28 Sep 2012 23:16:52
After months of uncertainty at Elland Road, Dubai-based GFH Capital insisted they were focused on sealing a deal for the club.
Talks have been ongoing with current Leeds owner Ken Bates since May and fans have grown increasingly frustrated.
GFH Capital board members have been present at recent matches, leading to speculation that an agreement could be close.
CEO Hisham Alrayes said: "We are excited by our intentions for Leeds United and remain fully focused on the specifics of this deal, hoping to conclude a positive outcome as soon as possible."
GFH Capital's deputy chief executive David Haigh — a Leeds fan — admits recent visits to Elland Road have left him hungry to seal the takeover.
He said: "I have followed Leeds United since childhood and having been back to Elland Road, it makes us even more determined to acquire Leeds United and to see the club prosper."
He added: "As a club, Leeds United has it all – passionate, loyal fans, a great heritage and masses of potential to return to the Premier League with the right, sustainable investment.
"From a business perspective, ownership of an English football club, notably Leeds United, is a great opportunity if the right strategies are in place to benefit from the significant revenues available from renewed broadcasting.
"The existing infrastructure of the club and the result of the work of Ken Bates means that Leeds United is ready off the field to compete in the Premier League."
GFH Capital chief investment officer Salem Patel was spotted alongside Haigh and Alrayes at Elland Road.
And he said: "From very early on in our approach to this deal, we knew Leeds United has pedigree but also offers huge potential in terms of the football, the club and the surrounding area.
"We are keen on waking this sleeping giant, building on and forging a sustainable long-term future for the club — both on and off the pitch.
"We also hope to take back ownership of Elland Road eventually and continue to work closely with Neil Warnock and the team.
"We intend to show the fans — some of the most passionate in the game — just how we can 'March On Together' to give Leeds United the success it so richly deserves."
GFH Capital is a subsidiary of Bahraini investment bank Gulf Finance House, who confirmed their interest in Leeds to the Bahrain Stock Exchange yesterday morning.
MOT..Come on lets get 3 points at Bristol City!
Leeds Banter Archive September 28 2012
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28 Sep 2012 22:17:33
Had this daft dream (well daft now ) dreamt sat in my seat in kop and tanoy announced please welcome back the one and only ........jermaine Beckford. And the crowd went mental. Then read tonight absolutely gutted .......then read the GFH statement feel a lor better can we now really dare to dream. The first thing I'm looking forward to is being in a full Elland Road because there is no place on earth like it joining with the best supporters on the planet in
Marching on together...........I'm getting all giddy I could crush a grape.
How can anyone disagree with that statement
Because we won today WITHOUT beckford and huddersfield did what, exactly, with him???
28 Sep 2012 22:09:06
Happy chappy hope beckford has signed for town will stop these stupid rumours about him returning to Leeds
28 Sep 2012 21:10:39
GFH Capital Planning "Heavy Investment"
TimPM Sep 28th, 2012 1 Comment and 0 Reactions
GFH Capital have today outlined their future plans for Leeds United in a press release, reiterating that they have been granted an exclusivity deal to "lead and arrange the acquisition of Leeds City Holdings including Leeds United FC from current owners."
It is worth highlighting this, because of the continued uncertainty among fans, to outline that GFH Capital are planning on purchasing the company that owns Leeds United (Leeds City Holdings), and that in purchasing this company they will own 100% of the club. These appear to be negotiations to obtain sole ownership of the club.
The press release reads:
[GFH Capital's] intentions, if successful in its acquisition, is to move the club back to the Premier League as quickly as possible and help to build a sustainable future for the club, both on and off the field. This is expected to not only benefit the club and the surrounding community, but also the entire city of Leeds.
The Scratching Shed understands that GFH Capital intend to "invest heavily" in the football club, Elland Road, and the "surrounding community". We understand that, should GFH Capital successfully purchase the club, their aim is to take Leeds to the Premier League by the end of next season.
