Cellino...No place at Elland Road

Updated 17.05 Friday 31/01/14

Clicky...  The Football League Owners and Directors Test
Can we make representation to the FL as fans, can we voice our opposition? Please comment below, time is against us and Brian McDermott

So on a day when all other looking forward club are trying to bolster their side, GFH are doing their utmost to dismantle ours as they flog off what’s  left to any convicted criminal they can find with sufficient gold to cross their dirty palms.

We knew little of Mike Farnan and his rival consortium but if nothing else we admired him because of that very fact. No heralded tours of the ground, nor the training ground, just biding time and let’s be honest if your owners can stay anonymous then that has to be a good sign.

As we learnt today he and his consortium including Lucas Radebe have found it difficult to even get a foot in the door. In today's statement Farnham appeared to be issuing a last minute plea to be allowed over the threshold. Pleading his case that the funds were in place and that his colleagues were people of good Yorkshire and Leeds stock. Now the fact that Lucas is involved is clearly a good thing. No man has a bigger heart dedicated to Leeds but we kid ourselves not, essentially a figurehead, a talisman but not with an equal share at the table. Nevertheless sound worthy of a listen you would think.

So at the time of writing it seems the convicted criminal, fraudster and all round bad egg Cellino has secured the purchase of Leeds subject to FL approval. He hopes to take over the reins and as we understand it, oust Sir Brian McDermott and install the deeply proven and hugely unsuccessful Uncle Festa.

Of course we understand that any new owner has the right to install whoever they want and will all due respect to Brian, he means nothing to the Convict. It’s odd though that with GFH retaining around 25% of shares they seem not to have a vested interest in making the club stable, successful and build upon the generally good PR work done. Why the almost indecent haste to sell to the criminal and deny a hearing to Farnan. If you were selling your house, would you only listen to one person?

Convict

Given the season we have had, it speaks volumes that we have the level of respect we do for Mr McDermott. He comes across as a top bloke, considered, knowledgeable and would, given the chance take Leeds up. Of that I am certain. He has however been dealt the shittiest of all hands by GFH throughout, strangled by a lack of cash. More damning and illustrative of the contempt GFH hold for Leeds and Brian was the request from the convict to have Uncle Festa on the bench alongside him for the Ipswich game. Quite how that meddled with mind-set of manager and players alike we can only guess. Positive it could not have been. But such a request should never have got anywhere near Brian. Misguided and insulting as it was it should have been fended off much further up the greasy pole.

I have today seen several tweets on my timeline @jmyorks suggesting we cut the new guy some slack, for the good of the team. Well to that I say, bollocks.  Someone who can come into our club and show such disregard, be so insulting in action has no place. We have come out of the darkness of Uncle Ken, this move places us into much darker territory.

All that seemingly remains now is for our good friends at the Football League to continue their unbounding support for LUFC by finding the criminal an unfit person. Well society has already judged that to be the case so what odds on the FL concurring. It was suggested heavily during previous attempted English takeovers that he would fail and thats a few years ago. His stock has not improved since.

If anyone knows if or how we can make representations to the FL opposing this offensive takeover..or help persuade them just how unfit he is please please let me know urgently. Time is not on our or Brian Mcdermotts side.

Lufc: David Haigh Statement. SC bid dead

Today David Haigh gave a statement re Leeds United and Sports Capital. We provide that statement without comment at this time.

Statement Begins.

I have spent more than a year working for what I passionately believe are the best interests of Leeds United. I have also been grateful for the full and continuing support of GFH Capital and my fellow board members at Leeds. My primary aim has always been to source the additional strategic investment necessary to take the club forward. Last year, what I believed was the right opportunity, presented itself in the shape of a chance for me to lead a consortium of investors, under the name of Sport Capital, to acquire a major stakeholding in the club.

 As fans know, we signed a share acquisition agreement with GFH Capital at the end of last year. This meant, I believed, that we were in a position to move things forward and complete the transaction in time for the January transfer window. Throughout every stage of the process we sought to keep fans as fully updated as possible on the process of the negotiations. I personally assure every supporter every public statement made regarding the acquisition was made in the utmost good faith. Unfortunately however, some of the consortium's backers ultimately didn't feel able to deliver the financial backing we had hoped was agreed to take the club forward.

Despite this, the future of this club remains the most important thing to me personally and I remain totally committed to putting the right team and backing in place to ensure that Leeds United can move forward. It is an indication of that commitment that in recent months the Sports Capital consortium and I personally have injected substantial sums into the club to ensure its viability.

At the same time neither my life nor my job has been made easier by the personal intrusions and abuse directed towards me on social media or by some of the smear campaigns against me personally. Equally, some of the speculation and stories published in the media have made things difficult for everyone including the staff, players and supporters.

I have met many, many potential investors over the past year and, sadly, while many are keen to talk the talk, they have been unable or unwilling to deliver in financial terms. Nevertheless, these talks continue with a number of parties to seek the best possible outcome for Leeds United.

Statement End.

Rewind North - The 80's Festival - Band biogs

Having made Rewind North our top pick for this summer, we take a look (thanks to Noble PR) at the acts sure to have you shaking that ra-ra this August

Rewind The 80s Music Festival, the world’s biggest 80s music festival, is back with three UK festivals during summer 2014. Tickets for all three festivals will go on sale at 9am on Friday January 31st at the official website www.rewindfestival.com.


For the very first time, Rewind comes to the North of England to launch REWIND NORTH at Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire on Saturday August 30th and Sunday August 31st.  

The Saturday, 30th August at Rewind will be headlined by the one and only..

Billy Ocean
Grammy Award winning Billy has sold over 30 million records since his recording career began in 1972. His period of greatest success came in the mid-eighties with hits such as ‘Suddenly’, ‘Loverboy’, "When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going" and "Caribbean Queen" and in 1985 he took part in the Philadelphia leg of Live Aid. Billy returned to touring in 2008 and he and his songs remain as popular as ever. A perennial Rewind favourite, he won rave reviews at the first Rewind Festival back in 2009 and since then has performed in 2011 and 2013 and is back by popular demand in 2014 to bring the sunshine out for our crowd with his massive smile and irresistible catalogue of classic pop hits.

