The Football League – screwing Leeds United and Leeds City since 1905
It’s simple, guys. A little reverse psychology is needed, along with a knowledge – based on historical precedent – of how the Football League and the FA think, concerning matters Leeds United.
Firstly, write to the Football League, emphasising that you are a Leeds United fan who is sick to death of what has been happening to our club since the financial meltdown of the early years of this century. Tell them that there hasn’t been a penny to spend at the club for well over a decade and that a continuation of this will see the club haemorrhage support and spiral downwards towards yet another administration.
Then tell them that Cellino is promising to invest millions into the club, that he intends to re-purchase and develop Elland Road into a modern state-of-the-art stadium as well as ploughing megabucks into the improvement of the squad. Tell them that, if Cellino is approved, a run to the play-offs this season is likely and Leeds might be back challenging for honours as early as next season. Mention that, even if the club failed to go up this season, then with Cellino’s backing they will certainly romp home to win the Championship next season. Beyond that, the sky would be the limit – but tell them that you see a Cellino-owned Leeds United back at the very forefront of the English game, busting the current Champions League cartel wide open.
Tell them, in conclusion, that this is a pivotal moment in Leeds United history, that the club is at a crossroads and that we are depending on their swift and unequivocal approval of Cellino to save us from a bleak future of despair and failure – and to propel us instead onwards and upwards to a new glory era. Emphasise how we are depending on them for our very existence as a club with a future in the English game.
It’s that simple. Tell them all that – then just sit back. You won’t have to wait for long. If they get enough feedback of that nature, it will take them approximately five minutes to reject Cellino’s purchase of Leeds United out of hand, with assurances that Leeds are part of the football family etc etc. We can rely on them for this, it’s all happened before. Once they’re certain of what’s worst for Leeds, then that’s what they will decree.
So if you want to block Cellino – beg for him to be accepted. In the perverted, perverse world of the Football League and the other authorities in the game with regard to their relationship with Leeds United, such a contrary approach is the only one guaranteed to succeed.
On the other hand – if you want Cellino in, then ignore everything I’ve just put, and write in damning him as a malign influence who would be certain to have the club wound up and Elland Road burned down within six months. You see how it works?
You pays your money, you takes your choice. Whatever you want for Leeds United – just ask the Football League for the opposite. ‘Twas ever thus.
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
Spot on
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What do you think Rob? – Does Cellino’s conduct over Brian Mac and his shady past put you in the against camp or does his money and decisive action make you thnk he’s worth a punt? For what it’s worth I desperately wanted him gone, but now his bid is faltering I’m worried the new consortium won’t be as prepared to finance the club. Cellino’s worth 1.3 billions euros…
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I’m still mulling this over. Honour would seem to take us in one direction; ambition in the other. I’ll be writing something as soon as I know how I really feel. What I will say now is that I think Brian’s decency and integrity are what will see him leave the club in the near future – if things go Cellino’s way.
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Lol you could be right there rob , have to say having watched Brian mac on sky this afternoon the man deserves full credit for the dignified way he as acted through out this shambles , he spoke passionately about the club and the fans and did us and himself proud , well done brian MOT
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I still think he’s on his way, for the very reason that he is a man of integrity and that therefore there will be certain things he can’t accept. I think he knows it too. He’s right not to jump though – the very least he deserves is to be pushed, and compensated accordingly.
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Sounds about right to me Rob,my begging note to the FA pleading on bahalf Cellino wil be winging its way, as soon as i can find a pen, wonder how many Bates has got left.
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I feel very strong about my club with the rest of the Whites fans,we look a laughing stock to the rest of the footballing world,we as fans dont need this Italian in our club,what he has done in the past to other clubs he as had a bad record,BM is a loyal,fair person who we can tell loves the fans,the players&the history of our club.We think he his a young enough manager to take LUFC in positive direction with his staff.WE ARE LEEDS.
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You’re probably right, I bet they give the Italian the green light before the combined consortium’s can match his bid just to prevent us falling into the hands of people who have our best interests at heart.
MOT whatever happens
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that made me chuckle …… I know a Dorris fan who uses reverse psychology every week he says likely draw maybe 1 nil nick or loss, but those NFFC have not lost in ….. well I cant remember…. but hey have they not invested a few bob and the plan has started to work. I know you to be a man that sits back and assesses the situation before blurting before most of us Rob.
sometimes the passion just gets the better of me I just cant help it…. thank god Brain Mcdermott loves us as much as we ALL LOVE LEEDS ….. oh so many of my mates have laughed your manager has gone, Ross will go tonight (being Friday) blah blah ha ha ha ….. well I have been up and smiling all weekend and today ….. just for the sake of a few small mercies anyone would think we had one a cup or something, I don’t care I feel good.
reading between the lines ….. can I ask what you really think of Cellino I am so confused by this man, Is he just moving money around for quick profit to sell on or could he be our saviour, will he invest as he says….. is it dirty money ….. come on honest thoughts …… are we alone in our Love and we know everyone else really hate us , but we don’t care we just want what we want a little success !!!!!! for a change.
