Leeds United no longer receives post-relegation financial help

The club, which is currently bottom of the Championship, has been granted "hardship relief" against its business rates by the city council.

It applied for help as it no longer received "parachute payments" given to clubs relegated from the Premiership.

The city council said it granted rate relief worth �33,625 because of the club's importance to the community.

The Elland Road business will benefit from a total business rate relief of �134,000 in 2006/2007 - the maximum allowed under European Union state aid regulations.

The relief is 75%-funded by central government and 25% by Leeds City Council, which equates to �33,625.

Leeds United...is a very unique and important amenity in this city Andrew Carter, city council leader

Leeds City Council leader Andrew Carter said: "There is an option to award relief from business rates to organisations which are important to the local community.

"Leeds United fulfilled all the requirements for this relief. It is a very unique and important amenity in this city.

"It attracts visitors and brings employment to the city and does a huge amount of work in promoting sporting activities among people of all ages, particularly with schools and children and young people.

"That is why we will continue to work with Elland Road to ensure it continues to play such an important role in this city's success now and in the future."

Leeds United chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "The club made the application as we no longer benefit from a parachute payment having been outside the Premiership for three seasons while still carrying the financial burden from those days.

"The club still has to make payments to a number of players who have not played for the club since it was relegated.

"Our application was approved on its individual merits based on the same criteria as many other businesses in the city who benefit from this type of relief."