Dennis Wise’s time as manager of the club was dogged by controversy & perhaps one of the most controversial cases was that of “Molegate”. It erupted after the 2-1 home win over Crystal Palace in February 2007, with an incensed Wise telling the media that an unnamed player had leaked his team sheet to a member of the Palace side prior to the game. Wise then went on to vow that the player responsible would never play for the club again. It left the White Army stunned & sparked a mass guessing game, as fans tried to work out the player in question. The finger of blame was quickly aimed at Shaun Derry, mainly based on the fact he was an ex: Palace player whose best mate Butterfield played for the opposition…
However, Derry was both the vice captain & a bit of a cult hero at Elland Road, which made this hard to believe for many. “Molegate” took a twist when Shaun Harvey was quoted as saying: “While we know it happened, we do not know which Leeds United player it was”. Yet that revelation didn’t lift the cloud of suspicion off Derry’s shoulders. Injury ruled Derry out of the rest of that season as the Whites fell into the abyss of League One. The player was then farmed out on loan to Palace during November the next season in a move that further fuelled the speculation he was indeed the “Mole”. However, Two months later, Wise attempted to recall Derry back to help out during an injury crisis…
Derry refused the request, leaving an angry Wise to publicly rip the player apart. That was before then Palace manager Warnock defended Derry, claiming he was the one who blocked the move. Whoever made the decision, it left a sour taste & set the wheels in motion for Derry’s permanent move to Palace. Shortly after leaving, Derry refuted claims that he had been the “Mole” & claimed the fact that Wise tried to recall him, cleared him of being the “Mole” who Wise insisted would never play for the club again. The whole incident remained a mystery, generating more questions than answers & to this day, the player remains unknown. Ultimately it would be sad if “Molegate” took the shine off the memory of a player who was “Here, there, every fkin where” for the club…
Of course, “Molegate” was to pale into insignificance just 3 weeks later when Wise walked out on the club & headed to Newcastle. “Molegate” was the last time the Whites had faced Palace in the league, however their last visit to Elland Road resulted in a 4-0 League cup thrashing for the Londoners in 2009. Thanks to hard work by the ground staff , today’s game went ahead when others in the area fell victim to the snow & they were rewarded for their efforts with a pulsating game. Grayson’s only change was a forced one, with Hughes giving up his touchline cheerleading duties for the day to fill in at right back due to Connolly’s suspension. Compared to the freezer at Reading, Elland Road was positively tropical as the game got underway…
An offside flag denied the Whites an early lead, Howson’s goal was ruled out after a bright start to what was already becoming an open game. Gradel was again an early shining light and with Snoddy also imposing himself from the right, things were looking good. Chances fell to Johnson & Snoddy before the latter played a starring role in setting up Howson. Speroni saved well, but Johnny will feel he should have scored. Still the Whites came forward & only Gradel will know how he missed after Snoddy again set up the chance. However, Palace were not being over run & broke well when they got the chance. Ambrose sent a shot over the top, it was a warning sign that wasn’t heeded…
Moments later, a brilliant interchange ripped the Whites left side wide open, making Johnson look a mug in the process. Clyne sent the ball across the 6 yard box to find an unmarked Danns who couldn’t miss. The visitors nearly added to the lead seconds later, but Kasper managed to tip Ambroses 25 yard freekick over the bar. 0-1 down at halftime & it was clear that the next goal would be crucial. In recent games, the Whites have been woeful at the start of the second half, but that changed today. Kilkenny was instrumental as the boys tried to get back into the game, but other than a Bruce header, there was a lack of clear cut chances. Grayson looked to shake things up, wasting no time with a double change on 55 minutes…
Gradel & Johnson made way for Sam & McCormack. Sadly, Johnson left the pitch to boo’s & cries of “One greedy B’trd” ringing in his ears. Sam was instantly in the action & Palace had no answer to his fleet footed trickery. A chance for Kilkenny stemmed from one of his good runs, though Speroni was equal to it. Speroni was also equal to a point blank Becchio header after a superb cross from Snoddy. The game was now wide open & end to end. Kasper saved from Ambrose as Palace went close to a 2nd. Kasper then made another great stop, before Vaughan had a shot blocked by Bruce following a flowing move. The visitors most clear cut chance of the half fell to Danns, who struck the upright with Kasper beaten…
It would have been easy to crumble at that point, but the Whites found new resolve & another gear. Sam’s shot was tipped round for a corner, before the Whites had the ball in the net for a 2nd time. This time McCormack swept home, but it was again ruled out for offside. With a head of steam building Grayson seized the momentum, bravely taking off Hughes for Paynter & going all out attack. The move paid off 4 minutes later as a Kilkenny corner was headed goalwards by McCartney, then Paynter before falling between Becchio & McCormack. Becchio seemed to get the last touch as the ball was slotted home for 1-1, sending the home faithful wild. 2 minutes later it got even better, as Snoddy helped a ball through to McCormack…
The lively striker lost control of the ball under what looked a foul challenge & it fell kindly for Becchio‘s left boot. There was no doubt who got this one as the Argentine instinctively blasted past Speroni for 2-1 prompting wild celebrations all around as Becchio saluted the Revie end. The goal was no more than Grayson’s bravery deserved, but the game was a long way from over. Palace showed good resolve in trying to get back into the game, but it was Speroni who again took the keeper plaudits with a superb save from Paynter during the 4 minutes injury time as the Whites held on to make it a magnificent 7 unbeaten. More importantly, the win provided a cushion of 12 points between ourselves & the relegation dogfight…
Given the run of tough games coming up, that at least offers breathing space as we bask in a Play Off berth. So, as Bates & co count the cost of the failed England 2018 bid, all White Army eyes remain on the Becchio contract situation. With Andy Robinson now off the wage bill & Johnson likely to follow, many feel that the money could be found to keep the big number 10 at the club, however the silence continues to deafen. One thing is for sure, whilst ever Becchio does his talking on the pitch, you can bet that his suitors will be quick to do their talking in January. We move on to Burnley in the hope of making it a quite astonishing 8 unbeaten…
Leeds United AFC…“Fortune favours the brave”… Keep Fighting…
