Leeds Banter Archive May 25 2012

25 May 2012 22:31:42
heard some rumours bates is selling up any truth in this ed? {Ed013's Note - It would be everyone's wish I believe, but I think it is a vicious rumour being started elsewhere. I believe if anything at all it will be investors}

Cheers ed

25 May 2012 22:23:26
ed , is it true about the takeover? {Ed013's Note - All rumours at the minute}

25 May 2012 22:00:15
I am getting bored of hearing if NW will stay or not. If he is not committed to LUFC then he should walk now rather than a week or so before the season starts. Dolls and pram spring to mind. If KB only has a few years left before retiring he surely will get a better price for Leeds if they are in the Championship rather than League 1. Like everyone else has said we have sold players for reasonable sums of money but this does not appear to be re-invested into the Club. I don't think the ordinary fan really knows what goes on behind the scenes and I am hoping the stories of Leeds not being able to afford £400k are just rumours and are not based on real facts. We should remember that not many other clubs have actually done much business to date. I am sure thetransfer window does not open until next week. Lets see what happens.

25 May 2012 21:28:14
Something’s in the air. Is it excitement or disappointment? With Leeds United, the two things often come in abundance. Last year, excitement gave way to misanthropy. People walked towards Elland Road knowing mediocrity was on the cards.

Something is amiss. People can’t figure out what is going on. Tweeters are tweeting. Forumers are foruming.

Is Ken Bates finally off?

You dream about it. You thought the day would never come. Suddenly rumours abound, running at you, knocking you over like excited dogs. They leave turds of misinformation lying around the place. Occasionally you step into one of them, complain about it, then realise that these dogs have been eating gold bars on the sly, and you’re riding this turd train to a well informed future.

What am I trying to say? We have finally reached the point, as a fan base, that there are so many rumours about Bates leaving, about him selling up, that you feel something is amiss. The situation has got progressively weirder at Elland Road as well.

The summer began all hunky-dory. Warnock was being backed. The defence was being shored up. Jason Pearce, an actual prospect with an actual future ahead of him, had agreed to join Leeds United. He’d been given an actual contract. Leeds United, heaven forbid, had paid actual cash-money for him to join. We were harvesting the corpse of another club that had collapsed for any useful organs. It was exciting.

Then we stalled. Joel Ward, who two weeks ago was someone Leeds fans were unconvinced by, has become the messiah. His un-signing has become the non-symbol for all of the things that have already gone anti-right this summer. Ipswich may beat us once again to another player. What is it about players that Leeds have or want to have that make them desire East Anglia so? Are they curious about the former homeland of the Iceni? Are they intending to do master’s degrees at Cambridge? Have we been approaching too many intellectual players? These are all questions I ask myself whilst shuffling around town, screaming at passers-by and dealing with those damn government spies who want to harvest my brain facts.

So why has this occurred? Word emanating from the club, filtering through relatively official channels such as the Yorkshire Evening Post, suggest that we can’t, at this moment in time, drum up the £400,000 required to bring him in. Warnock wants him, and there are rumours that he might leave if this situation is not dealt with upon return from his holidays.

Then there’s the Snodgrass issue. He’s come out this week and outright pointed out that he had promises broken last summer. He’s not going to sign his contract unless he can see a future at the club. This, interestingly enough, has been met with acceptance from Peter Lorimer. Something seems awry there.

Finally, and most interestingly enough, was the news that Ken Bates is taking the summer off from being interviewed on Yorkshire Radio. This is incredibly bizarre, as, to put it simply, a significant reason why Bates purchased Leeds United and continued to own us, was that he loved being in the public eye. Former chairman Ken Bates was not interesting to the national media. With Leeds, he once again found a reason to be talked about, and where better to be talked about than his own in-house media setup? Why would he suddenly give that up? There’s no precedent. Last summer his interviews were one of very few constant updates from the club.

There are several ways to interpret this. The first, and the one I like to jump to in order that I don’t get all giddy, is that Bates is avoiding the spotlight in order to avoid further legal issues. Is it just a response to the court case that has pulled even more money out of the club?

