Leeds United CEO Ben Mansford admits he would rather the Whites win promotion to the Premier League through the Championship playoffs than the automatic route.
Whites owner Massimo Cellino has vowed to issue a partial refund on season tickets at the club this season if the side do not at least record a top six finish.
Mansford was at Barnsley last season and saw the Oakwell outfit win promotion from League One to the Championship via the playoff route.
And having experienced that, with a Wembley trip included, he is in no doubt that if given the choice it is a better way to earn promotion to the Premier League than by finishing in the top two and going up automatically.
"It would be wonderful if it was automatic", he told LUTV.
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"But having won at Wembley via the playoffs, that's the way to go if you can and if any football fan had their time."
The CEO also says that head coach Garry Monk is well aware of Cellino's top six vow and everyone at the club must give their all to make it happen.
"So the statement [about a top six finish] has been made, Garry is aware of that, the owner made it.
"So let's set that as the target and if we don't get there let's make sure everybody has given absolutely everything they can."
Leeds play their final friendly of pre-season this coming Saturday when Atalanta provide the opposition at Elland Road.
