Good Morning. It's Friday 24th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Farke likely to dominate shareholders meeting prior to KO
Representatives of Leeds United’s American owners, 49ers Enterprises, are preparing for a shareholders’ meeting at Elland Road on Friday evening, just hours before the crunch game with West Ham. The San Francisco-based investors, led by Paraag Marathe, have flown in from California to address various issues, perhaps most contentiously, the future of Daniel Farke.
Leeds’ form under manager Daniel Farke is likely to take center stage, as the team has managed just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions. That poor run has raised concern among supporters and investors alike about the direction of the club and what changes need to be made, whether it be the players, the coach - or possibly both.
Celebrity investors such as Russell Crowe, Michael Phelps, and Will Ferrell are not expected to attend the meeting, though former owner Andrea Radrizzani was supposed to attend the game but had his personal invitation to the match rescinded by Marathe, fueling speculation that the new ownership group are eager to fully distance themselves from the Italian businessman following recent comments in the Daily Mail.
For Daniel Farke, the immediate question is survival (both his and his team). Anything short of a victory tonight will amplify calls for change. Over the summer, the 49ers admitted they conduct informal conversations with potential managerial candidates as part of their “contingency planning,” a strategy they insist is standard for any forward-looking football organisation. With speculation mounting, fans may wonder whether those contingency plans are already being put into motion.
Summerville ‘Confused’ by ‘Jimmy’ Nickname
Crysencio Summerville recently shared a light-hearted story from his time at Leeds United, recalling how he developed the nickname “Jimmy”. During an interview ahead of his return to Leeds with West Ham, the Dutch winger still assumes the name was connected to former Leeds striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, a player he has long admired.
Summerville even mentioned that Hasselbaink reached out to him during his Leeds spell, offering advice and encouragement, and that the two have since stayed in touch through social media. It seemed natural to him that supporters might be drawing a connection between the two Dutchmen.
However, the true origin of the nickname turned out to be quite different—and far more playful. Leeds fans were actually referencing Jimmy Somerville, the Scottish singer who fronted 1980s synth-pop groups Bronski Beat and The Communards.
The link came purely from the shared surname rather than nationality or footballing prowess, showcasing the British football crowd’s tradition of humor and wordplay when creating affectionate monikers for their players.
That the joke completely passed Summerville by perhaps highlights the generational gap, considering Somerville’s heyday came decades before the winger was even born. Still, the story has only added to the goodwill surrounding the player.
Summerville’s performances at Leeds left a lasting impression, and as he prepares to return to Elland Road in West Ham colours, supporters are likely to greet “Jimmy” with warmth and good cheer—proof that nicknames, no matter how confusing, often come from a place of fondness.
