Shaun Harvey: rumoured to be bearer of glad tidings
When you’re drowning, you clutch at straws. So when a Facebook friend mentioned that she’d seen a hopeful-looking tweet from someone who is (apparently) a neighbour of Shaun Harvey and claims to have received his reassurance that all will be well for the takeover – well, I had to see more.
What I saw could be the usual Twitter rubbish, but it could (just) be true as well. Harvey is reputed to have stated that the Football League has no interest in seeing Leeds United go into administration, and that Cellino’s takeover was always going to be approved as the best way forward for the club. The Italian court case seems to have muddied the waters rather, and it was felt that a straightforward approval would detract from the credibility of the League’s Owners & Directors test. So – the rumour runs – the League felt it advisable not simply to approve Cellino, but to wait for the appeal stage in the knowledge that approval would be forthcoming then.
Obviously, the question arises: what is Shaun Harvey doing shooting his mouth off to a neighbour, when the whole matter is effectively sub judice? That’s a good point, and I tend to agree with it. However, this morsel of rumour seems to me to have enough going for it for me to at least pass on to the Leeds fans out there – who are doubtless chewing their nails down to the elbows worrying over what’s going to happen to our club. Any hint of good news is something I’d certainly want to hear – so I’m going out on a limb to do my bit to share it.
Don’t shoot the messenger, eh?
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
It’s really hard not to get my hopes up, but without that hope things are so damn depressing!
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That’s exactly what I thought. It’s probably 80-90% that this is bollocks – but it’s cheered me up, if only for a while. It won’t do much for the Cellino-outers though…
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I agree hope is all we’ve got. Thank for sharing
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I hope you’re right Rob.
I’m not 100% certain that Cellino is the very best thing longer-term for Leeds, but at the moment we’re not really in a position to be fussy and he is certainly in pole position right here, right now.
The approval after appeal would allow the League to save some face; after all they could hardly rubber-stamp Massimo directly after being found guilty of (another) fraud!
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I think that’s the gist of the current rumour. To be honest, I’ll be gutted if he doesn’t get approved now. He seems to be a character (i.e. mad as a box of frogs). I reckon MC and LUFC are a perfect fit, two lunatic entities going forward into an insane future.
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You could be right. Never a dull moment that’s for sure. Like most Leeds fans I suspect, I’ve had enough of false promises and pleas for patience. We’re all on this mortal coil for a good time not a long time. Bates wasted 8 long years of my life, his threat-promise about paying PL prices to watch PL footballers; GFH(C)’s “long-term sustainable plan” and all their empty twitter smiley bulltwang.
I am ready for take-off.
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Hear bloody hear!!
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All we would need is Paulo Di Canio as our new manager!!
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As you say Rob this could be a load tosh,but it will let me sleep with some hope and a smile on my face. It is all very feasible , let’s hope that they see sense.onwards and upwards .per ardua ad astra. MOT
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For me, it was worth it, just to get that surge of hope. And you never know…
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I wonder if some of the Premiership club owners, would be squeeky clean if every aspect of their financial affairs were investigated.I hope Cellino does take over, at least the ride will be interesting, as well as bumpy..
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Hi Rob, as you say sounds odd that Harvey would spout his mouth BUT, to be fair, the source of this info mick padge (?) seems to have his head screwed on and has his own business he is plugging on Twitter. Only exposes himself to abuse (and his business to ridicule) if it turns out to be nonsense. We shall see…
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That’s exactly what I was thinking too – let’s hope we’re right!
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Thanks for sharing rob,i have tues off work and iv bought a bottle of vodka so i will either be very very happy or the missis will be going to bed early lol hope this isnt pie in the sky,but like you said we all need hope right now, will keep my fingers crossed and wait for your blog tomoz MOT
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Owt I hear, I’ll pass on – good health!
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If we don’t have Cellino, what are we going to do? Administration again!!!!. if yes, we will survive.
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just for tonight can everyone think positive thoughts you never know it might work MOT
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Hello Rob.
You mention chewing your nails down to your elbows. Mine have gone further still. I’m typing with my nose.
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Ha! Enduring image 🙂
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Strangely enough this is just what I’ve been saying. If he gets approval after an appeal the FL have covered their own backs by originally turning him down. God I hope it’s true.
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Great read again Rob, Cheers.
