Episode 1 Late Kick Off Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

It's not about how you start, so we are here for the season's bhg

finish. A warm welcome back to Late Kick`Off.

Leeds, Leeds, Leeds. New series same old ownership sagas. Wd've been

to Sardinia to find out mord about Massimo Cellino.

It was a Yorkshire love`in when Barnsley last played at

Huddersfield. Late Kick Off returned with them on Saturday for the next

chapter. And as ever, all the goals and gossip from your Football League

team. Good evening. Welcome to spring and

Late Kick`Off's new series with old presenter. With me, I've got

England's finest Italian Australian full`back of all time, Tony Dorigo,

and a different angle from puestion asker par excellence David Conn of

the Guardian. You can ask questions too vha

twitter. Keep in touch throtghout this series at...

Both Tony and David have strong links with Leeds United, th`t's why

they are here and that's whdre we have to start. When I was l`st in

this chair almost two years ago Leeds had ownership issues `nd they

still have. But are we finally reaching the end? The owner of

Italian club Cagliari, Masshmo Cellino, has had his bid for 75 of

the club accepted. But though he may have the money, he also has a

colourful past which has delayed the takeover. The Football Leagte is due

to give its judgement as to whether Signor Cellino is fit and proper

within a fortnight. So just who is Massimo Cellino? We've gone to

Sardinia to find out more. This island is where Massimo Cellino

was born and raised. He inhdrited his father's successful agrhcultural

business and became a multimillionaire, known herd as the

king of corn. It seems though as if he's become frustrated. He's

relocated his family to Florida and now sees Yorkshire as the place to

achieve his ambitions. So f`r, his actions have spoken louder than

words. He was met with abusd after attempting to sack Brian McDermott.

CHANTING AND SINGING. The two have since attempted to

build bridges. It was a good, frank conversation. It went well, we

talked about... He's a football man, we talked about what he has done in

his career and what I've done and we had a good discussion.

Of concern to Leeds United fans and, no doubt, the Football Leagte are

Cellino's convictions for fraud and false accounting. Not to mention the

ongoing investigation into the misappropriation of public funds.

But we're not expected to hdar from the man himself until the Football

League decides if his takeover meets their approval. I did get to speak

to Celllino's lifelong friend and lawyer these last ten years who has

also helped to provide the Football League with information.

TRANSLATION. The expression crime or crilinal is

totally inappropriate, both for the historic accusation and the current

investigation. They are matters that were always unfounded and wd have

always contested them. Thesd charges against Mr Cellino were abott

procedural matters, both thd historic funds and I can sax with

confidence the current ones. They are not crimes in the traditional

sense of the word. They are really financial questions. They are

debatable anyway. They would not be a crime in England and some of them

are not even criminal in It`ly any more. For example false accounting.

So even though it was illeg`l in the past, the law has changed in our

system. This is Cagliari's Buoncammhno

prison. Massimo Cellino was held here for 16

days. It's not uncommon for Italian suspects to be held in prison

without charge or without a hearing. But his lawyer says all bail

restrictions have now been lifted and Massimo Cellino will be proved

innocent. Massimo is a person who puts his

heart into everything he dods. If he's committed to a cause, he will

do everything he can and maxbe that's why he gets exposed to the

public and accusations come from that.

Massimo Cellino has been owner of Sardinian club Cagliari for 22 years

and they've spent all but fhve of those in Serie A. He has, though,

gone through 36 managers. This is their ground, it is publiclx owned

and is where England struggled through their group games in the

Italia '90 World Cup. It was closed in 2012 over safety concerns.

Cellino relocated the team 400 miles away to Trieste near the border with

Slovenia before spending last season at a converted amateur ground, five

miles from Cagliari. It is this ground that is the focus of the

current investigation into the misuse ofo public funds. Yesterday,

Cagliari beat Udinese three nil to stay above the drop zone evdn though

they are bottom of the tabld when it comes to attendances with an average

of just 4500. It is why Cellino described buying Leeds as upgrading

to a Ferrari from a Fiat 500. I feel betrayed because he hasn t

treated Cagliari very well. To say Leeds is like a Ferrari and Cagliari

a Fiat 500 is not right. In Cagliari, he has a good repttation

because he wants to buy the stadium but because of the problem of

bureaucracy it is difficult to buy the stadium. But in Leeds there is

not this problem. He has been a good president. Thanks

to him, Cagliari has remaindd in the top flight for 20 years. I think

money is at the root of it `ll. Cellino is very good with the

accounts and likes to have his own agenda. In England, the TV deals are

a lot more attractive than hn Italy and he can offset his outlax through

those TV deals. But there is one more opinion that I

want and for that I am headhng to a village further north. I have been

invited for a traditional S`rdinian lunch at the family home of Mario, a

Leeds fan since their champhons league exploit 14 years ago.

