United ship is back on course
With the big kick-off just four days away for
Leeds United, YEP soccer writer PAUL DEWS talks exclusively to chairman Ken Bates about the progress made at Elland Road and his hopes for the future
IF the Leeds United squad is in such sparkling form as chairman Ken Bates, they'll have the Coca-Cola Championship wrapped up by Christmas!
Bates, a tax exile in Monaco, is itching for the big kick-off and from initial scepticism when he took over the club six months ago, he appears to be winning over the Leeds United faithful.
"I think the initial suspicions of having a cockney down at Elland Road have passed now and people are coming around," says Bates."I tell people there is only a cockney at Elland Road because no-one from here was prepared to put their money in. One guy asked how much I was taking out of the club. I said 'not a penny, there's none there because all the other buggers have taken it!'."
That's Bates all over. A dry sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye.
And these past few weeks, he has been like a child awaiting Christmas.
Pre-season is all very well for whetting the appetite, but there's nothing like the real thing, and Bates' Leeds United are looking good bets to put some fizz into the Coca-Cola Championship this season.It's a new-look Leeds and, dare I say it, a new era. The Bates era.
Revitalised
Since saving the club from going under in January, the former Chelsea chief has rolled back the years to rise to the challenge of revitalising United and, while the job is far from complete, the Elland Road club is finally moving in the right direction.
Former chairman John McKenzie likened the rebuilding of the club to turning an oil tanker around.With captain Bates at the helm, and wife Suzannah by his side offering unstinting support, that ship is now turning, some two years down the line, and is heading away from the rocks.
Bates isn't one for analogies – he is a bluff, honest man who speaks from the heart. While some may not always like what they hear, his efforts since taking over Leeds cannot be questioned. From being on the verge of bankruptcy to becoming a stable entity was the chairman's biggest challenge and, as the new season approaches, there is light visible through the trees.
"It's a much tighter ship now than it was," says Bates. "The club won't be going bust and the threat of administration has now passed. That said, we still don't have much money and we have to watch our pennies. There are still little things coming out of the woodwork, but there's not much woodwork left now. Last week we had something else crop up that we were able to negotiate, but I think we can draw a line under all that now. And I've been very encouraged by the interest of corporates and businesses."
And it's the challenge that provides the buzz that keeps Bates feeling young.
Monaco may be his base, but the Elland Road club is never far away from the thoughts of a chairman who wants to bring the good times back.
Aside from cursing the scaffolders and assorted tradesmen who take over Monaco for the Grand Prix during mid-summer – his pet hate about his adopted home – Bates has spent the remainder of the off-season watching over United like a proud father over his new-born baby.
Significantly, Bates has presided over a string of incomings that has seen nine permanent recruits added to last season's squad. At £1.1m, Rob Hulse commanded the biggest outlay, but Leeds have also shelled out transfer fees for Shaun Derry, Ian Moore, Dan Harding and Robbie Blake.In addition, Steve Stone, Eddie Lewis, Ian Bennett and Rui Marques have joined on frees, and 12 months on from scrapping and scrounging the basement bargains, Leeds have set their sights higher.
"How have we done it?" muses Bates. "By being very careful and saving quite a bit in the budgets. Prudence. We paid off Michael Duberry at the end of last season and that saved us £650,000. We then sold Aaron Lennon – we didn't want to sell, but he had a stupid contract. We came to a settlement with Julian Joachim which will help us with our spending. That has saved us money and helped give us a fighting fund. We also looked at the Academy and there were a lot of overpaid kids in there. We looked at all the bits and bats and that's all helped. Of the players we've brought in, we haven't paid for Lewis, Stone and Bennett. With the others the deals are structured so we are chipping away at the payments.
"It's been very similar to how it was at Chelsea. It's the same formula, rebuilding brick by brick. We've also got the players we can afford."
Despite his hard-nosed approach to the business angle, there is no doubting Bates' motives for riding into Leeds last January. First and foremost he is a football man. No, he is a football obsessive. He has followed United's pre-season games from Monaco with all the eagerness of a young fan desperate to see his side succeed.
