POSTER BOY
The No.1pullout that scores EVERY time Grayson a legend with Elland Road faithful
SUNDERLAND boss Simon Grayson was amazed to discover he is still a poster boy at former club Leeds.
The Black Cats manager was shocked to see a giant banner bearing his image when he returned to Elland Road for a scouting mission ahead of this evening’s clash at the Stadium of Light.
The banner, draped down one of the Elland Road stands, stood alongside ones of Leeds managerial greats Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson, together with equally eye-catching images of some of the club’s legendary players.
It meant a lot to Grayson who, having supported, played for and managed Leeds, admits he still has a soft spot for the club.
He jokes that on his first day in charge on Wearside, he ordered ®Êby IAN MURTAGH pictures of Sunderland’s 1973 FA Cup final win over Leeds to be taken down.
He also told goalkeeping legend Jimmy Montgomery he had not forgiven him for his Wembley heroics.
Bob Stokoe was manager of the Black Cats back then and the club erected a statue of him to mark the achievement.
Ambitions
Grayson has an awful long way to go before he’s mentioned in the same breath but with Sunderland unbeaten in their opening three league games, victory over Leeds would further enhance his reputation.
He said: “I have a big affiliation with that club and if Sunderland go up as champions and Leeds finish second this season, that’s a good way of fulfilling a lot of
ambitions and keeping friends happy. Losing my job there was hard to take because it was the first time I’d been sacked and it was my club.
“But I was more disappointed because I didn’t see it coming because we were only three or four points off the play-offs.
“It’s history now but Leeds is a big part of my life and I was successful there.
“When I went there this week, they’ve started putting pictures outside and it was nice to see mine next to Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson. That’s how highly regarded you are as a manager and as a person there.
“Hopefully, in another 10 years, there might be something like that up here as well.” ¬ÊStriker Chris Wood will snub a new three-year deal in the hope of joining Burnley. Leeds rejected an initial bid of £12m and want around £20m.