'You will always be part of Leeds history' - Historic Elland Road pub to honour two-time Premier League promotion champion

Patrick Bamford joined Leeds from Middlesbrough in 2018 for £7 million and went on to score 60 goals in 205 games and achieve Premier League promotions in 2020 and 2025. But manager Farke said he was not part of his plans for the 2025-26 campaign, and then the forward's contract was cancelled by mutual consent last month. Despite his release, The Old Peacock, which is right next to Leeds' Elland Road stadium, says it will be renamed 'The Lord Bamford' for a limited time.

The pub will keep the Bamford pub name going until Leeds host Tottenham on October 4. So the 32-year-old, who put £5,000 behind the bar before Leeds' win over Bristol City last season, will get at least one more home game before the establishment reverts to its original title.

The Instagram post reads: "To celebrate the unforgettable years of service from Patrick Bamford at Leeds United, The Old Peacock is proud to announce that it will be renamed The Lord Bamford for a limited time. Bamford joined Leeds United in 2018 and spent seven years donning the famous white shirt. During that time, he became a two-time Championship winner and played a key role in Leeds’ promotion back to the Premier League - helping end a 16-year absence from the top flight.

"We invite all football lovers, Leeds United fans, and the local community to come and raise a glass at The Lord Bamford in honour of his contribution. The renaming will last until the next home fixture at Elland Road against Tottenham on Saturday, 4th October, to give everyone a chance to join in celebrating Bamford's time with The Whites. Thank you, Paddy, for your passion. You will always be part of Leeds United history."

Bamford was a much-derided figure towards the tail end of his Leeds stint. Injuries and struggles in front of goal punctuated his final years at the club but with time, many may reflect more positively on his contributions. He earned one England cap and scored 17 goals in the 2020-21 Premier League season. In fact, amid Leeds' current goal struggles, where they have managed one goal in four league games, some supporters have questioned why he was let go at all. Either way, this is a classy move by the Peacock pub.

Former Chelsea and Crystal Palace youngster Bamford is currently looking for a new club as a free agent. For Leeds, they face a huge clash away at lowly Wolves this weekend, before hosting Bournemouth on September 27.