Best for Leeds, or not....Bates involvement with our club, will leave a stink, for many years to come and will add further ammunition to those who hate s and may even swell their ranks.
I have said all along that not only is Bates connected to the off-shore companies but where is the proof that these supposed loans were anything other than paper transactions concocted, by Bates in planning for this eventuality all along? He told everyone not so very long ago that the debts were down to a very manageable 9 million pounds and that all the outstanding football debts would be cleared by this time. So why did we borrow 18 million, that we didn't apparently need from these strange sources and what did the club do with that money? My gut feeling is that we didn't and that, other than on paper the money does not exist. That would be a logical explanation why the 3 companies would (a) be willing to accept such a derisory offer, from Bates to clear the debt and (b) also refuse to even consider any other offer of much higher compensation.. Yes they may have been promised something, under the table for the future, but then that should be out in the open, under the preferential treatment rules and so would be even more unlawful conduct by Bates. So there you have it... my conspiracy theory in which Bates in the guise of faceless off shore companies pretends to lend himself large amounts of non-existent money to ensure that he is his own largest creditor, ahead of a devious plan to rid himself of 99% his other, supposedly manageable debts.. As for the Taxman...It is easy to adopt a thumb your nose at authority type stance and think of Bates in some sort of anti hero role; however, when you look at it realistically, it is not his or the club's money that he is saving himself or refusing to pay..... He collected that money from everyone, of us who ever attended a match or bought merchandise etc. it was never his or the club's money... Therefore it is not a simple non-payment of tax issue. It is really grand theft of 7 million pounds and as such he should not only lose the ability to own or run a football club (or other business) but should be locked up and made to pay restitution from his personal fortune.... PRATT! I fully believe this has all been planned over a long period of time. It is about time the authorities undertake a thorough investigation into at all his business dealings and take the appropriate action against Bates, in person, not through LUAFC. To start with the administrators should be instructed to exercise their option to buy the club and sell to the highest bidder immediately, (If Bates want to bid fairly, so be it) or should, themselves be subject to, very close ethical and legal examinations. _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist Join The Leeds United Supporters Trust at www.lufctrust.org