Rick Astley
Handpicked by legendary producers Stock, Aitken and Waterman, Rick went from obscurity in Warrington to chart stardom when his debut single "Never Gonna Give You Up" went to the top of the charts in the summer of ’87 and a string of hits followed. After walking away from the music industry at the height of his fame, he made a comeback in the noughties with new material and a new legion of fans whose ‘Rickrolling’ antics swept the internet. As popular as ever, Rick works as a DJ on Magic FM and as well as completing a successful UK solo tour Rick continues to perform both here and worldwide and find himself on home turf here in Cheshire.

Jimmy Somerville
Glaswegian Jimmy Somerville first shot to fame back in 1984 with groundbreaking band Bronski Beat. Their debut single "Smalltown Boy" introduced the world to Jimmy’s unusual "falsetto squeal" (his own words), making the top three in Britain as well as being a huge hit all over Europe.  Having had several lively pop dance hits in ’84 and ’85 with the band, Jimmy left for a rest after the pressures of new found fame took its toll. Within months he was back forming the Communards with his old friend Richard Coles and enjoyed a string of hits with their mixture of good old fashioned "gay" disco and more bluesy, acoustic, political and social comment songs, including a hedonistic cover version of the Philly soul classic "Don't Leave Me This Way". 

Marc Almond
With over thirty years in music, the iconic Marc Almond, a huge influence to a generation of musicians who came after him, has sold over 30 million records worldwide and remains one of Britain’s most unique and interesting pop stars. He first rose to fame in 1980 after forming Soft Cell, recording four albums and enjoying several Top 10 hits including the international classic and BRIT Award winning "Tainted Love".  After Soft Cell went their separate ways in 1984, Marc has gone on to have a diverse and acclaimed solo career.  In honour of his excellence in music writing, Marc received the Ivor Inspiration Award at The Ivor Novello Awards in 2013.  He continues to tour and record and will be releasing new material this year. 

Go West
Peter Cox and Richard Drummie first met in 1974. Their debut single ‘We Close Our Eyes’, reached number 5 in the UK charts in the spring of 1985 and hit the top 10 in the US. This ‘overnight’ success was followed by three further UK top 10 hits – ‘Call Me’, ‘Goodbye Girl’ and ‘Don’t Look Down’. The album 'Go West' sold 2 million copies worldwide and remained on the UK chart for 83 weeks, establishing them as one of the finest songwriting partnerships to emerge in the 80’s. . They have enjoyed chart success worldwide too, notably ‘King Of Wishful Thinking’, the opening song in the hugely successful film ‘Pretty Woman’. Six albums and 20 million sales later, Go West are stronger than ever, continuing to play live around the world, in 2013 they headlined a hugely successful tour with 80s contemporaries Hue & Cry and The Christians, playing to 32 packed houses across the UK. 

Nik Kershaw
Nik released his platinum selling debut album "Human Racing" in 1984 which included the hits "Wouldn't It Be Good" and "I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me". The equally successful "The Riddle" followed and in 1985 Nik performed at Live Aid.  As well as a career as a performer, Nik is a highly respected producer and song writer, working with such artists as Elton John, Imogen Heap, Gary Barlow, Ronan Keating and of course Chesney Hawkes with the Kershaw penned "The One and Only" - a Rewind performance favourite by Nik. In 2013 Nik completed a tour of New Zealand as well as a string of acoustic shows in Norway. He also appeared as special guest on Kim Wilde’s Christmas Party Tour. This year Nik is performing on his ‘Me, Myself & I’ Tour that starts at the beginning of September and sees Nik performing solo at venues across the UK.

Cutting Crew
Formed in 1985, Our Grammy nominated rock band will always be remembered for their classic songs "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" and "I’ve Been in Love Before" (number 1 and 9 in USA). Original singer and writer Nick van Eede performs every gig now with his amazing guitarist, Gareth Moulton.  The past few years have brought appearances/duetting with Chaka Khan, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, Greg Lake, Jack Bruce & Midge Ure. Plus concert tours of Germany and USA with ABC, Berlin and Wang Chung. Their great live show has reached the hearts of audiences across the world and now Cutting Crew return to Rewind to rock the crowd once again. Look out for their new album Add to Favourites released this year.

Dr & The Medics
Dr and the Medics were created in 1982 at the dawn of the 80’s by The Rev. Dr. Clive Thomas Jackson. The band has had a very colourful and successful career as both recording artists and performers. Undoubtedly they are been best known for their massive 1986 No 1 "Spirit in the Sky," which sold over 23 Million copies worldwide and was number 1 in 19 countries!! But throughout their career they have also been recognised as a great live act, never more so than with the current line-up that deliver a unique and sensationally flamboyant show, Enjoy!!

Mike + The Mechanics
Mike Rutherford, a founding member of one of the most successful groups of all time, Genesis, formed Mike + The Mechanics in 1984 and created a side project that would go on to sell over 10 million records worldwide. The band originally started with vocalists Paul Carrack and the late Paul Young (formerly of Sad Café) and their 1985 self-titled debut album produced two Top Ten hit singles, "Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" and "All I Need Is A Miracle".  In 1988 the band released "The Living Years" to massive global success, spawning the hit single "The Living Years".  Two further albums followed in the 90s producing a series of massive hits including "Over My Shoulder" and "Another Cup Of Coffee".  Joining Mike Rutherford in the current line-up are 90s UK R&B star Andrew Roachford and Canadian Tim Howar.

Björn Again
The Internationally acclaimed Björn Again show was created and founded in 1988 in Melbourne, by Australian Director and Musician Rod Stephen. Designed as a rocked-up light-hearted satirical ABBA spoof, the show rapidly achieved world-wide Cult status and acknowledged for singlehandedly initiating the ABBA revival which brought about ABBA Gold, Muriel’s Wedding and MAMMA MIA! The enduring appeal of ABBA is reflected in the ongoing success of the Björn Again show having amassed nearly 5,000 performances in 71 countries in 25 years.

