With the ongoing pause, not just to the football fixture list, but to life in general, it’s not just Leeds United fans that are looking for an enjoyable distraction, and on Saturday, we got one thanks to Brighton and Hove Albion.
It’s no secret that centre-half Ben White’s loan spell at Elland Road has been a fantastic success this year, but given the impressive 40 performances he has put in for us so far, the likelihood of us keeping the 22-year-old at the club only really grows if we gain promotion back to the Premier League whenever the 2019/20 campaign comes to an end.
Even with promotion, there will be other suitors and he’s done his valuation no harm at all – so a permanent deal, even in those circumstances, isn’t guaranteed.
However, that didn’t stop 5-year-old fan, Daniel Auton, from launching the opening gambit this week as he contacted Brighton chief executive Paul Barber to open negotiations.
“Dear Paul, I am 5 years old and I am a Leeds United fan. I am writing this letter to you regarding a player of yours who is currently on loan with us. The player in question is my favourite player Ben White. If at all possible can we please, please, please buy Ben at the end of the season. I have counted all my pennies in my piggy bank and I have ยฃ15.07 if this helps.”
Barber, to his and Brighton’s credit, took the time to respond.
๐ Thanks to young @LUFC fan Daniel who recently wrote to us regarding @ben6white. ๐
We've replied accordingly ๐#BHAFC ๐ตโช๏ธ pic.twitter.com/lFpxMQWo1w
— Brighton & Hove Albion (at ๐ก) (@OfficialBHAFC) April 18, 2020
“Thank you for your letter with your generous offer to help your favourite club Leeds United to buy our player Ben White. It’s very good of you to offer all your money to help your club, and you clearly have a very good eye for exceptional young talent – perhaps scouting players could be your future job! We have given your kind offer the serious consideration it deserves but I know our head coach Graham Potter, and our technical director Dan Ashworth, both consider Ben to be a very important part of our future plans so I’m afraid we are unable to sell Ben to Leeds United at this time. We do however thank you once again for taking the time to write to us, Daniel, and we wish you and your family, and all at Leeds United, all the best for when we can start to play and watch football again. In the meantime, we hope that you and your family keep safe and well.”
As you can imagine, this went down very well with Leeds fans when it hit social media and Andrea Radrizzani was pretty quick to give his own top response as well.
Great job Daniel! You are welcome to join the club and help victor orta after your school ๐ We will top up your offer for Ben and go back to Mr Barber #mot ๐ช๐ช๐๐๐๐
— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) April 18, 2020
Brightened up (no pun) my weekend anyway.
Round it up a few mil for him x
— Oli Wโlker (@Oli_LUFC_) April 18, 2020
Whatever offer you do make, please ensure it has ยฃ15.07 at the end of it…
— Gavin Has Been Postponed (@DoctorLeeds) April 18, 2020
Go on offer 20 quid letโs blow Brighton out of the water. This wouldnโt effect FFP either
— Barney V2 (@barney___21) April 18, 2020
Oh, this just gets better and better ๐๐๐๐๐
— Bielsa's Cheese Wedge Ultras (@Allcheese1) April 18, 2020
absolutly love this and it really made me smile well done t @andrearadri @OfficialBHAFC and Daniel for bringing some joy to lockdown…for the record I also have ยฃ8.17 which I am happy to throw in for Ben
— michaelhead (@michaelheadact) April 18, 2020
Keep doing this Andrea! As a fan of this great club your commitment to engage with fans of all ages is a breath of fresh air!
— Stuart Pollard (@stuartgpollard) April 18, 2020
Fair play to @OfficialBHAFC too for replying to the lad.
— Danny Whittingham ๐๐ (@barflydan) April 18, 2020
This is brilliant bants from the young lad and great that Brighton are playing their part in trolling Radz ๐คฃ๐คฃwell played Andrea
— Doc (@333doc1) April 18, 2020
Class by Radz & absolutely class by @OfficialBHAFC ๐๐ป๐๐ป๐๐ป
— Alan Thompson ๐ฎ๐ช (@thombo1987) April 18, 2020
This is great something to put a smile on Leeds fan faces . Well done to all parties involved and Daniel I'm happy to add to your offer ๐๐๐๐๐
— Leeds till i die๐๐ (@lufconmyleg) April 18, 2020
Iโll chip in 2 packes of pickled onion Monster Munchies and ยฃ19.19 to help get things going
— Michael Druce (@MickDruce) April 18, 2020
The actual fact radz is saying they will top up his offer for Ben is a big statement espec publicly, happy days I say get him tied down long term MOT
— nigel blacker (@nigel_blacker) April 18, 2020
Clearly the start of a negotiation. I think he should go back with ยฃ17.
— Bryn (@BrynLaw) April 18, 2020
Decent first offer from Victor there
— Dan๐ฟ (@DanPaton5) April 18, 2020
Broke a kids heart, nice one. Do the right thing and accept the offer.
— Steve Turner (@SteveLTurner) April 18, 2020
Cheers Brighton sons crying. Nice one x
— DanieI HoIt (@holtdaniel123) April 18, 2020
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