The Scratching Shed

Today brings two stories of interest to Leeds United fans. The first is Bates’ appeal loss in the Bates v Levi saga that has contiued to cast a black cloud over the club since it began christ knows how long ago. Then there’s ex-director Simon Morris. The man who wanted to takeover Leeds United not so long ago, but whom fans feared would only use the land to develop property. Few actually believed he had the clubs best intentions at heart, much like few believe Bates does either.

"Only one way to settle this now Levi. Put 'em up!"

Everything has gone wrong for the millionaire Simon Morris recently and today sees him charged with conspiracy to blackmail. Once heralded as one of the brightest entrepeneurs in our region, and at just 32 it’s some spectaculor rise and fall from grace for the former director.

Bates’ history is well-documented. Like many businessmen, Bates has always got want he wants, irregardless of the people it affects. Much like the Leeds United ownership, his business dealings have often been shrouded in mystery and brought before the courts in bitter public feuds time and again. His outspoken antics have made him a hate figure to football fans across the country, not least, a large percentage of Leeds United fans.

Of course, there’s also Ridsdale. It’s not that the mans a crook, his only real crime was meglomania. He wanted to be the greatest chairman that’s ever lived, guiding his young Leeds United to world dominance. Shame no one taught him finanical management before he bought such unnecessary players for extortionate sums.

It seems that Leeds United just attracts the wrong kind of owners. The huge potential to make money at Elland Road is probably the magnetic force dragging vultures like Bates and Morris towards our club. Whether Bates is currently doing well or not, I remain cynical. I simply don’t trust a man who insists on hiding so much. A man who insists on airing his personal disputes in public with more bad press aimed Leeds United’s way as a consequence.

Maybe one day we’ll find our messiah. A chairman who is open and honest with the fans and who wants to see us successful because he cares about the club, rather than his own bank balance. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against someone making a profit from Leeds United, but since Bates is supposedly only taking a salary from LUFC, where the rest of the cash is going is anyones guess – and in that lies the ultimate problem. The amount of shady characters we know about who have been involved with LUFC is enough to write a book on. The ones that ultimately concern me however, are those that remain illusive.

Cross Gates scandal continues

Been away for a few days but it seems the Cross Gate-gate Scandal (see what I did there?) remains a big talking point. After a couple of regulars critisised Gary Edwards YEP comments, Gary revealed the reason he felt so passionately about the paint job;

I was asked by The YEP and others to get involved in the ‘Gates Saga’
I dont give a toss if you dont like me, thats democracy, something that wasn’t used during the discussions by the boffins who sanctioned theses gates.
The main reason these gates were painted in those colours was the Labour councillor for Cross Gates, Peter Gruen is a fan of you know who, not only a fan, he openly brags about it.

I’d already admitted earlier in the comments that I couldn’t really care less about the colour scheme of the Crossed-Gates sculpture. For me, it’s an absolute eyesore, but if Peter Gruen has sanctioned this paint-job solely to get a reaction from the Leeds United supporting majority, then it’s him that’s the petty one. Not the fans that reacted.

You expect a certain amount of professionalism from your local councillors. If Peter has deliberately tried to annoy the Leeds United fans of the city, he’s in the wrong job.

I also think it’s ridiculous of the local council to allow this saga to continue, when Gary Edwards has offered to re-paint the gates free of charge. No further cost to the tax-payer (afterall, the six figure sum they’ve already wasted on this roundabout revamp is more than enough) and all the drama brought to an end in one move. Democracy is when the majority opinion decides the outcome. Clearly, the majority are opposed to the new colour scheme, therefore it should be fixed!

Lucky escape 101

For those that don’t remember Simon Morris, he was a Leeds-based property developer that wanted to take over the club a few years ago. He divided opinion amongst the Leeds fans. Some saw him as the way forward – a rich entrepeneur that could invest in the club and bring back the good times, whilst others were cynical and questioned his motives.

Well, whichever school of thought you were in, it seems we had a lucky escape. Simon Morris has been declared bankrupt after his company went into administration with debts totalling £50m last year. Morris did serve as a Leeds United director, but luckily for us his takeover plans never came to fruition.

Meanwhile…

Bradley Johnson has told Sky Sports that he’d be happy to open contract talks with Leeds. His current contract has 2 years remaining on it. Elsewhere it seems Leeds United pocketed a healthy £800,000 from the kids Man City poached.