Leeds fans' fury at dead BBC deal

Leeds United fans have reacted angrily to the club's decision not to renew their contract with BBC Radio Leeds for rights to broadcast matches.

The decision means from next season supporters will be unable to hear full commentary of Leeds matches on FM or AM.

BBC Radio Leeds has covered Leeds United's matches home and away for 40 years.

The station will instead bring reports on United games.

Leeds United fans' reaction

Since the news broke last week BBC Radio Leeds has been inundated with calls, emails, texts and letters from disappointed and angry fans who will be seriously affected by the club's decision.

The BBC Station of the Year's Leeds United phone-in, where fans can have their say with Leeds legend Eddie Gray after every match, was packed with callers who could not understand the decision by the League One club.

"Like many of the other thousands of fans who tune in for every Leeds United match - the whole family is totally devastated. Something needs to be done about this dreadful decision," said Carol and Brian Wood in Knaresborough via email.

606: DEBATE It's a shame that this has to happen, BBC Radio Leeds have always had very good commentaries of Leeds matches leedsfanharj

Also by email, season ticket holder Brendan from Morley said: "I really do not think the club has thought this through.

"After all the problems regarding ticket prices, I think the last thing that's needed is more alienation of the fans, when many of us already feel the club do not care.

"Please, please reconsider, for the many fans that rely on BBC Radio Leeds to keep in touch with the club they love."

The decision means from next season fans will be unable to hear full commentary of Leeds games on equipment like normal car radios, mobile phones with FM transmitters and standard radios with just FM and AM frequencies.

BBC Radio Leeds will continue to provide exclusive FM commentary of Leeds United games for the reminder of the current season with Adam Pope and Gray.

From next season the station will bring reports on matches and will continue to provide the latest impartial news from Elland Road.

After BBC Radio Leeds asked Leeds United to explain their decision, the club have now said they will discuss it in due course.