-mighty Leeds, having been docked 15 points by the Football League, face a fight to avoid dropping into England’s bottom Division – even though the English season does not start until this coming weekend.
Leeds failed to agree a Company Voluntary Arrangement over how much money should be paid to creditors.
Strikers Alan Smith and James Beattie, who have both played for England, have been transferred to Newcastle and Sheffield United respectively from Manchester United and Everton.
Manchester United start the defence of their Premiership title at home to Reading on Sunday. Runners-up Chelsea host Birmingham on the same day.
Zambia forward Collins Mbesuma, 23, has moved from Portsmouth to Turkish club Bursaspor.
9.8.2007
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Gretna crash at Premier debut
BY JOHN HUGHES
NEWLY-PROMOTED Gretna endured a baptism of fire on their Scottish Premier debut with a 4-0 hammering by Falkirk on the opening day of the season.
Gretna have climbed rapidly through the Divisions since playing non-League football in England just five years ago.
Once