Leeds United: Radebe deal would be a dream - Trust
YEP 18/11/13
by Leon Wobschall
LEEDS UNITED Supporters Trust chairman Gary Cooper insists that a proposed club takeover by a group involving United legend and ex-skipper Lucas Radebe could represent a ‘dream ticket’ for fans.
It was reported on Saturday that United owners GFH Capital had rejected a takeover bid from a consortium involving Radebe.
The group, also reportedly involving former Whites director and Hull FC owner Adam Pearson, were said to be bidding to purchase a majority stake in the club for £7m – although GFH-C promptly insisted that ‘no serious approach’ had been made and described the bid as risible.
A GFH statement read: “We are watching with a mixture of bemusement and interest the reports suggesting any credible takeover bid has been made.
“No serious approach has been made by any members reportedly concerned.”
Despite the reported knock-back to the bid from a UK consortium, the fact that Radebe is involved with the consortium represents something for supporters to get excited about, according to Cooper.
But equally, he believes that more information is required about the offer before fans get too carried away about the development.
Cooper, whose organisation has around 9,000 members, said: “If Lucas is involved in a bid, then supporters are going to be very interested in more detail and want to know what is going on. I’d imagine they’d rally around a bid from Lucas with stars in their eyes.
“We heard a rumour about three weeks ago Lucas was involved in something. There’s always a connection with Leeds.
“We were contacted last week by a lot of people who give us genuine information telling us it was a genuine bid from a UK-based consortium with Lucas involved with it.
“If Lucas is involved with a consortium or group who want to either buy the club or an interest in it, that will generate interest among supporters without a shadow of a doubt. It’s almost a dream ticket.
“To have Lucas back involved with the club would inspire fans and it’s a dream scenario.”
Pearson’s name has been repeatedly linked with a move for Leeds over several years, although sources in East Yorkshire say he remains committed to Hull FC and won’t be stepping away from the club in any move.
Pearson, a commercial director at Elland Road before taking over as chairman of Hull City in 2001, was rumoured to be part of a Yorkshire consortium linked with a takeover bid in February.
Pearson distanced himself from those reports back then, but his name has continued to be linked with his former club and has refused to go away.
The 49-year-old has gone on record to say he will return to football at some stage, having worked in the football industry for many years before concentrating on FC.
But for time being, his main focus seems to be on securing silverware for Hull.
Meanwhile, LUST say that they reached an agreement in principle with a interested party who has confirmed that they will double whatever they raise to enable them to have a say in the future running of the club.
That could arrive in the form of a purchase of shares or potentially providing the funds to buy back Elland Road, Cooper said. He confirmed: “We have an agreement in principle with an interested party who has offered to double whatever we as a trust raise.
“That puts us in a serious position to raise quite a decent amount of money where we are able to do something; whether it be purchase shares in the club or join forces with the local council and maybe trying to buy the ground or something like that.
“That will happen in the New Year when we satisfy the FSA (Football Supporters Association) compliance. It’s a genuine project with genuine intentions and very do-able.”
LUST have been in regular dialogue with club owners GFH-C in recent months and while keen to become more actively involved in the running of their club, they are also quick to pay tribute to the on-going work done by GFH-C in re-engaging with the club’s supporters.
Cooper added: “GFH-C have done some very good things for Leeds United and have re-engaged with supporters. There’s a lot of positives about the club these days.
“They are making small steps and have started things that need to get done. Credit where credit is due.”
by Leon Wobschall
LEEDS UNITED Supporters Trust chairman Gary Cooper insists that a proposed club takeover by a group involving United legend and ex-skipper Lucas Radebe could represent a ‘dream ticket’ for fans.
It was reported on Saturday that United owners GFH Capital had rejected a takeover bid from a consortium involving Radebe.
The group, also reportedly involving former Whites director and Hull FC owner Adam Pearson, were said to be bidding to purchase a majority stake in the club for £7m – although GFH-C promptly insisted that ‘no serious approach’ had been made and described the bid as risible.
A GFH statement read: “We are watching with a mixture of bemusement and interest the reports suggesting any credible takeover bid has been made.
“No serious approach has been made by any members reportedly concerned.”
Despite the reported knock-back to the bid from a UK consortium, the fact that Radebe is involved with the consortium represents something for supporters to get excited about, according to Cooper.
But equally, he believes that more information is required about the offer before fans get too carried away about the development.
Cooper, whose organisation has around 9,000 members, said: “If Lucas is involved in a bid, then supporters are going to be very interested in more detail and want to know what is going on. I’d imagine they’d rally around a bid from Lucas with stars in their eyes.
“We heard a rumour about three weeks ago Lucas was involved in something. There’s always a connection with Leeds.
“We were contacted last week by a lot of people who give us genuine information telling us it was a genuine bid from a UK-based consortium with Lucas involved with it.
“If Lucas is involved with a consortium or group who want to either buy the club or an interest in it, that will generate interest among supporters without a shadow of a doubt. It’s almost a dream ticket.
“To have Lucas back involved with the club would inspire fans and it’s a dream scenario.”
Pearson’s name has been repeatedly linked with a move for Leeds over several years, although sources in East Yorkshire say he remains committed to Hull FC and won’t be stepping away from the club in any move.
Pearson, a commercial director at Elland Road before taking over as chairman of Hull City in 2001, was rumoured to be part of a Yorkshire consortium linked with a takeover bid in February.
Pearson distanced himself from those reports back then, but his name has continued to be linked with his former club and has refused to go away.
The 49-year-old has gone on record to say he will return to football at some stage, having worked in the football industry for many years before concentrating on FC.
But for time being, his main focus seems to be on securing silverware for Hull.
Meanwhile, LUST say that they reached an agreement in principle with a interested party who has confirmed that they will double whatever they raise to enable them to have a say in the future running of the club.
That could arrive in the form of a purchase of shares or potentially providing the funds to buy back Elland Road, Cooper said. He confirmed: “We have an agreement in principle with an interested party who has offered to double whatever we as a trust raise.
“That puts us in a serious position to raise quite a decent amount of money where we are able to do something; whether it be purchase shares in the club or join forces with the local council and maybe trying to buy the ground or something like that.
“That will happen in the New Year when we satisfy the FSA (Football Supporters Association) compliance. It’s a genuine project with genuine intentions and very do-able.”
LUST have been in regular dialogue with club owners GFH-C in recent months and while keen to become more actively involved in the running of their club, they are also quick to pay tribute to the on-going work done by GFH-C in re-engaging with the club’s supporters.
Cooper added: “GFH-C have done some very good things for Leeds United and have re-engaged with supporters. There’s a lot of positives about the club these days.
“They are making small steps and have started things that need to get done. Credit where credit is due.”