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!"

"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.