Leeds entertained Wigan at Elland Road in a pre-season friendly just 24 hours after the club were given back their football league "golden share", as well as having 15-points deducted.

Just 24 hours after Leeds were granted their place back in the football league, but with a hammer-blow of a record 15-point deduction, all eyes were on the people who really count - the supporters.

It was difficult to reflect the mood really. Although home pre-season friendlies at Elland Road are a rariety, the visit of Wigan was hardly going to draw thousands to Elland Road.

There seemed to be a muted acceptance to our fate before kick-off. Club officials had cleared away the "floral protests" from around Billy Bremner's statute, however about two dozen or so shirts and scarves had been freshly laid around Billy - most of them bearing obscene messages directed at Bates.

As for old white beard himself, he couldn't make it today and was believed to be taking a well-deserved break in Monte Carlo before the real action starts next week.

Inside the ground, most of the noise as ever came from the Kop. As kick-off approached, the most regular chant was the anti-Chelsea anthem "Wash yer mouth out son". A few chants of "Get the Chelsea out of Leeds" and "Shoes off, if you hate Ken Bates" followed.

Leeds started lively in their new kit. Another bitter irony for the fans to digest is that their new-sponsors are an unknown company called Red Kite - the association with anything red is something which many Leeds loyals will simply refuse to accept.

Even last years' sponsors Bet 24's logo was criticised because the logo had red in it!

Our own Red Ken probably would have been impressed with the spirit Leeds showed. A vastly experienced midfield of Westlake, Thompson, Prutton and Douglas will hopefully be the launchpad of better things to come in League One.

A pairing of Kandol and Beckford upfront looks a reality with Tore Andre Flo again missing. Indeed it was the pair who combined for Leeds goal after Jason Koumas had given Wigan the lead before half-time.

It was Beckford, who gobbled up his second goal of the week. Leeds will be banking on the young forward, who gained League One experience at Scunthorpe last season.

Alas Koumas, who looked well worth the big-fee Wigan shelled out for him, scored the winner with a late free-kick and despite a late Leeds rally, a deserved equaliser was not forthcoming.

According to the Sunday Mirror, the fate of Leeds appeal against the points-deduction lies in the hands of the other 71 Football League clubs at an emergency meeting next Thursday.

You can bet your life that we will not be getting many favours from that lot! However I am sure they will be quite happy when our visit to their poxy little grounds ensures them a sell-out crowd!

Some better news on the squad front, now that Dennis Wise can bring players, rumour has it that keeper Casper Ankegren will be coming back from Denmark.

Photo: Action Images

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