Secondly, we could be heading to another financial combustion. This may come as a surprise, but I’m not the biggest fan of the Bates regime. Even so, I like to think Ken would not be delusional enough to constantly talk about the firm financial footing we are on whilst simultaneously battling an oncoming financial storm. Hey, there may be a surprise in store. I like to think this is unlikely.

Thirdly, and finally, we could be on the cusp of a honest, truthful, real, actual, factual, natural, understandable, takeover. In my guise as a fake writer about football, I jaunt around town in a trilby with a card saying ‘press’ stuck in it. I keep an ear to the ground for any undercurrents of information. I’ve heard relatively concrete rumours that Ken Bates may be on his way out. The internet, simultaneously, has heard the same. I’m even withholding some information that I feel doesn’t need to be proliferated, on the basis that the rumours one can find seem enough to speculate upon. They (and whoever they are, they love their metaphors) often say that there is no smoke without fire. I like to think this is true, but I’m avoiding raising my hopes too highly on the off-chance that I get burned.

Why else may this be true? Well, we could be avoiding spending money as some baffling method of saving money before Bates sells up. “Why would I spend my own penny on players when some Johnny Foreigner will come in and spend it instead?” I imagine Ken saying, whilst sat atop a throne made up of the disappointments Leeds fans have felt over the last seven years. But the point stands. Similarly, why would Lorimer speak so positively about meeting Snodgrass’s expectations. He’s usually responsible for ensuring we all understand that signing players is a luxury that successful football clubs don’t require.

To sum it all up, what is going on at Elland Road? It’s difficult to say. I may look back on this article as a foolish statement years from now, when we’re plying our trade in the Home Counties division 3, having relocated under the control of Mecha-Bates, but I think his time is almost up at Elland Road. Finally.

Don't no is the sadest you for typing all that or me for reading it.

Sir Phillip.

Good read....shrew leeds

Bloody hell ,sort ya fackin ed out ya weirdo!

Such a thing called copy and paste so that must make you the sadest for reading the post

Thanks mate, probably the best opinion piece I've read regarding LUFC this summer. Right or wrong, you've caught the mood and tied up various loose threads that I was completely unaware of better than anyone else online or in print. My fingers are crossed that your sources are as good as your turn of phrase. MOT!

Could the potential sale of the club be the reason why Bates hasn't retalliated to what Snodgrass said in the media earlier this week, which is very unlike Bates? I live in hope. Robbo 77

25 May 2012 21:22:52
ED Are these rumours true bout leeds being taken over i hope so have you heard anything mate {Ed013's Note - I have only heard that on here}

Americans in leeds on fact finding with a bid ready if not submited,also pearson/ wilkinson/ dubai bid in pipeline. remember you herd it off me first.

This is why bates wont spend he dos'nt have to more money for him.

25 May 2012 20:16:37
Good things come to those who wait!! MOT

25 May 2012 17:37:43
Hear about the casino in Leeds which refuses a roulette bet of over 10 grand? You see the house can't afford 400 grand! You person Bates. Get Ward done or sell to someone who can.

25 May 2012 17:01:12
I think that when Bates says 'Look at Norwich and Swansea, you don't need to spend money', he will find that they did not let all thier best players go e.g.

Howson, Gradel, Beckford, Snodgrass?

He must have made a fortune from selling players and it all goes to Monaco into his wallet.

BATES OUT!

MOT

In what way was buying Howson not spending money. They did spend money and Bates continues to lie.

I agree - BATES OUT.

25 May 2012 16:21:14
Claims by unsecured creditors against Leeds United following the club’s fall into administration amounted to more than £18.5m, liquidators have disclosed.


A report by accountancy firm KPMG showed that 231 claims, totalling £18,531,050, have now been agreed.

Another 61 claims worth £4.7m have been rejected, while 23 claims have been agreed as nil.

The club’s administration in 2007 triggered the sale by KPMG to a newly-formed company led by current owner Ken Bates.

The KPMG report, which encompasses the year to February 14, showed that a second interim dividend of two pence in the pound was declared to those unsecured creditors with admitted claims in October 2011, bringing total dividends paid to date to four pence in the pound.

