Leeds United’s massive away support
This article was originally published on April 8 this year, at a time when Life, Leeds United the Universe & Everything, in common with all other fans and bloggers with the interests of Leeds United at heart, could clearly see that the FL, smarting from defeat in the High Court, remained determined to “get” Massimo Cellino eventually. This was true then and it’s been proven true on Monday, with the League decision once again to disqualify the Italian under its Owners and Directors Rules, the so-called “Fit & Proper Test”.
It remains the case, clearly, that the League see a dubious conviction on some relatively petty import duty transgression as being far more serious and worthy of action than, say, a conviction for rape (Oyston at Blackpool FC), money laundering (Yeung at Birmingham City) or chronic and serial mismanagement of its biggest and most celebrated member club (Ken Bates, Sean Harvey and GFH Capital at Leeds United over the past decade). This incredibly perverse set of priorities serves to characterise an organisation that has unfailingly demonstrated its naked hostility to Leeds United (its premier member club, let’s not forget) and has utterly failed to abide by its implied duty of care to this club and its fans.
The original article, reproduced below, called on various bodies and all fans to consider an away games boycott, effectively hitting other Football League clubs in the pocket and striking at the central financial interests of the League itself. This remains, in my opinion, the best way forward. The idea received a mixed reception at the time and may well do so again; the idea of giving up those beloved away trips is not easy to stomach for some of our hardier fanatics.
But consider: the League has today acted to bar Massimo Cellino, yet this sanction has to be finite, lasting only until March, when the conviction it’s based on will be spent. So now my call is not for an open-ended boycott, but rather a refusal to buy tickets for away games for the duration of this Football League sanction. I believe that this would be feasible and a high-profile way of making a point by a set of fans who normally turn up in their thousands, lining the pockets of the very people who are against us.
The Football League, having lost an appeal against its disqualification of Massimo Cellino in front of an independent QC, are now showing their true colours in the wake of that humiliating defeat. Rather than personifying dignity and acceptance of the outcome of a judicial process, they hastened to point out that they were “disappointed” and stated they would be considering the judgement. There is no humility, only arrogance. There is no recognition of the duty of care they have towards their largest member club and its thousands of long-suffering fans – only naked malice and an avowed intent to plunge that club back into the crisis from which it appears to be on the point of emerging. It amounts to a vendetta. Two facts above all have emerged from this over-long saga.
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The Football League do not have the interests of Leeds United at heart.
- Leeds United are too big for the Football League.
Item 1 above is the mildest way of putting what is increasingly obvious – that the League regard the Leeds takeover situation, not as a chance for a famous old club – exercising its own judgement and right to secure a stable future – to get back onto an even keel, but as an opportunity to hammer that club further into the mire. How else to explain the zest with which its lawyers conducted their side of the appeal argument before Tim Kerr QC? They resorted to trying to discredit the independent Italian legal expert because of a harmless if misguided comment on a social media platform. Yet, in the same breath, they were relying on the portions of that witness’s evidence which aided their case. Kerr rightly threw such selective pleading out of the window – but the underlying message was of a determination to deny Leeds United their rich new owner that amounted to vindictiveness and malice.
The background to this attitude is odd, to say the least. One of the League’s member clubs has as a majority shareholder a convicted rapist. The son of that unsavoury character sat on the panel which originally decided that Massimo Cellino was not a fit and proper person to act as a football club owner or director. The irony is immediately apparent, as is the stench of arrogant hypocrisy. Really, you couldn’t make it up – if you did, it would be dismissed as fanciful.
Any fan of Leeds United, if of long enough standing, will have witnessed examples of the Football League going through back-breaking contortions to make life as difficult as possible for the Whites of Elland Road. It’s a tradition that dates back to Alan Hardaker and his rabid hatred of Don Revie. Hardaker is dead now – but the ugly attitude towards Leeds lives on, through the unctuous reptile that is Brian Mawhinney, as he did his worst in 2007, to the present day with Shaun Harvey in charge – the same Harvey who, in cahoots with Ken Bates, did his level best whilst employed at Elland Road to fulfil his master’s 1984 vow to see Leeds and its fans banished, destroyed, erased from existence. Lest we forget: “I shall not rest until Leeds United are kicked out of the football league. Their fans are the scum of the earth, absolute animals and a disgrace. I will do everything in my power to make sure this happens.” So said Ken Bates, and he came pretty close to success – aided by then Leeds CEO and current FL CEO, Shaun Harvey.
