tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post4103569530899326486..comments2024-02-29T09:58:18.342+01:00Comments on The Swiss Ramble: Leeds United - Marching On Together?The Swiss Ramblerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11423088862174893998noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-59160293336757141392012-06-30T22:20:07.344+02:002012-06-30T22:20:07.344+02:00"...why would he spend money on something he ..."...why would he spend money on something he didn’t already own, he wouldn’t it wouldn’t make sense."<br /><br />Makes perfect sense, businesses do it all the time - restaurants, hotels, retail stores. If you have a long lease and the money you put in enables you to make that and more during the remainder of the lease, then it is a good business move.<br /><br />I am a huge Bates opponent and believe the money could have been spent better but in of itself it is not a bad business practice.JonnyLosAngelesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-44256602338065033152012-06-15T19:55:53.035+02:002012-06-15T19:55:53.035+02:00Great article, with some fantastic research 10 out...Great article, with some fantastic research 10 out of 10.<br /><br />I think that the off shore company that owns the football stadium belongs to Ken Bates, why would he spend money on something he didn’t already own, he wouldn’t it wouldn’t make sense.<br /><br />Nige COAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-1303880589173604572012-06-13T21:33:55.218+02:002012-06-13T21:33:55.218+02:00Excellent and informative article. On a lighter no...Excellent and informative article. On a lighter note I think the underlying theme here is that if you based a Sunday League pub team at Wembley Stadium, what great facilities they would have. But they would still be a Sunday League pub team.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-56834393481032856062012-06-05T16:36:26.832+02:002012-06-05T16:36:26.832+02:00There are financial limits beyond which one is pre...There are financial limits beyond which one is prepared not to go - no more LUTV for me, sorry Ken.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-61989759276995353052012-05-23T13:30:59.752+02:002012-05-23T13:30:59.752+02:00Excellently researched and presented. Well done.
...Excellently researched and presented. Well done.<br /><br />Was surprised to see the large ratios of wages/turnover of all clubs considering the adoption of FFP.<br /><br />Leeds are, strangely enough, well placed being the only club with room to expand wages whereas all the others must take steps to reduce unless they significantly grow their revenue.<br /><br />i think with a little more aggressiveness in the transfer market and a willingness to pay some higher wages they might at least drive themselves up into the play-off places.. Just a thought from an Arsenal fan!<br /><br />Perhaps the (financial) disaster of the previous years now weight heavy and have had a counter effect of Leeds management now adopting an ultra-cautious approach being only one of three to make a profit and having the lowest wages to Revenue in the Championship.<br /><br />Thomas, it's up for grabs now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-239694280119058162012-05-22T14:59:42.236+02:002012-05-22T14:59:42.236+02:00I find it terrifying that there are still Leeds fa...I find it terrifying that there are still Leeds fans who believe that Bates 'saved' the club. The one serious point you missed is that there is a very good case to say that administration was completely avoidable, and with it the fifteen point penalty which prevented an immediate return from L1. Shortly before admin, the club gained (from memory) something like £17m of additional debt which has never been explained. I think that there is a very good case to say that the sole purpose of admin and the very dubious re-purchase was a mechanism to enable Bates to gain control of the other 50% of the club.<br /><br />The article only briefly touches on the year-on-year operating loss made by Yorkshire Radio, but there's something in the repeated loss of money from the club through this vehicle which stinks to high heaven, as do the substantial investments in a ground which Bates allegedly does not own. This summer the club spent millions on new boxes in the East Stand which, to my knowledge, have yet to be sold. The argument was that corporates needed the enticement of new facilities, but surely they would be more interested in attending if they were not having to watch crap players play crap football.<br /><br />The real loss under Bates though, has been the fans. What the article doesn't mention is that Leeds have higher junior ticket and ST prices than almost any club in England. It pains me to say it, but go to Burnley or Brighton and you will see the majority of kids in their local teams' shirts. Go to Leeds and you will see more kids in Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea shirts. A whole generation of fans - and therefore revenue - has been lost and even a new owner will not get them back.Eric Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14239928778946556793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-11365980251795513322012-05-22T00:11:44.111+02:002012-05-22T00:11:44.111+02:00Excellent article.Excellent article.