The report said it is not anticipated that any further “significant” dividends will become available to unsecured creditors unless Leeds United achieves promotion to the Premier League before the start of the 2017-18 season.

Under the terms of sale of the business to Leeds United Football Club Ltd, an additional £4.75m will be payable to creditors if the club is promoted in this way, said the report, which added that this had previously been outlined in reports to creditors.

It said it is possible liquidation may need to remain open until that date.

The report said that the joint liquidators have drawn fees totalling £78,000 in the period covered by the report. Since the start of the liquidation they have been paid £390,080. During the period, fees of more than £213,000 have been paid to law firm Walker Morris for legal advice.

As reported in the Yorkshire Post, in the year ending June 30 2011, Leeds United made a profit of £3.5m. Turnover was up by 19 per cent to £32.6m .

Leeds saw the total profit the club has made since exiting administration in 2007 break through the £10m barrier.

United’s figures have been boosted by its return to the Championship, with gate receipts increasing, along with central funding from the Football League.

The club’s figures compare favourably with recent financial trends across English football.

So the most we can be required to pay is 18 million right up to 2017. That's far less money than the club would make from just one season in the premiership. Puts the perennial myth that Bates is waiting one more season to bed.

He doesn't care one way or another.

BATES OUT.

25 May 2012 15:23:10
see bates has spent money laying a new pitch during the summer....why bother, the ball wont be on it much to get his moneys worth!

Better off investing in some new clouds above the pitch... {Ed013's Note - Like it!}

25 May 2012 15:20:51
Alot of players and agents go on holiday this time of year,difficult to broker a deal when there not here! So what if ward doesn't sign,Warnock is great manager with a great history. Plenty more fish in the sea and its only may,have faith!

You sound like Bates "A lot of agents are on holiday at the moment". Didn't we hear that one last year when we missed out on possible new players? That and we had him until that pesky Premier league side outbid us, or the agents were asking too much.

Stop making excuses for Bates.

Havent players and agents always gone on their holidays in the summer transfer window? lol yet we are the only team that struggles because of this lol Mac

25 May 2012 15:17:13
I know it's a disappointment that we lost the fight for ward. But there is a long way to go and the only reason for the lost was they want the money up front so that would of meant Leeds giving them 1M cash. Please remember that now all clubs mainly pay in monthly installments so that is alot to depart with!! I want Ward NW wants Ward but the numbers don't add up by the sounds of things! Shame but you never know who will be up for grabs in the coming months!
I'm not Bates

#MOD

What does "MOD" stand for then? Marching On Down by any chance?

25 May 2012 14:38:04
Why all the fuss over Ward a relegated player remember! why are people second guessing everything the season is not long over, football people are on there holidays, don't think there is much happening at many clubs, i have not seen in black and white that Ward has signed for anyone as yet,there is nothing on the palace website! Warnock will have known his budget for this season coming before he signed, as for players not signing contracts, that's down to them if they don't think it's enough money then that's there choice,do we want to go back to the Ridsdale era?? i think not, is there any rumours of unpaid bills at ER or players not getting paid? no there is not, the club is ticking over nicely, at least we have a club to support, do you want to be a pompey fan at this moment in time?? the answer to that will be no, i should think!

Good post bud,makes a nice change from all the doom and gloom merchants on here,as for Harte,hes settled at Reading,on very good money,Ward is a decent enough player who may yet still sign for us,wait and see.

25 May 2012 14:22:59
i, like you, sent myself barmy going over the possibilities of what is going on at Elland Road... and the Ward Saga. Then, i realised ITS ONLY ONE PLAYER. And we still have Warnock. THESE ARE FACTS. The rest is speculation. If Warnock leaves - THAT is the game changer. That's when i swim to Monaco and throw mud at his windows. {Ed013's Note - Haha finally sense and something that got a smile out of me!}

25 May 2012 13:45:05
Has anybody realised yet that there is only 1 club in the Championship that has made a signing since the end of last season. If you didn't know, that's us with Pearce. (No doubt some smart **** will prove me wrong). In actual fact we have probably signed a few more to be announced when their contracts expire with existing clubs at the end of May/June. If we hadn't have signed anyone, Snodgrass would be gone already to finance deals. Keep the faith. JD {Ed013's Note - Leicester have made 3 mate, but I know where your coming from}

