Let me throw this out there. If things don't improve, Bates hires a muppet as manager, players are sold and the squad continues to decline, what could we as Leeds fans do? Protest? Yes, but Bates is stubborn and if he digs his heels in and refuses to go, we are simply going to meander along to his beat. What about doing what fans of Wimbledon and Scum did? Start our own club. We can play in the all-white kit, have the Yorkshire Rose as our badge, and maybe go under the name of Leeds City. I am certain a startup club owned by the fans would attract a lot of support, and sponsorship could be raised by local businesses, and support could be given by the Leeds City Council. The Yorkshire Post would have something more positive to write about than Bates, and the club could potentially grow into something successful. Who knows, eventually Bates will go and there could even be a merger between Leeds United and the fans' club Leeds City. This is all a bit blue sky thinking right now, but it has been done successfully elsewhere, and with commitment, dedication and hard work why couldn't there be a Leeds City owned by the fans? Imagine away pre-season friendlies against former European rivals such as Bayern, Milan, Juventus and Inter!! Now that would be a great way to raise money. And how about having Leeds Legends really being used properly? Get Gray, Clarke, Reaney and Giles on board as Exec Members, have Radebe as Honorary President, use any others who are willing to pitch in. Maybe Nigel Martyn doing a once a month goalkeeper coaching session. Just thinking outside the box here. Have a youth system in place where we KEEP our best youngsters to help the team into the Football League. Get our famous fans involved, like the Kaiser Chiefs playing a benefit gig to raise cash. Build the club's public profile by getting these celeb fans to promote the club at every opportunity, to talk about how supporters are taking football back from the super rich and making it the sport of the people again. Is this even worth discussing, or is it something Leeds fans simply believe not possible? See these links: http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/history.php http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/history.php?Psection_id=4&Psub_section_id=6&squad=
I don't want to be negative, but...............no. AFC Wimbledon is a valid point but in reality the club as they knew it ceased to exist and they in effect rebuilt their old club. Fc United of Manchester, a different club born out of the simple fact that some Man Utd fans didn't like the current owners. Hmm, sounds familiar, but it's still a different club. Manchester United still exist, and will do long after the Glazers have gone. What if some of the fans of the new Leeds City disagree with how that club gets run in 10 years time ? Create another club ? Leeds Athletic ? Leeds Rovers ? The Kaisers will be playing benefit gigs every week. No I'm a Leeds United fan, always have been, always will be. Like my son will be after I'm gone. Ups and downs and all that.
billy you have to much time on your hands mate, all will be resolved the day bates walks or is carried out of elland road for good
It would be a fantastic experience - winning games every week, uniting the fans once again, cracking lower-league atmospheres, genuine local players and so on, but ultimately, Bates will leave eventually and there's no point creating a club that everyone's just going to desert as soon as the Cancer pops his clogs. The merger might work, but I feel the perception would be the same. Also, UNITED would have to be in the name.
