Leeds United's reputation goes before them.

It may be over a month before next season's fixtures are published but Leeds' presence in League One is already causing a huge stir - and nowhere more than in Bournemouth.

They may be 280 miles apart but Cherries fans have an intense dislike of the Elland Road club that can probably outdo that of most City supporters.

It stems back to May 1990 when Leeds "celebrated" promotion from the old Division Two, and relegating the home side in the process, by wrecking the seaside resort.

A Bank Holiday weekend of disturbances was dubbed the Battle of Bournemouth' by locals and led to thousands of pounds worth of damage.

The two clubs have not met since but the bitterness among the normally placid Dorset folk rankles.

So much so that the local police, as well as Bournemouth themselves, have already contacted the Football League to request next season's match at Dean Court takes place in midweek. The police are also monitoring internet chatrooms closely to catch out pre-planned revenge attempts.

A police spokesman said: "There are people with long memories. There was carnage in the town in 1990 and we should be mindful of that, even though time has passed. We take our responsibility to the town for this fixture very seriously."

Leeds will argue that times have changed - but Bournemouth claim that leopards don't change their spots. It will be interesting to see when the league decide to slip this one in.

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