A salute to the League
The fact of the matter is that Leeds United are simply too big and too historically important for an antiquated and inept organisation like the League. This is, after all, a body that embraces failure and the presence of also-rans as core values. The members of the League are, by definition, clubs who have either failed to stay in the Premier League, or who have never been good enough to get there. It’s a has-been or never-was League for bit-part players, chorus members. The stars, the principals in the pantheon of English football, ply their trade outside of the jurisdiction of the FL. At the moment, Leeds United form part of the Football League’s brigade of failures. The events of the past few months have shown us clearly how vital it is for United to shake the dust of this two-bit organisation from their feet, and move on up.
Meantime, we are necessarily subject to the rules and attitudes of an outfit that has shown itself beyond reasonable doubt as “not fit for purpose”. Until Leeds can drag themselves out of the Football League quicksand, they will have to fight their own corner as best they can. As things stand, Massimo Cellino is in – he is the new owner of the club. He has the wherewithal and the experience and determination to bring success in a higher sphere to Elland Road, whilst at the same time restoring that famous old ground to club ownership and bringing it up to 21st century standards – the same applies to the training complex at Thorp Arch. These are good and necessary steps for Leeds – and they are initiatives that the League would prefer to see nipped in the bud, as they remain openly determined to oust Cellino if at all possible.
The fans are in a unique position here to have their say and to vote with their feet. Those fans are rightly famous throughout the country as providing a travelling army of away support which brings atmosphere and vast income to every ground they visit over the course of a season. Home clubs keep all of their gate receipts these days, so that away support – so vital to our competing clubs – benefits Leeds United only in terms of vocal encouragement. The clubs in the Championship – and, by extension, the Football League – benefit financially to a great degree, from the loyalty and commitment of the Leeds United away fans. Now those fans should put club interests before their own, and be prepared to make a significant sacrifice in order to make an unanswerable point to the Football League – who they have propped up with their hard-earned cash since 2004.
For, surely, it is now time to consider a boycott of ALL away games by ALL fans of Leeds United FC. The only way of influencing such blind, uncaring officialdom as we are up against, is to hit it hard, in the pocket, where it really hurts. I would now like to join those voices calling for the Leeds United support to do just that – by withdrawing attendance at away games and letting the other clubs and the League bear the brunt of greatly reduced income as a result of such a boycott. I should like to see Leeds United Football Club, if possible, refusing to take allocations of away tickets for the duration of any such action. If the Football League wish to act against the best interests of Leeds United – and its fans – then let fire be fought with fire. It wouldn’t take long for impoverished Championship clubs to start squealing and complaining to Shaun Harvey and his corrupt crew, as they see their income plunge without that Leeds United pay-day.
Supporters groups such as LUST could be instrumental in backing and organising an initiative such as this. It seems drastic, and there will be many who would baulk at the removal of one of their lives’ major preoccupations, even if only temporarily. But those people should ask themselves: why do we have to settle for such unremittingly harsh and malicious treatment from the Football League and its member clubs – think back to the self-interested clubs vote that confirmed the 15 point deduction before the start of 2007/08 – and yet continue to line the pockets of those club and the tin pot League to which they belong? Why should Leeds United tolerate this situation any longer? Drastic situation call for drastic measures. It’s time to fight back.
I should like to see, initially, at least some wider debate about the merits and demerits of an away games boycott. I’m sure it’s an argument that would rage hot and heavy. But I believe, at this stage, that such a boycott is our one good chance of having our say and of the powers that be simply having to listen. The alternative is that they will smile smugly at any peeps of protest, and carry on regardless in their business of keeping Leeds in crisis – to the approval of their rapist and embezzling cronies in Championship boardrooms who continue to be regarded as fit and proper against all justice and logic.
I’d like to call upon LUST, and the MPs of Leeds constituencies, to take up cudgels against the treatment being meted out to Leeds United by the incompetents at the League. They should be putting the question – why should a football club, alienated and ostracised by the League of its current membership, continue to contribute so massively to the financial well-being of that League? I believe it’s time to call a halt. The gloves are off now; if the League want to batter us, then let’s batter them right back.
That’s my say. What do the Leeds United fans out there think?
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
Really good read again rob, i went to wigan and that is my last away game this season mate,just who do these arseholes think they are i agree with everything you just writen, if we were all united with boycoting the away games they wouldnt know what to do there biggest payday of the season would be taken.
They treat leeds with contempt and hatred why shouldnt we treat them with contempt and hatred.I just hope that this lovely lady judge in sardinia saya it wasnt dishonest and cellino gives them a big grin when its all done or better still takes them to court and sues them ……….Hopefully welcome to the new era of leeds utd MOT
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Thanks Scotty
It’s beyond ridiculous now, beyond petty. If nothing else, the poor bloody fans deserve a break – it’s been over a decade of misery, and these FL twats are doing their level best to prolong it.