I think it's good news for the fans of Leeds United considering what he

has managed to achieve in Italian football. He has managed to maintain

a provincial club like Caglhari at a high level in a difficult

championship. I think Leeds fans have warmly welcomed the news. He

definitely wants to buy Leeds, principally as a business vdnture,

but I wouldn't want to excltde the possibility that he would f`ll in

love with the team and the history of the club and also the city of

Leeds and its fans. Right now, it's solely a commercial opportunity for

Mr Cellini. With Cagliari up for sale, the sun

is setting on Cellino's timd in Italian football. The presstre is

now on the Football League to decide if his adventure is to conthnue at

Leeds. The Italians have a way of laking

everything sound very romantic, David, and it sounds like, hf it all

works well, it could be a m`tch made in heaven. But is it going to work

and when will it start workhng? What is the delay with all this? I know

it feels like there is a delay, but the Football League have thdir

procedure which used to be called the fit and proper person tdst to

try to avoid some of the embarrassment that they havd had in

the past with letting peopld take over our historic football clubs

that people love who have got a chequered history and who mhght not

be acting in the best interdst of the club. What they are doing is

they are looking at his history there is no question that hd has a

fraud conviction from 2001, and he has also got an ongoing

investigation into him. Thex are saying they need to see the original

documents, might need to get them translated from Italian. Thdy also

now check whether people actually have got the money and wherd the

money is coming from. They say that that takes time. But Italian

football clubs have a long `nd proud history as well. Cagliari, the club

of Gianfranco Zola et al, hd has run them successfully for 22 ye`rs. Why

couldn't he do that with Ledds? He could possibly do that with Leeds.

It's a big challenge. I think it's absolutely right that the Football

League should be taking card before it lets the clubs change hands. But

even if he were to take over, he is saying that he has got the loney to

buy Elland Road and it's ten years since Leeds United, one of the big

names in English football h`s owned its own ground, its own trahning

ground because of financial problems and collapses in the past. Hf he's

allowed to take over after they ve checked out his past and his money,

he still has a huge challenge to run Leeds back to success. With

everything that's ongoing in Italy, even if it's ratified, if a week on

Thursday, the Football Leagte say you are now the owner of Ledds

United, will there still be questions about the future?

All Leeds fans want to know is who owns us and where are we gohng?

That's completely understandable. They've been through such a horrible

time ever since the famous we live the dream, Peter Ridsdale bding

overborrowed and collapsing just when they were so successful in the

Premier League era. The fans feel they should've kicked on from there,

but instead they are still being kicked from pillar to post. But

there are two massive issues. Massimo Cellino is a football man,

he has run Cagliari in Serid A, or taken them there and kept them

there. People say he knows his football, he knows his playdrs and

has a plan. But the major challenges are, financially, it is incredibly

difficult to run any club in the Championship. Leeds are used losing

a million pounds every week because they don't own their own ground and

their own training ground. Leaving aside the conviction he has got from

2001, which I think he will get through on that because it will be

considered spent, not something the Football League is worried `bout, he

has this ongoing investigathon into him. His lawyer is saying that will

not go anywhere, but the authorities are not saying that. And th`t it is

a major hostage to fortune. It might work out fine but for somebody to be

allowed to take over a club with an ongoing potentially criminal

investigation that he has already spent 16 days on remand for is a

risk. Hopefully in two weeks we'll know.

If the green light is given, can he recover from that start, thd sacking

and reinstating of Brian McDermott? Can he ever get back in favour with

the Leeds fans? It is going to be very difficult. He has cert`inly

made a very bad start. What is important from the club's point of

view is that there is a plan going forward, they can look at some sort

of solidity, some sort of foundation to build on. If he can provhde that,

then maybe. All the fans want is for their team out there to win games.

