Leeds Banter Archive March 28 2014

28 Mar 2014 21:39:54
Something bothers me. Season tickets are usually sold about now. That would bring around £4m in. That would pay off some debt. Is there an argument about who gets the cash? Something else bothers me. Are we waiting till Tuesday before admin hoping to have picked up 6 points from two winnable home games. JD.

Bates sold off the season ticket rights to fund the East Stand redevelopment so the club wouldn't receive the money in any case.

I could see us getting just 14/15k instead of the 24k from last season

This season just ending is the last that season ticket money pays what is owed. Next season we keep the season ticket money. JD

28 Mar 2014 20:59:25
To say Bates and harvey were selling Leeds to a buyer (GFH) that met there criteria to take Leeds forward and be financially sound is a proper sheep take. Especially as Harvey has now been part of a committee that has put a stop to a buyer that was financially sound. All them clowns at the FL should be held accountable with the rubbish storm they have caused when common sense should of prevailed they should of given the go ahead as in Italy he is deemed innocent until the appeal date.

The FL make FIFA look saintly.

29 Mar 2014 06:00:11
Harvey is not on ft lge board of directors!

28 Mar 2014 18:55:17
You know, I have a sneaky feeling that the appeal will go in favour of MC. That the FL had to refuse permission in order to lay down a marker and show they have teeth but will be overturned on appeal because of the finer points of the innocent/guilty verdict in Sardinia. This is probably just wishful thinking but you never know. Either way I can't believe he was the only serious player interested in LUFC so if he fails there will be others waiting in the wings.

I agree. I said from day one MC will be approved early to mid April on appeal

I too have a gut feeling he will be approved on appeal.

28 Mar 2014 18:10:50
DON´T know if you have read this ED by Amitai winehouse link. http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2014/03/26/gfh-have-focussed-purely-on-controlling-the-narrative-not-on-running-leeds-united-260301/

written 2 days ago!

{Ed013's Note - I will have a look in a bit, I have heard negative things about this guy, is he genuine or a stirrer?}

This particular article is more or less down the middle, no real strong leanings, just personal experiences. MOT

He`s right you know Ed013, I have often wondered why those in position to make a right rumpus about GFH and the goings on at our club. I`m talking about the media, their was some encouraging noises on `deadline day` and shortly after. Even the tv and sky pundits, the press piped up in defence of our club admitting we `loyal fans deserved better` and `Leeds united belong in the prem.

To hear Bates is parked up across the road from ER with his radio station makes me uncomfortable as do his comments about current situation.

Ed013 where did you hear about HMRC looking at GFH.

As for the Mike Ashley rumour, this was mentioned at work early last year that he wanted to sell the Toon and was interested in Leeds United. But it was a work mate who had heard it at Newcastle game so not saying it is or isn't true as who knows?

{Ed013's Note - Earlier today mate, I suppose they have to with it all being out in the open and GFH refusing to speak}

ED, HMRC got involved when a certain person initiated a winding petition!

{Ed013's Note - I believe that is over now}

28 mar 2014 17:04:47
all this mess stinks of bates being able to buy us back after admin, why have gfh borrowed money of him?, why has flowers and co gone to him for help with a failed takeover, why and how did harvey suddenly slip into a top job at the fl, i might be wrong but this all stinks, but i'm sure there is something very wrong going on behind the scenes, massimo is our only hope here he wants to invest in the club with his own money not borrowing it from conmen and crooks, so why are leeds being stopped from moving forward?.it stinks of corruption, . massimo oh massimo you are the only one who wants to help us we must show the fl and the media we want him if not we are finished.

{Ed013's Note - This isn't Bates I assure you}

Do you what is going on Ed because something fishy is going on here,

{Ed013's Note - I don't think anyone knows mate, but it is all GFH's fault and to ask Mr Bates to invest in a consortium is terrible after the way Mr Haigh knew how the fans thought about him}

Thanks Ed

28 Mar 2014 08:03:56
Ed013,
Just re read your blog GFH The Toy That Went Wrong, a great piece of work and how prophetic given the present situation, the petulant child has thrown its toy well and truly out of the pram. I salute you while clutching The Badge and weeping in pure frustration

{Ed013's Note - Thanks mate, really appreciate your comments}

28 Mar 2014 14:53:33
Seems neither Cellino nor GFH paid any extra money in to cover wages there was money already there and that the remainder will be paid by one of the parties but not until the takeover issues are resolved.