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Hi Rob,
Your posts over the past months have been the only thing giving me sanity and I think you’ve identified the problem here very nicely but I’m not sure about your solution.
I think reducing our following is going to give more excuses or not to poor away performances and I think we would all love to see the team come out and surprise us by showing it can perform consistently.
As to what we need to do, I think the very fabric of how the Football League functions needs to be called into question. There are already moves afoot to look into transferring decisions on owners from the leagues to the FA and perhaps we need to be lobbying the big guns, local MPs, Board of the FA etc to get decisions with obvious conflicts of interest or lack of competence to be removed from the leagues. This is what would really hurt them, the MPs are going to get onside when they see things like the poll in the e Football League (I think) which showed 95% fan support for Cellino in and an end to all the nonsense.
Please do keep courting controversy though as you’re the best read out there by a million miles.
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Many thanks Simon. I’m all for anything that will make these complacent buggers listen and think – but it bugs me that the White Army are propping up the clubs and the League who are doing their best to keep us in crisis. I just can’t get over the irony of that, and it’s giving me a headache!!
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Even though I’m a Leeds fanatic living in the US , I totally agree. Fight fire with fire . Every time I listen to the ” away ” games all you can hear is the unbelievable support from the away end . Even if this action was taken for a limited time the other chairmen would soon be crying foul to the FL once they saw money disappearing before their eyes . Like you say even suggesting this will cause mass arguments BUT its THE only way to be noticed in my opinion …………MOT
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Thanks Dave – surely this has to be worth at least talking about. At the moment, we’re collaborating in and funding our own persecution.
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Well mate i will spread the word as best i can and hopefully our faithfull will listen, my son is six on the 11th and i was gonna take him for his first ever game at elland road for his prezzi but im going to wait till next season now.hopefully thing will have settled down a bit and we will be playing with pride allthough we did play better against wigan it was still a loss ………..
MOT
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MOT – let’s hope for a bright, white future – and I hope you take your lad to Elland Road soon – if only we could guarantee him a birthday victory! Many happy returns to the wee chap 🙂
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I would still take him, Scotty! He will never turn 6 again, and a lot can happen between now and next season mate.
You just never know, Brian and the players might just find some fire and come out like the sign says “keep fighting”.
There will more than likely be a celebratory mood in the stands, and I envy all those – my brother and his son included – who can be there, while I have to rely on Ustream commentary which keeps dropping out, or the “watching paint dry” BBC text commentary here in Melbourne.
Have a great time!
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Hear Hear!
I will do whatever it takes…even if I am 3000 miles away! I’ll call this LUST…Skype ’em…Get on the computer and Skype Leeds residents for hours if they want….LET’S UNITE!!!!!!
I knew there was a problem when I read about this sudden Satanic meeting announced for Thursday, and I can think of many shady sports organizations in the States, but, my God, they are harmless compared to these creeps. Who could possibly have conceived this?
Rob…I’m in…EVERYBODY…let’s do something. Petition…let’s contact all the other Leeds blogs and try something…
GO LEEDS! New Jersey loves you…
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Good job there are some rational and sane fans out there – if we relied on WACCOE we’d get nowhere. Cheers, Brad – looking forward to your blog 🙂
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Rob I am glad to see that you have come up with this great idea, however I would like to see it specifically aimed at clubs that owners sit on or are heavily involved with the League. As in my view we have a duty not to cause financial stress to the good smaller clubs that have no malice to us. This way we target it and we might even gain support by helping the other clubs. After all two wrongs do not make a right but divide and conquer some times works !!!
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Great article which sums up & exposes the snakes that are running the league we currently play in & there hatred towards us….I am not sure if the fans would boycott or be able to stay away purely because they are the best in the world & it would hurt them as much to miss a game as it would the clubs that would lose our money however I would like to see us boycott Blackpool next season and any other club that has a connection with the recent football league panel that seemed determined to destroy us at any opportunity rather than assist & help…Maybe for once it is looking as though we could have the last laugh & when we do get promoted we can give a salute of the middle finger to every one of these corrupt hypocritical rats as we leave them in our shadows & rise upwards 🙂 MOT
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Keep writing this emails Rob. We are right behind you mate. Our club has been a mockery of over the last few years. I am a strong supporter of Cellini and he can be the type of person who we have wanted for a long time to kick us on – I like his attitude. Kick the asses of the underperforming players and the staff – what a useless person is Haigh?
Don’t agree with banning going to away games – we should go there in droves to support the club. I’m in Seattle so it is like you telling me to turn off the LUTV channel and I am not going to do that – no f#@$3g way.
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Rob,
Usually I agree with what you write but I’m afraid you lost me early on in this piece with “a chance for a famous old club – exercising its own judgement and right to secure a stable future.”
