Leeds will not be resting on their laurels warns Grayson

"YOU get nowt for being second," was the title Billy Bremner chose for his autobiography in 1969.

It was an understandable sentiment from the captain of the newly-crowned league champions, especially as the four seasons preceding Leeds United's title success of just a few months earlier had seen the club finish as runners-up twice and lose two major cup finals.

More than 40 years on, however, Bremner's lament is one that will not necessarily resonate with supporters of his former club due to a second place finish last season having been enough to end United's three-year stay in the footballing wilderness of League One.

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To a club who only a few years earlier had been rubbing shoulders with Barcelona, Real Madrid and AC Milan in the Champions League, playing in the third tier was an amazing fall from grace and one that manager Simon Grayson is adamant must never be allowed to happen again.

"The club was in League One for a reason," says the 40-year-old former Leeds trainee when talking to the Yorkshire Post in the sunshine at the club's Thorp Arch training ground.

"But, as a Leeds fan, it was heartbreaking. Seeing our fans having to stand up at games and the players having to go to these small dressing rooms was not an ideal situation.

"The key was using it as a motivation and inspiration to get out of League One.

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"We told the players to make sure we didn't have to go on any more long-distance trips to small clubs and to get into a division where they would be watched by crowds of 25-30,000 every week.

"It is about the prestige of the club and that is why getting out of League One was so huge for everyone at Leeds United."

There can be little doubt that last season was an ultimately successful one for Leeds. Not only was promotion clinched on a nerve-jangling final day, but the club also claimed a first win at bitter rivals Manchester United in 29 years when knocking out Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the FA Cup third round.

Creditable Cup performances against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were also an indication to the wider footballing public that something positive was stirring at Elland Road.

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The architect of this march back into the limelight was Grayson, a former full-back who had started his career at Elland Road but who had been forced to leave to further his career.

His prime years were spent at Leicester City before a switch to Blackpool via Blackburn Rovers opened the door towards a career in management.

Grayson, by then taking the reserves at Bloomfield Road, was keen to seek experience as a No 2 and asked permission from then manager Colin Hendry to leave.

The former Blackburn defender duly said 'yes' but when Grayson then outlined his plans to chairman Karl Oyston, he was told to forget all about it as Henry was on his way out and the club wanted him to take charge for the rest of the season.

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The task was to keep Blackpool in League One, with the promise of getting the job full-time if the mission was accomplished. The Seasiders duly finished 19th and, within a year, had been promoted to the Championship, just as Leeds were sliding in the other direction under Dennis Wise.

Keeping Blackpool in the second tier then ensured Grayson's reputation grew, so much so that Leeds turned to their one-time apprentice when Gary McAllister was sacked shortly before Christmas, 2008.

Grayson's impact was immediate, steadying the team to such an extent that a place in the play-offs was secured only for Millwall to prove too good over two legs.

Redemption came last season when United started with six straight wins and ended with a place in the Championship secured.

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Now back in the second tier, Grayson is adamant there will be no let-up in the drive to progress.

He said: "I had been saying privately for some time that getting out of League One was going to be harder than getting out of the Championship because everywhere we went was a sell-out and the home players ran further and tackled harder than they did normally.

"Now, we will be going to much bigger clubs and stadiums, and coming up against players who have been in the Premier League.

"We are not a major, major fish in a small pond any more. We are a big fish in a big pond. And we want a good season."

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Leeds are joining what has, in recent years, been one of the most competitive – and open – divisions in Europe, a characteristic the Championship seems set to retain in 2010-11.

Grayson, who spent 18 months managing Blackpool at this level, said: "The Championship is amazingly competitive.

"There are so many clubs with similar budgets and squad quality who all believe they can get in the top six.

"It is difficult to rule out anyone at this stage, never mind any of the 12-14 clubs that people have been suggesting.

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"We like to think we will put in a real challenge, though we do appreciate it will be tough as well."

Asked about the bookmakers tipping Leeds as one of the favourites to win promotion, Grayson quipped: "So were England for the World Cup!"

The United manager then added: "It is much more open than it was this time last year when Newcastle and West Brom had just come down and were expected to challenge.

"Newcastle had kept most of their squad together with players such as Kevin Nolan, while everyone knew West Brom had the money to add strength as the season went along.

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"This year, it is a bit more unpredictable. Portsmouth have had their financial troubles, obviously Hull have, too. Burnley do have money to spend and, in financial terms, are probably stronger than anyone else in the division.

"But there is no clear favourite who looks capable of running away with it. That may change over the coming weeks with regards how teams start but it is shaping up to be a fascinating season."

An extra element for Leeds and their Yorkshire brethren to negotiate this season is the large number of derby games.

No less than six sides from within the Broad Acres will compete in this season's Championship, leading some to question whether battling for local pride could make it harder for the likes of Leeds to prosper.

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Grayson said: "Having a lot of Yorkshire clubs in the division will spice the games up, especially for the players who love playing in front of big crowds every week.

"Local derbies are great. In terms of playing each other, derbies can often be tight and lead to draws. But the way I see it, these are the games to give players that extra bit of motivation to come out on top.

"It should be a positive for any Yorkshire side chasing promotion, not a negative."

Ins and outs

n IN: Kasper Schmeichel (Notts County) pictured, Paul Connolly (Derby), Fede Bessone (Swansea City), Neill Collins (Preston North End, 500,000), Lloyd Sam (Charlton Athletic), Billy Paynter (Swindon Town), Alex Bruce (Ipswich, 200,000).

n Out: Casper Ankergren, Jermaine Beckford (Everton).

n Last season: 2nd, League One (promoted).

YP verdict: 11th.

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Simon Grayson has been busy in the transfer market but his squad still appears light, especially up front where the goals of Jermaine Beckford will be sorely missed. Billy Paynter has arrived from Swindon Town, but even when the former Bradford loanee is fit the fear is that his style will be too similar to that of Luciano Becchio. Kasper Schmeichel has the potential to be a hugely successful signing but central defender Patrick Kisnorbo, out until Christmas, is still likely to be badly missed, while United also lack a holding midfielder to provide a barrier to the back four.