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-25869862069587495222012-05-21T11:23:29.789+02:002012-05-21T11:23:29.789+02:00Great article thank you. There are clearly two dif...Great article thank you. There are clearly two different ways to look at this. On one hand Bates has done a great job to steady the ship and rebuild carefully on solid foundations and over time we will return to the promised land if we are just patient and respect that he knows what he's doing. On the other, the mystery of ownership of the stadium and training ground coupled with all of the shenanigans with purchasing the club with off-shore companies etc create a complete lack of trust in the man and lead you to conclude that he is fleecing the club to line his own pocket. I think that Bates would have fans unequivocal support if he showed 100% transparency around all aspects of the club, ownership and finances. My conclusion: He's robbing the fans blind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-25382574864577466452012-05-21T01:17:52.943+02:002012-05-21T01:17:52.943+02:00Excellent analysis. The intriguing question for me...Excellent analysis. The intriguing question for me is whether and to what extent Bates is or has been constrained in his use of revenue by the creditors. whose waiver enable him to retain control of the club in 2007. His investment in low-risk capital projects, which do enhance the value of the ground, are consistent with a view that he is acting, in effect, like a cautious Fund manager. Of course, getting into the Premiership would bring much these creditors a much greater return on their investment but that is to assume, falsely, I think, that they want to take the risks along the way that this involves; and as a long term investor myself, I can assure you that this is not always the case.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-67968040876830795732012-05-20T14:06:53.283+02:002012-05-20T14:06:53.283+02:00A superb article, well done. Misterbates goes to b...A superb article, well done. Misterbates goes to bed every night and asks himself one question "Have I spent any of my own money today?" If the answer is yes then he and Susannah can have a good night's sleep, if however the answer is no then she will be subjected to a lot of grunting and groaning without the chance of arousal or foreplay. Misterbates lives his life on other people's money, namely the fans, sponsors and customers of LUFC. His life in Monaco and flat in Leeds as well as his embarrassing and untruthful days in Court indulging petty vendettas are all financed by LUFC. For the first season in 43 years I did not buy a ticket for a match or buy any merchandise, Misterbates will notice in next year's figures that I wasn't the only one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-57467982867779381282012-05-19T14:15:58.976+02:002012-05-19T14:15:58.976+02:00One important point the article misses and without...One important point the article misses and without which the financial comparative judgement with other clubs is ultimately seriously flawed, concerns an analysis of the financial wealth of owners and the source of funding they have put into their clubs.<br /><br />LUFC is run as a self-funding business and now well run business. What is missing is a wealthy owner.<br /><br />Bates, sad to say, is not that deep-pocketed owner capable of funding annual £5m+ losses.<br /><br />Too many Leeds fans think Bates is wealthy. He got £17m for Chelsea (if I recall correctly). That is not big league money capable of funding recurring annual losses. LUFC needs to be self-financing with Bates in charge. That is *the* unavoidable fact.<br /><br />And as the good financial analysis above shows, LUFC is barely breaking even and has required the sale of players to keep operating losses manageable.<br /><br />Will SellarsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-59464877402180020362012-05-19T10:18:31.158+02:002012-05-19T10:18:31.158+02:00On the whole Bates needs to be applauded for his e...On the whole Bates needs to be applauded for his efforts in getting the clubs financial matters to a healthier manageable level (sorry that was very painful to say) and also while I accept that money has to be spent on the grounds etc., surely, if we take season 2010-2011 as an example where we finished just outside the top 6, an investment then of maybe £1-2M could have seen us promoted. OK accepted that there are no guarantees this would have been the case, but the £10M plus currently spent on the grounds will not bring the returns that being in the Premiership would have and the expenditure of £1-2M would not have overstretched the club, also take into account our revenues from a half filled stadium as we currently have being nearly doubled????? Sorry just doen't add up.<br />TRhanks for a great article, my eyes have truly been opened. MOTmasterphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03422106447164095561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-29255338251157101992012-05-19T08:54:18.186+02:002012-05-19T08:54:18.186+02:00interesting, it shows that after some very hard wo...interesting, it shows that after some very hard work done by KB & the LUFC board we are now in a position to make strides forward in the transfer market. If this is done without putting the club in crisis then I'm all for it.<br />I would like Ken Bates to be very careful not to gamble with the short & long term future of our great club especially after the league's fair play rules are now going ahead.<br />Its now time to back your manager uncle Ken as the new season stats to take shape,<br />MOTarticleDellboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17409723932379364350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-82656562585034921052012-05-19T00:28:31.447+02:002012-05-19T00:28:31.447+02:00Good god man, you are both an idiot and a dissiden...Good god man, you are both an idiot and a dissident! how dare you concoct these facts and figures to paint cuddley ken in such a poor light.Just pay for your season ticket, buy the kids a new shirt and for god's sake stop this frivelous drivel, go Kenny!