The summer transfer business is well underway for Leeds United, as in the same breath as saying goodbye to rising star Archie Gray, the club has also confirmed the return of Joe Rodon on a permanent deal.
As Leeds United bid to climb back into the Premier League next year after falling short at the final hurdle this past season, it's no secret that the club needs investment.
That being said, bidding farewell to one of their breakout stars is not how most fans would have liked the new campaign to kick off but they have at least fully secured the services of last season's popular loan player, Joe Rodon.
Announcing the de facto swap deal plus cash on Tuesday, 2 July, the 26-year-old Welshman has now signed a four-year deal to remain at the heart of Leeds' defence.
However, as one comes in another must go, as the Whites unfortunately had to let 18-year-old Archie Gray go, who had emerged as one of the club's brightest youth prospects for a number of years last season.
Confessing that they greenlit the departure "with a heavy heart", the club said that it was nigh on impossible to avoid interest from top-flight clubs and despite a bid from Brentford being rejected, an offer from Tottenham Hotspur "met a release clause that was triggered by the club’s failure to get promoted at the first attempt".
They went on to add: "Whilst we understand that supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a homegrown talent, and a family name so synonymous with Leeds United, the move improves the club’s chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad within the league’s financial control regulations.
The deal for the promising youngster, who played over 50 games for the Yorkshire club in his debut season, is said to be valued between £25-£30m - a fee which will help them comply with FFP and PSR after remaining in the Championship.
🎙️ “I’m really excited, it’s a massive Club and it’s an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.”
The significance of the outgoing is not lost on them, reiterating that "everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart and would like to thank Archie for all his efforts and professionalism."
Nevertheless, the fee is one which twinned with recent investment from Red Bull and multiple celebrities, could be massive for their overall title hopes as Daniel Farke looks to regenerate the side.
Gray, whose dad Andy and grandfather Frank, both played as Peacocks, joins Spurs on a statement six-year-deal. The England under-21 international will don the number 14.
What do you make of it then, Leeds fans? It was always going to be tough to hang on to such a great young player, but is keeping Rodon a good enough makeweight and who else should the club be going after?
Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure has officially been confirmed as the new chairman of the oldest football team in the world, Sheffield FC.
He might be a die-hard Wednesday fan, but given the turbulence his lifelong club have been through over the past couple of years, maybe this is the start of a new love affair.
Sheffield FC had teased that important news was coming soon earlier this month, simply writing on socials: "Not long until we can tell all. We’ve been sitting on something big."
As it turns out, the news is that one of the Steel City's most famous and beloved sons is now part of the club's new ownership structure. McClure quickly took to social media to help join in with the announcement as well.
The veteran indie frontman and Day Fever co-founder has continued to branch out from solely music-related ventures, having gone into business not only with multiple names for the smash hit afternoon-into-early evening music festival, but also joining forces with a fellow Sheffielder.
Since November of last year, Jon's has often appeared alongside his brother Chris, who plays the comedy character of 'Steve Bracknall' on the Game's Gone podcast.
A bit like Yorkshire's answer to Alan Partridge, there remains a sporting throughline in pretty much all of the 44-year-old's career at the moment - now so more than ever.
Speaking online, McClure said: "What am I doing at the world’s oldest football club, you ask? Well, meet the new chairman of Sheffield FC.
"Our vision is that we honour the club’s roots and pay homage to its incredible history, whilst restoring it to its former glory." He's already been making his presence known around their home ground.
— Sheffield Football Club (@sheffieldfc) March 3, 2026
While some are still looking for updates on the plans to bring the historic outfit back closer to Sheffield proper - the non-league club currently playing at The Home of Football Stadium in Dronfield, Derbyshire - this fresh start for the now oft-neglected native minnows has still sparked some excitement.
At present, 'The Ancients' are in the process of developing a new 5,000-seater arena at the old Sheffield Transport Sports Club site in Meadowhead, which was initially slated to open this year.
But as for the musician, he went on to add that "There’s a lot to be done, but we’re ready to get stuck in and give Sheffield FC the love it deserves"; McClure and co. have dubbed this "a new chapter" for "the first in the world", and the update will no doubt bring some fresh hope to the organisation.
What do you make of the announcement, and is a local figure like Reverend and the Makers' Jon McClure the right person to help take over this community cornerstone and national institution?
Featured Images — Sheffield FC/Reverend and the Makers
Sport
Huge new £15m sports hub in Holbeck to be given green light by Leeds City Council
Clementine Hall
The final go-ahead is expected to be given for work to start on a major new £15million sports hub in Holbeck.
Senior councillors are expected to give the approval next Wednesday 11 March at an executive board meeting.
An agreement will be made on a contractor to complete the work which will bring state-of-the-art sports pitches and a community space to the city.
Holbeck Sports Hub will provide three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a building with changing rooms and a café.
Image: Supplied
Work is expected to begin in August 2026 and is set to be built at the site of the former Matthew Murray High School.
The plan is to also provide a home to a new GP surgery as well as a children’s play area and walking and running routes through the green space which sits off Brown Lane East and Ingram Road.
Image: Supplied
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “We look forward to the work starting on the Holbeck Sports Hub, which will be a significant asset to the local community and residents in south Leeds.
“It will provide affordable and accessible quality sports pitches, providing more opportunities for physical activity and play and spaces to meet up and connect.
“We are also working towards an agreement with a GP practice so that the area can benefit from new high-quality healthcare provision to meet the needs of the community.”
The programme is joint funded by the Football Foundation and Leeds City Council capital funding.
Danny Jones -
2nd July 2024 
