Post by Darren on Feb 8, 2005 9:32:35 GMT -5
the fans of LUFC have been doing so scouting which as obvioulsy paid off,
When Gylfi Einarsson made the headlines last weekend with his fabulous headed goal against Burnley, one fan's ears pricked up, and then when Kevin Blackwell revealed more about the matchwinner, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Blackwell revealed to the assembled media in the press conference after picking up three points at Turf Moor that the first link to signing Einarsson had come after a "tip-off from a supporter."
Even then Vidar Loftaas, who watched the game live on Norwegian TV in Tromso, a city just inside the Arctic circle, thought Blackwell must have been talking about someone else.
On the contrary, it had been he who first brought Gylfi to the attention of the United boss.
It started with a chance e-mail to Leedsunited.com in August, using the feedback form he wrote:
"This is propably not the right channel, but somebody must get this message to Mr Blackwell; Gylfi Einarsson is an Icelandic footballer currently playing for Lillestrom, Norway. He is a Bosman after christmas, and he has shone from his central midfield position this year. He's a box to box player and he scores lots of goals. He was also VERY impressive when Iceland won 2-0 against Italy last week - scoring one and setting up the other. He's refused to sign a new contract and will be sold very soon. BE AWARE!"
When that e-mail landed on the manager's desk it set off a chain of events that was to finally see Einarsson arrive on trial at Elland Road in November and earn himself a contract shortly afterwards.
First a few calls were put in to those people in the know, then reserve team coach Steve Agnew was despatched to watch him in action, then Blackwell watched him and then a number of other recommendations for the 26-year-old started flooding in and other clubs began to show an interest. United though had already done their homework.
Blackwell revealed to the assembled media in the press conference after picking up three points at Turf Moor that the first link to signing Einarsson had come after a "tip-off from a supporter."
Even then Vidar Loftaas, who watched the game live on Norwegian TV in Tromso, a city just inside the Arctic circle, thought Blackwell must have been talking about someone else.
On the contrary, it had been he who first brought Gylfi to the attention of the United boss.
It started with a chance e-mail to Leedsunited.com in August, using the feedback form he wrote:
"This is propably not the right channel, but somebody must get this message to Mr Blackwell; Gylfi Einarsson is an Icelandic footballer currently playing for Lillestrom, Norway. He is a Bosman after christmas, and he has shone from his central midfield position this year. He's a box to box player and he scores lots of goals. He was also VERY impressive when Iceland won 2-0 against Italy last week - scoring one and setting up the other. He's refused to sign a new contract and will be sold very soon. BE AWARE!"
When that e-mail landed on the manager's desk it set off a chain of events that was to finally see Einarsson arrive on trial at Elland Road in November and earn himself a contract shortly afterwards.
First a few calls were put in to those people in the know, then reserve team coach Steve Agnew was despatched to watch him in action, then Blackwell watched him and then a number of other recommendations for the 26-year-old started flooding in and other clubs began to show an interest. United though had already done their homework.
