x

Freddy on his way?

The Freddy Shepherd to Leeds United link has emerged in today's Daily Telegraph sportspages.

We've all heard the one about Freddy Shepherd before, but today's Telegraph quotes that the larger-than-life ex Newcastle chairman is ready to return to football.

And Leeds United could be on his radar!

At the beginning of the season, Freddy and Ken Bates were spotted having lunch in Newcastle, fuelling rumours of a Shepherd investment or takeover - but it was passed off as old friends and football people enjoying a social occasion.

But now Freddy is ready, willing and most certainly able with a reported £37m burning a hole in his back pocket following the sale of his interest in the Toon to Mike Ashley. He may well be back in a Directors Box near you very soon.

In today's report, Freddy says: "Football 's a drug, and a powerful drug. From January I think something could happen.

"I'm a northern guy, so obviously I'm more interested in northern clubs."

I understand and will be corrected if I am wrong, that part of Bates' deal to buy back Leeds included a so-called "embarrassment" clause - which basically said that Bates could not sell Leeds on for a couple of seasons.

But obviously this would not rule out potential investors. Bates has been openly sceptical about the lack of interest in the club from the thriving business community in Leeds, although Leeds' current sponsors Red Kite are a locally based firm.

Granted, Freddy became something of a "joke" figure in his time at his beloved Newcastle, who can ever forget his indiscretion on YouTube where he made explicit reference to "carrying Michael Owen back to Liverpool" for the benefit of two scallies with a camera phone.

But if he has got money to invest and that is what we will need to sustain our ambition to return to the Premiership, then surely he will be more than welcome on board?

Hear our very own MARK MONK LIVE! on ASHBY RADIO tomorrow! Between 1-4pm 97.5FM or visit www.ashbyradio.co.uk for more details

What to read next:

I hear you’re a set piece team now father – Analysis
In his final analysis piece for LFW this season, Dan Lambert looks at how QPR went from being the worst team in the league for offensive set pieces to, eventually, kind of good.
Coventry left to reflect on another Wembley heartache - Oppo Profile
For a second year in a row a promising Coventry City season has ended in penalty shoot-out heartbreak at Wembley, only this time with some added VAR nonsense thrown in for good measure - Neil Littlewood (@littlewood88) and Dominic Jerrams (@SideSammy) take us through it.
The Copa de Ibiza - History
As QPR prepare to visit Coventry City on Saturday, we look back at connections between the two sides, past results, and Rangers’ last successfully foray into European competition with the 2005 Copa De Ibiza triumph.
Smith in charge at Coventry - Referee
Josh Smith, last in charge of QPR for the memorable Good Friday win at home to Birmingham, is the man in the middle for the final day trip to Coventry.
Watch me rise up and leave, all the ashes you made out of me – Report
On Friday night, under the lights at Loftus Road, Queens Park Rangers landed on their wheels, pulled over and asked what you were worried about.
Queens Park Rangers 4 - 0 Leeds United - Photo Gallery
Pictures from Ian Randall on an extraordinary night at Loftus Road as QPR put their season to bed with a 4-0 thumping of promotion chasing Leeds.
Queens Park Rangers 4 - 0 Leeds United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
End game – Preview
QPR need one result, in any one of a multitude of the remaining games, to secure their Championship safety - they get first swing at getting it for themselves tonight at home to Massive Leeds United.
So near and yet so far - History
Ahead of the visit of Leeds to Loftus Road on Friday we look back at the final day of the 1975/76 season when QPR got the 2-0 win they needed to take their title bid down to Liverpool's final match at Wolves - 48 years ago this week.
Three into two won't go, will Leeds last the pace? Oppo profile
Having started the year with nine straight wins Leeds looked all set to overpower the Championship even in this extreme year at the top, but they’ve dropped points in five of their last ten to put the whole thing back in the balance. Nico Franks and Gruev Armada (@timmsy_ks) gave us the latest.