I still cannot see how we will be allowed to slip into admin by GFH why spend the money in the first place then 6 months later just write it off. Makes no sense to me.

Lets make sure we get behind the team tomorrow but let those wombats at GFH know who owns our club! #MOT

Yes support the team and Brian but let GFH know our feelings if they have the balls to how there faces?MOT

28 Mar 2014 14:06:16
I imagine you have received lots of emails from Leeds fans like myself, I understand why Massimo Cellino failed the FL test, I just wanted to know about the sustainability ability section you guys have, surely Cellino has this and thought with the last 10 years of turmoil at our club this would be taken into huge consideration. The stricter rules or new rules always seem to apply when it comes to Leeds and i'm sure its just coincidence but you must be able to feel our frustration. I presume the stricter rules are there because of convictions of current owners I just don't want Leeds to suffer again because of mistakes made by someone else. Leeds United seem to be disliked by a lot of people, probably because of some personic fans which every club has. But family men like myself who work hard to see games and its hard enough work supporting Leeds, feel like their is no justice sometimes, for example GFH shouldn't be able to pass the fit and proper test as the sustainability part shouldn't have let them. I presume the appeal is out of your hands but if anyone could help Leeds in anyway it would be appreciated, I would love for the FL to try and prove his innocence instead of the other way around. Sarah.
My email to the FL I sent earlier.

Good point, I do feel we are looked at with more scrutiny than other clubs. Mainly due to being run by crooks. Love the "family men like me" then signed off as sarah. ;)

28 Mar 2014 12:59:10
I hope he wins the case and will take our great club forward. Also he then needs to get 100% pay the Arabs off and get them out of our club and send them back to London. We thought Bates was bad but these lot makes Bates look good. Also heard on the radio that next week the football league are going to comment on the news that Leeds players were not paid in full that should be interesting doubt they will say well they had a buyer with money but we decided against him so now its your fault.

GFH are a disgrace, what happened to there's no chance of us not going into administration?, without the good will of Cellino that's where we would be, it would have ben so easy to ask for his money back and walk away, but he's bankrolled us yet again, he is nothing like GFH who are only interested in profit, he is a proper football manand I think has a definite love already of Leeds United, let's show him.and the players our support against Donny, we are Leeds.

Why don't the FL give Cellino a year to prove he IS a fit and proper person to own Leeds United then they, the FL, will save face, and save the club too (as Massimo will undoubtedly do all the right things - especially after what has gone on recently).

Spirit Of The Don

The above suggestion from SOTD is now bad. a probationary period, then no quibbles from FL when he runs the club well.

Yeh I wondered about a probationery period, say two years where he has to keep all dealings strictly above board or recieves a heavy fine from the fl

28 Mar 2014 12:36:31
Can someone explain to me. MC has put into LUFC something in excess of 6 million in 2 months. One of the board has put in 1.5 million on top of that.
How the hell does the club equate 1million a month losses to the fact that 7.5million has needed to be put in just to keep the ship afloat in 2 months.

I think the 1 million a month is just an average figure and not an exact. Some months its probably more. We had 4 away games in a row so that would've meant we had no gate reciepts bringing money in so we probably lost more money then. Also January was transfer window time. I'd hazard a guess that along with paying additional wages for new signings there might have been a loan fee paid to the parent club. Wickham, Kebe, Butland probably involved a loan fee. i'd guess Stewart didn't as we effectively signed him on loan for this season but on a permanent deal which kicks in at the end of the season.

Our accounts are meant to be released before the end of March so it will make interesting reading for us all. If GFH actually manage to compile and release them.

Crmd

He also had to pay off Enterprise Insurance £1.5m plus others!

28 Mar 2014 11:56:11
Someone earlier today suggested rather than the fans demonstrating with a walk out after 5 minutes that fans should simply turn their backs to the pitch. More appropriate if we turn out backs to the owners sat in the East Stand rather than to the players on the pitch?

A very frustrated white.

28 Mar 2014 11:24:52
So cellino has paid part of the players wage, stopping I presume from entering administration. Could this be a ploy to force the hand of the takeover as it makes cellino look like a saint? I've also heard that all this is a deliberate to force the club into administration and buy it back for a fraction of the cost, surely not.I hope.

