More so than any of the big clubs sitting in the premiership, Leeds United is a football club steeped in history and tradition. The current chapter in the Leeds footballing story is, however a chapter that Leeds fans will want to skip. Way back in September 2006, the then manager Kevin Blackwell had predicted that Leeds would be free of debt come September 2007. here. Unfortunately at the time he was looking into his crystal ball he did not seem to realise that there was a “slight” glitch in its function and that in truth, Leeds would be any thing but financially secure come September. He should of known that with Leeds United, if you believe that things can’t get any worse, fate (or whatever you may call it) will aim to prove you wrong.
On the 4th of May 2007 Leeds went into administration. On the 4th of August Leeds United who had already been relegated to league one and were hit with a 15 point deduction. Though the club are looking to appeal to this decision it is very unlikely that there will be much improvement on this punishment. Of course this is not all Ken Bates fault, and whatever dealings he is doing with the club may even be for the clubs benefit and not his, but the current situation should not be ideal for anyone. Peter Risdale is the one who had lamented Leeds demise; taking out loans that he was unable to pay back and this has sent ramifications that is still being felt today.
The prediction by the now manager of Luton town was a mistake , but when Ken Bates had stated that the club would be in a better financial position once the season was over in the 2006-07 season, are we to believe that he also made a mistake or are we to believe that this was a bare faced lie. After being sold to a new company Leeds United 2007 Ltd, which is owned by the Forward Sports Fund and chaired by Ken Bates, it is interesting to know what future will lie for the Yorkshire club.
A summer of turmoil has meant that Dennis Wise was unable to enter the transfer market, because by God he needs it while still selling off their best players. The existing players they have at their disposal were going unpaid, further destabalising this proud and traditional club. Not that sympathy is high on my list of priorities, but when players from your own football team are not getting paid that is when you know that you club has reached new lows.
Amid alot of corruption that is currently facing the beautiful game in England, the acquisition of Leeds, and involvement with Ken Bates is a questionable one. So much so it was reported in The Guardian about some valuable and unanswered questions about the current Leeds United .
But now an embargo has been lifted from the club, Dennis Wise was able to buy six new players including Casper Ankergren their first choice keeper from Bronby. Their forthcoming season will be a tough start and the first three months will be crucial to their fortunes.
August, September and October will be key months in Leed’s season. They will have a big impact, providing, as im assuming, that the 15 point penalty will still remain in place after Thursday. Tranmere (away), Southend (home), Forrest (away), and Luton (home) followed by the likes of Swansea (home) in mid-September, and Oldham (away) in early October, along with Yeovil and Millwall (both home) in late October.
All the teams in those fixtures are capable of mounting a promotion push in that division, but who knows whether Leeds are up for the fight or not.
Zappata Dolcy