The 2011-12 campaign was a turbulent season of transition for Leeds United, as The Whites ultimately secured a mid-table 14th-place finish in the Championship after a mid-season managerial change from Simon Grayson to the experienced Neil Warnock. Leading the attack was the prolific forward Ross McCormack, whose 18 league goals were vital, though he was narrowly beaten to Player of the Year by the influential Robert Snodgrass. The year was defined by the ongoing, bitter off-field tensions with Chairman Ken Bates over player spending and stadium renovations, but also saw a core of talented young players like Tom Lees and Aidy White emerge amid the fan-fueled unrest at Elland Road.