkshire club. Somma has proved his versatility, skill and strength may be of benefit to the West Yorkshire club as they battle to win promotion to the Championship. Leeds are looking at signing Somma on a permanent basis after a hugely impressive trial spell.

On 1st September 2009, Somma joined Leeds United on a one year permanent deal. He becomes the fourth South African to play for Leeds with Albert Johanneson, Lucas Radebe and Phil Masinga who have wore the shirt before him.

South African striker Davide Somma has signed a permanent contract with Leeds United.

The one-time San Jose Earthquakes marksman has impressed during an extended trial with the club, and has joined on an intial one-year contract with the club retaining the option to extend by a further year.

Somma, who was born in Johannesburg but brought up in America, looked sharp in pre-season and netted goals against Newcastle United and Hull City in behind-closed-door friendly matches.

United manager Simon Grayson said: “He has done very well in pre-season and has caught the eye both in training and in games.
“He has done enough to earn himself a contract – we have all been pleased with what we’ve seen – and we’ll see how he goes from here.

“It’s an opportunity for us to have a closer look at the player and it’s a great opportunity for him.”

Leigh David Bromby (born June 2 1980) is an English footballer who plays for Leeds United in Football League One. He can play as a central defender or right back. He’s one of very few players to have played over 100 games for each of the steel city rivals Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.

Career

Sheffield Wednesday

Born in Dewsbury, Bromby started his footballing career at Liversedge before being spotted by Sheffield Wednesday. He then progressed through the Sheffield Wednesday youth academy, and in September 1999 joined Mansfield Town on loan for three months. He made his Football League debut on 12 December 1999 in a 0–0 draw at Barnet. He scored his first career goal in a 3–1 home win over Southend United in January 2000.

Bromby made his Wednesday debut the following season; on 23 December 2000 as substitute in a 1–0 home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers. He went on to make 20 appearances that season.

He spent part of the 2002–03 season on loan at Norwich City before returning to Wednesday. After making 112 appearances for the club he moved to local rivals Sheffield United in a free transfer on 24 May 2004.

Sheffield United

Bromby made his début for Sheffield United against Leicester City at Bramall Lane on 7 August 2004 in a 4-1 win for the Blades. He played in all 46 league matches that season and scored his fist senior goal for the club in the same game a diving header at the far post.

On 15 August 2006, he signed a new three year contract with United, with an option for a further year.

Bromby spent much of the 2007–08 season on the sidelines, making only 15 appearances. His longest spell in the side was in January 2008, when he played 6 games in which United lost only once.

Watford

On 31 January 2008 he moved to Watford signing a three and a half year contract, for a fee of £600,000 rising to £850,000 based on appearances. His final appearance for United had been in a league fixture against his new club, two days previously. His former manager, Bryan Robson, admitted that he did not want to sell Bromby, but he had wanted regular football and Watford’s offer had been reasonable. On 2 February 2008, Bromby made his debut for Watford at home against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Within the first minute his long throw set up Steve Kabba to score in an eventual 3–0 victory. After only a year at Vicarage Road Bromby returned to Sheffield United on a six month loan with a view to a permanent deal.

Sheffield United

Ironically, having returned to Bramall Lane, just as his first spell at the club ended with an appearance against Watford, his first game back with the Blades also saw him appear as a second half substitute against The Hornets despite them still being his current employers. Bromby played the remainder of the season as defensive cover, completing thirteen appearances and one goal during his loan period. Following the end of the season he signed a new two year deal with United, returning to his former club on a free transfer.

Leeds United

On 30 August 2009 it was announced that Leigh and Sheffield United had agreed the transfer of the defender to Leeds United for an undisclosed fee,believed to be in the region of £250,000. The versatile defender agreed a four year deal with the club he supported as a boy.

New Elland Road recruit Leigh Bromby says he can’t wait to pull on the shirt of the club he has supported all his life.

The former Sheffield United central defender’s move was finalised on Tuesday morning after the player completed a medical, and Leeds-supporting Leigh has signed a four-year contract with the club.

“I’m delighted to be here,” said Leigh. “It’s happened pretty quickly, but there was no decision to make really once I knew Leeds were interested.

“I was brought up a Leeds fan – we had Season Tickets for a lot of years – and my family are all big Leeds fans as well. They are delighted and this is something I want to be a part of.

“I’ve played against Leeds a few times. I hope I can bring some experience and competition for places because that’s what you need.
“I spoke to Simon Grayson before I signed and I know him previously from when I was at Sheffield Wednesday. He’s got the club flying this season.

“I’ve been involved in promotion at Sheffield United and they were always near the the top, and that’s the ambition here.”

The 29-year-old, who was born in Dewsbury, brings a wealth of experience, having featured in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday, Watford, and Sheffield United. However, he has made just one appearance for the Blades this term, in the Carling Cup.

“I’d had a fantastic four years at Sheffield United before I moved to Watford,” explained Leigh.

“Then I went back on loan last season. I only signed permanently again for Sheffield United in August and I didn’t see myself moving on, but a lack of games there coupled with the opportunity here seemed the right thing to do.”

With central defensive pairing Paddy Kisnorbo and Rui Marques both away on international duty next weekend, Bromby could make his debut in the Elland Road clash with Stockport County.

“I’ll be fighting for my place,” said Leigh. “I’ve got to prove myself, the team are doing well, but I’ve come to play and will be looking to push whoever is in my position.

“I had a good pre-season and am looking forward to playing games. I’m coming into a team who is doing well and looking to carry it on.

“It’s been a great start to the season. I hope I can bring a bit more and help them win promotion.”

See more from Leigh later exclusively on LUTV

Leeds United’s Carling Cup third round tie against Liverpool will take place on Tuesday September 22 (7.45pm).

The game will be screened live on Sky Sports.

Ticket information will appear on leedsunited.com & on here as soon as it comes through.

The Whitby Whites Annual General Meeting is on Thursday 2nd July at Whitby Rugby Club.

Future Meeting Dates:
Thursday 4th June 2009
Thursday 2nd July 2009 (AGM)
Thursday 6th August 2009
Thursday 3rd September 2009
Thursday 1st October 2009
Thursday 5th November 2009
Thursday 3rd December 2009