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Cheers Wayne – MOT
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Blabbing to the neighbours only happens on Coronation street, but I’ll take it.
Good Night.
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I hope Cellino is approved fingers crossed and everything else!!!!
And this time he’s got more than just Mc D to get rid of at least half the sorry squad
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Hmm… struggling to see even a 1% chance that this is legit information from Harvey. The concept is flawed – it seems spawned by someone who doesn’t appreciate that the appeals process isn’t a matter simply of the FL being asked to reconsider their original decision, but rather a matter of an independent, impartial QC considering both parties’ cases and either upholding or overturning it. Unless the FL were to present a case along the lines of “…actually, we only failed Cellino initially to save face, we’d be quite happy if you overruled us.”, it’s out of their hands; and that’s totally illogical (as it would do everything but save face), so I can’t give this rumour any credence.
Yes it was rascally of the FL to drag its decision out until the Tax conviction gave them a nailed-excuse to turn Cellino down, but since they did, I don’t see how he will ever be judged ‘fit and proper’ per the FL rules.
I’m surprised to see that the consensus here is so clearly to hope for a miracle reversal of the decision. Ridsdale’s idiotic – but above-board – financial mismanagement got us into this mess; by this point, we should really be as opposed to convicted finance criminals buying our club as anyone. I know the alternative is potentially bleak, but it’s nothing we haven’t survived before. Do we really want to exchange a life raft of Cellino cash for a long term future where we get through an average of two managers a season and sell all our young, home-grown talent the moment a decent profit can be turned on them? That’s all I can really predict when I look at his record at Cagliari.
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Couldn’t agree more, though I don’t see us going near administration anyway. We need 1.5 million a month to pay wages, and are half a month behind, and Cellino has said that season tickets aren’t yet on sale because of him. The early money would have been used for wages – according to Phil Hay – so if MC wins, he has to pay (as apparently he’s already reneging on doing), if he loses, the early season tickets go on sale.
The worst that will happen here is the sale of Sam Byram, a player who may be permanently damaged by injury. But I don’t think even that is likely. Next year’s wage bill will be several million lighter, we’ll probably get a sizable fee for Morrison, and almost any owner other than MC will regain sponsorship (Flowers was giving – actually giving – us 1.5 million a year that way. The ‘£1,000,000 a month loss’ (notice how the hacks have changed it to £1.5M a month now, despite us not incurring fresh liabilities) is actually shorthand for just over £11M this season. So next year is -11, add 3.3 for season tickets (wages have to paid every year, there’s nothing special about early ST money being used for it) which we didn’t have last year, add 1+ for sponsorship and 1-2 for the sale of Morrison leaves us on, at most, -5.7. Considering that there’ll be a cut in our wage bill of at least 3M it doesn’t leave us far short. Tighten our belts, get one or two more players out and we can actually sign someone.
And that worst case assumes zero investment from any new owner. Zero seems unlikely.
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It sort of rings true Rob as the FL needed a way out of their own mess but it comes from a strange source. I also did just wonder whether the part payment of players wages was a ‘pressure piler’ as didn’t Haigh say he had his two mill sitting in the club’s account when he stated he was adamant about not going into administration?
We cling on to little hopes! Surely it must be our turn now!
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Its because I threatend to go down there rob Grrrr
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Ciao ai miei amici da Leeds!
Do notta worry all isa well. I bunged Shaun Harvey a big fatta bribe and now hee isa ina my pocket.
marching ona together
MASSIMO
XX
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COME ON, Mr QC,YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE!
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It’s hard to be dispassionate when it comes to Leeds, or for that matter Cellino, the FL etc etc. Equally, it’s difficult not to have a persecution complex as a Leeds fan, whilst at the same time revel in it. The situation right now though seems pretty simple. Either Cellino gets in on appeal and we are in for a very exciting roller coaster ride complete with cash but under a blanket of lunacy, or, as is more likely, he doesn’t and we are left with administration or any two bit consortium or one followed by the other. Why anyone would pay the amount rumoured to be being paid by Cellino is a mystery. Similarly, why would Farnan’s group not want the whole sorry mess for a pound or two rather than throw millions at debt and the bottomless pit of BVI, Cayman Island deceit and dubious figures.
We live in interesting times.
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I wish my heart and mind were in sync with this call. We will know very soon.
