Extra: Ken Bates säljer Leeds United?
Idel rykten och viskningar de senaste dagarna har antytt att Ken Bates kan vara på väg att sälja Leeds United Football Club. Nu ikväll släpper Leeds United Supporters Trust (LUST) bomben och bekräftar att minst två grupper är högst intresserade, dessutom finns redan ett bud på bordet att ta ställning till. Är Ken Bates 7 år långa styre snart äntligen över? Supportrarna hoppas.
Ryktena om ett eventuellt övertagande av Leeds United har tilltagit de senaste dagarna och nu under kvällen valde LUST att släppa bomben: LUFC kan vara på väg att säljas.
Från klubbens håll är det absolut knäpptyst.
Manager Neil Warnock befinner sig på semester och den annars så pratglade Ken Bates har inte gjort sin sedvanliga intervju på Yorkshire Radio, något han gjort varje vecka i flera års tid för att få publicitet, även om det så vore på hans egna semester. Trots att klubben behöver en drös med nya spelare, liksom göra sig av med några stycken har ingenting hänt på transfermarknaden utöver köpet av Jason Pearce. Har Warnock placerats under transfer embargo av styrelsen?
Klubbens press officer Paul Dews har tidigare varit pigg på att avvisa alla rykten (liksom Bates) kring ett övertagande, antingen på Twitter eller LeedsUnited.com. Han säger nu att han inte vet något alls.
LUST släppte ikväll följande statement:
In response to the questions that have come our way in increasing numbers over the last few days, Leeds United Supporters' Trust can confirm that we are aware of firm interest from a number of parties looking to buy Leeds United. In common with Phil Hay of the Yorkshire Evening Post's comments on Twitter, we understand that Leeds United are in talks with at least two separate groups. We also understand there is one firm bid on the table at present.
In February we responded to Ken Bates' suggestion that we "put our money where our mouth is," by asking any potential investors, who shared the aims and ambitions of our members and of our Vision Statement, to contact the Trust with a view to working together to take Mr Bates up on his offer. We developed a presentation so interested parties could see how working with L.U.S.T. could help them, and have been in contact with a number of people to explore ways of bringing about change for the better at Elland Road. As part of this ongoing work, we have spoken to two groups who are interested in buying Leeds United. At this stage it is not possible for us to go into details about our conversations with these groups, as with a firm offer on the table we would not want to jeopardise any current negotiations.
Leeds United Supporters' Trust would welcome any move that helped the club to fulfil the aims of our Vision Statement, and our members increasingly tell us that they feel a change of ownership would be the best route towards positive change at Leeds United. On Friday we invited our members and Leeds fans everywhere to let us know their thoughts about the summer so far, and we received hundreds of emails in response. The clear and resounding message from our members was that they have completely lost faith in the current Leeds United board's ability to deliver a successful football club. Following the failure to meet Neil Warnock's target of signing a new group of players before his holiday deadline, and Robert Snodgrass' comments about past promises not being met; and after last season which saw players sold, failure on the pitch, and the season ticket income used to finance corporate facilities rather than new players; our members firmly believe that new owners and a new board are required at Leeds United to match the ambition of the fans, the players and the manager.
Kommer den nu 80 år gamle Bates att sälja klubben? Många frågetecken återstår, mer info lär förstås komma de närmsta dagarna.
Leeds United redaktionen bevakar saken med mycket stort intresse.
