Chester and Ince return for Stoke
SIMON GRAYSON was overcome with “pride and relief” after masterminding Leeds United’s last promotion a decade ago.
And now they are on the verge of heading back to the top flight, Grayson insists their Premier League return is long overdue
The Yorkshireman, 50, began his career at his boyhood club and steered them out of League One after a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers at a raucous Elland Road in May 2010.
The Whites have been stuck in the Championship ever since.
But after thrashing Stoke 5-0 on Thursday, they are now just seven points from finally returning to the promised land, following a 16-year absence.
Grayson has won promotion to the second tier with Blackpool, Leeds, Huddersfield and Preston, and is keen for a return to football management.
He said: “As Leeds boss I was responsible for the hopes and dreams of a football institution and city.
“When I signed for Leeds at 14, never once did I think
I would one day get them promoted and follow in the footsteps of Don Revie and Howard Wilkinson while breaking some of their records along the way.
“But I enjoyed that pressure – it’s why I became a professional sportsman.
“It was a roller-coaster season, but we went into that final game knowing we would go up automatically if we beat Bristol Rovers.”
Yet trouble struck for Leeds when winger Max Gradel was sent off before half-time, and then Rovers led shortly after the restart.
Grayson added: “You can imagine the furore in the dressing room at half-time – Max’s head was all over the place and he was falling out with a few players.
“We decided we had to get him out of the way to clear everyone else’s thoughts and concentrate on what we could do to affect the game.
“It was another kick in the teeth conceding just after half-time, but Jonny Howson came on to equalise and then Jermaine Beckford scored the winner.
“It was like we were playing with 12 or 13 men and Bristol were playing with nine or 10 because the crowd was just electrifying.
“When the final whistle went it was a feeling of huge relief, but also immense pride as a boyhood Leeds United fan.
“You watch the footage now and there are grown men on their knees kissing the turf, which shows just how much that day meant.”
Promotion capped a special season, which also saw Leeds dump hated rivals Manchester United out of the FA Cup.
Yet Grayson was axed by Ken Bates in 2012, before achieving further promotions with Huddersfield and Preston prior to short spells at Sunderland, Bradford and Blackpool.
Grayson said: “Leeds have such a large and passionate following. The renewal of old rivalries with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool will be fantastic for the Premier League.
“Everyone can see the impact that current boss Marcelo Bielsa has had on the city, because there is a huge connection between the football club and the supporters again.
“They could have won automatic promotion last season, but I can’t see them being stopped this time.”
What Leeds need for promotion: Seven points to be back in the Prem
JAMES CHESTER replaces Nathan Collins at centre-back for Stoke, along with a recall for winger Tom Ince.
Jude Bellingham returns for the Blues, playing alongside Maikel Kieftenbeld in midfield.
Butland, Smith, Chester, Batth, Martins-Indi, Cousins, Clucas, Powell, McClean, Campbell, Ince.
Camp, Colin, Roberts, Clarke-Salter, Pedersen, Crowley, Bellingham, Kieftenbeld, Bela, Hogan, Jutkiewicz.