Leeds chairman pledges to BUY BACK Elland Road and confirms Massimo Cellino board return - Daily Express 4/2/15
LEEDS UNITED could soon have ownership of their Elland Road stadium, new chairman Andrew Umbers has revealed.
By JOE SHORT
The club sold their Beeston ground back in 2004 for £8million as part of a desperate attempt to avoid administration and pay their spiraling debts. And over a decade later they are still paying rent on their historical home, where they have an option to buy back the ground at a set fee by 2029 when their 25-year lease ends.
But Umbers revealed he is determined to bring Elland Road back under Leeds' ownership by this time next season.
"We know that we have got to own our own assets," Umbers told BBC Radio Leeds. "It's wrong to be a guest in our own home.
"It is our intention to buy the stadium. This is a club that belongs to its fans and to the community.
"I don't want to give a date because I think it would be wrong to manage that expectation, but I think this time next year a lot will have changed around the stadium and Leeds will be a wealthier club for owning its own assets."
Umbers also revealed club owner Massimo Cellino will return once his Football League ban expires on 10 April.
He added: "I know Massimo well and it is his absolute intention to come back to Elland Road.
"He is a very good leader and he is passionate about Leeds.
"He wants to re-engage with fans, the council and the community and he is committed to that.
"He is the steward of this ship. I am the steward of it while he is away, but it is his ship."
By JOE SHORT
The club sold their Beeston ground back in 2004 for £8million as part of a desperate attempt to avoid administration and pay their spiraling debts. And over a decade later they are still paying rent on their historical home, where they have an option to buy back the ground at a set fee by 2029 when their 25-year lease ends.
But Umbers revealed he is determined to bring Elland Road back under Leeds' ownership by this time next season.
"We know that we have got to own our own assets," Umbers told BBC Radio Leeds. "It's wrong to be a guest in our own home.
"It is our intention to buy the stadium. This is a club that belongs to its fans and to the community.
"I don't want to give a date because I think it would be wrong to manage that expectation, but I think this time next year a lot will have changed around the stadium and Leeds will be a wealthier club for owning its own assets."
Umbers also revealed club owner Massimo Cellino will return once his Football League ban expires on 10 April.
He added: "I know Massimo well and it is his absolute intention to come back to Elland Road.
"He is a very good leader and he is passionate about Leeds.
"He wants to re-engage with fans, the council and the community and he is committed to that.
"He is the steward of this ship. I am the steward of it while he is away, but it is his ship."
