The Leeds United Supporters Trust has had a number of requests for a response to Ken Bates' programme notes for the Hull City game at Elland Road last night. We do not want to get into personal battles with Mr Bates or point out the numerous glaring inaccuracies in his words about the Chairman of the Trust. We will however respond to some of the other statements in his notes. "I'm unimpressed by the demonstrations of a few morons on Saturday" First of all we would like to point out that for the benefit of anyone not present at the demonstration, the number of people demonstrating on Saturday was significantly more then "a few". In addition to this we do not feel it is acceptable to refer to Leeds United fans as "morons" in the same way it is not acceptable to refer to Leeds United fans as "dissidents" and "sickpots". We also wish to respond to Mr Bates' comments about the news that the Chinese Olympic Team will be stationed in Leeds in the lead up to the Olympic games next year: "...What a waste of money and all Leeds will see is increased sales of sweet and sour pork next summer." We would like to place on record that one of the Leeds United Supporters Trust's stated aims is to work with and help the Leeds community. We therefore would like to state that do not share Mr Bates views about the recent news, rather we hope, that as Leeds City Council says, this brings prosperity and benefit to the Leeds community. "I saved your club in 2005 and 2007 when nobody else would" The Leeds United Supporters Trust is very keen to establish exactly what it is that Ken Bates 'saved' the club from. We would welcome clarification from Mr Bates on what he did save us from? Our efforts to establish clear understanding have produced a list of the things that we KNOW we haven't been saved from by Ken Bates. We are left to assume that whatever is left must be what he saved us from but confirmation would be greatly appreciated by our Trust members and the clubs wider fanbase. Ken Bates did not save us from dropping to the lowest point in the League in the entire history of the club. Ken Bates did not save us from administration and he didn't save us from not being able to obtain a CVA. Ken Bates did not save us from being kicked out of the Football Association. Ken Bates did not save us from having to buy our way back into the Football League by means of a 15 point negotiated deduction. Was it the biggest deduction in history that we were not saved from? Ken Bates did not save us from not owning Elland Road. Ken Bates did not save us from not owning Thorp Arch. Ken Bates did not save us from selling some of our most promising players without any obvious investment of the proceeds into the playing squad. Ken Bates did not save us from MPs calling for investigations into the financial dealings at our club. Ken Bates did not save us from falling out with the BBC, newspapers, various other football reporters and commentators. Ken Bates did not save us from making legal threats against supporters groups who used the name of the club. Ken Bates did not save us from a prolonged period outside of the Premiership. Ken Bates did not save us from years of not knowing who owned the club. AuthorLeeds United Supporters Trust | Comment2 Comments | Share ArticleShare Article tagged TagProgramme notes, Tagstatement in CategoryNews Trust Statement On Fan Protests DateWednesday, August 17, 2011 at 5:07PM The Trust recognises and supports the rights of all Leeds United supporters to peacefully protest. We understand the strength of emotions that led to the demonstration at Elland Road last Saturday. We urge all involved in any future protests to do so peacefully, safely and within the law. We are canvassing our shareholders and members as to their concerns and as a board will act accordingly. Please use our Social Media outlets to give us your opinion. We encourage those not already joined up to do so and make their voice count.
Good points all made, none of which will be addressed by the great dictator. Still, a win on Sunday and most will say he's right. I used to have a sneaky admiration for him but no more. There are enough snakes in our society barely operating within the law, or not at all. He's up there with the best of them
I've never liked him since his Chelsea days and his anti-Leeds comments in the past. But I thought I'd give him a chance at the club. But even my patience has run out. I know NW won't agree with me, but it shows Grayson hasn't done too badly with what he's had to work with.
I'm too much for him anyway ------------------------------------------ Ken bates doesnt Bullshit has much as you
LOL....Pags....I'm only joking....lol I knew as soon as I pressed send that you'd probably reply. We know who wears the trousers in that relationship...lol
Am great mate, how are you. Its funny because from the outside it probably looks like she wears the trousers but its me really.
paggs Yeah me thank you very much. You do as your told, but I let you off the lead, from time to time
Didn't think I good dislike him any more than I already do but after reading this... Nicely worded and put together....
