>>There's a huge difference between keeping our best players and what you describe as the Ridsdale model. Perpetually inferring that you can only have Batesism or Ridsdaleism is conveniently ignoring the possibility of middle ground.<< Just like the "Bates haters" dismiss everyone who expresses a different opinion as a "Bates lover"? Of course Ridsdale is an extreme - no club has fallen from grace so badly as ours. Yet there are countless others that are struggling with a burden of debt, caused by their own version of "living the dream". I don't want us to go back down that route - do you?
>> It is known through Bates' own statements that he budgets to spend less than 30% of turnover on players (wages and fees),<< I thought we'd established it was 38% last year. The recommended level is NO MORE THAN 55%. Without seeing the books in detail, I don't know how much more could be committed to players' wages. But £11.5m a year seems fairly sensible for our league, given we have no parachute payments. >>whilst frittering money away on ill run bars and corporate facilities. He can spend millions on corporate boxes to earn a few grand a week, yet wouldn't buy Thorpe Arch or the Stadium to save a few million a year.<< So on the one hand you don't want him spending a small amount of money on facilities, while on the other you want him to spend a lot of money on facilities? Where's the money coming from for the ER development? I'd guess a bank loan - borrowing is cheap at the moment, and adding hotel/banqueting etc will show an immediate return. Your "few grand a week" will probably pay the investment back in a couple of years. Could you borrow money at that rate for players' wages? No. Where's the return? It's not a case of either/or. Bates would have to dip into his own pockets to pay for players, and he won't do that. You might disagree with that but it's his prerogative as the owner. >>Defend Bates if you want but don't kid yourself that he is or has ever been the only alternative.<< Go on, smart arse, name me a viable alternative right now. Simon Morris? Geoffrey Richmond? Sure there are a lot of names that float around (can't be arsed to check old postings for them) but until they make a bid, they're just ghosts. Show. Me. The. Money! >>"We've been down this road before, haven't we. Without parachute payments or a sugardaddy we can't compete on player wages. Nor should we." That's bull and you know it, we're not talking Seth Johnson here, we're talking Johnny Howson.<< Once again, Howson wanted to go and play in the prem. And I expect his wages were trebled by Norwich. How do you propose we made him stay? >> We're talking a failure to use the proceeds of an offer 'too good to turn down' to provide a replacement - despite quotes at the time saying they would be used for exactly that purpose! Stop swallowing Bates' rhetoric and look at the facts. Read what he actually says not what he wants you to think he says.<< We signed one midfielder and brought in two on loan, didn't we? I'm guessing Bates was looking to get rid of SG at some point so he wouldn't back an expensive Grayson purchase, who might not fit the bill for the next manager. And he might have been proposing someone crap for all we know. SG signed Michael Brown, after all. >>For example: I saved Leeds twice - what did he save Leeds from? First time was supposed to be administration but we went bust anyway and 2nd time he saved us from the white knights when his cronies tipped the scale in his favour. I'd rather he hadn't bothered as we are no better off today than when Adulant Force fell for his lies and half-truths 7 years ago. << Don't doubt the man is full of bullshit. never said he wasn't. And those deals were clearly designed to get shot of historical debts. Morally dubious for sure, but commonplace in business. I expect the financial position is a lot better than under Adulant Force. >>"Bates out, but only if a significantly more wealthy replacement is prepared to take over." Ethics and morals don't come into your reckoning then? Just as long as he's rich? Tell your kids that do you? There's no such thing as right and wrong just 'has money' and 'hasn't money'? What a wonderfully socially responsible person you are!<< Oh stop spouting sanctimonious horseshit Paul. We're talking about sport and business. Do you want Leeds United to be a competitive premiership team again, or not? If you do, we will have to be taken over by a wealthy individual, just like everyone else at the top of the premiership. Ridsdale tried the alternative business model - PLC. He failed. _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] PETE CASS (1962 - 2011) Rest In Peace Mate