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I really don’t know how I feel just now mate. Part of me is seized by the excitement of suddenly bursting into the big time, with all that might entail. I get the feeling that, after a decade-long nightmare, it’d be a case of “light the blue touchpaper…”. It might easily be the most spectacular display of fireworks we could imagine. On the other hand, aspects of this Cellini appear repellent – in stark contrast to the essential decency and integrity of BMcD. So, I’m ambivalent, whilst leaning slightly towards a desire to keep Brian on board and have him be the master of his own brief. But I strongly doubt that will happen. And I can’t lose that jumpy eagerness to be big-bucks winners again. We should all remember that it’s entirely a money game now, and – if good guys don’t win – then neither do poor guys.
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ditto I am on the Fence with this, and agree with what you say. Money and only money will take us forward.
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We’re being told that this new “Super consortium” have matched, or even out-bid, Cellino. But I think we need assurances about their financial muscle going forward. “It’s not the initial cost, it’s the upkeep…”
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Correct. They will need about another 50m going forward on top of the purchase price to sort out the finances and have some player investment money and that does not include buying back ER and TA plus ground development.
We have been there before – do we really want poor owners again?
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Just read that the Italian’s solicitor been escorted from the premises by security staff, summats up!!!
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Beautifully put Rob, although I’ve got to say that there’s another dream solution out there that might just play out if that ever elusive luck thing works our way for a change.
My Golden scenario is Cellino riches with McD’s steady hand to steer the ship. Now I know MrC is not exactly renowned for his calm demeanor but suppose he really learnt something in the last week and suppose even that David Hague could continue to be a calming influence to stop Cellino’s Latin blood boiling.
Imagine what Brian could then do with this fan base, longevity and the finances of a rich benefactor. Yes, for sure Brian would have to adapt to let Cellino play around in the transfer market, but Brian’s wise enough to figure out how to influence Cellino and might just love the club and the fans enough to give it a go. Then we can look forwards to 20 years of stability and trophies to make Fergies run look like a failure.
Ok, day dreaming over … But we have to look for some positive way out of all this right!
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Have to say that would be my dream scenario too – and I suspect it’s true of many others too. By the Law of Sod – it won’t happen.
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You are so right Rob!
The Damned United if you will and the Damned United if you won’t.
For those who remember the ghastly Alan Hardaker also comes to mind.
There is such a real temptation after so many bleak years to have an exciting roller coaster ride. Is there a middle road here of Brian and Cellino. Note Brian’s conciliatory comments about the supposed loanee Italian being at ER and Festa too today. Has he got an undertaking in writing from Cellino perhaps?
We are all waiting on the FL now I suppose.
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Please! Everybody take a deep breath and look around, we are starting to sound like The Peoples Front of Judea…. “What has Cellino ever done for us!?!” The blocking of 6 million sale of Ross… Wanting to pump his Billions in to Leeds United FC. A link with a Seria A Club… He’s European & a football fanatic… Not an East Asian or American or Arab, you lot don’t understand what that’ll mean in the future… We are driving out the Messiah and we don’t even realize it… The rest of them don’t have a pot to piss in… Bates would have sold out to them years ago if they did… Think about it, the same names keep appearing over the years….
I own and run 3 business, one national, 2 regional, and they need one person calling the shots…. Where business is concerned Dictators trump democracy… It’s better that way. Leeds United need a Coach not a Manager…
And lets be honest here, Brian is not the Messiah, nor just a naughty boy, after the dross he’s been serving up, and the personal embarrassment I have to suffer from my staff and friends, its just not funny!
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Food for thought, Carl! Python analogies are particularly apt for the current state of Leeds United. As for Sport Capital? Splitters…!!
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Good points Carl and plenty agree with you. Brian knows how to play the supporter card well!!
If Cellino wins out I think Brian will stay for a little while but will have to accept a new way of doing stuff. I am afraid the days of all controlling dynosaur managers are coming to a quick extinction.