Midnight telephone calls and snatches of information have kept the chairman's thirst quenched over the past few weeks, but there's no masking his anticipation of the season ahead. That said, he is making no predictions, other than acknowledging the competition on offer.
"I'm very encouraged by the players we have here," insists Bates."I think the bonus payments shows their attitude. And we've got a strong team. We've actually had enquiries for eight of our players over the summer so I think we must have a pretty good squad. There are five or six teams who will be in contention this season and one other always comes out of the blue. Norwich have been very clever and have kept a strong team, and Crystal Palace should be up there after they managed to hang on to Andy Johnson. I think there is a question mark over Southampton, but Sheffield United will be there. They are a well run club and Neil Warnock is a canny manager. Possibly there's Wolves and there's the other three Midland teams – Leicester, Coventry and Derby. They've all got new managers, there are bits of turmoil and you don't know how they will come out."
While Bates is cagey over his expectations – "There is so much uncertainty, a chairman can expect anything" – he has given his full backing to his manager and thrown his weight firmly behind Kevin Blackwell.
"He deserved that because of what he inherited," says Bates firmly. "I demand loyalty and when you demand that, you have to show loyalty. Kevin has got the players he wanted. We pushed the boat out and it's up to him now. It's a great opportunity for him to stamp his mark on the game. He is one of the best qualified coaches in the game and Sam Ellis is his foil. The important thing isn't getting up, it's making sure that when we do get up, we stay in the Premiership."
What is important for Bates now is that nothing should undermine the progress that Leeds are making. Already, he has fended off constant speculation about Blackwell's future as manager and has become involved in a spat with supporters about season ticket prices and the new procedure for handing out away tickets. He's also had to contend with the constant mischief-making, suggesting he is ready to bail out of the club after less than seven months in charge. He laughs off the claims – he is looking at property in Leeds – and will happily sue anyone who wants to put the suggestions in the public arena.It's fair to say that Bates still enjoys the odd spat, even now, but there are signs that he is mellowing.
Take the telephone call to the 11-year-old girl whose dad refused to renew her season ticket. Imagine the dad's face when the voice at the other end said: "Hello, Ken Bates here. Is your daughter around?"
Needless to say, the youngster will be present on Sunday, complete with her season ticket. Bates hasn't broadcast much of what he has done since taking over and has given few secrets away, but he happily admits he is working hard to forge a relationship with the people of Leeds and is enjoying the challenge.
"Yorkshire people definitely like to do deals, but there are no deals to be done here," he laughs. "Things should be paid for in full. This is my first experience where we sell reserved seats for the season without receiving the money up front. That won't happen again after this year.
"I'm still learning about how Yorkshire works. At Chelsea when you reserved your seat you paid for it. It's simple. A top class club has to be paid for by the fans. The last time Leeds were up there, it was paid for by the likes of Teachers and the Pru who lent the club a lot of money."
Bates is defiant in his belief that it is the fans who must fund the club going forward again, but says he is keen to foster relations. More than £3m has been spent on the ground over the summer, with new lounges, corporate areas and improved concourse facilities. The catering on offer to fans will also be vastly improved.
Surprised
"The ground was looking seedy and shabby, and I think the fans will be pleasantly surprised on Sunday," he says. "It's amazing what a couple of coats of paint and some new carpets can do. We've also created a new chairman's box inside the directors' box. We put 30 seats up for sale at £6.2k – they are probably the most expensive seats in the Championship – and do you know how many we've sold? 35."
Bates has also launched a new Leeds United Members Club and says the priority is forging a direct bond between the club and the fans. Members will be able to make exclusive use of the conference centre bar facilities before and after all home games. United legend Peter Lorimer will be on hand to offer his views, and there is the promise of more guests to follow. Junior supporters have also played their part by choosing the name of Lucas the Kop Cat – United's new mascot – and fans young and old flocked to Elland Road last weekend for a family fun day.
"The club hasn't really had any connections with the fans," explains Bates. "We know we've put a few noses out of joint with the way we've restructured things, but we've got 17,500 members already and that makes them a part of what we are doing. We want to talk to them to see what is going on and, unlike in the past, I want to make sure that the tickets are going to fans who support Leeds."
And with that, talk returns to football, and United's chances for the coming season. "I just can't wait for August 7," he adds.
