deal at the club and was initially offered a new two-year contract in 2004. Delays in resolving the negotiations led manager McGhee to publicly express unhappiness, with Harding denying he had turned down a new deal. In February 2005, McGhee re-opened contract talks with Harding, but three months later Harding rejected the revised deal. During his time at Brighton Harding was given the nickname Mr Tickle by his teammates because of his long legs and arms, and at one point was nominated by FourFourTwo magazine as one of the best 50 players outside the Premiership along with teammate Leon Knight. Leeds United On 7 June 2005, Harding reportedly cut short a holiday to sign a three-year-contract with Leeds United on a free transfer. Since he was under 24 years of age, Brighton were entitled to compensation to be decided by a tribunal. On 28 July Leeds United were ordered to pay up to £850,000 to Brighton, with an initial payment of £450,000 and a further £400,000 dependent on appearances, international caps and promotion success. Harding made his Leeds United debut in the opening game of the 2005–06 season in a 2–1 win over Millwall. He played his first match against his former club on 12 September 2005 and was booed by the away Brighton supporters every time he touched the ball. After appearing in the first seven matches of the season Harding was injured and lost his regular first team place. He went on to make twenty appearances. Ipswich Town After only one season at Leeds United Harding moved to Ipswich Town in a part-exchange deal for Ian Westlake on 4 August 2006. Leeds also paid Ipswich £400,000 and a further £100,000 was dependent on Westlake's appearances. Harding made his Ipswich debut in the opening game of the season in a 2–1 loss against Crystal Palace. Harding then provided an assist for Sylvain Legwinski in a 3–1 win over Southend United on 21 October 2006. Harding established himself as first choice left back but despite suffering from an ankle injury that kept him out for three weeks, he won two awards in the Ipswich Town Player of the Year presentations. Harding started the 2007–08 season in the first team and scored his first goal for Ipswich in a 3–1 defeat at Hull City on 29 September 2007. Harding also set up two goals in two games, starting with the first