Who Owns Leeds United?

New owners, new beginnings, end of an era of heartbreak and pitty at Elland Road as it would appear that the illusive Ken Bates has finally sold out to Dubai based investment firm GFH Capital. Or has he?

The promised January transfer kitty at Elland Road never seemed to materialise as Leeds United’s transfer dealings did not seem like that of a club aiming for the Premiership but one which is happy with mid table mediocrity of the Championship.

There are two words which have haunted many Leeds United fans over the last few years….. Norwich City. The transfer dealings with City have been nothing short of sole destroying as they are making a good job of Premiership survival with the Leeds United League 1 midfield of a few years back, one which would surely have been a route back into the Premiership for United.

Since the illustrious takeover went through gone were the days that the giant club Leeds United would sell players to lesser clubs such as Norwich City (and that’s not been disrespectful), but how wrong they were. The board happily sold Luciano Becchio to the Canaries in a swap deal for Steve Morrison, a name to capitivate the Leeds followers. A real show of the new ambition. Some United fans may say things such as Becchio was ‘getting on’ or ‘he is not irreplacable’ but deep down I think all Leeds fans see this as another kick in the teeth and certainly not a stride towards returning to the elite.

So just why is this happening again? Well Ken Bates as never really gone as he? Why would you sell your club and then remain there as the president when you openly admit to a passionate hatred of the club and its ‘moronic’ fans. From Lord Harewood to Lord Bates. It just does not have the same ring.

Mr Bates’ business dealings are not exactly well publicised and I would not be surprised if GFH Capital were merely puppets in his big game. I liken it to the political situation in Russia a few years back when the now President Putin had to take a step back and be prime minister for a term to show the world that Russia was democratic, it didn’t fool people and it was evident that he was still running the joint. That’s what many feel is happening at Leeds.

Ken Bates is very much still running the club and I can’t help but feel he has done nothing more than attempt to ‘pull the wool over peoples eyes’. Lets face it when he sold Chelsea to Roman Abramovich we did not see him hanging around in another capacity did we? He ran off all the way to the Bank.

So why has he remained? Well we can’t be certain he does not have his hand in GFH Capital somewhere and maybe he is holding out for that ‘Big Deal’ of a real wealthy investor to come in. All Leeds United can be certain of is remaining in the Championship for the forseeable future. Its painstaking for the fans but its the harsh reality. Lets face it the takeover of a football club does not take as long as the Leeds United Saga.

The big question still remains. Who owns Leeds United? I’m not sure, are you?