Leeds Banter Archive March 26 2014

26 Mar 2014 22:57:58
Why is the FL fit and proper test done. To make sure people like GFH don't come into a club and do what they are doing, Massimo shouldn't even need to do the test as he's proved himself to run a club in Italy for the past 20 odd years. How longs GFH been in football?
MIKE GC

26 Mar 2014 20:51:29
How can teams with half the fan base of leeds
Like Bournemouth have no money worries
What is going on, we have an investment
Bank in charge of us surely things can't be that bad
If it can't be cellino we need an appeal for
A owner with financial punch.

There must be a whiter than white millionaire billionaire
Around looking for a new hobby.

With the Pookie's we are putting on the pitch right now you'd have to be slightly senile to even contemplate pumping money into them, and that's without the ongoing debt, lack of stadium, lack of training ground, ongoing rents, wages, payments to former players, managers, etc.

26 Mar 2014 20:11:19
I do recall and maybe wrong that Flowers & Co said that if Cellino gets approved they would challenge the FL decision. I think the FL has had this in the back of there minds and waited for an excuse to decline> FL you really need to ask yourself the question. Who made the decision you or someone potentially challenging you?

I recall a threat from flowers and co. I also think the FL didn't know what to do. As it stands the matter now gets passed to 2 independant QCs and an independant member of the football league on appeal

The ultimate decision is then out of FL hands.

"The ultimate decision is then out of FL hands."

Wanna bet? If the bid is allowed and Cellino takes over we will then be docked points for having an 'unfit and improper owner'.

26 Mar 2014 17:50:54
OS part of a quote by bmcd on last nights game. the fans "They are the soul of the club. They are what it is all about. Season after season they come, and they deserve something to hang on to." (give it to them then)
Brian I worked for 21 yrs (as a manager) you�re in feckin charge act like it, sort it out, or get rid, if they are not part of the solution, then they are part of the problem.
why you don't because football is like banking only they lose billions and get bonuses, football managers not my fault, shrug their shoulders, get sacked get a payout, wait for the next sucker or struggling club to give them a job. do a bit of badge kissing get the fans on side, and if it goes wrong open the draw with the ready made excuses inside a large file, you know the mushroom syndrome (keep us in the dark and feed us some horse) MOT RANT OVER.

26 Mar 2014 16:52:56
. BMD arrested at thorp arch for impersanating a football manager has been sent back to real job (member of right said fred)

Ha that post made me laugh, can't be true mind as Right said Fred did what they said on the tin, old BM has just got no clue anymore, guy has lost it under the pressure.

DG voice of reason?

The original poster is obviously mistaken.
Brian McDermott has been in Bournemouth all day with lawyers trying to get the team off of the charge of impersonating professional footballers.
Most of the team have been released but Jimmy Kebe and Noel Hunt are expected to spend a second night in the cells as police believe they have an air tight case against them.
Marius Zaliukas volunteered to stay when he misunderstood what the police meant by a night behind bars and Michael Brown is now on an assault charge after accidentally kicking his lawyer several times.

Seems logical, well, his idea of managing a football team is deeply dippy.

More like Harry Hill, send in your most funniest clips?

26 Mar 2014 14:09:29
sorry ED Italian press, can�t keep away, they are also following this shambles. it can be summed up in one word "Gerrymandering" by the board at FL.

go massimo go get um.

Leeds United, Cellino: "The fans want me, I'll will answer that call"
03/26/2014 13:27 by Christina Guerri

"I have to appeal." Massimo Cellino calls for justice after the rejection by the Football League regarding the purchase of Leeds United. "I feel responsible-said the entrepreneur, towards our fans who love me. And I am proud." Yes he is talking about LEEDS UNITED.

Mishcon de Reya, the English legal representative to Cagliari president Massimo Cellino, confirmed to the Yorkshire Evening Post that they are preparing an appeal against the decision of the Football League in block the acquisition of Leeds United. "Mr. Cellino will appeal against this decision. We have no further comment to make."

The Italian entrepreneur already patron of the Sardinian club has 14 days to file an appeal that will "to enforce its legal arguments and to keep their commitments with the fans, despite being very sorry and tried" - as he himself said today. MOT

Who cares any more. If we go down because of administration so be it. We had decent crowds in division 1 and we could blood the youth. Everything about leeds at the moment seems corrupt. We own nothing other than the crap that are supposedly our players. Pity that guy that won the euro lottery was not a leeds fan! Oh well here's for another defeat on saturday

26 Mar 2014 13:36:56
This has to be the straw that has broken the camel's back. After being hammered again by an average team BMcD does the post match interview and states that he is not going to make any excuses for the performance and then proceeds to cite that the players were concerned that they would not get paid this week and this effected their performance. Is that not an excuse? I agree that players are entitled to get paid as they have a contract with the club however I am also a firm believer of the adage "a fair days pay for a fair days work" which few of these players can claim. As for the manager, I applauded him for how he stuck up for his players however now I just see this as being spineless, not in control with no ability to motivate. If players are spending their time during training talking about not getting paid and therefore their head is not on the game then don't bloody play them. The genius tactical decision yesterday was to put the wing wizard that is Noel Hunt on the left hand side of midfield which turned out to be great success. for Bournemouth as it gave their right back the freedom of the right hand side and four assists to boot. BMcD is steadfast in his belief that he will not quit which would be very noble if it was not for the fact that the potless organisation that is GFH can't afford to sack him.

