In Jermaine Beckford’s final season at Leeds United, all the talk was about whether he would sign a new deal or he would leave the club. Eventually, he joined Everton on a free transfer.
Beckford had joined Leeds in 2006 but it wasn’t until the 2007-08 season after relegation to League One that he would finally make his mark. His first proper season in the Leeds side saw Beckford score 20 goals.
His second season, an eye-catching 34 goals followed as Beckford quickly began to write himself into Elland Road folklore. His final season was clouded in controversy, as he entered the final year of his deal.
He didn’t let it affect his performance on the pitch. Beckford would score another 31 goals in 2009-10 as Leeds finally returned to the Championship, Beckford scoring the winning goal to send Leeds up.
Jermaine Beckford explains Leeds frustration and transfer request
Earlier that season, Beckford had scored against Manchester United at Old Trafford, a goal that is still a song sung on the Elland Road terraces. But six months later, Beckford left Leeds and moved to Everton.
Speaking to Undr The Cosh, Leeds ambassador Beckford shares how he was desperate to stay at Leeds but a new deal was not forthcoming. In an attempt to get talks started, he handed in a transfer request.
“My final season at Leeds, Newcastle asked ‘what’s Jermaine’s availability like in January’ because my contract was up at the end of the season. I was chasing a new contract at the club but for one reason or another, no talks were being held, and it was extremely frustrating.
“The question was, is he going to be available in January, or in the summer? I was trying to get a new contract off Leeds, but it wasn’t happening. I was advised to put a transfer request in, to put pressure on the owners, to make sure I know what my future is. I wanted to stay. I was looking for a long-term contract. Leeds is an unbelievable club. I still cared.
“It was partially to put pressure on the owner, but to know what would happen. I didn’t want to leave, I was settled, playing the best football of my life, really happy. I didn’t want to leave, but I didn’t want to leave on a free because it’s weird. If I could give something back to the club, then that might soften the blow, instead of leaving on a free, but it didn’t happen.
“I retracted my transfer request because I didn’t feel comfortable with it. They didn’t even open talks. Three years, four years, bonus incentivised but on the same money, I would’ve taken it. I wanted to stay; I loved the club.
“It’s frustrating that it wasn’t covered well from my perspective, so fans could say we kind’ve understand it. Yeah of course [I got stick]. I 100% understand, if you don’t know all the facts. It looks ridiculous. But when you delve deeper into it, you’ve been trying to get a deal, and no talks are happening. Annoying.”
Jermaine Beckford’s famous “What shirt am I wearing, bruv?”
These days, Beckford is a big Leeds fan and an ambassador for the club. The six-time Jamaica striker often appears on LUTV and does work behind the scenes at Elland Road, despite only staying for four years.
Speculation riddled his time at Elland Road. His goals, on a regular basis at that level, had clubs coming in for him regularly. Beckford says Benfica, Braga, Celtic and Newcastle made offers while he was at Leeds.
But Leeds fans loved him, initially because of his famous response to a question after a win against Crewe in 2008. Asked about speculation, Beckford said: “What shirt am I wearing, bruv? Are you serious?”
Beckford wouldn’t play for Leeds again, but he would sign for Simon Grayson on a further two occasions at Huddersfield Town and Preston. Despite the controversy, Beckford remains a loved figure at Leeds.
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