Sadly, a bunch of arab chancers who have been in charge for five minutes can in no way be described as a famous old club and as for exercising their own judement and right to secure a stable future I’m sure that comes a distant second in their deliberations. Their main aim is to get their hands on Cellino’s money and to have somebody else pay the bills.
I do enjoy your articles so please keep up the good work just don’t confuse the ratbags we’ve had at the helm for the past few years with the club itself.
Ron
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Round 1…DING DING…My email to Steve of LUST. Can we keep this going? Remember…Hotmail started with 10,000 subscribers and went viral in three weeks to the tune of 20 million. No…I am not naive enough to expect that here…but I know we can real people involved if we all chip in:
Hello Steve,
I am a long=time Leeds fan living in New Jersey and also a subscriber to the La Vita, Leeds United, l’Universo e Tutto blog. LUST came up in Rob Atkinson’s new post today and a lot of us are fed up. So my suggestion was that we get all the Leeds U blogs together and see if we can stop these hypocritical morons at the FL from continually trying to destroy us.
https://roblufc.org/2014/04/08/leeds-fans-need-to-seriously-consider-away-games-boycott-by-rob-atkinson/?
I, for one, am prepared to do whatever it takes, even though I am 3000 miles away. I am sorry I didn’t know you as well as I should have, but from what I hear, you folks are probably one of the most widely respected and read Leeds voices out there and I was wondering if we could all unite our efforts.
Do you have some suggestions? Anyway, maybe you know it, but Rob’s blog is read by a lot of extremely eloquent and knowledgeable Leeds fans and I am, just like a lot of the others there, terrified about what could happen on Thursday.
Even if nothing happens in a couple of days, these guys are going to have it out for us in the future…and probably in a variety of ways…and I think it might behoove all passionate Leeds fans to strengthen in case this gets worse.
Can you please email me back…thanks.
Brad Twersky
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My God!
‘League to decide on Leeds takeover on Thursday’
What the hell has it got to do with them? It’s out of their hands. Cellino has been shown to be ‘fit & proper’ by an INDEPENDENT QC, so what’s to decide? How can they be ‘disappointed’ unless is really is about individuals and in particular one individual club and it’s fans?
Cellino has passed the LUFC ‘fit & proper test’ by taking on the FL and not walking away. I understand he had many such confrontations with authority during his time at Cagliari, so bring on the fight. Hopefully the FL have met their match.
Away boycott is a good idea. Maybe test its effectiveness over a short period, say two or three games?
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My biggest disappointment is the fact that the media, in particular the YEP haven’t attempted to help our club, they have libelled Cellino at every turn.
What agenda are they working.
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Sorry Rob, going to have to disagree, I cannot see the benefit in what you are suggesting, or how it would it would be resolved? I’m a season ticket holder who regularly travels to away games, and I can honestly say, irrespective of our ‘treatment’ from the FL, the fans will always travel.
It’s a moot point whether you are going a little overboard in terms of the above piece anyway, having read QC Kerr’s decision in full, had the case been heard three months down the line, we could potentially have been in a totally different position. The FL misinterpreted Italian law, and defended their position robustly, that’s all. That’s not to say that I agree with officials of other clubs sitting in judgement on other clubs, especially when I agree that a club like Leeds generates massive funds for other clubs when we play them, it is possible/probable that this would be a consideration for those that decide to be less professional when taking up their responsibilities on the FL committee and go beyond their remit by promoting their own agenda. But that suspicion of mine will never be a big enough chip on my shoulder to mean that I won’t travel to away games to support my team.
When are we allowed to return to going back to away games? Are we demanding an apology from the FL or something? Never going to happen.
The loudest song at every away game is ‘Marching On Together’ – it is booed by the home fans, when we sing it. “And we’ve had our ups and downs” – it acknowledges what every fans knows, we aren’t going to get our own way every time, on the pitch or off it. It’d be a soulless, emotionally redundant venture if we did. However, home fans have been saluting our away support consistently this season, it’s what sets us apart from everyone else. Side doing shit? I’m not supporting them any more. Not at Leeds – in adversity the numbers swell, 7,000 at Blackburn, 3,400 for a mid day kick-off for a game on tv, when essentially, the team is shit. We’ve been consistently praised for our support, “shit team but amazing support”, “best support at our ground”, etc. This sort of support makes us stand out, unique, the biggest away following in the FL.
Having travelled with, met with, drunk with, sung with, the unique fans that follow this, our club, I’m pleased to say that your ‘boycott’ of away games will never happen. The Leeds fans love their club too much, that’s why I’m proud to follow them, and why I can look beyond the approach of the FL, we’ll get where we need to be in spite of them, and the struggle will make the victory ten times sweeter.