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Rob, Tim, I really am starting to worry about the short sighted, knee jerk reaction of the majority of our fans here, and let me make this clear, as a businessman and an MBA holder (and a degree in Philosophy…) I can say that without Cellino’s money/input we will go bust very shortly… Nobody else around the table has the money to get Leeds United out of the deep shit that were in… And what do we do… Chase his fucking taxi away like yobs…
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I think the taxi thing WAS a knee jerk reaction, heat of the moment too in the aftermath of some pretty shocking news. Understandable, perhaps – and a salutary lesson for Cellino as to the passion and commitment of the fans to a club that is way more tribal than common or garden outfits elsewhere in English football. But now saner counsel should prevail and we have to put our pragmatic heads on. The bottom line – a well-known accounting term, that, by the way – is that the game is now about how many millions short of a billion you are. Success is no longer available on the cheap, those days are gone, although by that standard we are the Last Champions. Even with FFP, the need for high finance will hold true for those wanting to be fighting it out with the elite. If we expect our future to involve disputing the honours with other high-end clubs, then the time is right to commit to investment towards growth so that we can succeed in the FFP situation. We ARE at a crossroads, and this next week or so might well define the whole future of the club we love. Bottom line: which way do we want Leeds United to go? Watch City v Chelsea tonight – two juggernauts who were also-rans when we won that last proper Title – and think about it.
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I have been blogging for a few days about the danger of administration but up until now nobody seems to be listening. As I understand the club is running a cash deficit of about 15m and Haigh et all have plugged the gap with 6m. However the club is still struggling to meet payments to creditors and that always means that HMRC will be owed the lion’s share – we have seen what that means to a football club many times before!
Meanwhile it is reported that GFH have a 100m loan to repay or re-negotiate soon and paid Bates 50m for the club but are prepared to sell 75% for 25m so desperately short of cash for the core business. I suspect they may well have been sucking funds out of ER – where have we heard that before! All of this means that my calculation to purchase the club and re-fund it, buy back ER and TA and have money to invest in the squad needs 85m not including ground development. do we really think these consortiums have that sort of CASH?
One man has to be better than three or six. As for ‘fit and proper’ – what about a few of our previous owners Where do people think the Russian guys got their money? So come on, a bit of suspected fraud is Italy and their politics is par for the course and Cellino has been running a football club for 20 years now. If we want to survive and be like Man City and Chelsea it is time to wake up and smell the coffee.
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Just ask the Chelsea fans if they would rather be 80 mill.,in debt playing crap or wallowing in trophy winning DIRTY Russian money ,don’t be fooled there is No honest RICH owners,even honest BMD is only back( rightly so )for his pay off.more confusion over team sat.,Gibbs says it was Briaans team ,Brian says it got changed,poss Murphy & Mowatt might not have played BMD 9 W.OUT WIN?
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I’ve read elsewhere that Brian’s selected team was changed (by ????) BUT Gibbs changed it back to Brian’s selections and tactics after being asked (by Haigh) at 12.15 pm on Saturday to take charge of the team.
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You are probably correct John. not sure Brian would have picked them. I was in the Stadium early and Varney, Norris and Pugh were being put through their paces and then never even appeared on the bench. So glad Mowatt and Murphy played though. Once Murphy was pushed forward in the second half it changed the game and freed up the wingers.
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seems most have read between the lines here …. I thought I was the only one beginning to think hey hold on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, if the Cellino thing now goes bad we are really going to struggle ….. again with proper investment he is minted.
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I noticed the trio too Tim ibegan to worry ,Murphy belongs further forward instead of that Bloody Austin
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And now the patronizing letter from a City councillor.
I am sure that Brian is a good man but I am not sure that he is analytical enough nor the incisive role model necessary to take Leeds to glory. A great manager must be many things to many people. But why could he not motivate his players to perform as determined professionals while he was at the bench? Why are they not capable of understanding what mindset is needed when stepping into a match every single game. Perhaps they need to think of their sisters being assaulted. Whatever it takes to get mad and focussed. Just do it.
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A motivational sports psychologist. In a game of fine margins, every club should have one – and LUFC should have the best!
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Rob, maybe you can do some sort of interview with Cellino (if he ends up buying us)?? I, for one, would love to find out if he really understands what we are all about? Does he understand our passion? Does he understand that we travel to away games in numbers that exceed most everybody else? Has he read any history on us (Billy Bremner, Gary Sprake, Alan Clarke etc.) Does he know that we don’t belong where we are (most teams below the first division don’t have the history of success in Europe that we have.) Is this more then an investment for him?
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I would love to have the chance to interview that guy.
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Spot on as per Rob, I think the age old addage give em enough rope springs to mind, for once, I can’t see how the FA can do anything but turn down the Wop bid. and he wont pass the due dilligence/means criteria with past convictions. I’m delighted that Brian ignored good advice, and after the way he has been treated, it would be fair to say that to everyone other than us Leeds fans, it would have been good advice. I think that the fans vocal support of the man have made Celino’s camp realise that if you come and try and dictate to us Leeds fans we wont just roll over and take it, its not in my DNA tha’ts for sure. I think this whole sorry debacle will regenerate us back to the form prior to the Wendies nightmare result, and like with Reading before, Brian will take us up- 33/1 best price anywhere at Ladbrokes for getting promotion. Im hoping history will repeat itself as I had a similar bet that season on Reading at a similar price and picked up a hefty payout for £50.
