Opinion Piece: The Leeds United incomplete takeover
Clarkeonenil 21/11/12
Still with us, still digging down.
The old sod got what he wanted.
Unbelievable as one of our ex players might say, after 8 years and tons of grief and disappointment for us Ken Bates has got what he wanted, a massive profit, pliable new owners, a life-long role at the club as a figure-head, the retention of his cohorts and cronies and a continuation of his unique alienating attitude to fans. Even at my depths of miserablism I did not see the margin of his victory coming, this isn’t a takeover it is a managed non family dynastic power-play.
Actually it is factually not a takeover. Today we have been treated to a classic Leeds United smoke and mirrors operation. What we actually have is a deal to intend to complete the sale. Even the press release admits it won’t actually happen until the 21st December. We have been given no price, we have not been told who the new beneficial owner is, we havn’t even been told what has been bought/part bought and what hasn’t. Until those aspects are public the Football league can’t agree the takeover and until they do there is no takeover! In short our prospective owners have begun their association with the club in the manner Bates has taught them, full of unwanted secrecy and contempt for the support. No change just business as usual.
Anyone understand where we are on Elland Road ownership? No me neither. Anyone know what is happening re Thorpe Arch? No me neither. Any educated guesses on monies for transfers? No point it is all guesswork with this lot. What I do know is the way Haigh and Patel have conducted themselves since this saga began does not instill confidence.
What we do know is utterly depressing, Bates to stay as Chairman till May 13 then to take up residency as Life President. Shaun Harvey stays, Paul Dews stays, Gywn Williams stays, Neil Warnock stays (why god only knows but I suppose if everyone else is staying he might as well). All a bit depressing really when you consider what a takeover was meant to be about is change not continuity.
I was privately told about GFHC and plans way back in May and the person who told me suggested that they might keep the present regime around for a while but would in time rid the club of them. As much as I would like to believe it that forgets to include just how well Bates has taken on the clamour for his removal and rendered it impotent. We won, we lost, LoveLeedsHateBates as an ideal did the business and yet it has little to show for it.
As we speak there is not one shed of evidence anything will change for the club and I suppose by saying that I am doing Haigh and Patel a favour, any progress will look good on them. Yes you lot will be screaming for “unity” and pretending none of the above matters, that is what lots of you are like, you came to the anti-Bates camp late, you run away the moment you get a morsel. The only unity worth espousing is one of constant vigilance. We “don’t get fooled again” and as such the new but yet to complete potential owners will be judged from minute one.
We are going nowhere and will be around to shine light on to realities until the club starts going somewhere.