Derby County called the police after a suspicious man, thought to be a Leeds United spy, was seen outside the side’s training ground on Thursday morning.
A club statement confirmed that officers from the Derbyshire Constabulary attended the Derby County Training Centre at 11.20am, “following reports of a man acting suspiciously outside the premises”.
Officers have just attended the Training Ground for @dcfcofficial After a suspicious male was seen at the perimeter fence. Excellent searching conducted & male was located. All checks above board!
Keeping the team safe to bring home a win against #LUFC on 11th! #SpyingIsCheating pic.twitter.com/a12Zj8gISX— Derby Response Unit – Derbyshire Constabulary (@DerbyResponse) January 10, 2019
Derby are set to host Leeds in a Championship fixture at Elland Road on Friday night and apparently feared a spy was gathering information on their tactical setup.
Manager Frank Lampard was reportedly forced to halt the training session and the suspect was said to have been in possession of a pair of binoculars, pliers and a change of clothes.
Officers were called at around 11.20am on Thursday, January 10, to reports of a man acting suspiciously outside the @dcfcofficial training ground on Morley Road, #Derby. A man was found at the perimeter fence of Moor Farm and was spoken to. (1/2)
— Derbyshire Police (@DerbysPolice) January 11, 2019
Officers conducted routine checks which were all above board. Despite media reports, no damage to the fence was found, and the man was stopped outside the grounds. No arrests were made and the man was sent on his way. (2/2)
— Derbyshire Police (@DerbysPolice) January 11, 2019
The club also said that:
It has since been confirmed to Derby County that the individual concerned is an employee of the footballing staff at Leeds United Football Club.
These are the best of the Leeds spy jokes and tweets after the bizarre story gathered pace today:
Nothing wrong with market research
— Goddard (@Goddard07) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/whatthecus5/status/1083718843003035649
Ramsgate?
— Jude The Obscure (@judejoemac) January 11, 2019
— Jake Thomas (@jakeryanthomas) January 11, 2019
Can’t be true. Leeds would’ve taken more than one……
— RD (@LifetimeBanned) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/markrikko/status/1083706104574607360
https://twitter.com/jonnytaylor12/status/1083707892732186624
Exclusive pic of the Leeds spy: pic.twitter.com/he5SHO1QfI
— Heart & Hand Podcast (@ibroxrocks) January 11, 2019
BREAKING: Tonight's fixture against Derby County has been moved to SPY SPORTS 1. Kick-off time unchanged. #lufc #dcfc
— I'd Radebe Leeds (@Radebe_Leeds) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/nidgey72/status/1083753010310926336
https://twitter.com/Sweetasanutthen/status/1083707228455124992
— Darren Wood (@DarrenW06943379) January 11, 2019
— Tom (@chesterslfc) January 11, 2019
First exclusive pictures emerge of the Leeds spy at Derby. pic.twitter.com/WGTA9wUJlU
— Maddog1889⚔ (@Maddog1889) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/Widderssoul/status/1083742269369397248
For England, James?
No, for Leeds pic.twitter.com/jYlXCnLRtq
— rmp266 (@rmp266) January 11, 2019
"I've been expecting you Mr. Lampard…"#LUFC #DCFC #SpyGate pic.twitter.com/bfnv3FlmyD
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) January 11, 2019
Lost derby area..
If found please return to elland road.
Much appreciated . A spy. pic.twitter.com/tsjM7bU6tl— BATTYSPEED (@SteveJ4530) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/MuttonMolester/status/1083690920179126272
https://twitter.com/MillenialProbe/status/1083780266563383296
just found the spy's notes, some absolutely mind blowing information pic.twitter.com/GpORuVb1Nl
— The Barclays Are Back (@EamoV1) January 11, 2019
Except for match day obviously
— David Palmer (@davestillravin) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/YorkshireDaveUK/status/1083713229640138752
https://twitter.com/LufcJacob/status/1083714916450742272
Was he singing marching on together…
In full kit…
Covered in LUFC Tattoos as well?— BATTYSPEED (@SteveJ4530) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/Mr_Tasker/status/1083707479589031937
We were looking for Derby cathedral #lufc #SpyGate pic.twitter.com/ZheA6sE9Tk
— Cheese Analytica (@clough72) January 11, 2019
We spy when we want, we spy when we want. We're Leeds United , we spy when we want! @LUFC #lufc pic.twitter.com/O7IXnAyKo5
— LMOT (@leedsmanontour) January 11, 2019
Mad scenes at the #DerbyCounty training ground #SpyGate pic.twitter.com/SxN9II4iWd
— James Fenton (@fentonjames16) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/ChrisCoopsSport/status/1083728882556129280
https://twitter.com/dreamteamfc/status/1083722990745980928
https://twitter.com/J3tt4tur4/status/1083721593090650112
I hope his view of Derby training was better than my last view of Elland Rd #dcfc #lufc #spygate #SpyingIsCheating pic.twitter.com/jvKfGBp2GD
— Darren Doherty (@DarrenDoherty83) January 11, 2019
— Joe Seabridge (@seabo95) January 11, 2019
Breaking: man walking on a path, police told him to go away.
— Chris (@DJc2x) January 11, 2019
— Asterisk FC (@MW92_) January 11, 2019
A police spokesperson said "We are following a number of Leeds."
— Frank Dillon (@frankdillonpoet) January 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/jonothesecond/status/1083807707054985217