Think we all know that GFH did not come into this club for the love of the game but to find partners with financial clout to back their ambitions because they clearly couldn't afford to fund. They are now being left high and dry and cannot fund BMAC departure and any new appointment especially when paid wages seem to now be a problem. Only fans pressure and frustration will force the next event.

26 Mar 2014 15:13:42
I couldn't agree with you more notts

Yes, totally agree too, this club is now scraping the barrel an probably at it's lowest ebb, resorting to practically begging. it breaks my heart to see it.

26 Mar 2014 12:24:00
I humbly apologise for making this post but I'm making it anyway.
Personal attacks I expect and probably deserve as I've supported Massimo every inch of the way and although he has failed to pass the fit and proper test of the FL I still support both him and what is left of Leeds United.
Like you all I care like mad for our wonderful club and hope and pray this shocking decision is overturned on appeal.
If the FL thought he would bow down they are sadly wrong.
We need this man at ER as he has the money, passion and support to take us to the top.
As long as he is with us then bills will be paid including the wages of not just the players but the staff as well.
Why is it always Leeds United who have to suffer?
I don't know but that is life.
Jeff

Jeff

Like you I have always been and still am for the Italian, keep up the good work.
It does feel the FL are working against us, may not be the case but feels like it so all for an independent review on this.

DG the voice of reason

26 Mar 2014 15:15:23
I don't think any of the personal attacks on you have anything to do with you supporting the cellino takeover!

Anyone know how long an appeal wil take? BTW hope he wins it!

JEFF
The only slagging you get is when you spout off withe silly rumours that have ALREADY been announced and when questioned you VANISH!!
You and everyone have a right to support whoever you want buddy ;)

Im all for don cellino also Jeff. The best thing to happen to leeds in years.

Just studying why FL judgement and they have used Webster dictionary when looking up the word conviction completely different meaning in collins dictionary.

Keep the faith Jeff and keep up the posts.

26 Mar 2014 13:06:59
I don't see the problem with wages, if there was a clause in the contract with cellino regarding funding the club for 6 months from the date contracts were exchanged, surely he is obliged to pay wages.acc to Phil hay that was regardless of a successful takeover or unsuccessful one, so where's the problem if cellino wasn't happy he shouldn't have signed contract, it is his fault.

We don't know the words in this contract, but it would surprise me if Cellino has no "escape" in case of a scenario like this! And there's always an escape through a contract who is "obvious unreasonable" through events not known at the time of signing! This is lawyers meal! But could take a year to solve in court - and damage done long before that! In fact already friday, if staff not paid, and club no longer has financial credability to their business assosiates! Well done, FL - you've really taken care of us all, and acted in best interest of this great club and its supporters!

26 Mar 2014 15:14:47
Strange post and does not help us in the longer term. Any monies paid in were subject to successful completion - that has not happened so I understand why he is reluctant to pay anything in! Plus anything he does pay puts us deeper in the sticky stuff! It will need paying back - with interest so GFH should get the wages paid as they still own the club!

26 Mar 2014 11:44:03
Phill Beeton on t/sport interview, was a class act.

26 Mar 2014 09:54:30
If I were manager and I heard players talking about wages i'd drop. them the badge comes first wages second pride over the pound it just shows mr mcd how clueless you are you let negativety surroound your players then blame everyone else. motivation is a key part of management you absolute joker

Yes and the thing is most if not all these players are on so much money that going for 2 or 3 months without a wage will hardly put them on the breadline! It just goes to show you that it's all they are interested in, bas Ross I hasen to add.

I think he has dropped them, Peltier, Warnock. I have a feeling these are the culprits of a player divide. Rumours of drinking a few weeks back also. Everything is not so black and white as the so called fans fantasy's on here, and I think McD should be applauded for hanging around in a seemingly thankless task, and being constantly judged by children who seem to think they have all the solutions.

26 Mar 2014 08:53:04
Im not sure we are safe this season without points being deducted
How short sighted of gfh to buy us or did they over believe in their ability to get investors. Clearly not rich enough themselves. Should be sued by fl for ruining our club
Mcd. Take a walk. I mistakenly thought you better than warnock. You are just the same. Cluess tankard! Go now
Players. You as well. Shame on you for collecting wages
There is no pride anymore. don't wanna try. Go with mcd
Christ knows what next. I hope its not down?

Have a little faith. cellino does. yesterday he spoke with passion for leeds united. quote below.


“I have to appeal, I feel a responsibility to the fans who I am proud to say wanted me, ” said the Italian, speaking to the BBC.

“I am feeling embarrassed, ashamed and down.

“I am not a crook, I didn’t come to Leeds to do anything bad.

