[Ruud]

Leeds supporters have cancelled their player of the year presentation to prevent Rio Ferdinand collecting the award.

Centre-back Ferdinand topped the season-long poll, voted for monthly by Leeds supporters' club members.

However, the England World Cup star has since joined Manchester United in a British record £30million deal, and fans' chief Ray Fell told The Sun: "In the circumstances it would be folly to invite Rio and hand over the award to him."

Former Leeds and Manchester United centre-half Gordon McQueen received the award twice before leaving Elland Road for Old Trafford.

Fell said: "When Gordon picked up his second award he said he was here for life. Two weeks later he went to Manchester United, but there was no ill will and Gordon has been back to see us.

"In this case, we have decided to cancel the player of the year presentation to Rio and instead we will make a presentation of some sort to someone we feel is more worthy of it.

"His name will be put on our list of winners because the fans voted for him at the time.

"They loved him when he was happy to play for Leeds United, but that is now in the past."

Traditionally the player of the year award is presented at the fans' annual dinner and dance, which is due to take place this year on September 28 - two weeks after Manchester United visit Elland Road in the Premiership.

[soccerfan220]

what does the subject have to do with the post?

[Motterman]

Originally posted by soccerfan220
what does the subject have to do with the post?

To piss off Leeds fans THAT much? Then YES, Rio is worth the cash.

[BrianJ 22]

Ok lets get back to the topic "RIO worth the cash?"

we can't say if his worth 80 million dollar(aus) yet. not until a few games anyway. Not a very good start so far, injured in his first home game.

[Maczebus]

Surely it's worth £30 million just to know that you don't have to totally rely on Barthez to stop goals.

[McGinty]

Sorry, no defender is worth 30 million GBP.

[BrianJ 22]

depends how much United needed it really...I mean I'm a Man Utd fan and its good to see someone can finally replace stam

[Bauser]

Originally posted by McGinty
Sorry, no defender is worth 30 million GBP.

Well said. The fee paid for Rio is insane - even by today's standards.

[michaec]

No player in my opinion is worth £30m. However, if Man Yoo win either the Premiership or Champions' League, they'll see it as money well spent. And I'm sure they'll make a god bit of it back from Ferdinand replica kits and duvet covers.