MOT.
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Class response SSM. Really sums up my feelings.
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Great post again! It’s really good to know I am not the only one wondering what kind of circus runs the FL. I was beginning to think it was me and that my lack of legal knowledge meant that I just didn’t understand or I was missing something huge here. I remember the fellow clubs voting on whether we should lose the 15 points and thinking ‘Christ’ this seems like a blockbuster movie in the making. Anyway, to my point, whatever we do to make a point against the blatant vendetta it must not be nothing.
Great work Rob….
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How many signatures does a petition need before it goes before parliament? Is this another viable option? A show of solidarity and a way to take the issue higher!
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They are a wounded animal , the rat backing away in the corner, all of em dirty stinking rats , as we were beginning to celebrate they acted like spoiled children …… Disappointed …… They don’t know the meaning of the word….. Funny how our misery was dragged out for two weeks or more at a time….. Funny how they can get together this time in a week , snarling vindictive stinking rats ….. Any other club they would of rolled over , them with sterling snide git and his sky cronies another set of rats ….. Soon come our day we will be laughing MOT
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Agree whole hearted about the FL. They are a bunch of useless cronies. I can’t believe how thick and ignorant they are when having appointed an independent, highly experienced QC they then state their disappointment at losing. They don’t seem to be very intelligent people Rob snd demonstrate even less understanding of the issues and dignity. I agree that some action needs to be taken and would also urge LUST to initially raise their concerns in writing to the FL in an open letter. The FL’s agenda, conduct and fitness for purpose should be challenged. I believe that it is time to create a national debate on their suitability of the FL as a group and as individuals. They have demonstrated too much bias, too often. Their current stance is jeopardising the viability of Leeds. The boycott would reinforce the situation snd keep the heat on. Let’s not forget though that Cellino is one very tough guy and he does not suffer fools! Cellino “will have an army of lawyers at his disposal, not to mention investigators! People in glass houses should not throw stones. Let’s hope that they a good roof over their heads!
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Sorry to put a downer on things but this wont work. If you do the maths on the average away allocation then doesn’t hurt other clubs very much at all.
Also you will never get a consensus on this, so all that will happen is you will reduce support for the team.
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It’s a great idea Rob, and it definitely gets my vote. I wonder in financial terms how much Leeds fans are contributing to the other member clubs ( and FL) throughout a season with away fans ticket sales? Just a ball park figure… 2000 fans paying £25 per ticket x 23 away games = £1,150,000 !! Hmmm! That’s over a million pounds income over the season, or on average £50,000 per club – at a conservative guess. I bet The likes of Yeovil et al would have something to say about that! Makes you think doesn’t it? MOT
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Maybe just half a dozen fans at each away game to hold a massive travelling banner decrying the FL in such words that it would be televised.
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Yet another good read Rob … well done!
Up to now, I’ve always been against any form of boycott because I believed it to be to the detriment of the club I have loved for more years than I care to remember … however, your argument is sound, and especially, as you say, when the home club keeps all of the gate receipts, and so, I’m delighted to throw my support behind anything that shows the total incompetents at The Football League which side their bread is buttered on.
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I have to admit the last away game I went to was blackburn , Leeds were pretty dire and I thought sod this I’m taking a break from all this crap , but I’m in my 50’s now rob and look at things differently from when I was in my 20’s etc , then id HAVE to be there no matter what , Leeds fans have always been the same rob , the worse it gets the more passionate these young lads will get , the idea is a good one but it’ll never happen mate
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There are people for and against Mr O so I’m sure getting the kind of unanimous backing it would need is nigh on impossible. But there must be some way we can make our views known? Meanwhile, the League continues to try and destroy us.
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Totally agree that something needs to be done , and the local MP’s do need to be more vocal , I think if the FL find a way to scupper this deal then we do need to fight back , how that’s done I simply don’t have the answer rob , I’m not wanting to sound defeatist its just that after 40yrs of following Leeds I just know the worse they treat us the more passionate we get , its in our genes
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I’m sure you’re right Mr O. It’s just trying to think of some form of protest that won’t end up with Leeds fans in the dock. I fear trouble on a large scale if the FL pursue this vendetta.
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ROB! What if a writer with excellent and articulate skills, should write a piece to every club’s programme notes explaining our situation with the FL because I think TRUE football supporters only know of our problem from reading press reports and don’t know the real vendetta aimed at us from the FL.What say you? Would this be possible?Do you know any one with the professional expertise to accomplish this? There must be some one out there with the capability to get the army of support from other clubs on our side!? EH?
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We’re hated mate. I don’t think Henry Kissinger and Abraham Lincoln combined could bring opposition fans and clubs behind us in support!
