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Leeds United takeover completed by American investment group, 49ers Enterprises
Can they help get the Whites back in the Premier League?
Leeds United's takeover has officially been completed by American investment group 49ers Enterprises.
The EFL approved the full formal purchase of Leeds on Sunday, 17 July, for £170 million, taking full control of the club and seeing the Andrea Radrizzani era come to an end after six years.
49ers Enterprises have been involved in the club since 2018 when they purchased a 15% stake and increased their holdings in 2021 when they took control of 44% of the shares.
Now having taken charge of Radrizzani's stake, their new American owners are restructuring the club ahead of the new season.
Named as such through their ownership of the San Francisco 49ers NFL team, the enterprise is gradually growing its sports portfolio and will now be attempting to turn its hand away from American football to the beautiful game.
Paraag Marathe, previously vice chairman and a board member, will take over as Leeds United's new chairman, with Rudy Cline-Thomas — founder and managing partner of MASTRY — joining the Board as co-owner and vice chair.
Angus Kinnear is set to stay on as CEO, stating that he believes the 49ers will bring "fresh leadership, management, and a commitment to investment" that will match their ambitions and allow them to once again become an "established top-flight club".
With Leeds eyeing up a swift return to the Premier League after being relegated back to the Championship following a three-year stay back in the first division, they have appointed former Norwich head coach as their new manager.
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Speaking on the announcement, Marathe said: "This transition is a necessary reset to chart a new course for the Club. We have already appointed a highly-respected First Team Manager with a track record of success, and we are confident Leeds will field a competitive squad to contend for promotion next season.
"It’s a privilege to carry this torch as I know we have a responsibility to ensure this Club makes our staff, players, supporters, and the Leeds and Yorkshire communities proud."
As for the outgoing Radrizzani, he bid farewell by saying: "It has been an honour to guide Leeds United over the last six years and to spend so much time with the best fanbase in the world. 49ers Enterprises have been fantastic partners for years and I'm confident they will take Leeds to the next level."
Will they help get the Whites back where they belong at the first time of asking?
Featured Image — Leeds United
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New BBC TV drama starring Bel Powley and Harley Squires to be filmed in Leeds this spring
Clementine Hall
The BBC has announced a brand-new crime drama set to be filmed in Leeds and Hull.
We all love a BBC drama, and luckily for us one is about to be filmed right here in Leeds.
The new drama will be titled Shy & Lola, starring Harley Squires from The Night Manager and Bel Powley from The Diary of A Teenage Girl.
The six-part series has been described as a "dark comedy" about two women caught up in a murder in the criminal underworld.
The plot follows an unassuming pair in a small coastal town in northern England where the pair both realise they have a hidden talent for crime.
The series synopsis states: "As they build an operation that threatens to blow the local bad guys out of the water, opposing futures beckon – using their earnings to fund a fresh start, or becoming the new bosses in town."
The show is based on a popular French TV series and is written by Amanda Coe, an acclaimed English screenwriter and novelist.
Amanda Coe spoke about the announcement: "With such a rich and spiky central relationship at its core, Shy & Lola is a dream of a show to write, full of fun, action and emotion. I can't wait to see our hugely exciting cast and director bring it to life."
Rachelle Constant, executive Producer for Clerkenwell Films, said: "Amanda has written a brilliantly bold series centred on a dynamic female duo, which blends dark comedy with propulsive storytelling.We’re thrilled to have Hayley and Bel as our leads, alongside an exceptional cast and crew."
The new series will begin filming in Leeds and Hull this spring and will air on BBC One and iPlayer and we'll absolutely be tuning in.
Read more: Yorkshire actor Robert Aramayo scoops BAFTA alongside other ‘surprise’ northern winners
Featured image - BBC
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Turnstile to play their only UK headline show this year at Halifax Piece Hall
Clementine Hall
Turnstile will headline the Halifax Piece Hall this summer, their only UK headline show.
The Grammy-winning hardcore group have just announced a very special show at historic venue the Halifax Piece Hall.
As part of the venue's huge summer season, Turnstile will take to the stage on Wednesday 26 August marking a whopping 41 shows at the Piece Hall's calendar so far.
The group pulled huge crowds at Glastonbury festival last year and scooped up two Grammy Awards earlier this month, using their platform to thank fans who "swung in the dark" with them.
Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL FRSA, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, says: “2026 will see Turnstile playing at some of the world’s most iconic festivals and then here in Halifax at UK’s most iconic heritage venue.”
“We always aim to deliver for the full spectrum of music lovers in Calderdale and knowing how passionate our rock and metal community is, this gig will be off the scale – truly unmissable!”
Alongside Turnstile, Halifax Piece Hall will welcome the likes of Hollywood Vampires, Paul Weller, Bowling For Soup, Skunk Anansie, Garbage, Empire of the Sun, Sex Pistols, Mcfly, CMAT and Jimmy Eat World this summer. What a season it's going to be.
Baltimore’s hardcore heroes will head to West Yorkshire to play TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall on Wednesday August 26.
Tickets go on sale this Friday 27 February at 10am, and you can get your tickets here.
Find out more about what's going on at the Halifax Piece Hall this summer here.
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Danny Jones -
19th July 2023 
