Leeds United - 36 loan players in 6 seasons!

Following the close of the loan transfer market last week and the latest couple of players to play for Leeds United on a temporary basis I'd like to have a look back at some of the other 'borrowed talent' we have acquired in recent years, its quite a lengthy list of  34 players (not including the two most recent) since we waved goodbye to The Premiership and ultimately hit rock bottom.

There have been some huge successes over this period such as Casper Ankergren and Dougie Freedman but for every excellent aquisition it seems there has to be the odd Sam Vokes or Wayne Andrews... Below is a list of each player that has passed through the Elland Road 'Loans in' door;

WAYNE ANDREWS
Brought in along with Marc DeVries by Denis Wise as a stand in for Jermaine Beckford (no really) after him and Tresor Kandol were both serving a suspension for dismissal at Gillingham. Needless to say he struggled to fill Jermaine's boots and after a few more minor contributions he returned to Coventry. Has since been trialed and released by Bristol Rovers and Luton Town.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS


CASPER ANKERGREN
Brought to Leeds on loan from Brondby mid-way through the 2006/07 season, the Dane soon became a popular figure with the Elland Road faithful with several crucial penalty saves and performances that led to a permanent deal after the dreadful Summer of 2007. Still a first team regular due to Shane Higgs' injury problems Casper continues to impress as Leeds Number 1 as long as not too many crosses come in the box.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT


NATHAN BLAKE 
Loaned from Wolves in 2005 with a medium amount of optimism. Unfortunately any sort of impact were dashed as he picked up an injury in his 3rd game for the club and returned to The Black Country. 
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS


TONY CAPALDI
A recent loanee, made a few appearances at left back in place of the injured Andy Hughes and Ben Parker. Struggled against Kidderminster's wingers and was soon returned to sender. Surely Aidan White would have been a better option.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS


JAMIE CLAPHAM
Spent the first 3 months of the 'minus 15' season on loan at Leeds. His time at Elland Road was mainly successful with only 1 of his 15 appearances ending in defeat. Returned to Molineux and was last seen at Notts County before all the money men got involved.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT
Remember him having an excellent game at Forest but definitely benefited from the 'seige mentality' within' Elland Road at the time. 


STEPHEN CRAINEY
Joined on loan before Leeds' first Championship game in 2004 but strangely signed a permanet deal 3 days later. Missed the majority of the 04/05 season through injury but recovered to play a large part in the clubs bid for promotion before being sent off in the Play-off semi-final, resulting in Kevin Blackwell playing Matt Kilgallon at left back in The Millenium Stadium... FFS!
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT
To a certain extent anyway, although my lasting memory of Crainey will always be one of mis-placed passes and questionable positioning.


MARK DeVRIES
Joined in an emergency to cover for Tresor Kandol (when he was good). Didn't play too many games before breaking his toe and was returned to Leicester.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT
Did what he was there to do and will always be remembered for the injury-time headed winner at home to Yeovil


CARL DICKINSON
Another attempt to solve the problem left-back position. Carl played 7 games before returning to Stoke amid rumours of a permanent deal. He then moved to Barnsley for the rest of the season. Didn't do a lot wrong nor was he spectacular
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT


LIAM DICKINSON
Initially signed for Leeds on deadline day, January 2009 but failed to get the relevant paperwork to the football league in time, missing the deadline by 14 minutes. The transfer was put on hold but was eventually completed two months later. Liam promised lots but delivered nothing, another in the list of players too weak to play for Leeds United. Started this season at Brighton.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS 
Never a Leeds United player


JONATHAN DOUGLAS
Joined Leeds from Blackburn in 2005 for a an initial season before signing a permanent deal the following Summer. 'Dougie' went on to captain The Whites and was instrumental in a 4-0 victory over Huddersfield Town, scoring two goals. Lost his central midfield role with the emergence of Fabian Delph and spent most of last season at full back. Currently having an excellent season at Swindon Town
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT
Came in for critisism towards the end but I'd put him straight back in our midfield tomorrow


MICHAEL DOYLE
A season long loan from Coventry, playing a pivotal role in the clubs climb to the summit of League One in 2009. Doyle has received a bit of stick recently as his style of play seems to be on the quiet side rather than an 'all action' battler that Leeds so desperately need.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT
Was part of the team that recorded just 1 defeat in 23 games and then 3 wins in 16... 


UGO EHIOGU
A brief two month spell with Leeds that produced 2 goals, one in either net! Ugo made 6 appearances for The Whites before eventually signing an 18 month deal with Glasgow Rangers were he scored the winner against Old Firm rivals Celtic with a spectacular bicycle kick.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS


HOGAN EPHRAIM
Signed from QPR in the Autumn of 2009 with a decent reputation, made several substitute appearances but his solitary contribution was a well taken goal against Accrington Stanley in The Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS

DOUGIE FREEDMAN
Possibly Leeds' most successful loan signing. Brought in by Gary McAllister to provide a much needed creative element to his side, Dougie's performances almost single-handedly propelled Leeds to the 2008 Play-off final. Five goals in nine starts, including a crucial 96th minute lifeline for United in the Play-off semi final first leg against Carlisle brought Leeds within 90 minutes of achieving 'Mission Impossible'...
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT
Probably the best loan signing we've ever had... 