With the big kick-off just four days away for
Leeds United, YEP soccer writer PAUL DEWS talks exclusively to chairman Ken Bates about the progress made at Elland Road and his hopes for the futureIF the Leeds United squad is in such sparkling form as chairman Ken Bates, they'll have the Coca-Cola Championship wrapped up by Christmas!
Bates, a tax exile in Monaco, is itching for the big kick-off and from initial scepticism when he took over the club six months ago, he appears to be winning over the Leeds United faithful.
"I think the initial suspicions of having a cockney down at Elland Road have passed now and people are coming around," says Bates."I tell people there is only a cockney at Elland Road because no-one from here was prepared to put their money in. One guy asked how much I was taking out of the club. I said 'not a penny, there's none there because all the other buggers have taken it!'."
That's Bates all over. A dry sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye.
And these past few weeks, he has been like a child awaiting Christmas.
Pre-season is all very well for whetting the appetite, but there's nothing like the real thing, and Bates' Leeds United are looking good bets to put some fizz into the Coca-Cola Championship this season.It's a new-look Leeds and, dare I say it, a new era. The Bates era.
Revitalised
Since saving the club from going under in January, the former Chelsea chief has rolled back the years to rise to the challenge of revitalising United and, while the job is far from complete, the Elland Road club is finally moving in the right direction.
Former chairman John McKenzie likened the rebuilding of the club to turning an oil tanker around.With captain Bates at the helm, and wife Suzannah by his side offering unstinting support, that ship is now turning, some two years down the line, and is heading away from the rocks.
Bates isn't one for analogies – he is a bluff, honest man who speaks from the heart. While some may not always like what they hear, his efforts since taking over Leeds cannot be questioned. From being on the verge of bankruptcy to becoming a stable entity was the chairman's biggest challenge and, as the new season approaches, there is light visible through the trees.
"It's a much tighter ship now than it was," says Bates. "The club won't be going bust and the threat of administration has now passed. That said, we still don't have much money and we have to watch our pennies. There are still little things coming out of the woodwork, but there's not much woodwork left now. Last week we had something else crop up that we were able to negotiate, but I think we can draw a line under all that now. And I've been very encouraged by the interest of corporates and businesses."
And it's the challenge that provides the buzz that keeps Bates feeling young.
Monaco may be his base, but the Elland Road club is never far away from the thoughts of a chairman who wants to bring the good times back.
Aside from cursing the scaffolders and assorted tradesmen who take over Monaco for the Grand Prix during mid-summer – his pet hate about his adopted home – Bates has spent the remainder of the off-season watching over United like a proud father over his new-born baby.
Significantly, Bates has presided over a string of incomings that has seen nine permanent recruits added to last season's squad. At £1.1m, Rob Hulse commanded the biggest outlay, but Leeds have also shelled out transfer fees for Shaun Derry, Ian Moore, Dan Harding and Robbie Blake.In addition, Steve Stone, Eddie Lewis, Ian Bennett and Rui Marques have joined on frees, and 12 months on from scrapping and scrounging the basement bargains, Leeds have set their sights higher.
"How have we done it?" muses Bates. "By being very careful and saving quite a bit in the budgets. Prudence. We paid off Michael Duberry at the end of last season and that saved us £650,000. We then sold Aaron Lennon – we didn't want to sell, but he had a stupid contract. We came to a settlement with Julian Joachim which will help us with our spending. That has saved us money and helped give us a fighting fund. We also looked at the Academy and there were a lot of overpaid kids in there. We looked at all the bits and bats and that's all helped. Of the players we've brought in, we haven't paid for Lewis, Stone and Bennett. With the others the deals are structured so we are chipping away at the payments.
"It's been very similar to how it was at Chelsea. It's the same formula, rebuilding brick by brick. We've also got the players we can afford."
Despite his hard-nosed approach to the business angle, there is no doubting Bates' motives for riding into Leeds last January. First and foremost he is a football man. No, he is a football obsessive. He has followed United's pre-season games from Monaco with all the eagerness of a young fan desperate to see his side succeed.
Midnight telephone calls and snatches of information have kept the chairman's thirst quenched over the past few weeks, but there's no masking his anticipation of the season ahead. That said, he is making no predictions, other than acknowledging the competition on offer.
