Beckford says he has 'many' regrets over leaving Leeds for Everton

Jermaine Beckford has told the Leeds That podcast that he has “many” regrets at leaving Leeds United in the summer of 2010 to join Premier League side Everton – just weeks after guiding Leeds to promotion from League One.

Beckford, 35, joined Leeds in March 2006 for an undisclosed fee after scoring at a ratio of a goal every game for non-league outfit Wealdstone. He made just a handful of appearances for the Whites in his first season.

In his second campaign on the books at Elland Road, loan spells with Carlisle and Scunthorpe came about. But it was his third, fourth and fifth seasons that saw him write his name into Leeds United folklore.

He scored 85 times over the next three season – including the winner against Manchester United in the FA Cup and the winner against Bristol Rovers to send Leeds back into the Championship. Beckford said that he has many regrets over his exit.

“Yes I think we could have got back-to-back promotions [had Beckford stayed],” Beckford said. Asked if he had any regrets in leaving Leeds, he replied: “Many. But I’m a believer that everything happens for a reason. If I would have stayed, football-wise, it would have been brilliant. But not everything in my life, which I am very happy with, would have been the same.”

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

TBR’s view – Could Leeds have returned to the top with Beckford?

Beckford proved that he had the quality to score in the Premier League. His memorable solo run against Chelsea for Everton saw him skip past defenders and chip Petr Cech.

Indeed, Beckford has shown in spells at Leicester City, Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End that he is more than capable of scoring in the Championship. Keeping him could have seen Leeds fight for the top six.

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

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Jermaine Beckford says he regrets Leeds exit

TBR’s view – Could Leeds have returned to the top with Beckford?

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Jermaine Beckford says he regrets Leeds exit

TBR’s view – Could Leeds have returned to the top with Beckford?