Episode 5 Late Kick Off Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Enough of white handshakes and Harry. We have a Rotherham went to

Sheffield divided - United and Wednesday battle for Providence and

promotion. Marching on together - Leeds fans

take a height -- hike and what the man in Monaco to be the same.

And Access All Areas at Bramall Lane to see how the show gets to go

And with me tonight, two gentleman we already know well, and who've

already shaken hands - Tony Dorigo, ex of Leeds & England, of course,

and the man who took to the Tigers to the top level, Mr Phil Brown.

Our reporter Rob Jones has been seeing quite a lot of the West

Country in recent weeks. He's been to Bristol twice in the last two

weeks and was supposed to be seeing how Scunthorpe got on at Yeovil on

Saturday. But with the game called off at 10.00am, our intrepid

reporter got back in the Fiesta and headed a little further down the M5

to Exeter where Sheffield manoeuvre at the top of League One

at the moment and three Yorkshire heavy weights are clamouring to

fill the second automatic promotion place. Sheffield United,

Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday are all within touching

distance in what promises to be a ferocious bite to the finish. Since

the turn off the year, all three clubs have occupied all three

positions and second spot has changed hands on all four occasions

will stop the combinations of Cup commitments and inclement

conditions have further complicated the issue. But as the game at

Leyton Orient on Saturday was postponed, the focus is still on

postponed, the focus is still on the Steel City's two teams.

Sheffield Wednesday arrived in the automatic promotion places in these

-- League One. The game against Exeter City came at the end of the

week were the club's supporters could have been forgiven for having

a lot undermines. The chairman has rescued Wednesday, but where would

they be if he was found guilty for tax evasion alongside Harry

Redknapp? He was cleared of all charges. But there was still some

on-field matters to worry about. With the St James's Park turf

survived the big freeze, would it be 500 mile round trip in the in?

The fixtures felt the frost on Saturday, but this match was never

any serious doubt. With the game definitely on, concerns goods which

do the worrying recent record against the regions. Wednesday fans

will have far from happy memories seen their manager stand here. At a

5-1 defeat on this ground last season proved to be one of the last

over the years, but Wednesday had never won away at Exeter. Their

fans believe they had what it takes to triumph in the race for the

championship. A lot of Wednesday fans like Gary. The talks sense and

at the end of the day, he is a great manager. He will get us up

Naturally, it will be a fight right to the end. Hopefully, I will be

there and Sheffield United as well. It would be good for the City of

the boat went up. How impressed have you been with Johnson in

recent weeks? I like him. But he does do daft things at times. When

he has the ball, you think something will happen. Wednesday's

potential for support for his tremendous. To get the numbers that

they do at home games and away games when they have been playing

not particularly well these last few years is tremendous. I think

that is what will be the edge in the end. Wednesday's game was one

of only three League One fixtures on Saturday. United's first league

match against Wycombe was intriguingly another. Such is the

nature of this promotion battle, but team's fortunes changed sharply

in the space of 45 second have minutes. Germaine Johnson and

netted his fourth goal in six games down in Devon to put Wednesday

ahead and United seemed subconsciously rallied as will

Hoskins did the same at Bramall Lane. Wednesday's advantage was

short-lived. A Billy Jones free- kick levelled things up. In

contrast, United put the game almost beyond doubt. It was still

time for a sting in the tail down south. David Noble scored his

There had been a six-point gap between the sides at one stage on

Saturday. As Kevin MacDonald made it 3-nothing to United, just one

point separated them.... 3-0. bitterly disappointed and angry. We

wasted it and we did not playing the right manner. I will accept

people passing it wrong or controlling the ball whatever it

might be, but just strutting about because you have a blue and white

shirt on and it makes you a different type of flair, it does

not. We have a huge prize that we are going for it and it did not

look like it out there today. It looked like we had a few more

interested in other things as opposed to the actual result but we

need to get. Your home form is always important. That is the

priority for us away from home will always be bonus time. But home is

always important. It gives you a good chance of staying in the

shake-up at the end. But I did not feel from my point of view that we

deserve anything but the three points. Ride the bike through the

game, I thought all be needed to do was up the ante and showing some

more desire. It is a strange thing to be talking about, a lack of

these things. I knew a lot of people were not playing today and

we could have really got that result. We trotted away.

Wednesday may still be in position of the coveted second spot, but

United and Huddersfield are hot on their feels -- fuels. It can be

afternoons like this that make so much difference.

Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town house swap places ahead of

tomorrow night's huge clash. Both teams have Wednesday night firmly

Let's cut straight to the chase. Who is more equipped to go up,

United are Wednesday? Listen to the managers and I know

who I'm going to go for. Danny Wilson seemed a lot more confident.

Nine wins in 11 games. That is important. Home form, coming to the

end as well, that is important. If they can get away with the point,

Sheffield United are looking pretty good.

