Leeds United 2 Millwall 1: McDermott calls for an end to uncertainty

LEEDS United manager Brian McDermott is keen to have his club’s future sorted out as soon as possible, with the Football League still to make a decision about whether or not Massimo Cellino passes its owners and directors test.
Brian McDermottBrian McDermott
Brian McDermott

“We’re fighting for our lives as a club with the ownership situation,” said McDermott after first-half goals from Matt Smith and Ross McCormack gave Leeds a first win in seven games to brighten a week when Cellino’s prospective takeover was plunged into doubt after the Italian was found guilty of evading tax payments on his luxury yacht.

Rumours of administration continue to circle round Elland Road while the club remain in limbo, with current owners Gulf Finance House Capital having written to the Football League urging them to approve Cellino’s takeover.

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“We want to get it sorted out as quickly as possible,” added the Leeds chief. “We’ve had a run of form that has been difficult to say the least, but you have to remember how many young players are in this team.

“We needed to win and we’re delighted that we’ve hung on. We need an owner that really wants to carry this club forward and that’s the most important thing.

“This place is uncertain; fans pick up on it, players do and staff do. We want the uncertainty to go away.”

Substitute DJ Campbell pulled one back for the Lions in the 72nd minute with a 25-yard screamer into the top corner, but Millwall were unable to force an equaliser.

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Leeds United: Butland, Byram (Wootton 90), Lees, Pearce, Pugh, Mowatt (Tonge 84), Murphy, Austin, Wickham (Hunt 86), Smith, McCormack. Unused substitutes: Warnock, Poleon, Stewart, Cairns.

Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Robinson, Beevers, Lowry, Upson (Campbell 59), Garvan, Woolford, McDonald, Onyedinma (Jackson 59), Marquis (Maierhofer 58). Unused substitutes: Fredericks, Abdou, Powell, Bywater.

Referee: S Attwell (Warwickshire).

Man of the match: Tom Lees.