GFH Capital's CEO Hisham Alrayes explained:
Like many around the world, people from Bahrain and across the Gulf are passionate about the game of football and notably, English clubs – their successes and hardships are a daily talking point. In so many instances this is what bridges the gap between borders and different cultures. We are excited by our intentions for Leeds United and remain fully focused on the specifics of this deal, hoping to conclude a positive outcome as soon as possible.
The press release should also reassure fans of the company's abilities, having suffered repeated attacks on its capabilities from one journalist recently:
Our parent company GFH has successfully steered through tough economic times and we find ourselves in a position of strength and in an enviable market position to lead on fantastic deals such as this.
Meanwhile, Leeds supporter and Chief Executive of GFH Capital, David Haigh, praised Leeds:
As a club, Leeds United has it all – passionate loyal fans, a great heritage and masses of potential to return to the Premier League with the right, sustainable investment. From a business perspective, ownership of an English football club, notably Leeds United, is a great opportunity if the right strategies are in place to benefit from the significant revenues available from renewed broadcasting rights.
From a personal perspective, I have followed Leeds United since childhood and having been back to Elland Road with my business colleague, Salem Patel and our CEO Hisham Alrayes for the last few home games, it makes us even more determined to acquire the club Leeds United and to see the club prosper. The existing infrastructure of the club and the result of the work of Ken Bates means that Leeds United is ready off the field to compete in the premier league.
Salem Patel, Chief Investment Officer at GFH Capital, concludes:
From very early on in our approach to this deal, we knew Leeds United FC has pedigree but also offers huge potential in terms of the football, the club and the surrounding area. We are keen on waking this sleeping giant, building on and forging a sustainable long term future for the club – both on and off the pitch. We also hope to take back ownership of Elland Road eventually and continue to work closely with Neil Warnock and the team, we intend to show the fans – some of the most passionate in the game – just how we can 'March On Together' to give Leeds United the success it so richly deserves.
Huzaar! Step aside Manchester City there is a new [richest-club-in-the-world] in town...lmao!!
LLHB MOT
I don't think we are in same league as man city financially,these guys not got that kind of cash
28 Sep 2012 21:00:17
why are peeps surprised beckford signed for udders hes nt nws type of player !! we need workers and commitment
28 Sep 2012 23:52:47
spot on
28 Sep 2012 20:48:14
FFS
Huddersfield have signed Leicester striker Jermaine Beckford on a 93-day emergency loan.
FFS
Fredh MOT {Ed013's Note - Dont worry mate, we have other things in the pipeline}
They are very welcome to him.... won't take long for the incredible silk to appear..
we are the whites, we are the whites, we are we are we are the whites!
28 Sep 2012 20:25:39
!!! john fitz IS MR K BATES!!!!!!!!!!!! REPORTS COMING IN TELL US THAT PAPER WORK SIGNED DURING TAKE OVER WAS IN FACT FITZY SEE EVIDENCE BELOW
..sign here...............................X !!! lol
28 Sep 2012 20:23:50
Well we can at least stop all the beckford back posts.he has signed for hudd just now.shame as I'd have liked him back but I'd be more than happy if kenwyne jones turned up instead.shrew leeds
Beckford is at best a lower league striker, went to the Prem and didn't cut it. Our ambition is to play in the PL, lets look at players who have the ability to play in that div once the muted investment is complete. Plus been there seen that, let's move on. MOT
28 Sep 2012 20:01:54
Will you people stop making comments about John Fitz Leeds 15.
You are inadvertently drawing attention to Agent Fitz (codename "Mr Jack Anory") and jeopardising his secret missions to infiltrate clubs, players, agent's, middle eastern banks etc.
***Classified***
In Agent Fitz's most recent mission, he was chatting to Diego Maradonna & Pele. He managed to extract vital intel that suggests that Kun Aguero & Neymar are set to join Leeds United in the January transfer window.
************
You heard it here first!
.........This banter message will self destruct in 10 seconds!
Will do Ethan!
Over the years agent fitz has aquired a certain particullar set of skills!
skills that require a special kind of agent if you dont meet his demands HE WILL FIND YOU!! AND HE WILL "SIGN YOU!" MUHAAHAHA!
irish leeds fan!