And Wednesday, you had a wry smile watching that. Exeter way - it does

not one you ever enjoy, is it? Listen to the Commons after the

game by the man Ager and he has had a pop at his players. He would not

have had that Popat he did not think the players could handle it.

But you go to places like St James's Park and I am not talking

about Newcastle United, I am talking about Exeter, and you have

to adapt to the surroundings. It sounded as if these players did not

quite fit the bill. They went 1- Nihal -- 1-0 up and that is the

most important part. Exeter came back with an unbelievable winner.

You would agree with Tony but Sheffield United by the fear that.

But again, it is down to the next game. He has levelled that

criticism and now wants a response. Stevenage at home, the top six are

all playing each other tomorrow night at tonight. For me, it is an

important game. You have to give Gary his credit. He has levelled

that criticism because he knows he Where do you stand on that? I like

it when managers have a go at players. I think it's refreshingly

honest. Some do it at half-time! think it's good. As players, you

did not like to be criticised in public. But the right sort of area,

the dressing room, that is right. Sometimes, players need a kick up

the backside. With that many games to go, he needs a reaction. He's

seen something in that game, maybe in training, they might be thinking

they are better than what they are. Get back to what got you there.

He's given the players a kick up the backside at the right time.

you look at the timing of it, I listened to an interview that my

own manager, Sam Allardyce, gave. They got beat 5-1 of Ipswich. The

next game is the important one. He's done them with criticism and

got the right response, let's see it. Wigan at home, that was just

what they wanted. Huddersfield away, this was at the weekend,

Huddersfield away is coming up on Tuesday night. Must not lose, or

must win? I've never worked that out. Huddersfield are the MK Dons

of late. Clarke seems to have that knack of not losing. Winning is

important, but it's not losing. He has a resilience. Tomorrow night,

maybe a draw. Both sides settling for a point, and then move on.

huge game. Plenty of teams in action throughout the week.

Coming up, two Terriers tackle the head-to-head hot seat. And the best

of the rest of the action from the championship and League Two.

All of that and more to come. Now the latest down Leeds United away.

You might have heard Alex McGleish say this weekend that fans

protesting and marching was something of a fashion at the

moment. It seems to have been at Leeds for a while now. A good

number of fans walked from the town to Elland Road calling for changes

They arrived in their hundreds and their message was simple. The march

was organised by the Leeds United Supporters Trust as part of their

campaign for change. Supporters have said this is not an anti-Ken

Bates protest. But you only have to listen to the chanting and look at

the banners to know that it is very much a campaign against the current

chairman with a lot of anger and disenchantment. They all have one

thing in common. They all want to see Ken Bates out of Leeds United.

He took charge in 2005, even referring to himself as the saviour

of the club. They might have believed it then, things are very

different today. We are very unhappy with Ken Bates's

stewardship of Leeds United. We are here to tell him we have had enough.

We want transparency at the club to see what is going on. If he refuses

to talk to us, this is the only way we can show any passion about what

is going on. There is no consideration for the fans. It is

purely for the board. We are sick of the line is and we are sick of

the mistrust. We are sick of play has been sold. The recent decision

to sack manager Simon Grayson seems to have got some fans even more

heated. If you hate Ken Bates clap your hands! It was a noisy and

highly visible demonstration of the frustration keenly felt by many.

While Ken Bates remains at Elland Road, the prospect of

reconciliation between club and fans seems as far away as ever.

There is the problem, I think. A lot of fans think the club is

marching in a different direction to the way they want to go. I

mentioned Alex McLeish, your old club, Aston Villa. A similar thing

going on there at the moment. But this doesn't appear to be the

fashion, it has been going on for a while? There is no doubt that the

fans want to voice their opinion and be heard. Rightly so, they are

passionate supporters. They want to see their team where they think it

belongs, in the Premier League. When you see Norwich, Swansea, they

came up with the needs -- Leeds A few years ago. Look what is

happening with those teams. Leeds don't seem to be progressing. It's

difficult for Simon Grayson and Neil Redfearn, if you are going to

sell your best young players, not signed a one-year contracts, not

get them to progress, you're not going to move on. It's a very level

indeed, with a bit of Investment, with the players they have got,

they could make a good goal of trying to get into the Premier

League. That is the frustration, I understand that and the fans want

some answers. Rightly so. Norwich, just to rub it in, with Leeds

players now. That seems to be the way. You must have put some

interesting to the Leeds job? as an out-of-work manager, you

would be foolish not to. The contract at Preston has allowed me

to do just that. Rightly so, I put my CD for wood. At the end of the

day it is Leeds United, one of the greatest clubs in the country. -- I

put my CV forwards. They lie in the championship and they look like

they will have another season in the championship until they can

raise their game. It's still capable, I still believe that Leeds

United have a chance of sneaking into the play-offs. But once you're

in the play-offs, a you are lead united, a big club. That size can

carry you through. That outweighs all of this stuff going on? You

would still go for it? You've got to look at the prospects. You are

managing Leeds, it is a massive responsibility for anybody. For me,

it is a club... I wouldn't have said in disarray, but it certainly

has a chance. A walking advert, fill down -- Phil Brown's

managerial talents. Neil Redfearn is in poll position at the moment.

