Haigh’s £1m-plus input will be used to strengthen McDermott’s transfer hand
Yorkshire Post 27/11/13
by Richard Sutcliffe
MANAGING director David Haigh has reaffirmed his commitment to Leeds United by ploughing at least £1m into the club.
The 36-year-old was a key figure in GFH Capital’s takeover at Elland Road a little under a year ago.
In recent weeks, the ownership of United has been thrust back into the spotlight courtesy of a consortium, which includes former defender Lucas Radebe, making a bid for a majority shareholding.
The offer, which is understood to have been an initial £7m with further payments scheduled, was immediately rejected.
However, talks are also understood to have taken place between GFH Capital, who since taking charge in December last year have made it clear they would welcome other investors coming on board, and other interested parties over possible new backing.
Those discussions are on-going, but with the January transfer window looming large and United handily placed in the play-off places, Haigh – through his company Sport Capital – has introduced what sources describe as a “seven-figure sum” into the club.
Those same sources have also indicated that the intention is to back manager Brian McDermott when the January transfer window opens.
The £1m plus payment follows Berrydale Seventh Sports Holdings, a Dubai-based company in which Haigh is a director, loaning United a six-figure sum on October 15.
A debenture lodged with Companies House revealed at the time that he was responsible for sanctioning the payment on the firm’s behalf.
As for the recent £1m-plus payment, Sport Capital was set up on October 23 and is based in Sussex. Haigh is listed as a director.
Sources at Elland Road have also indicated that speculation Haigh may stand as a parliamentary candidate for the Conservatives in the Northampton South ward at the next general election is wide of the mark.
At one stage, the United managing director is believed to have been on a six-man shortlist, but now sees his immediate future in Yorkshire.
It was also announced yesterday that Haigh will sponsor Leeds United Ladies for the next two years and become the club’s new chairman.
On becoming involved with Leeds Ladies, Haigh said: “We are committed as a club to developing Leeds United Ladies FC and, just as I’m looking to the long term with Leeds United, I look forward to working with the team and management of Leeds United Ladies going forward to help them move towards securing a place in the FA Women’s Super League in the coming years.”
by Richard Sutcliffe
MANAGING director David Haigh has reaffirmed his commitment to Leeds United by ploughing at least £1m into the club.
The 36-year-old was a key figure in GFH Capital’s takeover at Elland Road a little under a year ago.
In recent weeks, the ownership of United has been thrust back into the spotlight courtesy of a consortium, which includes former defender Lucas Radebe, making a bid for a majority shareholding.
The offer, which is understood to have been an initial £7m with further payments scheduled, was immediately rejected.
However, talks are also understood to have taken place between GFH Capital, who since taking charge in December last year have made it clear they would welcome other investors coming on board, and other interested parties over possible new backing.
Those discussions are on-going, but with the January transfer window looming large and United handily placed in the play-off places, Haigh – through his company Sport Capital – has introduced what sources describe as a “seven-figure sum” into the club.
Those same sources have also indicated that the intention is to back manager Brian McDermott when the January transfer window opens.
The £1m plus payment follows Berrydale Seventh Sports Holdings, a Dubai-based company in which Haigh is a director, loaning United a six-figure sum on October 15.
A debenture lodged with Companies House revealed at the time that he was responsible for sanctioning the payment on the firm’s behalf.
As for the recent £1m-plus payment, Sport Capital was set up on October 23 and is based in Sussex. Haigh is listed as a director.
Sources at Elland Road have also indicated that speculation Haigh may stand as a parliamentary candidate for the Conservatives in the Northampton South ward at the next general election is wide of the mark.
At one stage, the United managing director is believed to have been on a six-man shortlist, but now sees his immediate future in Yorkshire.
It was also announced yesterday that Haigh will sponsor Leeds United Ladies for the next two years and become the club’s new chairman.
On becoming involved with Leeds Ladies, Haigh said: “We are committed as a club to developing Leeds United Ladies FC and, just as I’m looking to the long term with Leeds United, I look forward to working with the team and management of Leeds United Ladies going forward to help them move towards securing a place in the FA Women’s Super League in the coming years.”