Leeds United News Updates
09 August 2007
Leeds Issue Statement - Leeds United 0 - 1 Taxman (og Football League)
"Leeds United are amazed by the perverse outcome of Thursday's meeting of Football League Clubs, which defied all logic, and we believe had arisen as a result of a serious misrepresentation of fact by the board of the Football League in their presentation.
The only winner is HMRC and we believe the full ramifications of Thursday's decision will adversely affect football going forward for many years. <BR><BR>"Football Family" seems to be driven by self interest. The Club is considering its options but in the meantime will be concentrating on starting its promotion campaign at Tranmere on Saturday."
Leeds United's 15 Point Penalty Upheld
A meeting of the 71 football league club representatives today upheld the 15 point penalty imposed on Leeds United for breaching the league's insolvency rules. Leeds had appealed against the points deduction and Ken Bates had written to all football club Chairmen claiming that no rule had been broken. League Chairman Brian Mawhinney said that the vote was carried by an overwhelming majority of over 75% in favour of the sanction. Ken Bates had previously mentioned the possibility of court action and it now remains to be seen if Leeds United will take any further measures to reduce or even quash the severest penalty yet to be imposed on a club.
3 August 2007
We've Got The Share Back! - And We've Lost 15 Points Before We Start!
Unbelievable - we're back in business yet with a mountain to climb unless we can successfully appeal against the points sanction imposed by the league.
KPMG say NO to resurrecting CVA - more to follow when we have it. Given that the football league have said that this must happen for Leeds to be able to start the season we're all now extremely worried.
Taxman Restates Challenge - HMRC director David Hartnett, Director General in HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) stated "HMRC believes it is vital that all creditors are treated fairly. HMRC is determined to achieve a full and fair settlement for the taxpayer. We are not prepared to enter into any arrangement that lacks complete transparency about the identity of creditors and the terms of any deal being reached.".
Taxman's Demands Deepen Leeds Crisis
2 August 2007
League Refuses Share Transfer Back to Leeds United 2007 - The league chairman today warned that time is running out for Leeds United. After weeks of waiting for the league to rubber stamp the deal that saw new company Leeds United 2007 buy back the club, it appears that the league are insisting that a CVA is in place and effectively do not recognise the new owners. Apparently the onus is now on administrators KPMG to reconstitute the original CVA in order that Leeds can kick off their season.
Leeds's future in doubt - FL chief
Ironically though, a recent statement on the Leeds United Official website claims that "significant progress is being made".
Football League Press Conference - The football league has just held a press conference but no news relating to Leeds United and the share transfer was forthcoming. We still have no information about when any announcement is likely to be made.
1 August 2007
Despite a scheduled meeting supposedly for "early this week" between league and Leeds United officials there as yet has still been no announcment other than a brief statement on the official Leeds United site that discussions are still ongoing in relation to the return of the football league share, and that fans will be kept informed of any developments. The statement on the club site is possibly in response to fans' recent criticisms that the club is not providing sufficient information.
28 July 2007
Senior officials from Leeds United are set to meet with league officials this week to discuss the transfer of the "golden" share back to the club. In a statement the league announced that
"At the meeting, the board were informed by their legal representatives that the club's administrator, KPMG, had delivered on Wednesday the final documentation requested by the League.
"The board therefore convened at the earliest opportunity.
"The board considered all the information submitted and authorised the chairman to invite senior representatives of Leeds United 2007 Ltd and KPMG to a meeting next week with a view to seeking to make progress."
Whether this is good news for the club remains to be seen. Hopefully the league now have sufficient information to be able to transfer the share, however there could be other reasons the league wish to meet with Leeds United representatives. We expect further announcements this week so watch this space.
27 July 2007
KPMG, the administrators announced details of the bids that were made for the club after they had put it up for sale. Whilst they didn't identify which consortia had submitted which bid, they identified Leeds United 2007 Ltd as submitting the deal giving the best return for creditors given that the bid was not conditional upon the return of the league share. Creditors stand to receive more if the club attains premiership status within the next 10 years. Critical to the success of the Bates bid was that large creditor Astor agreed to waive repayment of monies owed to them, but only in the event that Bates' consortium purchased the club.