Time to see how Leeds fed on since Simon Grayson's exit at

Elland Road. Luciano Becchio could easily have punished Albion's

keeper, but he pushed wide. Craig Mikhail-Smith scored the opener

with 15 minutes to go. The lead lasted less than two minutes.

Luciana Becchio was on target. The hearts of the home fans were broken

when Alan Navarro scored a late goal to condemn Neil Redfearn to

his first defeat as caretaker boss. Hull gave Nick Barmby the 38th

birthday present he would have most wanted with an emphatic win over

Bristol City. The Tigers where head early on. Jack Hobbs's header took

a deflection. Robert Koren's header was unstoppable. The visitors

threatened to come back. Albert Adomah hit the crossbar. The

follow-up had to be scrambled off the line. The win was sealed on the

hour mark when Matty Fryatt rounded the former England number one to

complete a comprehensive win. Where Well, Hull City, your old stamping

ground, the region's top club again. Unbeaten since Nick Barmby came

full-time manager, in the league? Good to see him doing well.

Hopefully they might get to the Premier League again. People talk

about momentum at this time of year. Blackpool got that momentum going,

so have Birmingham. You had it when he went up? Absolutely. What Hull

have got his consistency. Consistency both defensively, and

hopefully that will open the floodgates. They scored three on

Saturday, but they kept a clean sheet and that will be the most

pleasing thing to him. The biggest win of the season. Do you really

fancy them to get up in the play- offs? I do. It's not just about

form and consistency. It is about experience as well. Not long ago

Nicky Barmby was one of the main players, when we got promoted. He

will take that into his players, into the dressing room, and players

will be able to bounce off him. He's been there, seen it and done

it and players will relate to that. The AIDS have dropped a little bit

of the play-offs. Such fine margins, or which football future is decided.

They gaze Brighton, and all right Normally Elland Road is a fortress.

It has not been this season. Late, last-minute goals. Neil Redfearn

came out and said about their professionalism, that is a big

question for the players. There is a lot of positive thought around

the area, but you have to do get the players out there. The new

manager might come in, it might be the manager that is there now, you

have to impress. His concentration, conceding goals, it has to stop or

they will not get near the play- offs. Two more games for Neil

Redfearn at least, we understand. Now for the only thing that gets

players over-emotional. It is not Mastermind, it is barely

Blockbusters, it is Head To Head. This week it is Huddersfield.

Nick Colgan, 38, Huddersfield Town. Brian Allinson, 18, Huddersfield

Town. You're one minutes starts now. Who were the winners of the X

Factor? Little Mix! Current holders of the Champions' League. Barcelona.

Who wears 21 for Huddersfield? back! Manager of Barnsley? Keith

Hill! Who did the record 10-one win in 1930 come against? Tranmere?

right, I will give you a chance. Rotherham. Blackpool. Who is your

final game of the season against? Notts County. No. Not got a clue.

Yeovil. Who did Jordan Rovers make his Scotland debut against? Cyprus.

What was the previous stadium called? Leeds Road. Capital city of

the USA. Washington DC. Which team plays their home games at Underhill.

Barnett. Leading scorer in the Nick Colgan, dispelling the myth.

Goalkeepers are not stupid, but they are all barmy. Well, you have

to go in with your head when the You know what it is like when you

have to prepare for weekend visitors. How about 20,000 of them

nearly every fortnight? That is what the good people behind the

scenes at Bramall Lane have to do. We got a guided tour of some of the

work that has to take place to make each and every match-day possible.

Almost 20,000 supporters pass through the turnstiles every

fortnight at Bramall Lane. But there is so much more to match day

than just 90 minutes of football. I've come a long bright and early

to peek behind the scenes at Sheffield United, with the senior

match day supervisor and with the temperature below freezing we had

better start with a quick pitch inspection. The match will be on

today. The undersoil heating has been on since... Well, the last

couple of weeks. They said that the temperature today, on ground level,

is ten degrees. It might be minus one in the stadium, but I would say

the game will definitely happen. Preparing the ground for kick-off,

time for a spot of lunch. On a match day I arrive at about 12:30pm.

My job is basically to look after the sponsors that I here. We do a

quiz, we generally have a good laugh. I tell a few jokes,

hopefully people laugh at them. Not all of the time. I used to be the

physio, I now do the announcing in the sponsor's lounge. It's a good

day out. The sponsors are very important people. So of the fans.