Bring on Yeovil and another Ross Hatrick
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Amen to that!!
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Cannot believe the views of Carl and co.
Carl as a businessman , presumably a reputable one, wanting a crook to take over! And if Varney ,Norris and Pugh were Festa’s answer to the team required no wonder he has only ever managed a third division Italian side with a ground capacity of 4,000.
Cellini lied so often over the weekend why would anybody trust him to lead our great club forward.
A united consortium with Flowers and together Leeds is our only hope- if the Football League approve Cellini we will have the same mediocrity Cagliari fans have had for 20 years with a number of visits before the football league to explain his idiosyncratic tendencies- and remember despite his apparent wealth he has not invested in them. They have been a selling club and he neglected their ground until it was so run down they had to play hundreds of miles away miles away and on return to their own ground they were restricted to 5,000 fans
We have had no decent owner since Silver, we so badly need one now
Roger
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I’m afraid those days are gone – Mr Silver would only be a cog in a consortium these days.
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Brad Twersky , i think he knows only too well the points you have raised , that’s why he wants to buy a stake in leeds united ,
the football league has just issued a statement on the matter rob !!
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So I see Mr O. The suspense is killing me!!
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People here are conveniently missing the point in their desperation to see MONEY………You would see a team chosen and brought together by Cellino a business man and not a coach. He and his dictate everything at Cagliari….. While theres no doubt that Cellino appears a passionate and committed man it appears to me that his interferance is exactly whats held Cagliari back in Serie A. I agree the prospect of signing good players is exciting but that said I dont think BMC is that far off with the current squad. The wingers are settling in and Byram is hitting form….. Cellino could come in and completely mess that up
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Rob, Cellino has not invested that much in Cagliari’s transfers, its a myth mate…….. go research him, infact hes sold more players for more than hes invested.
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Research is definitely a priority right now.
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Hi Rob – have you ever witnessed anything in football as bizarre as what has happened at Leeds United in the past three days!? Living down under I find myself taking my mobile phone to bed with me so that I can check on the latest happenings at Elland Road. The battery recharger is getting a great workout!
I noted all the comments on your most informative site as well as just about every other. It has been a long time since so much material has been written about Leeds United – and only a few references to Dirty Leeds or The Damned United.
I guess In a nutshell do we want an Italian billionaire to look after Leeds United or a consortium of northern businessmen? The former an eccentric hands-on egomaniac with cash to splash – the latter a group of potential modern day could be financial moguls? Without access to all the required information we have all had to summize what is really happening. It appears GFH are broke – the figure they paid masterbates for the club has never been clear and if it is true that Cellino has had an offer of 25m accepted you would imagine they probably paid around 10-15m for the original purchase. This would seem a small amount for a club of Leeds stature but when you read the fine detail and realise this does not include ownership of the ground or training facility – well I’m not sure if it is such a small amount. Sort of makes the so called derisory offer of 7m made by the Radebe backed consortium look realistic. If GFH are broke and renege on reported loan repayments to Bates and Sports Capital does this potentially put GFH into administration – we all know what that leads to. (Does not bear contemplating).
I like the scenario of one of your respondents about a Cellino ownership with a more mellow approach enabling a happy working relationship with BMD. Pigs might fly and Man U might be relegated! I have grave doubts about any consortium incorporating David Haigh – he has so much garbage to carry following his performance as leader of the Sports Capital group that him being part of a joint consortium gives me little comfort or confidence.
They say a leopard does not change its spots – and I think this is an apt statement for Cellino – the hoped for love-in with BMD will not transpire. A Cellino led ownership will include all of his historically proven traits. Cellino has kept Cagliari in the Italian top flight for a long time and has therefore splashed the cash. With such a small support base at Cagliari Cellino has been able to do what he likes and will certainly think he could do likewise at Leeds . We would like to think the strength of support shown to BMD would make Cellino stop and think – but I doubt it.
I along with all Leeds fans around the world will be glued to the phone over the next few days and what will happen will probably effect the club for the next twenty years . My wish is not to go into administration as I do not believe we could survive that again. Let’s just hope the ownership issue is sorted quickly and we can all move on and put the phone to sleep!
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Amen to that!! Great to see such passion and commitment from so very far away. Good on you mate – MOT
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I couldn’t resist commenting. Well written!
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Please feel free to comment any time! 🙂
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