Sport

Leeds United relegated to the Championship after three seasons in the Premier League

It was a tall order for The Whites — they had to win, bolster their goal difference and rely on others to stumble around them.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 28th May 2023

It's official, Leeds United have unfortunately been relegated back to the Championship after three seasons in the Premier League.

The Whites returned to the English top flight after 30 years after that remarkable promotion and title-winning campaign under Marcelo Bielsa in the 2019/20 season.

However, despite finishing comfortably above the drop zone in 9th position in their first year back in the Prem, the Yorkshiremen haven't been the same since Bielsa was ultimately sacked following a poor run of form in February 2022.

Having taken just 31 points under replacement manager Jesse Marsch, then Javi Gracia, not to mention just one of those points being claimed by Sam Allardyce from his three games in charge, the final day was always going to be a tall order.

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Not only did the Peacocks needs to win to stand a chance of staying up but they also needed to beat Spurs by a three-goal margin, as well as hope that Everton lost and Leicester did not better than draw their final.

Sadly, the miracle wasn't meant to be... Today's game against Tottenham ended with a 4-1 defeat.

So, after a year of ups and downs they'd love to forget, Leeds will once again be playing in the Championship next season but have already proved that they can stick it with the big boys, at least when the right man is in charge.

They will also be, no doubt, one of the favourites to come straight back up next year, let's just hope they don't drift into becoming a Premier League yo-yo club — and who knows, they could see a serious influx of cash before the year is out.

https://thehootleeds.com/sport/leeds-united-relegation-rivals-threaten-to-sue-everton-300m-ffp-breaches-overspending/

Featured Image — Leeds United (via Twitter)

Sport

Even MORE padel courts are coming to a former film studio in Leeds city centre

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

It's looking like the whole of Leeds might turn into padel courts before we know it.

The padel craze is well and truly thriving, because over the past few months we've had not one, not two, but THREE new padel courts being announced in the city.

We're not quite sure why, but something about that little racket and ball is really getting the people going - and we love to see it.

So, the next lot of padel courts is set to move into the part of a former film studio on Whitehall Road.

If granted permission by Leeds City Council, eight padel courts will be created at the Versa Studios site in Holbeck, along with an onsite cafe and bar.

Council planners have said the new development would boost access to sports facilities and create jobs in the local area.

The report said: “The development will generate around 15 new jobs, contribute to the local economy and create wider spin-off benefits for the city centre fringe.

“It will also deliver important social and health benefits, encouraging more people to participate in sport and promoting an active lifestyle within an inclusive and accessible setting.”

A design report by Quantam Padel said new courts were needed to meet the ongoing growing demand for the sport, and we can believe that.

It said: "The proposal aims to deliver a high quality padel tennis centre.

“Padel tennis is more accessible to those whose level of fitness, agility or skill make conventional tennis or squash overly challenging and difficult to play.”

So, what do you make of this? Can there be one padel court too many?

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Featured image - Google Street View






Sport

Everything you need to know about the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup before it comes to Leeds

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The countdown is really on now to one of the biggest sporting events of the year - the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will land in Leeds in just a few weeks’ time. 

The upcoming cricket tournament has already shattered all previous ticket sales records, ahead of what promises to be the biggest Women’s T20 World Cup ever staged.

With just two weeks to go to the opening match between England and Sri Lanka, ticket sales have already surpassed 155,000.

And anticipation is growing for the sporting event of the summer, a 24-day spectacle played across seven iconic venues in England and Wales. 

Headingley will play its part in this record-breaking tournament this summer, hosting several major games. 

The action kicks off here in Leeds on Wednesday 17 June, with a double-header featuring Australia v Bangladesh and India v Netherlands.

Headingley will also host one of the tournament’s marquee fixtures - England v Scotland on Saturday 20 June. 

So if you’re planning to go down for all the action, or just want to know what’s in store, here’s the essential info you need for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. 

Leeds dates for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

The T20 trophy on a tour of Leeds

Headingley will welcome eight teams across five fixtures in June, including England, Scotland, Australia, Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh, and India, plus tournament newcomers Netherlands. 

  • Wednesday 17 June - Australia v Bangladesh, Headingley - 10.30am
  • Wednesday 17 June - India v Netherlands, Headingley - 2.30pm
  • Thursday 18 June - West Indies v Scotland, Headingley - 6.30pm
  • Saturday 20 June - England v Scotland, Headingley - 6.30pm
  • Tuesday 23 June - Australia v Pakistan, Headingley - 6.30pm

Tickets for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

This year’s ticket sales have surpassed the total fan attendance of 136,549 recorded across the entirety of the 2020 edition in Australia, highlighting the extraordinary momentum behind women’s cricket and the growing global demand for the women’s game.

Adult tickets start from just £15 in Headingley, you can grab tickets for games HERE. 

What else is on?

Spirit Week has been driving up the excitement even further, with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup trophy currently on a tour around the UK - including a great day out here in Leeds. 

And when it’s England v Scotland here in Headingley, there’ll be all sorts of activations and activities across town to get everyone in the spirit of the World Cup. 

The ICC and UNICEF will also be delivering Cricket 4 Good clinics in local communities, with cricketing stars giving young cricketers tips and skills training. 

What the ICC have said

Headingley will host a number of T20 Women's World Cup fixtures
Headingley will host a number of T20 Women's World Cup fixtures

ICC General Manager - Events and Corporate Communications, Gaurav Saxena said: “The 2026 edition becoming the highest-selling ICC Women’s T20 World Cup ever is another milestone for the women’s game.

“It not only highlights the incredible momentum behind women’s cricket but also reflects the strong cultural pull of an ICC pinnacle event, appeal for which is not limited to only the sports fans. 

“This edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is set to be our biggest tournament till date and is expected to smash attendance and viewership records in the UK and around the world. This milestone is a hugely exciting moment for everyone involved and has been almost a year in the making.

“The response from fans is a testament to the bold, creative and well-executed marketing efforts of both the ICC and the ECB in the run-up to the tournament, more of which are to follow over the next four weeks.

“We look forward to welcoming fans from across the globe to England and Wales for what promises to be the biggest and most exciting edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.”

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Tournament Director, Beth Barrett-Wild said: “Surpassing 155,000 ticket sales is an incredible milestone and a powerful signal of the momentum behind the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. To have exceeded the previous record set in Australia, before a ball has been bowled, shows just how much excitement there is for this tournament and for women’s cricket globally.

“We’ve always believed this tournament has the potential to be the biggest women’s cricket event in history, and the response from fans has been extraordinary. It reflects the growing profile of the women’s game, the strength of the teams and players on show, and the appetite for world-class sporting events across England and Wales as we build towards an unforgettable summer in 2026.”

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Featured image: The Hoot Leeds

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