BBC 5/6/07
Bates promises Wise transfer cash
Ken Bates has promised Leeds manager Dennis Wise sufficient funds to launch a strong start to life in League One.
And the Elland Road chairman says the transfer embargo imposed on the club after it went into administration will not hinder their hopes next season.
"I don't discuss figures, and never have, but Dennis will have funds available to him," said Bates.
"We're in limbo slightly but that does not stop us talking to players formally and agreeing deals in principle."
The Football League has confirmed that the embargo it imposed following the move into administration on 4 May is unlikely to be lifted until July.
That delay will leave Wise with a month to rebuild his relegated squad ahead of the start of the campaign on 11 August.
"We've already held lots of informal discussions, and Dennis has got a long shopping list," Bates added.
"We actually sent him away on holiday while all this was going on because there was nothing more he could do. But he knows who he wants.
"Obviously we've had a few setbacks and missed out on a few players, but that's inevitable regardless of whether you're in administration or not.
"It happens every year and you never get every player you try for."
Yorkshire Post 5/6/07
Wise suffers transfer delay
By Richard Sutcliffe
MANAGER Dennis Wise will have to put his rebuilding plans for Leeds United on hold until next month despite Ken Bates regaining control of the Elland Road club.
A recount of votes at an extended creditors' meeting yesterday approved the 75-year-old's purchase of United, who had been placed into administration on May 4 amid debts of £35m.The Leeds chairman received 75.20 per cent of the votes cast to win back control and it had been expected that the club's Football League share would be returned at tomorrow's League board meeting in Portugal.
That would have meant the ending of the transfer embargo that has frustrated Wise's rebuilding plans since United were relegated to League One.
However, the Yorkshire Post understands that Leeds, due to legal reasons that state it must take a further 28 days for the CVA (company voluntary agreement) to be formalised, will instead have to wait until the League's subsequent board meeting on July 12 before their share can be returned.
It will be a blow to Wise who had hoped to be able to announce a couple of signings as early as next week. The United squad are due to return for pre-season training on July 2.
Despite the setback, chairman Bates was last night in bullish mood after winning back control by polling more than the required 75 per cent of votes to beat off the challenge of rival bidders.
He told the Yorkshire Post: "It is time to move on and look forward. Dennis rang me in the morning and said he just wants to get on with it.
"He wants to rebuild the team as soon as possible. We are getting the club back. The message has to be 'get behind us'. The important thing is we now start moving forward.
"It has been a very difficult time for everyone, but the staff have been fantastic. I know they will be relieved at the result because it means they still have a job.
"We are now looking forward. Season ticket renewal forms went out over the weekend and already they are pouring in. We also have something like 2,000 new season ticket holders on a waiting list."
United may not be able to unveil any signings until next month, but Wise is understood to have been in contact with a number of targets with regards possible moves to Elland Road.
As to who leaves the club this summer, seven out-of-contract players have been told they will not be offered new terms.
Matt Heath, Rui Marques and Tore Andre Flo are, however, expected to be offered new deals once the club exit administration and regain their League share.
It seems certain that David Healy, one of the four United players who refused to agree to a wage deferral last month, will be leaving after it was revealed that Sunderland have joined Fulham in the chase for the Northern Ireland striker.
The 28-year-old has just 12 months remaining on his Elland Road contract and is one of only a handful of players in Wise's squad able to command a decent sized fee.
The Football League declined to comment when asked to clarify when Leeds will be able to buy players once again, instead pointing to a statement released on their website yesterday.
It reads: "The Football League has noted the decision of creditors of Leeds United Football Club to approve a proposed CVA.
"For legal reasons, it will now take a further 28 days for the CVA to be formalised. During that period, the League can make no further comment.
"The League has also confirmed to the administrator the conditions that must be satisfied before the League board can consider transferring the club's share in the Football League to the new company."
Despite the delay on Wise's rebuilding, bookmakers are confident he can lead Leeds back to the Championship at the first attempt with Skybet offering only 20-1 on United kicking off the 2009-2010 season in the Premiership.