29 Sep 2012 00:08:24
Does he also deal in a particular kind of security?
Maybe one where he enters various levels of dreams. Perhaps Mr Fitz became stuck in limbo and permanently stuck in dreamland :)
CE
28 Sep 2012 19:06:41
Ed how do i send a photo of Neil Danns at TA in ? {Ed003's Note - go on to player sightings and click on the highlighted 'player sightings upload form' }
28 Sep 2012 16:22:51
warnock makes approach for striker?
i wonder who it will be. all week i have read players linked to leeds such as jones, jerome, tudgay, kane, beckford,
to be honest i would give poleon a chance 1st game he scored so he is one in one atm.
maybe shuffle the team around and play alone striker with diouf behind as a playmaker maybe get pugh down the left.
but what do i know these are just opinions so dont go shooting down on me.
leeds to win tomorrow i got my bet on it already. bristol are sloppy in midfield and defence. {Ed013's Note - What about Connor Wickham}
I think NW should play the same team that beat Everton.
28 Sep 2012 20:36:33
One thing for sure it's not Jermaine Beckford.
28 Sep 2012 14:31:45
Word is consortium probably reached agreement for Thorps Arch - while Elland Road stadium still will be owned by a KB controlled company. This issue been a conflict and a major reason for takeover progressing slow.
28 Sep 2012 11:01:23
That's just ridiculous no way are we looking at that kind of money
28 Sep 2012 10:55:36
so we're after a player who is injured and on loan to Norwich?please tell me how this is possible?yes this is a rumour site but why even waste your time posting rubbish...tell your spurs fan pal he talks rubbish aswel
28 Sep 2012 10:45:30
Totally off subject, but we have gone 10 games without a red card! The team seem more disciplined that previous years!
L3EDS
You shouldn't of said that .
I know.. i have jinxed it... it that case we haven't won by more than one goal in the league (fingers crossed!)
L3EDS
My money is on austin v barnsley
Michael Brown is back in the team.
28 Sep 2012 09:05:44
Really hoping this investment/takeover occurs, but I actually think we have a pretty solid core squad. Can't wait for Green, and Norris to get back, and hope Somma returns soon.
Personally don't think we need a squad overhaul, the starting 11 has proved well, and just think we could do with a few players to come of the bench.
Seems in games, that we just need impact players to come on. Think we only need about 3 players.
A versatile defender to cover our current walking wounded back four.
A creative midfielder with pace to burn.
A forward with strength who is known for tap in goals.
28 Sep 2012 08:22:10
Now the takeover is near enough finished, lets get 30,000 in the ground, lets get behind the team. Everton in top form coming to ER on tuesday night and we hammered them with the likes of Jamie Ashdown, Danny Pugh, Micheal Brown? Lets get ER Rocking against Barnsley!
The takeover is not certain yet, if you saw the news or a website last night you would have been told by experts that just because GFH have announced their intension to aquire lufc to the stock exchange it doesn't mean that it will be soon or even if it will happen at all!,they have to announce it by gulf law,so although you as all of us hopes this does lead to a takeover,let's not jump the gun yet,
28 Sep 2012 15:59:19
Its strongly rumoured that there are other interested parties waiting in the wings with a counter bid,if this is the case,could be a while yet before the takeovers done,can you see KB turning down a better offer?
What do you mean they have to announce it due to gulf law? There's no such thing as gulf law.
Crmd
Why did people disagree when I said there is no such thing as gulf law? There isn't.
There are various religious laws like sharia law but nothing called "gulf law". Tyhe gulf is a geographical region not an actual country or state that can dictate a law. That's like saying there's a northern law that only applies in carlisle and Newcastle etc
Crmd {Ed001's Note - people believe what they want to believe, you are correct but it doesn't suit their hopes to agree with you.}
Cheers Ed, it just irks me when people disagree with facts, and me haha, even more so when I state a fact.
Crmd {Ed001's Note - most people haven't a clue about the Middle East, so they will believe any old rubbish.}