If they can produce that, hd will be OK. But it is very difficult to do

that. Can Brian McDermott rdcover from that, and just get on with the

job? He must feel as if he hs in limbo. Absolutely. It's incredible

how he can now feel he is in a position of authority, to go on and

plan for the future. Becausd that is what they need. It's not a puick

fix, a two or three` month job, it's long`term because Leeds havd slipped

to a poor position. He needs to be able to lead from the front. Can he?

I don't see how he can. There is that statistic, al`rming,

36 managers. Maybe not alarling interesting. 36 managers he has

hired and fired, including ` friend of yours twice. Yes, Massimo

Ficcadenti who played with le at Torino. I think he lasted 14 months.

First time there four months, got the sack, brought back in and then

got the sack again. He's not, clearly, afraid of hiring and

firing. But as long as you get results on the pitch. But Italy

Serie A, is very different to English football. Cagliari, a very

small club, off the pitch is almost nonexistent with regard to brand

marketing. Here, Leeds need that. They are a big brand that are

wallowing at the moment. We want to get them back up there. Hopdfully,

he has got the expertise to do that. But Cagliari are not that sort of

club. We'll see. The positive I m taking is he has been there 22

years. Let's hope he is as long with Leeds.

Massimo Ficcadenti, for those who want to know, the manager whth FC

Tokyo. first hour Championship round`up with Huddersfield `gainst

Barnsley. on the final day of last se`son It

was a day not be forgotten. `` the extraordinary scenes. It was

brilliant. I was having palpitations. It was a

roller`coaster. The last five minutes are something you whll never

see again. Matt Robinson thought he had seen it all but even for him it

was one of the most dramatic games of his career. The emotions were

really high. We will never see the likes of the celebrations of both

sets of supporters. Saturdax was never likely to compare with the

excitement of that game, but few expected the match to be so

one`sided. To begin with Barnsley looked like scoring. Early hn the

second half Adam Hammill. The third and Adam Clayton scored the fourth.

An emphatic 5`0 victory. At 30 minutes I was more than ple`sed with

how we played. We created chances. Then the two quickfire goals.

A 5`0 defeat for Barnsley. Ht was a similar scoreline from Donc`ster

Rovers at Bournemouth. Forttnately for Doncaster Rovers most of the

sides around then also lost soul did not Amnesty league position. `` also

lost therefore it did not affect their league position.

Leeds United were made to p`y for their penalty miss before the break.

Sheffield Wednesday were fortunate to beat Middlesbrough.

Where is goalline technologx when you need it?

Leeds United are clinging on to a top hat place in the Championship,

but that will require an allost perfect run to get into the top six.

Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday look set for the middle of the end

of the season. Doncaster Rovers are having their nerves shredded.

Barnsley at end a lot of other. Great victory for Huddersfidld. Have

Barnsley habit this year? They have experience of it. Let us hope they

can get out of it. It is thd difficult. From the point of view of

Huddersfield, another important victory.

The way that he plays. The style of play. Technically very giftdd. He

will learn about better movdment. But what he has got us the

attributes to be a top`class striker.

We saw two of the four goals that they need.

Barnsley, a season too far hn the Championship? It would be a shame.

Barnsley have been in the Championship or the second division

for longer than any other club. It is a very solid record. We have

always competed at a relatively high level. In recent years, the

finances, Barnsley do not h`ve an order that can put money in. There

has been no takeover with somebody putting money down. And as the

league is changing a club lhke Barnsley is struggling.

Sheffield Wednesday versus Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough were

unlucky. I am sure the ball crossed the line twice. It is one post to

the other. That has got to be over the line. This brings into puestion

technology. With the naked dye at speed you could not necessarily

decide. You would not see the referee has made a complete howler.

At a top`level, the Premier League have agreed to use goalline

technology. It does make yot wonder whether it will come down to

different levels of professhonal football.

Coming up, Scunthorpe United take on Britain's toughest football quiz,

Man On. As we have all the goals from league one and league two.

When I was last year we had a quiz called Head To Head. That h`s been

replaced by something called Man On. Paul Hayes, Scunthorpe Unitdd.

Someone all, Scunthorpe United. `` Sam when all. With which club did

Brian laws when the FA Cup? Who captained Leeds in 1966? Name to

former aim of captaincy and played for Scunthorpe United?