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Yet another great article Rob, and an idea which I fully support. BUT just to play devils advocate maybe th FL would be prepared to accecept the boycott for a short period knowing that sooner or later (probably sooner) Leeds fans would get back to watching the team away from home and the money would return.
On the other hand if they approve Cellino then the days of milk and honey for these minor league teams would surely be numbered as we hasten our return to the Premiership. If Cellino is turned down then a longer/permanent away boycott on the teams of the FL board members may make a more lasting impression.
A more immediate impact could possibly be made if a well informed, well connected and literate person such as yourself and/ or the chairman of LUST draft a letter which could be copied and sent by ALL Leeds fans throughout the country to our MPs asking them to intervene or at the least look into the actions of the FL.
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Thanks for that John. I’ve been in touch with Gary Cooper of LUST via Twitter and I’m assured that a letter has gone to the League.
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I am utterly disgusted by the fact a convicted rapist is considered fit and proper and is allowed in a ground where children may be present. It is indicative of the kind of filth running the league.
I think we should come up with a really offensive song about how disgustingly corrupt they are and sing it so damn loud in typical Leeds fans fashion that it cannot be ignored.
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I’m prepared to go out on a limb at the weekend and blog about welcoming Blackpool and their Fit & Proper rapist. What can they do, sue me? It’s the truth after all. See what happens Thursday.
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Rob,
Excellent article that echoes my own feeling about the idiotic FL. To this day I still recall with some incredulity the butt hole league forcing us to play Wolverhampton two days after we beat the Arse in the 72 Cup Final. Those morons robbed us of the double, for that alone they deserve to rot in hell.
They are quite simply a bunch of small minded half-wits, stupidity and arrogance is plainly a dodgy and heady mix. They behave with an arrogance that suggests they believe themselves untouchable. Were it not for the effect that this out of tune out of time organisation has, one would simply smile at their delusion, considering them unfortunates as you passed by. Sadly, they have consistently had a negative effect on our Club,ably abetted by many in the media, with, as you suggest apparent malice aforethought. I emailed the idiots on Friday, out of frustration, fully aware that the effect would be zero, making several points similar to those made in the article. They can’t even be bothered acknowledging receipt of the e-mail, which most organisations would do as a matter of course, i.e the automatic reply which at least ignores you politely.
The simple fact of the matter is that they will not stop trying to screw us unless we make a lot of noise about the fact that they consistently try to f*** us over. Some sort of action is required, a boycott is a reasonable idea, as part of an overall strategy. “Hit” them from several directions at once, let everyone see how petty, small minded, incoherent and out of step they truly are.
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Excellent points. An overall strategy is certainly needed – the details of action and sanctions are just that – details.
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The FL have an obvious anti Leeds agenda, though I do think they have little to hit Cellino with if you compare situation to Yeung at Birmingham City. The FL declared itself happy with his holding company once Yeung resigned I think, so no doubt being a pain and plain wrong the FL would hopefully not be able to deflect the Cellino’s too far off course?
Finally, the first thing LU needs is lots of money to secure the team and profile back in the prem; secondly, a good owner. both would be good but realistically I don’t think we’ve had both for decades.
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May i suggest, that another group of fans to be in touch with about this is the Facebook group ‘Massimo Cellino for Leeds United Ownership’ We are on Facebook and now have over 2500 members in a little over a month. We are in the process of forming a committee to oversee the running of the group as it grows, and grow it most certainly will. We have a wide spectrum of folk who are well versed in all things Leeds and they are ready and willing to be as much help to our beloved club as possible. We are the fastest growing Leeds group on Facebook at the moment and this will increase with word spreading. We would be happy to hear from you Rob. Best regards, Steve.
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I’ll definitely have a look, thanks for the heads up Steve.
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It turns out I’m already a member of this group, Steve! It’s difficult to find the time to go around all the different groups, but I’ll have a read of this one now.
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Interesting Rob that I live in London and fancied going so looked up on Watford’s website; I had to have registered as a Watford member a week ago to get a ticket in the main stand. I’m a 47 year old professional but obviously pre-judged as a criminal. They call it preventive policing but of course in reality it is an appalling restriction of the right of free movement and association. We are still being judged on the events of the 1970s.
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They want our money, but refuse to treat us as human beings.
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There is too much defeatism on here. There is loads that people can do. Leeds have fans in every area of the UK. They can start by badgering their M P. They can write complaints to the FL. They can bring out in the open any and all misdemeanours of directors. Away games can be boycotted and it will have finsncial clout. LUsT can start a high profile campaign about the way that the league us being run. We could even boycott Blackpool games. Demonstrations against the league at all televised events. Tale out advertisements against them. For God’s sake public pressure banned fox hunting and that was taking on the rich establishments. If really wanted them to change we could make it happen. The debate has now begun. It has started.
