Smith set for shock return to Leeds United
Simon Grayson has shown that the second time can be a charm at Elland Road by following his unremarkable stint there as a player with a brilliant first two years as manager in which he has taken them up from League One and pushed them into the Championship's automatic promotion race.
And it appears the former Blackpool boss has another even more ambitious target in mind - getting the Leeds faithful to welcome back with open arms another player who started his career at the club only to leave in far more acrimonious circumstances, Alan Smith.
The 30-year-old, generously described as a "club legend" in the Sky Sports story about the possibility of him returning and regaining his popularity, was loved during his spell playing in west Yorkshire but controversially left for Manchester United in 2004 following his boyhood side's relegation.
The striker-turned-midfielder had previously vowed never to join the Whites' fierce rivals, however hero Peter Lorimer has since defended him by suggesting that Smith's only options at the time were to move to Old Trafford or watch the club enter administration.
Dennis Wise attempted to sign Smith on loan during his tenure as Leeds manager yet as they were in League One and he was still at Manchester United it was always unlikely, whereas now with Smith struggling to get any game time at Newcastle and Leeds on the up, it is far more plausible.
Grayson - who has also been linked with Jonathan Woodgate - has said: "He's a good player and forget any affinity he has with the club in the past. If you get a player of Alan Smith's ability then obviously you would have to be interested. We are in the market to make us better."
Leeds fans, would you be pleased to see Smith return? Have your say below...
Published: 7 Jan 2011
RLB Leeds (January 7, 2011 10:43 AM) said:
Come back smudge. All will be forgotten.
Anthony Henry (January 7, 2011 10:51 AM) said:
I would love to see him back at Elland Road. He was one of my favourites and will always be. He had no choice in the matter when he left. Some fans need to come back to reality in that fact.
We need some steel in midfield and I for one want to see Leeds progress into the promised land. The decision is down to the manager and he has done a great job so far so let him do his job.
Dom Leeds (January 7, 2011 11:35 AM) said:
Not sure.....depends if Johnson goes or not. Woodgate would be a great signing though if his leg doesn't fall off!
Joe (January 7, 2011 12:08 PM) said:
Come back smiffy. You will be every Leeds fans favorite player again!!!!
Geoff Millward (January 7, 2011 12:09 PM) said:
Only the idiots had a grudge in the first place. He would be a massive boost in the middle of the park.
Myers (January 7, 2011 6:43 PM) said:
Go to s•••m never come back. Never want him back plus hes useless now
Orangina (January 8, 2011 3:02 PM) said:
He was and still is my absolute hero. A top bloke who bleeds Leeds United to the core. Sick of him being made the scapegoat and the badge kissing thing is a total utter lie. He deserves to come home and finish his career where he belongs. Come on, all the die hard Leeds fans know he will be a legend once more...
david price (January 9, 2011 4:23 PM) said:
i,m 49 i have been a leeds fan ever scince my dad took me to see them play when i was eight,that was when leeds were great. and i have seen many good and talented playes wear the white of leeds but few with the commitment and sheer guts of alan smith. For all the so called fans out there who dont want to see alan smith come back,grow up and take a good look at yourselves, do you want to get back to the top, because it will take players like smith to come back to help us get there, i dont care who he played for and i for one want to see the glory days and alan come back
Stephen Kerr (January 17, 2011 11:44 PM) said:
it woould be class if smudger came back. leeds legend.