Leedsunited.com 1/5/07
WHERE WE ARE
United chairman Ken Bates has thanked the fans for their support since Saturday's draw with Ipswich all-but confirmed the club's relegation from the Championship.
"We've received a tremendous amount of support from people who recognise what we have tried to do and what we are doing," said the chairman, speaking to LUTV.
"The support has been beyond my wildest dreams. We've had letters, calls, and e-mails from fans from across the country who are all right behind us.
"We've had one letter from a fan who last had a season ticket in 2002, but says he is coming back again next season. It's terrific to know that people are behind us. "Our commercial department are busy with calls from box holders and corporates, some wanting to sign up for as long as five years, and I was with a match sponsor who has already offered to do three games next season. "Our League One campaign starts now, and we will come back. Big clubs will always be big clubs. Others have been here before and come back, so will we.
"We have a big future. The people of Leeds tell me we need a successful club, and they need to get behind us. We will do it and when we get back where we belong, we will remember those who supported us and, equally, we will remember those who didn't support us."
Since the club's relegation was all-but confirmed there has been much speculation about the financial implications of falling into League One for the first time in the club's history.
"We'll start off with the wage bill dropping by more than half, then there's about one to one-and-half-million pounds to former players which will come to an end," explained the chairman..
"We now have a permanent rate reduction on the East Stand upper, we've shut the shops, the warehouse, and we're continuing to reduce our overheads in any way possible...this is what we have to do to balance our books.
"There's plenty of people talking about investing, but they don't want to put their money in to carry on subsidising the club. Football clubs have to be run as businesses and fans have to appreciate that."
The chairman was also scathing of the media coverage since the weekend.
The BBC wrongly claimed there was "a board meeting" on Monday morning to discuss the future, and contrasting reports have suggested the club is both on the verge of administration or being taken over.
"The BBC just repeated their own gossip," said the chairman. "The media feeds off each other, that's why everyone else started picking up on the stories. All the time we're just trying to get on with our own business."
Former Sheffield United Mike McDonald was one of the names linked to the club in reports over the weekend.
"I saw him in the New Year asked him to come back with proof of funds and I haven't seen him since," explained the chairman.
"A lot of people try and make a quick buck, chancers if you like. They come along to a football club, say 'I represent a consortium...we've got this.. and we'd like to invest'.
"Well, 'who's the constortium?' 'Well, I can't reveal that'. You soon realise they haven't got one. What they are trying to do is get permission to negotiate on behalf of 'someone'. That gets to the papers and creates a lot of speculation among players and staff. They're time-wasters.
"We always say 'who are you?' and 'why don't you talk to us direct?' and 'show us your money'.
"The genuine investors we are talking to and continuing to talk to. I don't do it in the press."
The chairman has also given his full support to manager Dennis Wise, who was quick to put his hands up and take responsibility for the club's relegation following Saturday's draw.
"That says Dennis is a man and he will be succesful manager," said the chairman "And he will be the leader of our playing side next season to get us back where we belong.
"How many in football take responsibility for what happens? Very few. It's usually someone else's fault.
"Dennis got the team working together, but we finally ran out of matches. I don't like the word luck or criticising referees, but the decisions against Barnsley and Southend away obviously had a significant impact on our points."
And the future?
"The fans have to realise that we are being realistic," added the chairman. "Lower ticket prices and big spending on players don't go together.
"While there was uncertainity, we couldn't fix the (season ticket) prices. Now we know our fate we can plan accordingly. We are introducing a new catageory of games and also reviewing season ticket prices.
"We will have to make deep cuts at the club this summer in costs to balance our budget, but we will do what we can with what we can afford and I know Dennis will get the best out of the limited resources with the players he signs."
WHERE WE ARE
United chairman Ken Bates has thanked the fans for their support since Saturday's draw with Ipswich all-but confirmed the club's relegation from the Championship.
"We've received a tremendous amount of support from people who recognise what we have tried to do and what we are doing," said the chairman, speaking to LUTV.
"The support has been beyond my wildest dreams. We've had letters, calls, and e-mails from fans from across the country who are all right behind us.
"We've had one letter from a fan who last had a season ticket in 2002, but says he is coming back again next season. It's terrific to know that people are behind us. "Our commercial department are busy with calls from box holders and corporates, some wanting to sign up for as long as five years, and I was with a match sponsor who has already offered to do three games next season. "Our League One campaign starts now, and we will come back. Big clubs will always be big clubs. Others have been here before and come back, so will we.
"We have a big future. The people of Leeds tell me we need a successful club, and they need to get behind us. We will do it and when we get back where we belong, we will remember those who supported us and, equally, we will remember those who didn't support us."
Since the club's relegation was all-but confirmed there has been much speculation about the financial implications of falling into League One for the first time in the club's history.
"We'll start off with the wage bill dropping by more than half, then there's about one to one-and-half-million pounds to former players which will come to an end," explained the chairman..
"We now have a permanent rate reduction on the East Stand upper, we've shut the shops, the warehouse, and we're continuing to reduce our overheads in any way possible...this is what we have to do to balance our books.
"There's plenty of people talking about investing, but they don't want to put their money in to carry on subsidising the club. Football clubs have to be run as businesses and fans have to appreciate that."
The chairman was also scathing of the media coverage since the weekend.
The BBC wrongly claimed there was "a board meeting" on Monday morning to discuss the future, and contrasting reports have suggested the club is both on the verge of administration or being taken over.
"The BBC just repeated their own gossip," said the chairman. "The media feeds off each other, that's why everyone else started picking up on the stories. All the time we're just trying to get on with our own business."
Former Sheffield United Mike McDonald was one of the names linked to the club in reports over the weekend.
"I saw him in the New Year asked him to come back with proof of funds and I haven't seen him since," explained the chairman.
"A lot of people try and make a quick buck, chancers if you like. They come along to a football club, say 'I represent a consortium...we've got this.. and we'd like to invest'.
"Well, 'who's the constortium?' 'Well, I can't reveal that'. You soon realise they haven't got one. What they are trying to do is get permission to negotiate on behalf of 'someone'. That gets to the papers and creates a lot of speculation among players and staff. They're time-wasters.
"We always say 'who are you?' and 'why don't you talk to us direct?' and 'show us your money'.
"The genuine investors we are talking to and continuing to talk to. I don't do it in the press."
The chairman has also given his full support to manager Dennis Wise, who was quick to put his hands up and take responsibility for the club's relegation following Saturday's draw.
"That says Dennis is a man and he will be succesful manager," said the chairman "And he will be the leader of our playing side next season to get us back where we belong.
"How many in football take responsibility for what happens? Very few. It's usually someone else's fault.
"Dennis got the team working together, but we finally ran out of matches. I don't like the word luck or criticising referees, but the decisions against Barnsley and Southend away obviously had a significant impact on our points."
And the future?
"The fans have to realise that we are being realistic," added the chairman. "Lower ticket prices and big spending on players don't go together.
"While there was uncertainity, we couldn't fix the (season ticket) prices. Now we know our fate we can plan accordingly. We are introducing a new catageory of games and also reviewing season ticket prices.
"We will have to make deep cuts at the club this summer in costs to balance our budget, but we will do what we can with what we can afford and I know Dennis will get the best out of the limited resources with the players he signs."