The sponsors but a lot of money into the club and they looked after

very well. After lunch, time for a spot of retail therapy at the club

shop. From about one point 15 he will find the club shop packed. At

the end of the match, people do come into his seat if they want to

buy the last bits of souvenirs. From you to world, a quick visit to

the club museum to find out what happens to memorabilia from the

past. If you don't have them on display, they are in cupboards or

drawers. This gives a chance for the supporters, the guests and the

kids of the city to finally get to find out a bit of the fantastic

history of Bramall Lane and Sheffield United Football Club.

Also for families to feel the sense of pride that their dad or

grandad's medal, shirt or cap is out there for people to see. It

helps keep their names alive and that is another big part of what we

are trying to do. Talking of legends, the love for the club is

still very much alive for this former player. The heart is always

there. You know, we are always rooting for them. When things go

wrong we have an little moan and it is always exciting. We always look

forward to the match. At the other side of the ground, Janet Island

runs United's Disabled Supporters Club, providing fans with a place

to socialise before each game, as well as giving them a chance to

We would both we would both like to be here every week, but those days

are gone. We like seen the good work they do in the community.

think it is important that they have something to do other than

just watch football matches. We also take them to away grounds and

the coffee bar money is to subsidise that trouble.

As kick-off draws near, preparations are almost complete

and as the crowd streamed into the ground, all we need now are the two

teams. This is what the last five hours all boils down to. It is

nearly 3pm and both teams are ready. So I suppose it is time to go and

For it is 5 o'clock and the end of a very long and successful day on

and off the park at Bramall Lane. Sheffield United beat Wycombe by

three goals to nil to keep their hopes alive. It is time for me to

go home but I wonder where you can is - I am dying for a cup of tea!

He has his eyes on that champion! You lot turn up and play, but look

how much work goes on to let you do that.

It is unbelievable. You have had four or five the front examples for

we, as players, just used to turn up and perform. But for these guys,

it is a full day's preparation. Anything could go wrong during the

course of that. They cannot hide that. If it goes wrong, the

supporters have a horrendous days. And if the gay -- days called off,

it makes it even worse. Back to seeing some goals. Two from

League Two, to be precise. Rotherham's trip to Southend beat

the freeze on Friday night. And even better, the Millers beat the

is the way to make new friends! Rotherham avenge safe 4-0 defeat at

home in September and Alex Revell sealed the points seven minutes

from time. Sheffield United nil, Rotherham United 2. Only seven so

really play for. And no real need to look at the

bottom on the table. Bradford didn't play and nor did many of

Rotherham on the costs of the play- off, but not quite there yet.

will be those signings that were made in January that determine how

successful they will be. That could be the difference between the mid-

table and the play-offs. So what's next for your club? Well,

as I'm sure you know, everyone's in Football League action tomorrow

night. In the Championship, Hull have a

big task at Birmingham. Barnsley are at Burnley. Leeds are at

Coventry. And just Doncaster at home of our teams, welcoming Ian

Holloway's in-form Blackpool. In League One, obviously

Huddersfield vs Sheffield United is our really big one. Wednesday play

Stevenage. Chesterfield go to Bury. And Scunthorpe vs Rochdale is a

six-pointer at the bottom. Well done to all who went down to

Glanford Park yesterday to help clear the pitch. It's been too long

since the Iron last played. And in League Two, Bradford vs Port

Vale and Rotherham vs Accrington. Can you think of a better way to

spend your Valentine's night? Take your significant other with you.

York vs Ebbsfleet in the FA Trophy for me and Mrs Mowbray!

What about the fixture of the week? Huddersfield against Sheffield

United, we touched on it earlier. Who will then it?

It is going to be a draw! I know you said that earlier! Leaves at

Coventry? This is a peddles All's fixture. Leeds have Doncaster after

that and all hell could reclusive they do not get results out of that.

They cannot afford to lose at Coventry. They must go out and show

what they're about from a struggling Coventry. Doncaster, the

same sort of thing. We know how these games against the local

rivals can be. There really could put Leeds nose out of joint. If you

take six points from those two games, you are looking at in the

play-offs if not pushing for them. It is a fantastic week.

You have already said you fancy the Tigers for the play-offs. They

could not get a much sterner test than Birmingham City. I was on my

way to Barnsley against Birmingham on Saturday but it was called off

at 1:30pm. We just turned up for the game and if it is off, we went

to a different game. He might get a rude awakening scene Hull at the

DEC Stadium! They really nitty-gritty - there

are only two more games to the end. Certainly. It is how you cope with

that. This is the business end of the season. We have seen so many

teams and players ball down at this point. Who can keep their heads and

he can get the momentum going? It is all about results and confidence.

Just went gains and get on to the end of the season.

Let's hope so for some wins from our teams. You'll get the finest

commentary reports on your local BBC radio stations. Keegan does