Leeds

[Gary Nelson]

From the BBC:
The question is can Leeds survive?

If Leeds go down this season they will fold
The club is absolutely on a knife edge and frankly I think has reached the point of no return. And here's why.

In football when you cut costs you are taking out the playing staff - removing talent. So you end up with a low cost base - but a team full of duffers that cannot stay in the Premiership.

It's a real conundrum.

Behind the scenes at the club everyone is aware that getting out of the relegation zone is critical.

If Leeds were to go down to the First Division frankly I don't think the club would survive.

So in my opinion, unless their new manager is some sort of magician, Leeds will end up in administration.

Jeff Randall investigates football's cash crisis


What was the score with Leicester and how 'easily' they went into administration? I remember people saying it wasnt right that they manages to go back up the next year. Were/are there plans to hammer any furhter vlubs that go into administration such as Leeds and what were the penaltys?

 

[Mr Popkins]

make them start again in the ryman league!!!

 

[Dublin_Seagull]

I hope Leeds can stay up but it had to be a Bad move to Sack Reid.
Reid is a good manager that will bring sucess to a team if given the time. Pity he didnt come to Brighton when Mickey Adams left us.
Any way I am glad we have Mark McGee a good celt that will bring discilplene

 

[Sorrel]

I wouldn't like to see Leeds fold, but no big club ever has folded, and I don't think it's likely to happen. We've had what must be nearly ten clubs in the last three years about to fold, and none of them have yet.

With that fanbase, even if they sack all the staff and players they'd still get 25,000 along to see any old duffer play for Leeds. With that potential amount of money coming in I think it can be rescued as a going concern. It may be in debt for the next fifty years, but I think it'll survive. If they're fans of the club they'll support them no matter who the players are.

I wouldn't be surprised if they go down to the second division like Man City. That would be nice.

 

[Uncle Buck]

It would be nice if they went into the second, except for the poor teams that have to play them. It seems that Portsmouth was lively on Saturday.

 

[Kenhead]

I would find it rather funny if leeds did get relegated, a trip to ellan road would be nice!!

 

[southstandandy]

A really good programme on BBC2 tonight about this.

It puts our problems into some perspective.

 

[Citrus]

Leeds is a sad, sad story.

 

[Beach Hut]

A really good programme on BBC2 tonight about this.

It puts our problems into some perspective.

Excellent program - I'll be flamed for this but IMHO:

I think Risdale did the right thing at the right time - they had a chance for glory and went for it, had it worked, they would be right up there still.

They had a go but failed but at least they tried. Better to have at least tried that never.

However for failing very painful financial lesson.

 

[graz126]

leeds do not own there ground from what i have heard. if this is true then could they go into administration as they have no assets at all. would it be liquidation? just asking, dunno.
think they might end up in 2nd div soon if they get relegated this season. another season in prem might just sort them out though.
it would be a shame if such a club was to disappear though i dont think that would happen.

 

[Yorkie]

That's right. Leeds council own Elland Road, not the club.

 

[Dover]

Jeff Randall on Five Live also reported that most of their players are not fully owned by the club, but by other consortia. Therefore when they sell a player they have to pay the appropiate per centage to the consortia members first.

I thnk that like you Graz 126 you are right. Risdale had to go for glory when he did. but at what cost.

 

[Kenhead]

i read a very good for and against argument in the colchester programme earlier this season, i can understnad why clubs want to gamble as after all colchester aren't going to reach divison 1 unless they spend some money. so i can undestand why leeds gambled as they wanted to break in to the top 3 then championship. but for clubs like brighton where we keep our books in order we are not unlike leicester last season really getting any extra rewards for it. i'm still unsure which side of the argument i'm on.

 

[Yorkie]

Leeds were a good steady Premiership club. The fans were moaning because they didn't qualify for Europe.

Now where are they? Fans are staying away in droves.

Gamble? No. I'd rather exist week in and week out than gamble.

 

[graz126]

agreed the gamble comes at too higher price. fair enough at least they tried. would imagine the same in huddersfield as here in doncaster, i have loads of mates that are leeds fans, its nice too see them squirming a bit. after all this leeds this leeds that, best team in the world chat. but would hate to see them disappear.

 

[Dover]

Are Leeds a good premiership club. Charlton are, they like us and most clubs, keep themselves on a professional level. I still stand by what I said earlier that Risdale had to gamble, but surley not to this extent.

 

[Kenhead]

Well Risdale gambeled to make leeds in to a team that wanted champions leg football every season so that leeds could compette with Man United and Arsenal, Lets face it Charlton aren't gonna be playing champions league football every season so i see why Risdale gambled but i agree with dover he didn't have to gamble to that extend. And what is costing leeds now was that they failed to qualifer for the champions league and only had the uefa cup.

 

[Dover]

But Filthy, there may just be a chance that Charlton may acheive Europe by honest hard graft, and by their marketing of the club. A valley season ticket, just behind the home dug out is only £220/£240. That gives them a full stadium every week which they own, and wish to expand.

Leeds have always felt themseves as a big club, right from when I was first into footbal in the late 70s. Risdale took that gamble to make them that big. Leeds could be the hare, rather than the tortoise.

 

[Beach Hut]

If anything this proves the value of the Champions League and 4th place in the Premiership has more value than winning the FA Cup.

The FA Cup has been seriously devalued by the money men.

 

[Kenhead]

i do think charlton can make europe but not maintain a top 4 campions league qualifing finishing for atleast 3 seasons in a row which is what rinsdale wanted. champions lague football every season and of course winning the premier league.