“I cannot blame the League, the only thing that I can blame is that they have been just taking too much time to give an answer.

“If they give an answer after one month, two months ago, it would have been better for everyone.”

It is understood that the Italian has already invested €8 million in the loss-making club with a view to taking control at Elland Road.

Leeds said they were disappointed with the ruling but would continue discussions with both the Football League and Eleonora Sports, the company headed by Cellino. MOT : - )

Fully agree - Give the donkey a P45 - fed up of complete people saying give him more time, the last few managers got sacked for far less

26 Mar 2014 10:48:05
Surely its the FL responsibility in these circumstances to have the best interests of their members at heart. Should their first priority not be the security and safety of their members. Deliberating so long over their decision then leaving us with skint owners, who this same panel thought fit and proper to run us. What plan did GFH submit to the FL during their take over, what funds did they say were available. Maybe the FL should be asking GFH where these funds are and what happened to their plan. The thing is I believe the FL could have passed Massimo as a best interests for the club and league. They could say its fine for Eleonora to buy the club without Massimo having any input. But they will not because its Leeds. Of course he would be in the background but who does not listen to advice from their dad, then ignore it. This is FL being bloody minded and showing just why these self elected committees are archaic and should be binned and replaced with unbiased professionals
MOT BIGE

Would have been nice if the FL could have given a suspended sentence and said any wrong doings in the next 3 years you will fail the test and stand down.
This would have given him a chance to show them he is not a bad man.He has been running a club in Italy for 20 years.
BTW last year. Lionel Messi appeared before a Spanish judge as part of a tax fraud investigation. Accused of defrauding the authorities of more than 4m euros.
After the court case with him and his father they paid back 5m euros to cover it with interest.
Massimo cellino 600,000 euros and he will not pay up because under Italian law he thinks he is right and will fight it.
If Massimo thought he was guilty he would have paid the 600,000 and kept it out of the news.

Massimo's court case is currently under appeal which means that if he is found to be not guilty, what legs do the football league stand on?.

Despite this the football league have stopped him buying Leeds they have found him guilty? what a joke, this is loose change to a man with his money.what do you think Ed?

{Ed013's Note - Unfortunately it doesn't work like that. In my opinion he proved he had the money and you only have to prove you can run the club for a year, so I I would have given him that chance}

That fine was ordered by the court as a guilty penalty, its not a voluntary thing to avoid the u can't generally buy yourself out of criminal ptoceeding. civil case is another matter.

Agree he was found guilty but the fit and proper person test is a lot more than that They have barred him on one aspect of the test when he meets all other criteria asked for in the test. They could have passed him with conditions imposed. He is guilty in Sardinia, and the tax man there has been after him for years because he has moved to America to minimise his tax bill and the loss of his money is a big hit to an economy like Sardinia. If you can't park your boat up because its damaged without the taxman wanting half a million off, you then my yacht will not be going to Sardinia
BIGE

26 Mar 2014 08:03:53
I lay the blame for our current position squarely at GFH's feet, not the FL, not Cellino, not even Bates but with GFH. When they bought us they fed us lots of false promises about having lots of money and that they would be getting loads more investment that would push us to the promised land. So where is this money, who is our biggest signing under GFH, is it Pearce or Austin and how much did they cost, less than a million I think. Another problem was that they held onto Warnock for too long when it was obvious he couldn't cut it in the championship. Just over a year after they took over it looks like the money has dramatically run out and now they are desperate to get a new buyer. It is them that has ruined the brand that is LUFC and made sure we can't get a decent buyer for the club

I totally agree. GFH need to appear before the FL and explain themselves.

25 Mar 2014 19:14:38
Ed correct me if I am wrong but is the FPP test that the FL use similar to the HMRC's FPP test that decides if you are fit to run a UK business. If it is then all those blaming the FL for having stupid rules should actually be blaming the HMRC for the ruling against Cellino. As I understand it he wouldn't be allowed to take over any business in the UK let alone a football club

{Ed013's Note - I have tried to find the textbook answer out on this, but can't clarify it. The general feeling is that although there will be similarities, the FL will have a different process in different areas due to being in the public eye and being a sports set up that is part of thousands of lives week in week out and where whilst having staff/players to pay, they also have a commitment to the paying fans. A year or so go Cellino would have been accepted as he has the proof of funds, but due to the FL mistakes in the past allowing some clowns to buy clubs they are stamping down at a time when Leeds really need them to turn a blind eye!}

Good point there ED 13 regarding the clamping down by the FL. You might have also added that 2 or so years ago Ken Bates suddenly found out that he was the club's owner after several years of apparently not knowing who actually owned the club. Handy that he found out when he did because "persons unknown" would have found it difficult to pass the (then) FPP test (though easier than Cellino, I suppose). It was lucky that old Ken had the now FL CEO to help him remember wasn't it! I wonder whether Postman Pat had to pass the FPP test before he was allowed to take up such a responsible position? I wonder whether they asked him about the time when he used to help run the club where nobody knew the owner's name? If they didn't, perhaps somebody ought to remind him.

{Ed013's Note - Its all corrupt mate}