Leeds set for pounds 1m if Caspian take over contr

Rugby League

Leeds will receive a pounds 1m cash injection if a takeover bid by Caspian, new owners of the Leeds United football team, is successful.

And Leeds, who finished third from bottom of the inaugural Super League, will move from Headingley to Elland Road if Caspian's offer is accepted.

The London-based media group, who took over the Premiership team in the summer, have an offer on the table to buy the franchise for the rugby league team from Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Club, owners of the Headingley site.

Caspian have made pounds 12m available for team strengthening at Elland Road and the chairman, Chris Akers, promised that the Leeds coach, Dean Bell, would have cash at his disposal to bolster the rugby league team.

"Leeds' youth policy is very good - it would be a case of trying to bring in more experienced players," Akers said. "We estimate it would take around pounds 1m to rebuild the team."

The Leeds chief executive, Alf Davies, predicted yesterday that the outcome would be resolved in "two to three weeks".

He also revealed that two other parties are also involved in takeover talks, although it is thought that Conrad, who lost out to Caspian in the battle for Leeds United, have dropped their interest.

Halifax are poised to unveil plans to leave their famous Thrum Hall ground after more than a century at that location and move in with their football neighbours Halifax Town.

The rugby league club and the Vauxhall Conference outfit have been involved in lengthy talks and they appear to have the backing of the local Calderdale Council, which owns The Shay.

"The clubs have found a way forward and we have the support of the council," confirmed Nigel Wood, the Halifax chief executive.

Halifax were faced with the stark choice of either undertaking expensive rebuilding costs to bring Thrum Hall into line with the 's "Framing the Future" requirements or moving to a new stadium.

Leading League clubs must have a 10,000 capacity, with 2,500 seats, within three years of the start of Super League.

The sale of Thrum Hall is expected raise the money needed to bring The Shay up to the standards demanded.