Thanks Ed. Sorry, forgot Leicester had signed Vardy but I can't recall the other two. JD {Ed013's Note - 2 players from Stretford Utd!}

25 May 2012 12:41:31
bates is out of order,he is mugging off all the REAL leeds supporters? does he really think we are stupid? plenty of money has come in but he wont part with any to get us back in the top flight! do us all a favour mate,sell up get in your plane and go count your money in the south of france! you are destroying everything. Darren

25 May 2012 12:04:45
Does anybody know what is going on with us? Why can't the board be up front with us, about what is going on with OUR Club

Every season I convince myself this is going to be the season, we're going to get a few class players in and we're going to romp the league, when am I going to learn??

Joel ward is £400,000, we also be looking to get a few players (match winners) in for at least £1.5m, so if we can't even afford Joel ward what hope have we got.

We quickly becoming a joke.

Just hope that bates has found a buyer and thats why we are not buying anyone else as he doesnt want to spend any money

If we could afford to replace 11 players @ £400k then I would agree with you mate, but i dont think we can. Don't forget under Bates budget, money in the pot spending on the team is for transfer fees and and player wages cobined. MOT

25 May 2012 11:08:52
Where has all the money gone Mr Shaun Harvey?
You have a lot to answer for mr Harvey.
Fabian delph to Aston villa 6m plus add ons.
Kasper schmeichel to Leicester city for 1m.
Max gradel to st Etienne for 1.5m.
Johnny howson to Norwich for 2m.

And Leeds cannot finance a deal for Joel ward for 400k?

...Even the interest would be more than that.

Would not surprise me if its on offshore accounts,our club is run by crooks

25 May 2012 10:50:20
joel ward is off to palace we could not fund the 450,000 how poor is that a decent young player aswell. a club that mr bates says is financially stable making profit every year and now cannot even raise nearly half mil bates your a joker pack your bags and ill drive you to norwich. bates out bates out bates out !!!!!!!1

Joel ward is NOT off to palace he is still to make up his mind if anything the deal is being held up by billy paynter going in the opposite direction. lets give warnock and bates the chance to bring the players in brfore we all start being negative its may foer gods sake not august. its fans that make the club nothing else if we get behind sgt warnock and his boys are fans (the best in the land ) can drag us to the promised land MOT

25 May 2012 10:05:28
looks like ward deal dead,but then again i dont blame any player for not wanting to work for bates.just gonna corals see what odds warnock is to walk b4 season starts

25 May 2012 09:52:43
Bates out, harvey out, lorimer out, and williams out have i missed anyone sick to death of all these lies we are being fed us as fans deserve better than what we are getting and something needs to change? Mot without bates

25 May 2012 08:07:15
If its true regarding Ward not coming to LEEDS,and Warnock truely wanted him,i would not blame him for walking.
Bates must have told Warnock how much money,he had to spend
Lies lies again from Bates,leave now old man

Bates doesnt care about Leeds we all know that a long time ago,its just a hobby to him and he enjoys winding people up ,and playing the bad guy,the only saving grace is hes 80 years old !

It maybe he has too sell first then use the cash!! no bad business sense really, only spend what you have!! the yep are full of it though, hope they are wrong it not on any other news sites or teams sites! o.w

24 May 2012 23:38:03
I started off the summer as excited and expectant as anyone but i must say even i'm starting to get worried about this summer. The Ward saga has dragged on stupidly and theres not been any real movement elsewhere. We were suppose to have an influx of players by now. I know everyone will say be patient etc etc but i've swung quite alot towards being worried rather than expectant. Hopefully Warnock will get in the players he wants and that c*** bates backs him all the way. WorriedWhite.

24 May 2012 23:17:27
Following the West Ham clear out, NW is set to raid the East End. B. Sikes is set to add some steel alongside Pearce in defence, with O. Twist and A. Dodger sure to nick some goals from midfield. Wages won't be a problem, according to the regional scout, Mr Fagin.