Previously unseen documents have shed new light on the collapse of Leeds City Council’s multi-million pound bid to buy Leeds United’s Thorp Arch training ground. Morning Peeps, Paperwork dating back to 2009 between council officials and LUFC have come to light thanks to the Freedom of information Act. Leeds council were interested in buying Thorp Arch, but their bosses wanted to know exactly who they were dealing with, and therefor asked for full disclosure. As you can imagine, this information was as difficult as finding a Millwall season ticket holder. Correspondence between the Council and then chief executive Shaun Harvey said he “can not see the justification for shareholders under 30% as they cannot exert influence which is surely the point”. Mr Harvey then raises the council’s role in the 2007 sale of Leeds Bradford Airport to private equity group Bridgepoint. He said: “On a separate but related note how did you get yourself comfortable with all the ‘members’ of the fund that bought the airport from the consortium of local councils. Surely you didn’t enquire about every member in the same way as you are seeking here?” The deal subsequently collapsed. The Council did not believe LUFC were being transparent!!! It surprises me that the Leeds Utd midfield is the weakest I have known it to be, even when you consider the experience we have. With Austin (28), Green (30), Tonge (30), Norris (32) and Brown (36), (imagine their wages) you would think we would be well disciplined, balanced and well organised in the middle of the park, short of confidence and ideas and unable to keep the ball. The influence Byram and Mowatt have added has seemed to have shrunk away in recent times. Agree? The completion of the takeover has gone a bit quiet. Does anyone know anything? Could it happen today?
Morning Elland. Nothing surprises me anymore. Its a bit like peeling onions. You unwrap one layer only to find another one. That said, I still think we're moving in the right direction. On our midfield, I think we have to remember that Mowatt and Byram are still kids, and as such, are still developing. If we push them too hard, they'll be burned out by their earlier 20s. The problem really ressts with Tonge, Green, and Norris. But I think at least two of them either are injured or were. Let's hope BMD brings in some qulity soon.
Morning Elland. Nothing surprises me when it comes to takeover deals anymore. Irrespective of what haigh says, he has a habit of putting gloss on anything I'm afraid. The FL wanted to see some more documents and wanted some more answers to certain questions? I would think that this should be sorted by now if there are no issues. Taking the fact that Harvey now runs the FL and putting that aside for now, would you trust anything presented to you by the club without double checking it. Bates has gone yes, but GFH have been involved in one failed takeover, then went it alone and since then have bought and sold shares in the club at an alarming rate. First Noodles takes majority shareholding then flogs some to Haigh who sells some to someone else. Noodles is now president, Haigh is now chairman and wanting to sell the club on again. All this before the ink is dry on the original deal. It stinks I'm afraid because GFH had no money but yet saw value in taking the club. Value for who? GFH or Noodles and haigh personally, but never mind its us fans that still put up with all the shyte and wonder when we'll ever get an owner who can do what the club is crying out for. The TA fiasco was always a joke and how Harvey could get himself the FL gig, when its been proved that he lied to select committee, lied in high court twice, lied to the FL regarding the ownership issue and FSF/TEak Trading? Who is Harvey, well he's just a failed accountant who followed Geofrey Richmond around at Bradford City, before taking them into administration. He then followed Richmond to Leeds in another fiasco for the club and stayed there for years through every failed investment, whilst selling the clubs assets. Our club needs a new broom, and if Charlton can be bought inside a week, at the same time Leeds are trying to do a deal, it makes you wonder about the credibility of the deal. Forget Xmas and holidays, Charlton deal went through during Xmas and all done and dusted, plus players were flying in the same day from Standard Liege.
Morning Boggers, I was a fan of Greens. Surely he can't be any worse then how we are playing at the moment
I quite liked Green too. But using the 352 formation for now, who would yur centre 3 be, - Mowatt, Austin, and Murphy or Mowatt, Austin, and Green?
Morning all. I'm almost past caring anymore. Same old crap every week for years, just dressed up a bit different
Morning All, Just for once, I find myself agreeing with Harvey. He has a point re. why the council wanted 'deep dive' detail, on this, and only this occasion. Let's just say that councils have never been noted for their transparency & good business sense. Ittakes one to know one, if you get my drift.
According to the YEP we are signing 2 prem league stars this week and they will be playing on Saturday. Cameron Stewart is coming ona free unless a host of other clubs offer him more wages than we can. The other player is yet another probable loan signing. Not holding my breath about anything involving the club, management or owners anymore, until, we see some real clarity of thought.
In regards to the T/O - Alarm bells rang for me on day one when Haigh said months back that he "Hopes" for it to be complete by January. For me it can mean only one possible scenario - Haigh hasn't the financial backing in place. What else could it possibly be, he was involved in the Due Diligence on the initial takeover, I am sick and tired of the talk, the tweets, the so far false promises and as for when GFH first took over and declared they would be 100% transparent, what a joke.
Cameron Stewart, a premier league star. Give me a break, who writes these stupid headlines. He's unwanted by feckin Hull and not what Id call a star. Hope he works out. Cant imagine who or what the second one will be, probably someone from Crystal Palace youths
From what I've read this prem league 'star' Stewart is maybe not as good as Aidy White ffs. I really hope he can do it, but he's failed everywhere he's been after the first month of flattering to decieve. On the one hand I bow to BMcD's knowledge, but on the other hand I think he may be desperate. I'm surprised we've not asked Robbie Rodgers to come back whilst the MLS is on holiday
GFH have done alright with limited funds. I wonder whether it was always GFH's intentions to sell to Haigh?
Morning lads. Heard a rumour that we (Norwich) have singed Byram for a fee of around 500k. Anybody else heard anything?
We'll have to wait and see with Stewart. According to sources, Charlton want to buy Stewart, so he can't be that crap