Nick Heyward
Nick Heyward formed Haircut 100 in 1981 with Les Nemes on bass and Graham Jones on guitar. They were soon joined by Blair Cunningham on drums, Phil Smith on saxophone and Marc Fox on percussion. The band had four UK Top 10 singles and their debut album, Pelican West, reached no. 1 in the UK charts. Nick’s solo career began in 1983 with his debut album North of a... Miracle which reached no.10 in the UK charts and included three UK Top 14 singles. In 1993 his single "Kite", taken from the album, From Monday to Sunday, made no. 3 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. To date he has released 8 albums and 19 singles, six of which reached the Top 40 in the UK. Nick is currently recording a new album.

The Real Thing
Liverpool "Afro-British" band The Real Thing have been one of the UK’s most prominent bands over the last 25 years.  Since 1976 they have stormed the charts, with fifteen top 50 chart entries including "Can You Feel The Force", "Can’t Get By Without You" and "You To Me Are Everything". The Real Thing still feature the original members of the Amoo brothers and Dave Smith and the group is busier than ever.

Moving onto Sunday then and the simply sublime...

Holly Johnson
One of the most recognisable and powerful voices from the eighties and principle songwriter of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Holly enjoyed phenomenal commercial success during the 1980s with a multitude of hits.  2014 sees the 30th Anniversary of ‘Relax’ (famously banned by the BBC and 7th best selling single of all time in the UK), "Two Tribes" and "The Power of Love" reaching the number 1 spot in the UK: including the number 1 album "Welcome To The Pleasuredome".  After Holly and the band split, he went on to have an equally successful solo career, with platinum selling album Blast reaching the top of the charts in 1989 spawning four singles ; "Love Train" and ‘Americanos’ hit the top 5 followed by "Atomic City" and "Heaven’s Here". Last year Holly appeared as the surprise finale with the London Metropolitan Orchestra and Gaz Coombes at a benefit event for Save the Children UK. Having appeared at Rewind Festivals in Henley and Perth previously to the audiences delight, you can expect an unforgettable and moving performance from Holly.

Tony Hadley
Rewind favourite and lead singer of the recently reformed Spandau Ballet, Tony is one of the eighties’ best known names and voices. Selling over 23 million albums, the band topped the charts around the world with such timeless classics as‘True’, ‘Gold’ and "Through the Barricades". After the band spilt in 1989, Tony went on to have a successful solo career both here and abroad. In August 2012, ‘Gold’ became the unofficial song of the London Olympics and was the official Anthem of Team GB House. Last year Tony appeared at three critically acclaimed orchestral concerts with the Southbank Sinfonia which culminated in a sell-out show at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This year Tony Hadley releases his first studio album in 12 years accompanied by a UK Tour in the Autumn of 2014. The ultimate showman returns to Rewind this year to truly entertain you.

Midge Ure
One of Britain’s most prolific and well-respected songwriters, co-organiser of the Live Aid concerts and former member of such iconic groups as Visage and Thin Lizzy; Midge Ure is a man of many talents. True musical royalty, he received an OBE back in 2005 for services to music and charity.  Midge achieved huge success in the 80s with the synthpop band Ultravox, with worldwide hits such as "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" and "Vienna", going on to have a successful solo career too.  Having performed a reunion tour with Ultravox back in 2010, this summer he plays solo bringing his extraordinary back catalogue to Rewind.

Heaven 17 
The group were formed in the early eighties when on the brink of mainstream success, Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware split from The Human League.  Joined by Glenn Gregory on vocals they released their debut album "Penthouse and Pavement" and became one of the best known bands of the eighties, with hits including "Let Me Go"," Come Live With Me" and the seminal "Temptation".  The band celebrated the 30th anniversary of "Penthouse and Pavement" in 2011 by touring the album in full, and the following year embarked on a tour of "The Luxury Gap" around the UK and Europe.  In 2014, Heaven 17 bring their classy synth-pop sound and lyrical post-modern critique of modern society to Rewind Festival..

Roland Gift
At one time picked by People Magazine as one of their 50 most beautiful people, Roland Gift came to attention with the release of the first Fine Young Cannibals album. His high, soaring voice was immediately recognizable, his style being both on classic soul singers and modern techniques that provided him with an edge. It was with the second FYC album four years later, however, that the band began to break internationally, with "She Drives Me Crazy" being heard everywhere. Having wowed the Rewind crowds in 2012 we are delighted Roland’s sublime voice and presence will be back for 2014. 

T'Pau
T’Pau burst onto the music scene in 1987 with "Heart and Soul", enjoying success in both the UK and US before releasing the classic "China In Your Hand" which stayed at no. 1 in the UK for five weeks. With her mass of red hair, soulful voice and commanding stage presence Carol Decker continues to "rock out" T’Pau’s greatest hits. After touring the UK extensively with her band in 2013 celebrating 25 years she is back to shake the Rewind stage in 2014.

Sonia
Fresh-faced pop starlet Sonia was only sixteen when she first entered the music business, having been spotted by record producer Pete Waterman on the Liverpool club circuit and successfully auditioning for a recording contract with Simon Cowell at BMG.  Her debut single "You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You" was released in 1989 and shot to number one in the UK selling a staggering 350,000 copies.  Numerous television appearances revealed her bubbly personality and natural enthusiasm endearing her to a large audience.  "Everybody Knows", her debut album sold half a million copies and included a string of top singles such as "Can’t Forget You", "Listen To Your Heart" and "Counting Every Minute". As well as chart success, Sonia has been a familiar face on stage and screen, having starred as Sandy in the hit West End musical ‘Grease’ alongside Craig McLachlan and Shane Ritchie in the nineties amongst many other shows and television appearances. 