25 July 2007
Leeds United claim to have submitted all relevant documentation to the league and are awaiting a decision following the recent ruling not to return the league share to the new owners of LUFC. The current situation will still allow Leeds United to compete in League 1 this coming season but will prevent any transfers of new players to the club that will take the number of registered players over 20. Until the current situation is resolved Leeds' preparations for the coming season will be severely hampered. Despite information suggesting that all parties are working to enable LUFC to be a viable club again, the Football League still haven't set a date for a meeting. Supporters are getting more frustrated and a flower protest has been started at the statue of Billy Bremner at Elland Road. A new website has also been setup calling for Ken Bates resignation.
12 July 2007
The football league decides not to transfer the golden share to the new Leeds United due to lack of information relating to the sale and administration.
11 July 2007
The administrators KPMG announce that the club is sold back to Leeds United Football Club Ltd - headed by Ken Bates. Let us hope that this can now be ratified by the football league and that the club can get back to the business of preparing for the new season.
Ken Bates wins race for Leeds United
10 July 2007
KPMG confirm that they are considering a number of bids. The only two confirmed so far are those from Ken Bates and a joint bid by Redbus and Simon Morris. However the latest indications suggest that there are four bids on the table. So far however KMPG have announced that any further news is unlikely today. The frustration and uncertainty therefore continues.
Leeds United takeover clockwatch
9 July 2007
The situation continues in appalling fashion in what now appears to be a battle for control over Leeds United and it's method of sale (or not) to the highest bidder. Ken Bates has confirmed that his original bid is still on the table and is threatening legal action if the club is not sold to his company. Rival bidders are claiming that the deadline for alternative offers for the club is too short and that essential documentation has not reached them. One of the Yorkshire MP's involved is raising issues about the CVA and associated sale by KPMG is also stating concerns about the process of the sale as conducted by KPMG, and appears to have concerns over Ken Bates continued role in the club.
Breaking: Joint bid received for Leeds United
Burgon: It's quality not quantity - Yorkshire Evening Post
Leeds United: The Contenders - Yorkshire Evening Post
League hits back after court claims - Yorkshire Evening Post
7 July 2007
In what appears to be a desparate bid to the save the club, the administrators KPMG have put the club up for sale. Bids are invited from interested parties with a deadline of Monday 9 July at 5pm. This really is crunch time for our club. It is not yet clear if Ken Bates will submit a bid for the club and there has been precious little news coming out of Elland Road itself. Leeds City Councillors have become involved in an attempt to provide mediation between relevant parties. We can only hope that there is someone out there who can provide sufficient funds to allow our great club to survive and that the Football League act to allow us to continue to operate and play. With a huge fan base that spans the globe, Leeds United FC must still be an attractive investment prospect. Here's hoping and praying.........
United for sale...again - Yorkshire Evening Post - 7 July 2007
Administrators put Leeds up for sale - Yorkshire Post - 6 July 2007
Our situation appears to have become even more serious as Ken Bates fails to head off a legal challenge at the High Court. With our ability to start the season currently in doubt we need to do all we can to put the pressure on to resolve this appalling situation.
Council fears for Leeds United's future - Yorkshire Evening Post - 6 July 2007
Leeds United : Season in Jeopardy - Yorkshire Evening Post - 6 July 2007
Leeds United Fans Send SOS - Yorkshire Evening Post - 6 July 2007
Earlier News
The Leeds United Bus Route - Yorkshire Evening Post - 5 July 2007
Franks Aims to Buy Leeds - Sky Sports - 5 July 2007
Revenue Appeal - Official Site - 5 July 2007
What about our Season Ticket Money? - Yorkshire Evening Post - 4 July 2007
Angry fans protest over club's future - Yorkshire Evening Post - 4 July 2007
Battle for United back in balance - Yorkshire Evening Post - 4 July 2007
Leeds United raise doubts for next season - Yorkshire Evening Post - 4 July 2007
Rival suitor eyes Leeds Utd bid - BBC News - 4 July 2007
Update from official website - 4 July 2007