28 Mar 2014 10:58:40
Well if players haven't been payed expect another good stuffing tomorrow then because that shower of chipmunk won't want to play for the shirt or pride.

28 Mar 2014 10:37:13
To me our whole ownership throws up a lot of inconsistencies. Why would they go back to papa smurf for money when they just bought the club off him unless he is somehow linked to GFH. It is obvious this company took us over as an investment, that's what they are an investment bank and when they say funds can be made available these would be in the form of secured loans which just puts the club further in debt. They want to sell but keep a percentage because they know if say Massimo takes us to the premiership thee rewards are astronomical especially with our fan base. That is the investment part. They had no intention of investing in the club to take us forward just to find investors to put money into the club as they would not. This raises the question as to why we were sold to this company in the first place. Why did not papa smurf advertise the club for sale globally and get the best price he could, I am sure Massimo would have been interested back then. Instead he sells to faceless people again based in tax havens with no football background. Why is papa still hanging around when he knows he is not welcome. How can Mr Harvey investigate Massimo when he brokered the deal for GFH to take over. Are the FL that blinkered that they can't see that he was not the man to do this job. Even now they expect other people to use their money to keep us afloat. Any future buyer, if its not Massimo, will now have to pay him back as well as take on all the accrued debt this company has added to the club by not investing. Then find money to buy ER and TA. Does not look good .
As for the team and manager I am sorry but you get paid to play football not oversee takeovers or concern yourself with the running of the clubOur biggest outlay is paying your wages.My future at work is uncertain at the moment but I do not go in and walk about and blame the uncertainty I go in and do a days work because they pay me to this. The thing is we get beat because the majority of our squad is crap and simple journeymen out to make a few bob with no commitment or passion.
I have supported Leeds for fifty years and we have been through a lot of bad times but have always had players on the pitch who were proud to wear the shirt and those that were not did not play. If I were Brian I would put half this squad on the transfer list, the squads too big anyway. I would blood youngsters and plan for next season now never mind the rest of this season its wrecked. But Brian being the tactical and innovative manager he is will probably stick with the same plan and hope he gets the odd win so he can say that was an improvement on our last performance.
I am still optimistic for our future, admin or not. Massimos appeal will throw up a lot of questions around the FLs structure and impartiality among other things . This can only be good and don't rule out Massimo being our new owner in April,
Wonder how much season tickets going to be for next season. MOT Forever Leeds
BIGE

28 Mar 2014 10:29:24
General members of staff have been paid their March wages but not the players. It is what we all feared. Could this be the end of the road for our beloved club?

Shambles, I fear we will be in administration very soon.

I fear we could end up like poor Hereford United who are going out o business this week Are we the Damned United?

28 Mar 2014 09:46:43
Player's not getting paid this month, the only bit of justice out of all this mess

Deco the dub

28 Mar 2014 10:45:54
Think the players and management with the exception of McCormack, should all fore go their wages this month. If they were on performance related pay they would owe the club money in 2014 ( would to make a blind bit of difference GFH would somehow turn this into a loss!)

Read the rules after the 4th Thursday in March the points deduction starts the following season, look on their website

28 Mar 2014 10:38:11
Ed what's the situation now players not been payed,, does this mean points deduction

Mr T

{Ed013's Note - No mate, the Club could get a fine, but not yet as the players have agreed to this one}

28 Mar 2014 09:01:56
Cant the local mp for the Leeds area take this up. We have a buyer who has put money into the club has a good football plan, will buy Elland Road back. This will ensure work for local people. They are saying the club is part of the community and the amount of money Leeds generate. The current owners are destroying this and something needs to be done

28 Mar 2014 10:27:30
Agree totally - the local MP needs to get of his arse and do something. A football club is more than just football it is part of the greater community

Why involve a waffle merchant like an MP? Enough talking has been done. I will be there tomorrow doing my SHOUTING! MASSIMO CELLINO, MASSIMO CELLINO, to the tune of the Luciano Bechio song.
Respect to all Leeds United fans. Yes the name still send shivers down my spine. MorleyWhite

28 Mar 2014 14:54:11
You'll probably find the MP got involved and stopped him taking over after the sacking shambles, and now he can't back track.

28 Mar 2014 00:09:10
Who is this Manchester businessman who was going to invest in Blackburn (I wouldn't go there oh hello football league the Venkys appear to be fit and proper persons)?