MAX GRADEL
Having given Jonny Douglas a torrid time at The Walkers Stadium at the end of the 2008/09 season, Max joined Leeds on a months loan in late 2009. His introduction to proceedings against Norwich swung the game in Leeds' favour and he quickly gained a reputation as 'super sub', changing games just by crossing the white line. Simon Grayson made the deal permanent in 2010, unfortunately Max has struggled to replicate his earlier form and has been largely disappointing (although the same can be said of all the squad in early 2010)
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT
Hit as a loan signing but as a permanent player he looks totally lost 

LEANDRE GRIFFIT
Joined from Southampton in 2005 and made his debut as a substitute in a loss at Pride Park... that's about it! Now plays in Belgium apparently.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS

MATT HEATH
Holds the honour (if you can call it that) of scoring Leeds United's first ever goal outside the top two divisions of English football, a thumping back-post header in a 2-1 win at Tranmere. Matt joined on an initial loan deal before signing on permanent basis in 2007. Must surely hold the record for most penalties conceded in a career, a stat strengthened when he hauled down Luciano Becchio at Elland Road this season.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT

GEOFF HORSFIELD
Signed on loan from Sheffield United in August 2006 with a view to a permanent deal in the Januray window. Geoff scored in his second appearance for United at QPR but fell out of favour when Denis Wise took over as manager and his deal was cancelled in early 2007 after 14 appearances and 2 goals.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS

JAMAL JOHNSON
Joined a Leeds team struggling to stay in The Championship. His five appearances involved lost of running and very little else....
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS


MARLON KING
Signed a two month loan deal at the end of the 2005 season but struggled to make an impact as Kevin Blackwell's insistence on square pegs in round holes saw Marlon appear on right wing. He joined Watford the following Summer where he scored 21 goals, eventually coming back to haunt Leeds as he ran the back four ragged in The Millennium Stadium and secured promotion to The Premiership. Well done Kev!
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS
You can blame 'Mr Excuse' for this verdict


RADOSTIN KISHISHEV
A breath of fresh air when he arrived, brought a bit of creativity to an otherwise two-dimensional midfield. Came back a second time but failed to replicate the success.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS

LUBOMIR MICHALIK
Has had two spells at Leeds, the first was arguably the most successful. Having joined in the 2nd half of the 2007 season on loan from Bolton, the Lancashire club activated a 24-hour recall option after a string of impressive appearences for United. Gary McAllister re-signed the Slovak on a permanent deal in early 2008 for £500,000 but there is still some debate that Bolton sent the wrong player...
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT

LIAM MILLER
Joined from the 'Old Enemy' in November 2005 and played a large part in the clubs route to the Play-off final, his most telling contribution being the winner in the amazing 4-3 win at Southampton. Rumours of a return the follwing season never materialised and he returned to Elland Road with Roy Keane's Sunderland, scoring the 1st goal in a 3-0 reverse.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT

RICHARD NAYLOR
Signed a permanent deal 2 weeks after joining on loan from Ipswich. Current Captain of the club and part of the league's best defence along side Patrick Kisnorbo
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT

STEPHEN O'HALLORAN
The most bizarre story in this list. Singed from Aston Villa on a one month deal Stephen was set to make his debut against Swindon Town but suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in the warm up and was out of action for 7 months
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS


BRETT ORMEROD
Another player signed with a reputation as a goalscorer but failed to deliver, showed some nice touches and a definite footballing brain but it was not to be. Suffered a broken leg following a Jonathan Douglas challenge whilst playing for Preston in the Play-off semi final.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT

JOHN OSTER
Several promising displays were coupled with an arrest and a breach of contract at the clubs Christmas party that saw him returned to Sunderland after just 4 weeks. Went on to win a Championship Winners medal with Reading (another Kevin Blackwell master stroke)
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT

ARMANDO SA
Lonaed from Spanish cup winners Espanyol, Sa was part of the team that failed to escape the clutches of League One in 2007. Apart from having a decent chant in his honour he achieved little else at Elland Road.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS


ALAN SHEEHAN
Another attempt at filling the left-back void. Alan's Leeds United career started well in a Leeds United team that were performing consistently in the second half of the 2007/08 season including scoring a memorable free-kick at The Keepmoat Stadium. Unfortunately as Gary McAllister's Leeds lost their way, the cracks in Alan's game became all to obvious, he never recovered.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT


SAM SODJE
An erratic but capable defender that came in for the final play-off push last season. Unfortunately he couldn't keep Millwall out in the semi-s though... A deal was rumoured in the Summer but eventually he joined Charlton and has had an average season - He'd have been a better bet than Michalik though
Dirty Leeds Verdict - HIT


GRAHAM STACK
Joined at a time when Leeds had a host of goalkeepers (that Denis Wise didn't like). If you'd have combined the attributes of them all you'd have been on to a winner... as it was he was just another average player than passed through LS11.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS


LEE TRUNDLE
The quintessential lower league journey man, you go the impression that he thought he was better than his talents actually conveyed. Scored once in 8 appearances but missed a whole host of opportunities in crucial games, including a penalty.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS

SAM VOKES
Joined with the reputation as 'budding Premier League and International starlet', left with his tail between his legs. Whether it was confidence, pressure, nerves or just genuine lack of quality is unclear but Sam was a spectacular failure at League One level in a Leeds team that were sweeping all before them (Good job we're not relying on him now...)
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS


TONY WARNER
Similar to Graham Stack, had half the attributes a good goalkeeper should have... struggled to stem the tide in a terrible Leeds team that were destined for relegation.
Dirty Leeds Verdict - MISS


Other players to be at Leeds but not make an appearance were three goalkeepers;
DARYLL FLAHAVAN
DAVID MARTIN
KEVIN PRESSMAN


Looking back at the list I think it tells its own tale; No successful team or football club is built on players loaned from other clubs... A change of tactics needed Mr Bates!! Sadly you could write another list probably equally as long with the clubs free transfers, with the likes of Paul Telfer and Steve Guppy...


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Leeds United - 36 loan players in 6 seasons!