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Yes, the debate was needed and it has to lead to some sort of concerted action.
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Who are these self appointed buffoons,who elects them and why do they have such power over other clubs.why are there decisions legally binding,they are like a kangaroo court,they need to be nullified.They will probably decide not to give Massimo cellino the golden share until after the judgement in June. That is another thing didn’t the judge herself say I believe that this was a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate act to avoid paying import duty,so why does it need to be clarified.
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I have hopes that the good lady will clarify matters in our favour come the reasoned judgement.
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I will never boycott any away games……anyway getting ready to go to Watford now
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Have a great trip – MOT
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Very good read and I sort of agree with a ban but that woud also hit the fans that enjoy the away days as I very much enjoy them, it may also have an effect on the team too, the FL is corrupt as F**k we all know that. The way football is going Leeds will not be the only club in trouble at this level and just wait and see who comes knocking on Leeds UNited’s door for support when they are in the same sort of position.
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Not a ban – a boycott. That needs emphasising.
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PS I don,t go to away games so I would find it difficult to encourage people to boycott them.I understand Rob,s logic on this but I can’t see it happening.To have banner protests without being abusive is a good way,it will be shown on the TV what better way to air our grievances publicly.This could create a forum for a public debate.
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The trouble with banners and chants is that they can be subtly edited down – I noticed some volume control at Wigan.
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Rob I travel to most away games but have been advocating the same thing to my friends. We already boycott the catering (even when alcohol is more appealing than the match) at these grounds. The other issue would be the number of Leeds supporters such ad Phil Beeton who are on long runs of consecutive games, I can’t see these people doing it to be honest.
Another thought would be for all Leeds fans to cancel Sky subscriptions, a large organisation currently under pressure from BT that given the number of games we are being shown live would surely exert some pressure onto the FL or withdraw their sponsorship altogether. Needs co-ordinations somehow and I suspect like a boycott of away games would never get 100% support.
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I tend to agree, but this is a debate that needs to happen.
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We need to get the OFT (office of fair trading) involved. The football league have shown by their actions that they are running a monopoly, making up rules to suit their agenda at the cost of us the consumer ( fans), my email will be going off today, with the real law of the land breathing down their necks we’ll see how long this old boys club lasts, as many emails as possible would help!
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Hi Rob
I always enjoy reading your articles but am going to have to disagree with you on this one
I’ve watched Leeds home and away since the late 70’s and have been a home ST holder since 1979 and an away ST holder since they were introduced in 1997
During that time, I have seen lots of ownership changes – some had the best intentions of the club at heart whilst others were undoubtedly just chancers, in it for a quick buck.
However, I’ve always maintained that I support Leeds United football club and nothing will ever stop me doing that – owners, managers, players all come and go but it is only us, the fans, who retain our unequivocal support for those privileged enough to wear the famous white shirt.
I’m proud of the numbers we take to away games and the noise we make when we’re there – I just it could somehow be recreated at ER!
I totally agree with your thoughts re the FL and anyone who was at Wigan on Saturday will testify to the incredible noise that was generated as we all sang “and now you’re gonna believe us, the football league’s corrupt” over and over again
But suggesting an away ban is not only impractical its also naïve – there’s too many people like me who , rightly or wrongly, show blind faith and as the song says will keep watching Leeds “at least until the world stops going round”!
Leaving for Watford now – keep up the good work!
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I didn’t suggest a ban – it was a boycott. I think the fact that opinion is sharply divided does mean that it would be next door to impossible to bring about. But I remain of the opinion that it would be the single most effective sanction against the FL.
But the main thing is to have this debate – to keep supporter discontent out there where people can see it. Just to sit back and hope the FL will leave us to get on with rebuilding LUFC – now THAT would be naive!
Enjoy Watford – hope the result is what you and our fantastic support deserve. MOT
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Wouldn’t it just be more fun to not purchase away tickets yet still travel and support the team from outside the ground … how soon before the problems that potentially creates in stewarding, policing etc makes everyone sit up and listen … image the media coverage it would create, a real statement … show the team we support them but not the football league!!
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I like that!
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EXCELLENT Rob.
The ONLY power we have as fans is to vote with our feet.
While the financial implications to other clubs would be significant (Burnley are second in the league and 25% of the crowd was from Leeds!), the big plus would be that it would be picked up by the media, World wide, and the spotlight would be on the FL.
They won’t like that!!
If they give Mr Cellino any more hassle, he will be behind it 100%!
Fans staying away drove Bates out, when nothing else could!.
Something like this will get support from the fans of other clubs who have been mauled by the FL!!
