Leeds announce takeover deal with Bahrain-based investment bank GFH Capital

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Independent 21/11/12
Mark Walker
Leeds owner Ken Bates has announced Bahrain-based investment bank GFH Capital will complete a 100% takeover of the club on December 21.
Bates, 80, who took control of the club just short of eight years ago, confirmed the first part of the takeover had been completed and he will stay on as chairman until the end of the season to help the new owners during a transitional period.
"We have now completed all the negotiations and investigations with GFH and we've now completed the first part of the purchase and that happened at 10.30pm last night," Bates told Yorkshire Radio.
"Put briefly, they're taking over 100% of the club, as I say the first part was completed at 10.30pm last night and it will be totally completed on December 21.
"Meanwhile there's a transitional period in which they get to know more about the club."
Bates also confirmed that he will be taking on a new role as club president at the end of the season, while one GFH representative, David Haigh, would be joining the club's board immediately, with three more new directors in place before Christmas.
Bates added: "Quite simply they (GFH) will be providing additional working capital for the club and they are also providing funds to strengthen the team.
"In fact there's already been a small injection this morning as far as working capital is concerned.
"Nothing has changed, I will continue as chairman until the end of the season when I look forward to handing over to my successor and become president and sitting back perhaps, taking a bit more time off and enjoying what has been eight years of very hard work.
"That's what (my wife) Susannah and I chose when we came in, so that's what we've got on with.
"Neil Warnock will continue as manager, obviously with more support than the present owners have been able to give and we look forward to a smooth transition.
"I can say although the negotiations have taken a very long time, the benefit of that is that, unlike some overseas owners, who have gone in blind like a bull in a china shop and made a complete mess of the club after taking over, this six-month courtship if you like, for want of a better phrase, has given them (GFH) enough opportunities to see how Leeds United works.
"What the advantages and disdavantages are, the strengths and weaknesses, what needs to be done and what needs to be supported.
"So you can look for a more Manchester United-type transition than we've seen at Blackburn, Portsmouth and other less fortunate clubs."

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