"I'm very encouraged by the players we have here," insists Bates."I think the bonus payments shows their attitude. And we've got a strong team. We've actually had enquiries for eight of our players over the summer so I think we must have a pretty good squad. There are five or six teams who will be in contention this season and one other always comes out of the blue. Norwich have been very clever and have kept a strong team, and Crystal Palace should be up there after they managed to hang on to Andy Johnson. I think there is a question mark over Southampton, but Sheffield United will be there. They are a well run club and Neil Warnock is a canny manager. Possibly there's Wolves and there's the other three Midland teams – Leicester, Coventry and Derby. They've all got new managers, there are bits of turmoil and you don't know how they will come out."
While Bates is cagey over his expectations – "There is so much uncertainty, a chairman can expect anything" – he has given his full backing to his manager and thrown his weight firmly behind Kevin Blackwell.
"He deserved that because of what he inherited," says Bates firmly. "I demand loyalty and when you demand that, you have to show loyalty. Kevin has got the players he wanted. We pushed the boat out and it's up to him now. It's a great opportunity for him to stamp his mark on the game. He is one of the best qualified coaches in the game and Sam Ellis is his foil. The important thing isn't getting up, it's making sure that when we do get up, we stay in the Premiership."
What is important for Bates now is that nothing should undermine the progress that Leeds are making. Already, he has fended off constant speculation about Blackwell's future as manager and has become involved in a spat with supporters about season ticket prices and the new procedure for handing out away tickets. He's also had to contend with the constant mischief-making, suggesting he is ready to bail out of the club after less than seven months in charge. He laughs off the claims – he is looking at property in Leeds – and will happily sue anyone who wants to put the suggestions in the public arena.It's fair to say that Bates still enjoys the odd spat, even now, but there are signs that he is mellowing.
Take the telephone call to the 11-year-old girl whose dad refused to renew her season ticket. Imagine the dad's face when the voice at the other end said: "Hello, Ken Bates here. Is your daughter around?"
Needless to say, the youngster will be present on Sunday, complete with her season ticket. Bates hasn't broadcast much of what he has done since taking over and has given few secrets away, but he happily admits he is working hard to forge a relationship with the people of Leeds and is enjoying the challenge.
"Yorkshire people definitely like to do deals, but there are no deals to be done here," he laughs. "Things should be paid for in full. This is my first experience where we sell reserved seats for the season without receiving the money up front. That won't happen again after this year.
"I'm still learning about how Yorkshire works. At Chelsea when you reserved your seat you paid for it. It's simple. A top class club has to be paid for by the fans. The last time Leeds were up there, it was paid for by the likes of Teachers and the Pru who lent the club a lot of money."
Bates is defiant in his belief that it is the fans who must fund the club going forward again, but says he is keen to foster relations. More than £3m has been spent on the ground over the summer, with new lounges, corporate areas and improved concourse facilities. The catering on offer to fans will also be vastly improved.
Surprised
"The ground was looking seedy and shabby, and I think the fans will be pleasantly surprised on Sunday," he says. "It's amazing what a couple of coats of paint and some new carpets can do. We've also created a new chairman's box inside the directors' box. We put 30 seats up for sale at £6.2k – they are probably the most expensive seats in the Championship – and do you know how many we've sold? 35."
Bates has also launched a new Leeds United Members Club and says the priority is forging a direct bond between the club and the fans. Members will be able to make exclusive use of the conference centre bar facilities before and after all home games. United legend Peter Lorimer will be on hand to offer his views, and there is the promise of more guests to follow. Junior supporters have also played their part by choosing the name of Lucas the Kop Cat – United's new mascot – and fans young and old flocked to Elland Road last weekend for a family fun day.
"The club hasn't really had any connections with the fans," explains Bates. "We know we've put a few noses out of joint with the way we've restructured things, but we've got 17,500 members already and that makes them a part of what we are doing. We want to talk to them to see what is going on and, unlike in the past, I want to make sure that the tickets are going to fans who support Leeds."
And with that, talk returns to football, and United's chances for the coming season. "I just can't wait for August 7," he adds.