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-49229798615545576102012-05-19T00:23:41.935+02:002012-05-19T00:23:41.935+02:00Each deceiptful manouvre KB has made through the y...Each deceiptful manouvre KB has made through the years is exposed and defined by this excellent article.I will save it and use it as a reference, each time i am tangled in the web. oh, and send it on to all and sundry. we must expose this leach of a man, who bleeds us dry from his Monaco haven.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-37926555472532909142012-05-18T23:48:56.408+02:002012-05-18T23:48:56.408+02:00Lots of supporters - myself included - have not re...Lots of supporters - myself included - have not renewed their S/T this season. The reason? Ken Bates and his lies, bluff and subterfuge. I will not go back to Elland Rd while he is in charge.<br /><br />S/T holder for 22 years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-31819329709981041342012-05-18T23:45:59.195+02:002012-05-18T23:45:59.195+02:00This is amazing. I now have evidence to show those...This is amazing. I now have evidence to show those Gullable fans that believe bates hasn't any money to spend that there wrong and that he "saved" our club to look after his pockets and bleed us dryCarlhttp://carllinley.com/projectnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-62927421821305828062012-05-18T22:46:07.783+02:002012-05-18T22:46:07.783+02:00Fantastic article. So many deluded fans think that...Fantastic article. So many deluded fans think that Bates saved the club. He is bleeding the club dry to increase his personal wealth. We are going nowhere with Bates in charge. Bates out. MOT.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-71619203788302930322012-05-18T21:57:42.164+02:002012-05-18T21:57:42.164+02:00Great read, thank you.
The key point is that we c...Great read, thank you.<br /><br />The key point is that we could very easily spend within the realms of sensible whilst at h same time mounting a proper assault on this tinpot league. <br /><br />Can we all guess where the money that is 'flowing out of th football club and going elsewhere ends up ? <br /><br />The problem is a Bates has a nice little number going here - he invests no money and apart from some vociferous complaints has a simple life creaming off a few million a year tax free with no hassle. Why would he sell or risk it all by going for broke in the Prem?<br /><br />#batesout #lufc #motPhilFhttp://www.whichbingo.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-47326917422446031192012-05-18T20:27:19.469+02:002012-05-18T20:27:19.469+02:00A great read but I am still clueless as to why som...A great read but I am still clueless as to why some rich foreign investment has not been forthcoming with the vast potential at our great club? Ok the ground and training facilities mystery is an issue but why Reading over Leeds? Bates OUTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-64789931216140686252012-05-18T20:23:56.126+02:002012-05-18T20:23:56.126+02:00Excellent article.
Bates is playing a very dangero...Excellent article.<br />Bates is playing a very dangerous game.The coming season will, I feel sure,prove to be a watershed.Warnock seems to have given hope to the fans; witness the tolerance shown him, despite a, frankly, abysmal set of results.I doubt very much that I would have renewed my coporate seat if anyone else was in the manager's seat.IF we don't go up this coming season then I won't renew as I am totally fed up with having my intelligence insulted by Bates,and paying ever increasing amounts for mediocre football.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-22999220101244941292012-05-18T19:28:51.066+02:002012-05-18T19:28:51.066+02:00Fantastic, forensic analysis of the current situat...Fantastic, forensic analysis of the current situation at Leeds... None of this is new to us but it's fantastic how you've tied it all up... Marching On Together? Not while there's such a serious misalignment of goals and agendas between the board (come on we mean Bates!) and the fans... It's absolutely make-or-break for a lot of fans this Summer (myself included) - we need to see Bates giving Warnock what he needs to get this club back to where it belongs... I haven't renewed my ST yet (along with about a dozen lads who sit around me!) and if we don't see a serious commitment from Bates then I'm afraid we won't!Jettaturanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-5176568120948155572012-05-18T18:00:43.481+02:002012-05-18T18:00:43.481+02:00Great reading as always. Have to agree with the sl...Great reading as always. Have to agree with the sleeping giant tag which must be enhanced by the fact that Leeds Utd are the only football club in one of the biggest cities in England. Lets hope for better times ahead for long suffering fans.mixermachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720965272891592429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-18728339645685857062012-05-18T17:35:33.769+02:002012-05-18T17:35:33.769+02:00Brilliant article, which goes a long way to explai...Brilliant article, which goes a long way to explaining a lot of things, and exposes many of the lies we're constantly drip-fed as Leeds fans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-84040331447397831102012-05-18T15:04:24.963+02:002012-05-18T15:04:24.963+02:00Quite brilliant. Thank you for making me better un...Quite brilliant. Thank you for making me better understand 'this tangled web they've weaved' :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com