Support Leeds, apt to be thrashed (8)
I believe the answer is:
pedestal
'support' is the definition.
(I know that pedestal is a type of support)
'leeds apt to be thrashed' is the wordplay.
'to be thrashed' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'being thrashed' mean this (letters beaten or thrashed around)).
'leeds'+'apt'='leedsapt'
'leedsapt' is an anagram of 'PEDESTAL'.
(Other definitions for pedestal that I've seen before include "Desk drawer unit" , "Those worshipped are put on one" , "Support for a column or statue" , "Pet's lead (anag) - support" , "Plinth, stand" .)