Ken Bates once quoted an adage: the Directors Direct, Managers Manage and Supporters Should Support... That's all well and good when your team are heading in the right direction. The face of football has changed over the years and with forums like this, Supporters groups and the fact that people are more savvy now about team tactics and player capabilities, should the old adage stand? To unify support for the club, the chairman must not only direct, but communicate the vision to all. Clarity and interaction with people gains support and respect. Just being in a position does not guarantee power. Dictators always come to a sticky end, even when they gain power on a high and on the back of public support. Putting it simply, the Chairman has done some great things for this club, but he must now change with the times and provide information to all, not just dictate what's happening. If we [supporters] know why decisions are made (the sale of Kasper for one), we may not like the decisions, but we can accept that it is the best interests of the club. This is a plea to all the fans of LUFC to encourage the Chairman to show he's not lining his pockets and just keeping Leeds United ticking over. This is a time to UNIFY as Leeds United, Club and Supporters, as people have lost the faith in the direction we seem to be going. Don't be stubborn Mr Chairman, you're leading and directing our club, listen to the supporters, interact with us, shed some light and show us the way please, before more people turn against you. Just a thought?
I'm sorry but we're dealing with Ken Bates here, he doesn't live or work in the real world, he's never left 1988 and has no intention of ever doing so. I've met the man, I've even sat in his company at meetings (away from football) and in my opinion, he's simply woeful to deal with, he doesn't listen, he dictates the format, he's stubborn, he's arrogant, he's threatening towards those who dares to question his plans, he lies (many many times), he appears to be driven by money and has no man management skills. As for Leeds Utd, they are another part of his business empire, a game of Monopoly if you like and we are the Northumberland Avenue of the game Bates plays. He simply will not act as he should, perhaps that's a deliberate act on his part, as he doesn't rate other people's opinions and views any hostile act against him or his business, as a nonsense and to be disposed of. I have always felt sad that Bates ended up at Leeds Utd, he's the grim reaper and until his own time is up, he's staying around doing more damage to the club than many appear to realise or accept.
Well put BobI couldn,t agree more with your sentiments he is a disgrace to our club I wish he would just GO
bob is correvt bates is a bastard and allways will be a basrard----i hate him an hope he gets his just deserts
Hi Dynamite - Enoyed your first post but let me ask a question. If Bates said we sold him (Kasper) and the reason for the lack of funds for new players was because we simply could not afford them and we needed to trim the wage budget would that be good enough or would you think damn liar? If Bates said we re-invested the millions from Delph on building a hotel so we can generate more income for players (despite Leeds Utd not owning the ground) would you believe him? Those are the kind of answers he would give and I would have to call him a billy bull ****ter. So no matter what Bates tells the fans I would question is it the truth because I consider him an arrogant liar. I consider him an arrogant liar because that is the way he comes over and always will to me. I don't dislike him because he is ex Chelsea, I dislike him for his manner and actions and the sooner he is out of Leeds the better.
Hi guys, I put this post out as a plea! Mr harvey and the other 'Directors' should choose a new interactive way to speak to fans, They should direct not dictate! I've never met KB and I think he would just wind me up if he acts like Bigfatboab said! My mum and dad had a meal with Simon Grayson when he arrived at Elland road and said he was very keen and passed on a lot of info and interacted with everyone there very well. I agree that he is cantankerous and set in his ways. The only way he'll leave is in a box or a buyout. ( I wish him no ill at all, but something needs to change at the top) he doesn't want to sell so that's that Im afraid. I just hope there is a buyer with enough clout to buy us. Premier league gates are running at around 90% capacity across the league, so if we went up gate takings would rise and payoff the outlay, but KB wants to do it on the cheap. If KB won't change then the other board members need to sort him out. Or do they have one hand tied around their balls?
Bates only likes people who are yes men Lorimer is one who pays Peter, Bates whio pays Harvey ,Bates so he can say and do whatever he wants the sooner he goes the better he is shaming Leeds as a city
THe thing about Bates is he talks a good talk. Pay Prem prices if you want Prem football, we're looking to buy back Thorpe Arch, Simon has money for his targets. Unless you really know what the old codger is up to you can only judge him by his actions and so far... Charged Prem prices but spends next-to-nothing on players, Delph money not used for transfers, cup run money - no sign of, tries to do a deal with the Council to get them to buy the Thorpe Arch for him, and this season, a couple of goalies and one ageing midfielders on the cheap and then into the loan market. What he has done is almost diametrically opposed to what he has said, so for me, he can't be trusted and is simply milking the club.
