As the media filed out of Daniel Farke’s press conference last Friday, during which he previewed the Preston North End fixture, there was an odd sight in the Thorp Arch car park. Swindon Town’s team bus was parked up and their staff were preparing the visiting changing rooms.

The League Two side had dropped in for a final training session ahead of their Saturday clash at Bradford City. Ian Holloway was, of course, leading the team out, but the star attraction for the locals was Sean McGurk.

The 21-year-old never played for Leeds United’s first team, but was a very popular face around the training ground as he developed with the Under-21s. The former Wigan Athletic youth arrived in July 2021, but moved permanently to the County Ground in February this year, as one of the very last transfers completed of the winter window.

McGurk was spotted catching up with two members of the media department and other Leeds staff who knew him during his time with the club.

Oxford officials confirmed

James Bell will serve as the match official at Elland Road for Leeds United's Saturday match against Oxford United in the Championship. This season, the referee has officiated 13 games, including 10 in the Championship, one in League Two and two in the Carabao Cup.

Bell was in the middle for United's pre-season victory over Valencia after managing two Whites games last term: a 4-1 home win over Huddersfield Town and a loss to Blackburn Rovers. Daniel Farke's team lost to Burnley in September when Bell last took charge of a Leeds clash.

In contrast, Oxford United have not played well in the four games Bell has overseen. The U’s were beaten to a 2-2 draw at Kenilworth Road by Luton Town after dropping their three League One games against Doncaster Rovers, Plymouth Athletic, and Wigan Athletic last season.

Bell previously officiated the 2019/20 National League play-off final at Wembley, where January's FA Cup rivals Harrogate Town defeated Notts County to secure their first-ever promotion to League Two.

Manager award

The FAWNL Manager of the Month for November is Simon Wood, the boss of Leeds United Women. The Whites' chief accepted the award, which was chosen by fans online after the team finished the month with a perfect record.

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Sian Gibrill-Keating's outstanding brace and Drew Greene's cool finish helped the team begin November with a vital 3-2 victory away to Chorley. Next up was Elland Road, where the Whites easily defeated York City Ladies 3-0 in front of almost 5,000 cheering fans.

Greene, sister Darcie, and striker Amy Woodruff scored again. Leeds will play next in January when they take on Stockport County at Bannister Prentice Stadium.

With games in hand over other teams, Leeds are currently ranked third in the Division One North standings. The manager spoke to leedsunited.com after being presented with the award.

He said: “It is really nice to be recognised, but the award is for the overall team, not just myself. The coaching staff as a collective work really hard with the players every week and they have responded brilliantly, by picking up some great results.

“In November we had the pleasure of playing in front of nearly 5,000 fans at Elland Road and that helped us to a great win over York City. There’s a long way to go in our season, but the signs have been positive, so the message is clear, now everyone needs to stay on it and focused for when we come back after the Christmas break.”

Last Christmas charity push

This is your final opportunity to help Leeds United Foundation make a difference this Christmas. You can help children from underprivileged communities to attend United football camps by making a donation through the foundation's Christmas campaign.

You'll contribute to the provision of football camps for kids in Leeds, giving them the opportunity to participate in constructive, transformative activities. Through football, the foundation hopes to empower kids by giving them chances to develop vital life skills and encourage growth and confidence.

Through programmes centred on education, sports and better lifestyles, the club's official charity seeks to use the power of football to improve people's lives. The organisation helped 69,000 people in Leeds last season, providing more than 500,000 hours of exercise through more than 25 community programmes related to education, health and wellbeing, and engagement.

Supporting the campaign will directly benefit Leeds children. To donate this Christmas and make a difference, click here. For more information about the campaign, please contact FundraisingOfficer@leedsunited.com