It's in the local paper leeds ladies are really struggling for finances again. It sounds like they may not even be able to run until the end of the season and are trying to raise money. It's such a shame they no longer get support from the men's game. I hope they manage to sort it.

So typical- another of our top clubs threatened with going under for want of a couple of thousands. Surely somebody will bail them out-for now... but what about the longer term? Is the 12 team national league viable or will it be limited to clubs which are kept afloat by mens clubs. I was not surprised to learn that Leeds had been dropped but I thought they had some deal on their shirts with a supermarket company.

It's a shame that they've been dropped by the men's team and are now struggling. Like Pat I thought they had recent sponsor , hopefully they'll get something sorted out.

They are sponsored by Empiredirect.co.uk, and it's supposed to be the biggest sponsorship deal in women's football (in UK)

i thought the same twmcat ?? maybe the paper ran an old story cause there was nothing else interesting to write about

I found this, and it appears to be the beginning of this season, although not sure

Argh! I've said this before but for women's game to grow and for things like this not to happen the men's club should have to fund the women's team!

I really hope Leeds get this sorted out, they should do their in a Final ffs!!!

NOOOO!
But in the latest fairgame magazine it says they've struck a deal with Umbro, this doesn't make sense

Bring on the world cup - if it doesn't make a difference to womens football in our country I will cry!!

If you look in players and Sue Smith column its in there about it

i really hope they don't have to fold cos despite the last few results
they are a good team with some good youngsters.
And on a purely selfish note apart from donny belles they're the only
other team i can get to.

I don't think people will let them fold, don't worry,
I'm sure their problems will be solved.
Let's just hope they won't end up like Fulham...

I've just read Sue's column, and it's really sad that she is having to more or less beg.

Leeds gave Arsenal a tremendous battle in the League Cup final - it would be a shame that a club that can do as well as that to go under

It's such a shame I'd go to more games but it's hard to find out when they're on.

Sue should get some shirts off her england mates and auction them on e bay

From The Guardian:

Tesco deal provides cold comfort

As part of a four-year deal Tesco is to become the new title sponsor of the Women's Premier League but it is "value in kind" rather than financial assistance that the league's clubs are set to receive from the supermarket chain.
That will come as a disappointment to those clubs, not least among them this year's League Cup runners-up Leeds United, who are experiencing severe cash problems as they look to remain afloat without the backing of their parent clubs.

Morag Taylor, the FA spokesperson, explained: "Tesco will be the women's and girls' development partner with the league and League Cup sponsorship part of the package but with the majority of the funding going into the grassroots of the game.
"They are very keen, though, to help Premier League clubs with value-in-kind measures such as the promotion of matches."

That is cold comfort to Leeds United, many of whose players and officials spent Saturday packing bags at one of Tesco's rivals, Morrisons, to raise money in an effort to fend off possible closure in the aftermath of their abandonment by Leeds United FC.

The club chairperson, Mel Vauvelle, revealed: "We used to get in the region of £80,000 a year from the men's club but now we get nothing. We're not even allowed to use the club's training facilities any more and that's cost us over £10,000 this season.

"And getting to the League Cup final cost us money - unlike the FA Cup there is no financial reward for success in the League Cup."

The club's England winger, Sue Smith, who has used her local news-paper column to appeal for sponsors, said: "I'll do anything I can to help Leeds but the situation is scary."

The men's club have had financial problems of their own, but £80,000 is just a drop in the ocean to them

The girls have funding for the team until the end of the season it's in sue's column which I'll post over the weekend

That's good to hear , hopefully over the summer someone will come forward with funding for them.

Great news for the moment. Maybe this will give them the breathing space to find funding to compete next season maybe with a lower budget using more young home grown players. Birmingham managed to recover from a similar situation two years ago. Another attempt to break the monopoly of the big three has failed so it seems.

UP THE LEEDS!

They'll win the league next year!

Leeds have reached the Premier League cup final this season, and the FA cup final last season.

It isn't easy for a club with financial difficulties to help their ladies' squad, but the cash involved is pretty small in the big scheme of things.

But there are clubs better off financially than Leeds who have dropped any support for the women - Man U for one.

Is no one here going to say "UP THE Arsenal?"
........
....
..

On a serious note, Good to hear about Man Utd. Nice to see they don't win everything and give us a chance over here.

So how is my Leeds team? Any good?

Leeds is a good team, saw them recently they have a few good players Sue Smith , Sophie Walton, Jess Clarke, Lucy Ward

Man Utd don't have a women's team , they broke up a couple of seasons ago due to the funding being axed.

Leeds are a good side I've seen them 3 times last season am hoping to get to more next I may also sponsor a player as my season ticket for bradford city is very cheap (I know it's contradictory sponsoring a leeds player and supporting bradford)

I say, up the Yorkshire! Stick together unless we play each other.