Ken Bates to finally leave Leeds?
Could it be true? Is it really time to hang out the bunting? to burn effigies in the streets? Have we finally been liberated from the cruel tyranny of Papa Smurf aka Whitebeard aka – Kenneth William Bates?….
And so it seems that our current Chairman, and soon to be `President for life’ Kenneth William Bates – remember him from the days before GFH? If ITV Sport are to be believed anyway.. may be set to become active in football club ownership once again.
They’re suggesting that Ken has found the £xm of undisclosed purchase monies from GFH burning a hole in his pocket, and may (allegedly) be interested in Purchasing crisis club Plymouth Argyle.
Of course many Leeds fans will remember that Kens burning desire to own a League Two Club wracked with financial problems was almost achieved at Leeds, until that pesky Simon Grayson thwarted his plans and got us promoted back to the Championship.. I jest of course.
Plymouth of course are another of Peter Ridsdale’s former `projects’ languishing near the foot of League Two, Though the conversation on twitter between our own former Midfield starlet Simon Walton (remember him too!) and Chris Webb the chairman of Argyle on Twitter, seem to dismiss the rumour.
Of course Bates’ ongoing involvement at Leeds in any capacity has proven a divisive factor with many fans still refusing to even attend Elland Road whilst he remains in any capacity, but while it may well be a shot term gain for Leeds, do Plymouth really deserve a stint under Bates? Or would they benefit from it?
Home Park is a decent ground, and Plymouth fans are amongst some of the most loyal and enduring supporters in the football league, it wasn’t so long ago that they were plying their trade in the second tier, so perhaps Ken sees an opportunity to rebuild a club from scratch, and maybe.. just maybe, at that level there is something he can offer in terms of expertise.. watch this space. If these reports are true then we haven’t seen the last of Kenneth Bates in football..
But with the Leeds Administration saga of 2007, will the football league look upon this alleged interest kindly? Well we’ll have to wait and see. If nothing else it may give our publicity shy chairman some column inches again..
So you tell us Argyle fans, Leeds fans? Do you think Bates should try his hand again at this football club ownership lark? Do Plymouth welcome he and his millions? Do you yearn to have the finest corporate boxes in the Southwest? and a raft of loan players? What about sockless Shaun? would he join Ken?… Or, is the above as many Argyle fans may be hoping a load of rubbish? No smoke without fire.