Toyah
In a career spanning over 30 years Toyah has had 13 top 40 singles including "It’s a Mystery" and "I Want To Be Free". From punk princess to high priestess of TV, Toyah is a uniquely gifted performer. Charismatic, outspoken and impossible to categorise, she is one of Britain’s iconic household names – an award-winning rock legend as well as a much-loved actress and music composer. With Film and TV appearances including ITV’s Splash as well as music performances Toyah maintains a multi-faceted and vibrant career. Toyah i touring the UK this spring and to be honest take any opportunity to see this fantastic live performer.

Level 42
Level 42 took the 80s by storm with their brand of bass driven jazz funk that came from the underground soul scene of wedge haircuts, pegged trousers, sharp shoes and soul patrols.  With Mark King’s infectious baselines as their hallmark, Level 42 broke through into the hearts and minds of all soul-funk lovers with such underground hits as "Turn It On" and "Love Games", cementing the way for a period of sustained chart success with hits such as "Running In The Family" and the funk-pop classic "Lessons In Love". Having stormed both Rewind Scotland and Henley in previous year’s we are delighted to have Level 42 at Rewind North in 2014. 

The Straits
Formed by former members of Dire Straits due to the substantial demand to hear the band’s much loved catalogue of great songs, The Straits includes two original members (Alan Clark and Chris White) along with some of the top session players in music to form a great new combo.  Terence Reis was handpicked as the front man for The Straits for his voice with elements of Mark Knopfler, JJ Cale and Steve Earle and his guitar technique that’s remarkably similar to Knopfler’s own. 

The Beat
Formed in Birmingham, they had a string of top albums and ska-pop singles in the eighties including "Tears of a Clown", "Hands off She’s Mine" and "Mirror in the Bathroom". Songs such as "Stand Down Margaret" saw them spearhead a movement for social change. Ranking Roger brings The Beat to Rewind this year, returning to their roots with a sound and message as appropriate now as it was 30 years ago. There is no question…The Beat are back.



China Crisis

Formed in ‘79 in Kirkby, Liverpool, China Crisis produced "New Wave" style pop music with the occasional nod to political commentary. Their first hit in 1982 "African and White" put the band firmly on the map, with hits such as "Christian", "Working with Fire and Steel" and "Wishful Thinking" building on the band’s critical standing. In 1985 two further top 20 hits, "Black Man Ray" and "King in a Catholic Style (Wake Up)" were released. The band celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2007 with a two-month UK tour and continue to entertain audiences of 80s aficionados today.

Wednesday 29th January is Rewind Day on Vintage TV! For an exclusive video preview of the artists tune into "Fast Forward to Rewind" on Vintage TV (Sky 369 and Freesat 515 and Virgin 343) also online www.vintage.tv and via the Vintage TV App.

Leeds v Ipswich: Let the sideshow begin..

We never ever do things by half.
We are however adept at making ourselves look stupid.

Today however one man above all others looks the most inept, and the most alone.

David Haigh, looking the other way again

David Haigh has been a central part of GFH, was instrumental in the first takeover, has been a very public face. Last night his new takeover partner, Andrew Flowers issued an extraordinary statement which revealed they had reduced their bid owing to things not being as described. That's like me reducing my ebay bid for your Iphone because although it looks like an Iphone on the outside its actually a can opener inside.


The thing with this is that you always knew it was a can opener and one must assume that Mr Haigh knew that how GFH had described LUFC was not entirely accurate. He has been there, part of it for months.

Of course GFH rejected the bid and then it seems someone courted Cellino...was this Haigh as Flowers slowly backed away...indeed he referred to the Italian as being GFHs preferred bidder and in doing dealings with him appears to have broken the covenant that Sport Capital had with GFH. David Haigh looks very isolated this morning.

Mr Cellino was due at Elland Road last night, a box was reserved but he never showed up. This may be because as his son put it last week they like to eat around 9.30pm and the prematch meal is served around 7pm. Or maybe they were touting around Italy as suggested the various jobs that will be available if the man with two previous convictions for fraud, an embezzlement trial coming up takes control. Oh and lets not forget his house arrest last year.. Makes Uncle Ken look squeaky clean..

Luke Varney running away from a challenge last night

On top of this Luke "Reg" Varney got all precious last night and told an increasingly pissed off Brian McDermott that he didn't want to play in case he got injured. Well bugger me, old Reg is not exactly the sort to put himself about is he.. Thing is we understand this happened too late to bring Noel Hunt back in, who, lest we forget scored v Hull in a closed door game recently. He was omitted in favour of a) getting more match fit and b) Reg.


So it seems Reg is off to Blackburn today, good riddance, worked hard at times but that sort of attitude we do not need. It also will prove that we can deal in the transfer market despite the massive ownership debacle.

And yet we played Ipswich, Diouf was drafted in as his didn't have a funeral to go to this week. I like Diouf generally but he is so unfit and out of match practice is just not funny. Ditto Kebe, who showed some promise in glimpes v Leicester but was so out of touch it was painful. The ever reliable Kenny mad a right balls up of a simple collect and Ipswich are one up. To that point it had been the most dull of games, many levels of Candy Crush Saga must have been played....

Cameron Stewart clearly taking note of my previous diatribe looked lively and powered into the box and was rudely upended. Penalty. Ross scored 1-1 and the place is buzzing. This is what we needed, we can take this on and oh no... that lasted about  120 seconds as another ball is pumped up to the towering heights of Ross and Poleon latterly having replaced Diouf after the penalty.

In the grand scheme of things, a point against a team several places above us is acceptable. They were poor, we were as poor and its clear to everyone that the malaise in the boardroom has seeped into every corner of this club.

My heart went out to McDermott listening to him talk after the game. Here is a very honest man, dealt a poor hand but trying to make it work. The way he has been cast aside, effectively ridiculed and left out to dry is appalling and I dread the next tweet from Phil Hay, Thom Kirwin et all as I fear a McDermott Walks headline. And who could blame him. If you havent heard Brian with Eddie on LUTV...

