Blackwell's jury service deferred

Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell has been sensationally called up for jury service just days before Leeds’ Championship play-off final.

Blackwell was summoned to appear in court staring on Tuesday, only five days before the West Yorkshire outfit’s date with destiny in ‘Football’s richest game.’ However, in an unprecedented move, Blackwell has had his jury service deferred for a staggering second time.

Despite the law stating that an individual’s jury service can only be deferred once, it is the second time that Blackwell has done so, after deferring jury service in August which coincided with the start of the 2005/06 Championship season.

Blackwell told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Obviously I'm pleased it's all sorted out so I can concentrate on preparing for the game against Watford. When the summons came through it was passed on to the club solicitor who has dealt with it on my behalf.”

Blackwell added: “The result is that they have given me 14 days special dispensation. These are the sort of distractions you can do without, but thankfully it's all been sorted out.”

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