Bates promises Wise transfer cash
Ken Bates has promised Leeds manager Dennis Wise sufficient funds to launch a strong start to life in League One.
And the Elland Road chairman says the transfer embargo imposed on the club after it went into administration will not hinder their hopes next season.
"I don't discuss figures, and never have, but Dennis will have funds available to him," said Bates.
"We're in limbo slightly but that does not stop us talking to players formally and agreeing deals in principle."
The Football League has confirmed that the embargo it imposed following the move into administration on 4 May is unlikely to be lifted until July.
That delay will leave Wise with a month to rebuild his relegated squad ahead of the start of the campaign on 11 August.
"We've already held lots of informal discussions, and Dennis has got a long shopping list," Bates added.
"We actually sent him away on holiday while all this was going on because there was nothing more he could do. But he knows who he wants.
"Obviously we've had a few setbacks and missed out on a few players, but that's inevitable regardless of whether you're in administration or not.
"It happens every year and you never get every player you try for."
Yorkshire Post 5/6/07
Wise suffers transfer delay
By Richard Sutcliffe
MANAGER Dennis Wise will have to put his rebuilding plans for Leeds United on hold until next month despite Ken Bates regaining control of the Elland Road club.
A recount of votes at an extended creditors' meeting yesterday approved the 75-year-old's purchase of United, who had been placed into administration on May 4 amid debts of £35m.The Leeds chairman received 75.20 per cent of the votes cast to win back control and it had been expected that the club's Football League share would be returned at tomorrow's League board meeting in Portugal.
That would have meant the ending of the transfer embargo that has frustrated Wise's rebuilding plans since United were relegated to League One.
However, the Yorkshire Post understands that Leeds, due to legal reasons that state it must take a further 28 days for the CVA (company voluntary agreement) to be formalised, will instead have to wait until the League's subsequent board meeting on July 12 before their share can be returned.
It will be a blow to Wise who had hoped to be able to announce a couple of signings as early as next week. The United squad are due to return for pre-season training on July 2.
Despite the setback, chairman Bates was last night in bullish mood after winning back control by polling more than the required 75 per cent of votes to beat off the challenge of rival bidders.
He told the Yorkshire Post: "It is time to move on and look forward. Dennis rang me in the morning and said he just wants to get on with it.
"He wants to rebuild the team as soon as possible. We are getting the club back. The message has to be 'get behind us'. The important thing is we now start moving forward.
"It has been a very difficult time for everyone, but the staff have been fantastic. I know they will be relieved at the result because it means they still have a job.
"We are now looking forward. Season ticket renewal forms went out over the weekend and already they are pouring in. We also have something like 2,000 new season ticket holders on a waiting list."
United may not be able to unveil any signings until next month, but Wise is understood to have been in contact with a number of targets with regards possible moves to Elland Road.
As to who leaves the club this summer, seven out-of-contract players have been told they will not be offered new terms.
Matt Heath, Rui Marques and Tore Andre Flo are, however, expected to be offered new deals once the club exit administration and regain their League share.
It seems certain that David Healy, one of the four United players who refused to agree to a wage deferral last month, will be leaving after it was revealed that Sunderland have joined Fulham in the chase for the Northern Ireland striker.
The 28-year-old has just 12 months remaining on his Elland Road contract and is one of only a handful of players in Wise's squad able to command a decent sized fee.
The Football League declined to comment when asked to clarify when Leeds will be able to buy players once again, instead pointing to a statement released on their website yesterday.
It reads: "The Football League has noted the decision of creditors of Leeds United Football Club to approve a proposed CVA.
"For legal reasons, it will now take a further 28 days for the CVA to be formalised. During that period, the League can make no further comment.
"The League has also confirmed to the administrator the conditions that must be satisfied before the League board can consider transferring the club's share in the Football League to the new company."
Despite the delay on Wise's rebuilding, bookmakers are confident he can lead Leeds back to the Championship at the first attempt with Skybet offering only 20-1 on United kicking off the 2009-2010 season in the Premiership.