Kevin Keegan. Sir Ian Wood both `` Ian Botham. Name the president of

the United States. President Obama. Who was thd first

player to score 100 goals in the Premier League? Alan Shearer.

League one, Rotherham are vdry Merry Muller 's indeed. `` Mullers.

They fit on a practically pdrfectly performance. They went ahead after

ten minutes. The goals kept on coming. Alex Revels scored hn the

26th minute of the great strike Kieran a guard made it 4`0 with just

30 minutes gone. The fifth goal was scored on the

hour mark. Tom Hitchcock scores the sixth goal. Play`offs look xoung

team. Sheffield United started

catastrophically. Nigel Clotgh has transformed this season. Saturday's

victory means they have an outside shot of a trip to Wembley this year

in the cap, and theoretically they aired the play`offs. Bradford will

wonder how the scheme got away. They lead after 11 minutes. ``

wonder how this game got aw`y. James Hansen reacting quickdst to

the rebound. In the second half as sensational double from Lukd

Freeman. This was straight off the training ground.

No letup amongst the league one leaders. Automatic promotion might

be be all and Rotherham. Br`dford on the downward trend. Sheffield United

are surging up the table. Fhve straight victories and a gale in

hand to play against Peterborough tomorrow.

Tracking goals at the weekend, unfortunately the then against

Bradford. Back`to`back promotions takd some

doing. If you look at his previous clubs, Austen, Crawley, he has had a

little money to spend, but hf you spend it wisely you get your players

playing for you. It is a good setup. I club on the up. It is important

that they have hit form. Excellent victory. They are pretty much

guaranteed to be in a play`off place. Sheffield United might join

them. Nigel Clough has made them rise up the table with this

incredible run of victories. They are one game away from Wembley. They

could be in the FA Cup semifinal by this time next week.

It is an incredible turnarotnd. Nigel Clough has made a hugd

difference. The play`offs are a distant possibility. That they beat

Charlton at the weekend thex could be at Wembley and the FA Cup

semifinal. That is a massivd moment for Sheffield United. They still see

themselves as a big club. They cannot quite believe how thhngs have

turned out from having been in the Premier League quite recently. That

occasion at Wembley could bd so important to make him feel like a

big club again. Apparently they are owned bx a Saudi

Arabian Prince. The long`st`nding order says that he has invested and

also lost ?80 million. The Saudi Arabian Prince is putting money into

the first team to try to brhng some success stop they are now 50`50

overs. Chesterfield when at home to

Portsmouth tonight. The first half will not livd long in

the memory. Ollie Banks frol long range should not even have troubled

the goalkeeper. That free kick was always going to

miss. Portsmouth pressed in the sdcond

half. Tommy B was brave. Good goalkeeping. `` Tommy Lee Jones Jake

Jervis missed a golden opportunity with 15 minutes to go. The last and

best chance fell to Mark Richards but his header was straight at the

goalkeeper. Scunthorpe had the chance to go top

of league one even if only temporarily. It was Newport went in

front in the first half. Sctnthorpe field to deal with the dangdr from

the resultant free kick. `` fails to deal with the danger. In thd second

half Paddy Madden levelled the score.

Scunthorpe hearts were brokdn when pure defending allowed this

equaliser. Scunthorpe are still an Eton in 18 games. York city

continued their push for a play`off spot with a 2`1 victory over Exeter

city. All other came in the first half.

`` all of the goals came in the first half.

Your are looking at the table, not down.

Your are looking at the Chesterfield still top. Scunthorpe

tucked in behind them. Can xour dream of the play`offs?

Play`offs is a bit too far. One step at a time. I knew surprised by how

well Nigel Worthington has done He is putting his own stamp on the

side. He has brought in his own players. He has information that

works for them. He will get his players working. He has

international experience. Going down to this level is not easy for him.

That goal belongs in intern`tional football. Brilliant. Michael

Coulson. What is coming up? Two of otr sides

play in midweek. Sheffield Tnited are at home to Peterborough. And

then if they win the play`offs may be on for them. And Rotherh`m are

playing Colchester. Live commentary and reports are

available on your local BBC radio station. And you can watch this

programme again on BBC iPlaxer. Thank you to my guests. Roll on next

Monday. Goodbye.