I fear it is all a matter of ‘interests’ i.e. in whose interest is it that Leeds stay dry or most likely go into admin?
I wish it was about the fans, but I’m afraid it’s all about business (which I admit is to a great extent dependent on fans).
Then war is mostly about money not human lives. If it does all goes down the tubes, Leeds fans will be similarly be regarded as collateral damage – an unfortunate consequence of what was in the interest of (?).
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As if you haven’t had enough praise already Rob. Your blog is extra special in as much as you allow feedback.
There is another blog (I think you can guess which) that makes some interesting points, though often quite opinionated so inviting discussion. Unfortunately there in no means of replying.
This I believe is cowardly and reminds me of a dentist I once had who spewed out his political rhetoric as soon as he had my mouth open. I had no recourse to respond and could only groan.
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I actually get reviled for moderating my feedback and rejecting some. But if you could only see the fetid product of some of the tiny minds out there…
Your dentist sounds a complete nightmare. My dad’s not a dentist, but his political views leave me open-mouthed and groaning too 🙂
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Very well put Stu, for me while there is a football club at Elland Road I will be there to shout them on, however age and wisdom gathered from years of being involved with the Leeds saga tells me it will be more of the same for a few seasons yet…….and a decision to spend my hard earned cash on my grandchildren instead, the conclusion.
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Meanwhile,if anyone fancies a laugh while we’re waiting, may i point you towards the self proclaimed intellectual/contrary pillock at Lee Chapmans sofa where he talks about “gorilla(sic) interviewing”. Oh dear.
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To be fair, Mick, I thought the lad doing the interview was a bit of an ape!
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Quite possibly,but that’s not what “Mr I’m better than the rest of you idiots” meant.
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Ah, he’s a fellow blogger. Respect to him 🙂
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Its the hope that kills you !
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MASSIMO ‘ THE LEGEND ‘ CELLINO IN
MOT
https://soundcloud.com/whiteleedsradio/interview-with-massimo-cellino
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snifferclarkesboots you can consider yourself lucky, when I lived in the UK my dentist was a scumchester season ticket holder. You can imagine how those check ups went. As for the takeover I hope it goes ahead, but fear that we may well be in administration by the end of the day. I think there is a long standing agenda by the FL against us and it seems that every time we need them to act in the interests of the club and fans they see an opportunity to persecute us:(
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Sounds bollocks to me
When has shaun Harvey ever acted in Leeds best interests?
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First time for everything. Maybe his bread’s buttered a different side now he’s League CEO? We can but hope.
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Perhaps large Italian men in long coats gave him a call, Massimo sounds great he’s got balls and goes in with both feet ,if the club was doing ok on and off pitch I might be a bit more concerned ,BUT the mess we are in it will be great if he gets approval ,how about my wish come true Cellino in & Austin injured (notice 2nd half with out him)can we hear ooooooooooooooo Massimo Cellino instead of ooooooooooooo BMCD,and a player with a brain in mid field, bonus
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Surely the most pertinent question should be ” which takeover?”
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Thanks for the article Rob. Any chink of light is welcome the current abyss. MOT
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No problem, thanks for the kind words. Fingers crossed MOT
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Shaun Harvey lives in birkenshaw just off station lane, I know a neighbour of his, and he said Shaun Harvey used to talk of Leeds buying players saying ”I’ve spent a fortune today” as if it was his money!
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Why is my comment awaiting moderation!!!
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Because I also have a life!!!
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Just watching that kickabout between the mackems and west ham and i wondered what happened to that tit from “the games gone crazy”. All this carry on at Leeds would be mannah from heaven for him,so he’s either joshed it or been jailed.
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I must say it is strange. Maybe he broke his bail conditions?
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Shaun Harvey lives in birkenshaw just off station lane, I know a neighbour of his, and he said Shaun Harvey used to talk of Leeds buying players saying ”I’ve spent a fortune today” as if it was his money!
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I’ve never used twitter or any kind of social media before – in fact I even hate texts. I was 60 last week and I was at Wolves all those years ago when the FA made us play the last game of the season just 2 days after winning the FA Cup. Just a draw would have meant the ‘Double’. I remember BB’s goal – but that wasn’t enough. I also remember the blatantly fixed European Cup Final. My missus really can’t understand why I can’t sleep the last few weeks. Only a football man knows.
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A brilliant and heartfelt contribution – thank you.
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