Listen: Brian McDermott taking with Eddie Gray.. really feel for the guy

Rewind North - Line up Announced, Holly Johnson headlines

We have been great supporters of Rewind, fantastic weekends, friendly, great music, great sites and we are sure that now that Rewind have added a third site it will be a trio of sold out events.

We are delighted to make Rewind our recommended event for this summer. Expect lots of interviews and features... but for now..

Following on from the success of the sold-out Rewind Festivals 80s Music Festivals at Temple Island Meadows in Henley-on-Thames and Scone Palace in Perth, Scotland, Rewind has announced the official line up for their of third UK festival in 2014 – Rewind North.

Rewind North will take place in the beautiful setting of Capesthorne Hall located in the Cheshire countryside with a fantastic lakeside campsite and natural amphitheatre. Capesthorne is situated 6 miles west of Macclesfield and 4 miles south of Alderley Edge.

In addition to the main stage line up jam packed with the finest musical talent from the decade that was, enjoy street entertainers and acoustic performances, our big top silent disco, posh festival nosh, theme bars, fireworks and so much more but its all about the music...

REWIND NORTH LINE UP 2014

August 29-31, Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire

Former Frankie frontman and 80s icon Holly Johnson headlines another amazing weekend of 80s classics in deepest Cheshire. Holly has appeared at Rewind twice before and performed amazing sets that common consensus has it stole the show. Since Frankie splutted and coughed it last cough in 1987 there have been very few chances to hear live those amazing  and iconic 8os hits such as Relax and Two Tribes. Not forgetting the solo work too, Americanos is sure to feature.

Watch Holly performing Two Tribes at Rewind 2011  

Elsewhere on the line up, Billy Ocean will come over all "Suddenly", Bjorn Again will evoke memories of a "Dancing Queen" but can Heaven 17 resist "Temptation"....

SATURDAY 30TH AUGUST

Billy Ocean | Mike + The Mechanics | Rick Astley | Jimmy Somerville | Marc Almond | Go West | Nik Kershaw | Björn Again | Nick Heyward | The Real Thing | Cutting Crew | Doctor & The Medics

SUNDAY 31ST AUGUST

Holly Johnson | Level 42 | Tony Hadley | Midge Ure | Heaven 17 | Roland Gift | The Beat | The Straits | T’Pau | China Crisis | Toyah | Sonia

Tickets on sale January 31st, Rewind North website with all site and booking details HERE

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Breaking: LUFC Takeover, Flowers critical of GFH

Statement released by Andrew Flowers to the YEP criticises GFH's decision to engage with Massimo Cellino and says a takeover by Cellino would "not be in the interests of the club, the manager, the players or the fans. 

On his own takeover attempts, Flowers says they made a revised bid to GFH after due diligence as some things were "not as described". GFH have turned down that offer.

He also states that in dealing with Cellino, GFH have broken the covenant they have with Sport Capital.

It does beg the question, with Sport Capital comprising David Haigh as well as Flowers, how could so much be unknown to Haigh with his day to day dealings around the club.

Its safe to say, once again, we are a mess, and a laughing stock. Now to football......

Leeds Park and Ride work commences - open for June

Work has now started on Leeds' first park and ride scheme which will be sited next to Leeds United's Elland Road football ground.

The near £3m  project will is expected to be completed by June will provide parking for 800 vehicles, with a bus service running every 10 minutes to the city centre.

There have been critics of the scheme who had claimed the scheme would result in an increase in traffic and pollution and said the council had "ignored" reports which claimed the site was "unsuitable".

Labour councillor Richard Lewis claimed the initiative was part of a larger plan to reduce congestion. He said: "Thanks to this initiative motorists can leave their cars behind knowing they will be safe and secure and enjoy a short, cheap ride into the city centre.

"Leeds has not had a purpose-built bus-based park and ride of this size before and it brings us on par with some of the other major cities we are surrounded by."

The scheme is being run in conjunction with local bus operator First Group.

A return journey will cost £3 and buses will take six minutes to make the journey into the city centre.

Breaking Bad, another star joins spin off

Another Breaking Bad actor has joined the cast of the spinoff Better Call Saul

The Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul will feature at least two familiar faces on its cast, as Jonathan Banks has been announced to join the production. On Breaking Bad, Banks played everyone’s favorite serial killer for hire, Mike Ehrmantraut and he is going to reprise the role in the Albuquerque-set prequel, The Hollywood Reporter confirms, based on statements from AMC and Sony reps.


Banks himself is yet to comment on the news. On the inevitable danger of sequel fatigue, Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan had this to say back in October: "There's obviously a danger inherent in doing a spinoff, but I just love the character of Saul Goodman [Odenkirk] so much, and part of me doesn't want to say no to this world."

Bob Odenkirk and Jonathan Banks are the only two actors to return for the spin-off so far, although Gilligan has explained on several occasions that he would love to get more of the former cast members to join the project. Cameo status on Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul is still unknown although Cranston again stated this week he was keen. The premiere date for Better Call Saul also remains unannounced, although AMC have teased it for sometime in November.

Clapton Plays Leeds Arena

Update:

Priority booking opens tomorrow (Weds) 9am This link 

Guitar legend Eric Clapton comes to Leeds for one of only two UK dates

Widely considered one of the world’s all time greatest guitarists and recognized by his peers as a great collaborator, Eric Clapton announced today he will be coming to the first direct arena this June, as one of only two UK dates.

Tickets for the Sunday 22 June show go on sale this Friday from 9.00am, priced from £50.00

After joining the Yardbirds in 1963, Clapton began a career as a professional musician that has seen numerous bands, an abundance of albums, countless worldwide sold out shows, an impressive array of accolades, unwavering critical acclaim and his consistent display of legendary guitar work.  2013 saw the release of his first studio album since 2010, OLD SOCK, a collection of some of Clapton’s favorite songs spanning from his childhood to present day.

