When I wrote this, it started of being an objective discussion about the IIB's investment. By the end it's just a big rant about everything, so I apologise in advance.
Today's news that Bahraini owned International Investment Bank have bought a 10% share in Leeds United shouldnt be surprising in the slightest, yet many fans seem in uproar about this. GFH since day one have openly stated that they want to bring in investment to the club by selling the shares that they purchased earlier in the year. In the IIB they have found a partner who has investments in a wide range of areas, spanning Kuwait, France Tunisia and The UK as well as a large number of other investments.
I can't really see why as a fan base we have a right to be angry as unlike Bates, they haven't lied to us, haven't put is in administration and they haven't spunked all our cash on beige cladding for the West Stand. On the contrary, they've been willing to engage with fans and have been (comparitively) open with an increasingly disenchanted fanbase. They've also tried to reconnect the club to the fans, reduced ticket prices for three games this season that have seen two bumper crowds and I expect another large attendance on Easter Monday against Derby County. They also haven't dragged our name through the courts with cases against anyone and everyone. In fact, the only court case we have been involved in with GFH at the helm was one where the club supported a Norfolk non league team in trying to retain the rights to their ground.
Fans also seem angry that GFH will make money out of the club, but these people need to wake up and smell the coffee. Football has moved on since the glory days of Revie and Wilkinson and is now a multi national business and what do Business people want? Profit. To get this profit, GFH have had to go through one of the most protracted takeovers ever with Ken Bates, a man who is as welcoming and compromising as Malaria.
If today's YEP is to believed then talks are at an advanced stage with head of Clipper Logistics and lifelong Leeds fan Steve Parkin, who is interested in buying a 51% share in the club. He is also supposedly backed by a number of his contacts through the Middle East who are 'apparently' extremely wealthy. This in my opinion would be a good move, no-one is going to have such a vetted interest in the success of the club than a fan like Parkin.
All I hope for is a quick resolution. Last summer we saw the effects of a protracted takeover and they weren't good. Whether you like Neil Warnock or not, you can't argue that he's had an easy ride, just look at the Joel Ward situation and whoevers in charge in the summer will need some kind of stability. Finally, I don't want another summer where every week we are supposedly getting taken over, or a summer where Duncan Castles crawls out of his Arabian Cave to concoct a pile of bullshit. All I want is a nice quiet summer with a creative midfielder signed and maybe someone with a bit of pace going forward. Is this really too much to ask? I havent supported the club for as long as many of you who will read this and I have only ever watched us fall from the top. Many fans will remember the days when Leeds won trophies, my best memories are beating Manchester United and Bristol Rovers. People often reminisce about our exploits in Europe as we entertained the greats of world in our beige palace that is Elland Road. Elland Road memories for me are losing 2-1 to Walsall and being humiliated by Preston, Blackpool, Swindon, Watford and Forest.
So please, GFH, or whoever it is follow this 10 point plan to become Leeds heroes.
- Don't sell Sam Byram
- Don't treat the fans like 'morons' or 'dissidents'
- invest in the playing squad. I'm not asking for a Man City style splurge but just some players with recognisable names would be nice.
- Sack Shaun Harvey and end his sock allowance
- Sack Ben Fry (no explanation needed)
- Sack Michael Brown, he signals everything that is wrong with the club.
- Hire a good manager, Im talking Poyet or McDermott not Gareth bloody Southgate
- Put the academy to a Category 1 status so our players can't get poached by other clubs and so we can poach players of lesser clubs.
- Dont have any characteristics of Ken Bates whatsoever
- Finally, don't listen to Neil Warnock's advice on who to hire, when he talks to you, just smile, nod, and mention Tongey, Greeny and Varney-y. Then send him out and hire someone completely different because I never want to see Kevin Blackwell in the home dugout again.