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Don’t know if you’ve been the recent accounts postings rob? £9mil + loss.
Looks like the fl will have a new stick to beat us with next season due to the financial fair play rules, where ypu get slapped with a transfer embargo if your losses exceed 8mil
Funny how all theses financial irregularities are coming to light now we have “unfit and proper” cellino in charge rather than that “fit and proper” set of bankers.
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Yes I saw them. Seems like GFH have been inflicting austerity on us, and paying themselves right handsomely for doing so. Fit and proper? My arse.
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Hi Rob,
Funny, will this “fit and proper” rapist be AWOL from ER next Saturday. I hope the Leeds fans are in full voice to let the FL know how they feel on that one.
Also, how about if all Leeds fans send an email/twitter to the FL to voice their concern about their “BIAS AGENDA” to LUFC.
We need a UNITED front from all supporters if we are going to beat this shower of dinosaurs, once and for all.
Ken
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Hi Rob , I can see your point , but i dont think the away fans will stop going , ever . I thought about it on the way home from Rochdale , even announced in the car that i might give it a miss for a couple of games . My lad is 10 year old season ticket holder who goes to most away games , he looked me straight in the eye and announced he wasn’t missing any games , and would go on his own on the train if necessary ( i’ll borrow the money off mum if i need to ) . And that right there is your problem , its a way of life following the whites , its not an option to pack in . Up the Leeds Ultras .
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Top comment- you’ve hit the nail on the head there. Younguns don’t understand the years of politics they just want to support their team- and rightly so. The nievity of youth and all that but we were all like that at that stage- you can’t change that Rob- and why would you want to?
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I’m agree with boycotting millwall and blackpool.
But I don’t think its everyone that has a vested interest in dragging us down. The likes if leicester and burnley had nothing to fear from our current team.
Other clubs with big support like forest, Brighton, sunderland when they go down, even the wendys might also get similar treatment from the fl.
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I have just been on the Yorkshire Post website saying it is strange how they report all sorts of news about leeds United but never mention the way that the FL always are sitting waiting to ambush any progress that will take us forward and solvent. They just put it down to paranoia.
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Did they really? Did they actually say that to you? Well out of order if so.
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Brilliant idea a few clubs in the Italian and Brazilian leagues did something to similar affect and it got noticed and achieved in winning what they set out to do
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hit the bastards where it hurts……in there pockets….never say die…..WE ARE LEEDS….!!!!!
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Been saying this for ages about away support. We take 1000’s everywhere and help their bank balances, already 5500 sold for Barnsley! I stopped after the Blackburn farce 7k Leeds at £34 it’s a joke but they all want to see us suffering! Everybody return the Barnsley, we always get stuffed anyway.
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I Totally agree with you but it’s so difficult to put into practice. The only marginal mass boycott I’ve seen that has had a modicum of success was ironically against Leeds back, way back to the first game of the 89/90 season where approx 5-6000 stayed and watched it in the clubs and pubs as part of the anti mcKeag regime- it was canny well orgnised only because the local papers had run with it all close season- I couldn’t bring myself to miss the game of course and bloody glad I didn’t!! lol No seriously we couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery as I’m sure you’re all well aware but if you could acheive it then it would rock the league to its foundations.
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Hey Rob, I’ve just posted your observations in the Telegraph. Let’s see how long they stay up there. My guess is that it will be removed quicker than a dissenter at a tory party conference.
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It’s in the Express also. Sorry your name is missing off of the end of that post. I don’t want to be accused of plagiarism, unlike all the rag jurnos.
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No worries there
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As long as we are the biggest revenue source for FL teams they will do whatever they can to slow our exit from the league. When the revenue stops they will be happy to allow us to leave. That is why the “away” boycott must continue beyond March 2015……..until we return to the Premier League!
Flood the YEP, opposing team and FL websites, Facebook pages, Twitter feeds. etc. with messages of our consternation and our plan to fight back and I predict a groundswell of support (i.e. non away-support) from LUFC supporters. Spend the money you save on travel plans on LUFC merchandise (it’s Christmas gift time after all) and it’s a win-win for supporters and club.
The FL is taking a highly questionable tack both legally and ethically. Let’s make their decision financially questionable and watch them quiver.
MOT
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Rob…what’s the leagues number? I use calling software over here for my clients…It dials 1000 times a day and we can program it with whatever number we choose (WITH A PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE EXPLAINING WHAT MORONIC HYPOCRITES THESE GUYS ARE) I can make it so that the secretary will not be able to take a lunch break!
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The Football League Operations Centre
Tel: 0844 463 1888
Fax: 0844 826 5188
Email: enquiries@football-league.co.uk
There you go Brad, excellent notion. MOT
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