To book tickets for this event, visit www.firstdirectarena.com, phone 0844 248 1585, or buy your tickets in person from our box office at Trinity Leeds Customer Service Lounge, open Monday-Saturday 9.00am-8.00pm, Sundays 11.00am-5.00pm. Tickets may be subject to a service charge.
www.firstdirectarena.com

SkyBet at Doncaster Races - Our Thanks

This weekend we were guests of Skybet at Doncaster Racecourse for the Skybet Chase meeting. 

One of the top National Hunt meetings we were delighted to accept and had a fantastic time with superb racing cards across the afternoon, even better, the heavily pregnant wife meant I could indulge in the complimentary bar with no fear.. Excellent food, conversation and punditry were had.

From the seven races we had returns in six with the star pick being in the first where we landed a 16/1 winner in Master Of The Game - we watch Nicky Hendersons stables with interest, together with a 15/2 each way courtesy of our other favourite, Mr Tim Easterby. So a healthy day all round was had.

We should like to thank Michael Shinners, Racing PR manager at Skybet for his hospitality.

Sky Betting and Gaming is a subsidiary of BSkyB, with offices at Sky's headquarters in Isleworth, London and here in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Sky Betting and Gaming consists of four core brands: Sky Bet, Sky Vegas, Sky Poker and Sky Bingo. Also under its umbrella is leading online betting odds comparison site Oddschecker. Sky Betting and Gaming also operates popular, free-to-enter football prediction game Soccer Saturday Super 6 and Sky Sports Fantasy Football. 

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Abandoned Theme Parks, when you just dont love them anymore..

Usually when business become unviable they close, everything of value is removed and one day it becomes something else. Not so with certain theme parks though, around the world there are a number of them that when the crowds stop coming they were just abandoned. There are various reasons why they closed, some good stories. Some parks were long established, one lasted just one day.. 

Just as there are people who tour the world looking for the ultimate thrill ride, there are those that travel the globe evading security and more to visit the abandoned parks.

Here then, our favourite theme parks you will never get to go to..


Prypiat Amusement Park, Ukraine.
It’s commonly believed that Ukraine’s Prypiat Amusement Park closed on the very same day it opened: April 27, 1986, exactly one day after the catastrophic Chernobyl nuclear disaster brought the world to a standstill. The entire city of Prypiat, with a population of around 50,000 at the time, was completely forsaken, not just its namesake amusement park. Radiation levels in parts of the park are still dangerously high, but that doesn’t discourage adventurous shutterbugs from entering this particularly chilling section of the Zone of Alienation to get a shot of Prypiat’s iconic abandoned Ferris wheel.

Jazzland/Six Flags New Orleans
When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, park operators at Six Flags New Orleans were in the planning stages of opening a water park. Well, they got one. Severely damaged by Katrina’s devastating floodwaters and forced to close, Six Flags New Orleans, which originally opened as Jazzland in 2000, remains in an arrested state of decay to this day and is perhaps more famous now, thanks in part to numerous camera-wielding urban explorers, than it was when in operation. Home to still-standing Cajun-themed attractions like the Zydeco Scream and the Muskrat Scrambler, the future of the property, now owned by the city of New Orleans, is unclear, although Southern Star Amusement is leading an effort to redevelop that park. 

Okpo Land, Geoje Island, South Korea 
While we don’t know much about the history of Okpo Land, a seriously foreboding abandoned fun park perched atop a hill on South Korea’s tiny Geoje Island, we do know this: The park was shut down in 1999 after a number of fatal accidents, the last when a young girl tragically fell to her death from a ride. Immediately after that incident, the owner of the park disappeared and was never heard from again. Although Okpo Land has the dread-inducing looks and disturbing back-story seemingly plucked from a K-Horror film, that hasn’t stopped hordes of fearless urban explorers from making a pilgrimage.

Heritage USA, Fort Mill, S.C.
At its height in the mid-1980s, Heritage USA, a Jesus-y theme and water park built by fiery American televangelist Jim Bakker and his then-wife, the late Tammy Faye Bakker Messner, was a top holiday destination on par with Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Then, fraud, the IRS the IRS and Hurricane Hugo hit and not even the Lord himself (or Jerry Falwell) could save the park from closure. Since then, some of the park’s 2,300 acres have been repurposed and redeveloped, but the creepiest castle in all the land, once home to a Christian arcade and go-kart track, remains standing.

Spreepark, Berlin, Germany
One of the world’s more photogenic derelict fun-zones, this district of toppled dinosaurs, rusted Ferris wheels and vandalized swan boats operated for 20 years as Kulturpark Plänterwald in the former East Berlin before becoming Spreepark in the wall-toppling year of 1989. Although the reason the park was shuttered isn’t exactly scandalous, good, old-fashioned bankruptcy, what happened to its former owner, Norbert Witte, is. In early 2002, a bankrupt Witte fled from Germany to Lima, Peru, taking his family and several of the park’s attractions with him. There, Witte tried to open another amusement park but that didn’t work out apparently. In May 2004 he was sentenced to seven years jail time for attempting to smuggle 400 pounds of cocaine back into Germany, hidden in the masts of a “flying carpet” ride. Witte, understandably quite the tabloid fixture in Germany, was the subject of a 2009 documentary film, “Achterbahn,” and is said to live in a trailer parked on the grounds of his failed amusement park.

Gulliver’s Kingdom, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

Although Japan has its fair share of uncanny abandoned amusement parks, we think that Gulliver’s Kingdom, a failed theme park based on Jonathan Swift’s classic tale, takes the proverbial biscuit. Although demolished in 2007, the several-year span when the Lilliputian theme park sat disused and neglected was a high point for the many intrepid urban explorers looking to crawl all over Lemuel Gulliver’s lanky, 147.5-foot-long concrete frame. The park’s closing, the result of poor ticket sales, probably had something to do with its rather unfortunate locale: although located at the foot of Mount Fuji, the park was adjacent to Aokigarah, Japan’s infamous “Suicide Forest,” and in the same village where the Aum Shinriyko doomsday cult, the group behind 1995’s Sarin gas attacks in Tokyo, was headquartered. Tourists on a day-trip with the kids to a theme-park would have been likely to steer clear. Now every reminder of the place is gone, the village has been rezoned, and the name Kamikuishiki removed from all maps.

Nara Dreamland, Japan
Dreamland opened in 1961, inspired by, and hugely copying Disneyland in California..including the Train depot, a Main Street, U.S.A. and the familiar Sleeping Beauty Castle at the hub. It also had a Matterhorn-type mountain (with a Matterhorn Bobsleds-type ride, called Bobsleigh), and the skyway running through it, as well as an Autopia-type ride and a monorail. The park also had its own mascots, Ran-chan and Dori-chan, two kids dressed as bearskinned guards. For 45 years its central fantasy castle, massive wooden rollercoaster Aska, and corkscrewing Screwcoaster pulled in the big crowds. 

By then though it was outdated, and dying a slow death as Universal Studios Japan (built 2001) in nearby Osaka sucked all the oxygen out of the business. It closed its doors permanently in 2006. Unusually almost everything in the park remains to this day and with light security it is very heavily visited.

And finally, here in Britain..
Blobbyland, Somerset.
He attracted nearly 17million television viewers at the height of his fame, and even had a number one hit, but today Mr Blobby's empire is a mere shadow of what it once was.The park closed its doors in 1999, after the popular Saturday night television show Noel's House Party on which Mr Blobby featured was axed by the BBC. It had been open for two years. Now in a state of total disrepair, buildings are covered in moss, while windows and furniture lie broken after all-night raves that take place on the site.
The entrance to Mr Blobby's home, named 'Dunblobbin', is surrounded by dead trees and a carpet of decaying leaves. The bedroom and living room of the house are now a complete mess, with burned out mattresses and Mr Blobby merchandise, including a high chair, toothbrushes, toaster and sofa, all in his trademark pink with yellow spots, are strewn in pieces throughout the house. Justice.

McCormack Bid Rejected..for now..

Leeds have today rejected an offer of around £3.5million for the leading (and of of just a few) goalscorers from West Ham. No doubt seeing if they could take advantage of the mess that once again befalls Uniteds boardroom it was rejected but how robust that rejection was remains to be seen.



We understand West Ham are considering a further offer for the Scot who you will recall signed an improved 4 year deal in the summer.


The mess in the boardroom seems to - we believe - stem from GFH touting the club and seeking improved offers despite an agreement being in place, Of course as fans we are the last to know but the longer this goes on, and we think it will go on beyond the transfer window, again, the more manager McDermotts targets are blackballed, the more we run the risk of loosing not only McCormack but also our Manager. Who could blame hime for loosing faith and running out of patience...

Prince To Play London Iconic Venues, NEXT MONTH!

SINGER PRINCE RETURNS TO LONDON FOR HIT AND RUN TOUR

To celebrate the release of PLECTRUMELECTRUM, the highly anticipated debut album from 3RDEYEGIRL, his all-female rock trio, Prince is planning to play iconic venues in and around London starting Feb 3rd.

The first stop is the living room of London's own- Lianne LaHavas.  This 24-year-old singer-songwriter met Prince last year during LaHavas' tour of America.  They jammed together at Prince's Paisley Park Studio in Minneapolis and have kept in touch ever since.

When Prince told Lianne he was coming to London to launch his new project, Ms.LaHavas jokingly offered her flat as the location for the press conference.

Details about the event are very hush-hush at this time but as we find out more, you will be the 2nd ones to know.  For now, know this: Prince is coming!

Brewdog Bar Leeds - A beer and cheese delight

To say I am very disappointed in the Brew Dog Leeds is an understatement, how dare they have been open 10 months and not have personally invited me down.

You see their Punk IPA is my most favorite tipple around, their hardcore IPA my just about second fave.  I have been drinking Punk particularly for around a year or so and to find not only is their bar here, in Leeds but that its available on draft. A real OMG moment.

Tonight we have been down for a beer and cheese event, pairing a selection from their repetoire with various cheeses, just like the wine and cheese pairings only with some top top beers.

For those unaware, Brew Dog Leeds is in Cloth Hall, behind the Corn Exchange and is one of a handful of places in Leeds with fine craft beers to tempt. Brew Dog however brews its own as well as bringing some of the worlds finest to this fine corner of Yorkshire.

We opened with a Dead Pony Club, a hoppy beer with citrus notes that is made for session drinking, one I had already experimented with and paired with a cream feta which really smoothed the top end hoppy notes it was a winner.

Next up 5am Saint, a red ale, again those orange notes but more malty than hoppy. Those familiar with Speckled Hen will see similarities. A crumbly wensleydale complemented well but its well quaffable on its tod.

As we moved into darker ale territory, Smoked Porter was brought before, us, stoutish in appearance, but more smooth and with rich chocolate and smoke tones. Nice as a one off drink but not for me a sustained session drink. The Manchego cheese though really hit with the chocolate and gave a velvety mix with the smoke evoking memories of some of my favourite west coast whiskeys.

Last up Blitz Apricot the most unusual of the pack with very distinct yes you guessed apricot note, almost a fruit beer and got a marmite review, the mild blue cheese offset the sweetness a touch but the fizz left me ambivalent...

That said, it was a great experience, a friendly, chatty and knowledgeable host too means we highly recommend at least a visit to this small and friendly bar, better still get on a journey with the tasting session.

We finished the night with what I had previously only dream of, a pint of Punk, tasting every bit as good as it did in the countless bottles and cans we have had. Maybe just maybe the slight extra zing of freshness detected or maybe that feta was lingering.

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Tarantino Cancels New Movie after Leak

The angry director drops his new movie project after the script leaked.

Quentin Tarantino has chosen to cancel his latest movie after the script leaked out and gained him some unwanted attention at such an early stage in the new western. The director gave the script, which was apparently still in its early stages, to a small circle of actors who he felt he could trust. However, the script fell into the wrong hands and his longtime agent Mike Simpson began getting phone calls from agents looking to pitch their clients for roles in the embryonic film.

"I'm very, very depressed," Tarantino said, via Deadline. "I finished a script, a first draft, and I didn't mean to shoot it until next winter, a year from now. I gave it to six people, and apparently it's gotten out today."

The Oscar-winning Django Unchained director revealed that since his trust was betrayed, he is quite literally shelving the project as he plans to skip making the film and send it straight to publishers so it can be bought in bookshops. "I'm going to publish it, and that's it for now. I give it out to six people, and if I can't trust them to that degree, then I have no desire to make it. I'll publish it. I'm done. I'll move on to the next thing. I've got 10 more where that came from," the furious director said.

Not to blame: Tim Roth

The 50 year-old Hollywood heavyweight revealed that he'd been trying to work out who could have possibly hurt his project in such a way. "The one I know didn't do this is Tim Roth," he surmised. "One of the others let their agent read it, and that agent has now passed it on to everyone in Hollywood. I don't know how these fucking agents work, but I'm not making this next."

"I gave it to one of the producers on Django Unchained, Reggie Hudlin, and he let an agent come to his house and read it," Tarantino explained. "That's a betrayal, but not crippling because the agent didn't end up with the script. There is an ugly maliciousness to the rest of it. I gave it to three actors: Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, Tim Roth," he added.

The filmmaker did acknowledge his snap decision was a result of feeling betrayed and also admitted that he hates it when bloggers give their early evaluation of screenplays. He said that he believes the culprit was Nebraska star Bruce Dern and CAA, the agency that reps the actor.

Nevertheless, Quentin said that he adores Dern and still wants to place him in a big role in his next film. Amidst his ire, the director did say that there was a chance the western could happen anyway. "If the muse calls me later to do it, we'll do it, It's my baby," he said. "I could totally change my mind; I own the f***ing thing."

Interestingly QTs last film Django Unchained also saw its script far more widely leaked and of course it still saw the light of day, we may see the film yet..

Doves Front Man Jimi Goodwin Announces Solo Dates

Doves front man Jimi Goodwin precedes the release of his debut solo album Odludek with a handful of low-key UK live shows before a performance at BBC6 Music's two-day festival in Manchester.

The dates are:
24th Feb York, The Duchess. Tickets £15  
25th Feb Hebden Bridge, The Trades Club. Tickets £16  
27th Feb Chester, The Live Rooms. Tickets £15  
28th Feb Manchester, Victoria Warehouse - BBC6 Music Festival 

The BBC 6 Music Festival takes place in Manchester's Victoria Warehouse, home to the city's legendary Warehouse Project. The two day event will be launched on Tuesday (21st January) at Manchester's Piccadilly Records where Jimi will be performing two acoustic songs for the Lauren Laverne show around 11am.

As previously announced, Jimi supports Elbow on their April arena tour, including a show at Leeds Arena, tickets here on 11th April,  and plays at headline slot at Port Eliot Festival in Cornwall July 24th - 27th).

Odludek is released on Heavenly Recordings on March 24th. Q recently described the album as a "wildly trippy collection, a joyous collision between the scale and scope of Doves' music and the magpie-like attitude of Sub Sub." Oh! Whiskey, the first single from Odludek, is released on March 17th. Have a listen here

Movie Review: Delivery Man

DELIVERY MAN PRESS SCREENING

Sorry but for me its all about funny man Vince Vaughn, with him in any films there is already a good 80% chance I will go see it... But I know not everyone is the same, so is this where the Vaughn wheels fall off?

Well here's the thing..
In present tense, David Wozniak (Vince Vaughn) is always friendly, but luckless in most things he does. He's been working for his family’s meat business for as long as he can remember, and has a pregnant girlfriend, played into a real bit part role by Cobie Smulders who refuses to believe that he can ever be a good daddy.

In the past tense, 20 years ago, he regularly donated his sperm in exchange for cash to help out childless couples. As you would expect, he lost count of just how many.The past though comes back to haunt him now, especially when he discovers he has fathered 533 children through his sperm donations two decades ago. No less than 142 of them are filing a lawsuit forcing him to reveal his identity.

He enlists his lawyer buddy played by Chris Pratt, known to UK audiences as Andy in Parks and Recreation, to be his legal consultant. The similarities in the roles are more than cosmetic. He also starts secretly to get involved in the lives of a few of his offspring.

So this deliveryman who’s sown his seeds all over the country sets off to check how his kids are faring —without letting any of them know he’s the biological father.
Yes its very cliched, its more melodramatic than comedic and a refreshing tale about basic human needs.

Vaughn positively shines in his role, and there’s an engaging chemistry between him and Pratt almost to the exclusion of other characters in the film

Delivery Man is a funny,but not hilarious film with oodles of charm to dispel gloom and bring that smile to your face. Vaughn is more restrained than at other times and this will make him more accessible to non fanatics.

If Wolf of Wall street is too racy, American Hustle too much effing and jeffing, Delivery Man may just pick up tickets at their cost.

Joe Lean Returns...without his Jing, Jang or Jong.

Fantastic news, Joe Lean of the much loved around these parts Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong is back with his new band Boyband. See their debut video below...

The band played their debut gig in London recently kicking off with the single “Motorcycle Boy”, a snarling slice of indie rock which bodes well. We are chuffed that at least a couple of tracks bear more than a passing resemblance to JJJ  – a soaring chorus here, some girl group harmonies there. Joe minces around, staring deadpan into the middle distance, finger-clicking.



A track we didnt get the title of opens with the drum beat from Primal Scream’s “Rocks” before turning into a 60s-esque ballad that opens with Joe crooning “you got me wrong” and a riff-heavy Strokes-esque number called “Tiger Stripes” that features more self-deprecating lines. Closer “Give It Up” features a repeated chorus of “You’re bringing me down”.

We hope this is the start of something for Joe, we were gutted when the JJJ finished and loved their unreleased album, heres to Joe for 2014 (full review here)
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