An open letter to Andrew Umbers ‏

19/4/2015

To Mr Umbers

I've followed my team for over forty years and seen happy times and sad. One thing I have never seen is the total mismanagement of our club and disrespect of an individual when a person was in charge of the team.

Your treatment of a decent man and a good coach belies belief, you may have taken away his Assistant and told lie after lie about the situation within the club but one thing you will not stop is the support of the fans for Neil Redfearn.

One thing for certain is that he will be remembered long after your corrupt control of the football club. The authorities need to look into the events after Massimo Cellino was supposed to have no control over the club.

People like you give football a bad name and make fans leave in numbers. This may not make any difference to how you work but one day 'karma' has a way of finding dishonest people like yourself. You disgust me.

A loyal fan.

Keith Ingham

17 Comments

John Davey

19/4/2015 08:16:37 am

I would like Cellino to sell up and leave. I thought from day one that his was a bad appointment and I stand by that. We need a new owner and a MANAGER who can buy the players he wants without interference.

john kelly

20/4/2015 12:39:27 am

The open letter from keith ingham is SPOT ON. I HAVE SUPPORTED LEEDS for 52years and I totally agree with everything he says. I also agree with John Davey. As I was telling friends and relatives last year, I do not think an egomaniac/megalomaniac "owner" would ever be good for any club let alone Leeds United. A millionaire owner does not guarantee stability. Get him out. J. Kelly

eric dinsdale

19/4/2015 08:20:54 am

If its true what Thompson called Salerno he deserves to be suspended. i would be if i called my head of department that. If he had concerns he should have taken them to Redfearn, his line manager. If anyone has Taken Redfearn out of the loop its Thompson who has shown him no respect by going above his head without letting him know.

RUNDMC

19/4/2015 08:43:01 am

As you're in the know, what exactly did Thompson call Salerno? And please tell us the context in which this all happened. Do you think it may have been borne out of frustration at the conditions Thompson and Redfearn were having to work under? You only have to look at the way Redfearn is still being treated by the 'management'.

There's a lot more to this than is being disclosed, which I'm sure will come out at a later date. You seem to forget what a good run we were on until this happened! Perhaps a few sour grapes from Salerno as a lot of his 'star' signings had not made a contribution to this run?

19/4/2015 05:44:09 pm

You believe that shit? Sacked for one insulting word? Dread to think where you work!

Allan

19/4/2015 08:24:30 am

Well said. Cellino had better get his act together, that's if he does come back. Personally, I don't think he is because he is going to be brought down again in Italy and this time there is no return.
The entire board should resign. This is a disgraceful example of how to run a club. The fans do not deserve the contempt, Neil Redfearn is being treated like leppers. I am ashamed of this club, and I'm another 40 year fan

Bobby Joyce

19/4/2015 08:28:19 am

Redders has done a professional job unlike many others. Hope the young footballers go on to do him and leeds proud.

Jon Preston

19/4/2015 08:36:57 am

The Pantomime season should be over, but at LUFC, it goes on and on.
I am in my mid 70's and supported my team for 56 years.
Mr Cellino,I have supported you over the last year,
but I am fed up of hearing about Ken Bates and seeing out team loose week after week.
It is now time for you to do what you said you would do, that is have a team that would challenge for a place in the Premier League in the next season.
If you cannot keep your word, most fans will understand, so please move over and let somebody else do it.

OzTyke

19/4/2015 11:02:13 am

Don't be surprised, Keith.
It's precisely the same bullying, arrogant treatment that was handed out to Brian McDermott.
They say first impressions are usually the right ones, and the fans chasing the taxi in the car park that night got it pretty much spot-on.

sydneywhite

19/4/2015 12:56:09 pm

What crock of crap letter. How have you come to these conclusions wuthout knowing what has been said and done behind closed doors? U know the same as us which is nowt.

twodan

19/4/2015 04:04:49 pm

When you sign on to be a head coach and work under a sporting director then you should not be surprised that you are nothing but the coach. Your job is to prepare your team for each game.
My understanding of being a coach means that all members of the squad are taken care of during sessions not just a select few.

sandra

19/4/2015 07:18:07 pm

We knew when cellino took over he changes managers more often than his ties. Redders is being treated like shite and the club has lost all its great staff. The few he's retained are in fear of losing their jobs so act on his every command...... If Redders goes we'll lose our great young squad and any chance of promotion. We NEED our acadamy, it's a requirement when premiership team.....but it's being distroyed. Our club is being distroyed.
With the current regime we will not attract any new players or management as our club is now a laughing stock.
Devastating.

20/4/2015 02:44:48 am

I hope that it doesn't come to that, but I'm not overly optimistic!

Chris Byrne

19/4/2015 07:51:42 pm

Neil Redfearn is probably the best appointment as head coach the club has made over the last 12 years or so. As an 8 year old I started following Leeds United in 1961 just prior to the greatest ever time in our history.

Neil Redfearn is so reminiscent of Don Revie who once tendered his resignation on a point of principle. Just before a game against Blackpool, early in season 64/5,Revie announced that the board wanted to sell Terry Cooper which the Don vehemently disagreed with. He asked the team to go and show him how they could play. We won 3-0, Bremner missed two penalties and I forget how many hit the woodwork/were cleared off the line. The board relented in the end and the rest is history.

Neil Redfearn is just as vital in current day terms, and he would be vital to LUFC`s future. I would not want to see him leave under any circumstances but on principle if he did jack it in I would support him 100%. If he left the kids would leave/be sold and the academy left in tatters. It would teach a few lessons to someone who thinks he is God's gift to football.

20/4/2015 02:47:12 am

If Redfearn and the 'kids' go that's me finished with the club I'm sorry to say, and I'm sure I won't be the only one!

Dean Bexon-Ingham

20/4/2015 04:37:05 am

I have been a Leeds United supporter for over 40 years, we have had our ups and downs and as an adult I have dealt with that, but how do I explain to my 2 boys of 8 and 12 what is going on.
They chose themselves to follow Leeds United when all of there friends support trendy premiership clubs, it saddens me to see there faces and the heartache of me explaining what is happening to there team.
The so called saviour owner of Leeds, is SLOWLY RIPPING THE HEART OUT OF THE CLUB, and making Leeds United a worldwide laughing stock.
Please go Massimo and turn the light off when you do because at this rate there will be nothing left of our club.

20/4/2015 08:02:25 am

I've been a fan since 1956 I sat on my dad's shoulders on Lowfields Road terrace. I am now 65 and have also seen highs and lows. Now really low. I know a lot of people say they are in the know but I have heard a really strong rumour but from people who are in the know. Usual thing I can't name my source. Apparently Cellino wants out and has asked an agent to find a buyer. Apparently 4 parties are interested. I have no idea who. I do know that a Red Bull rep was in the east stand for the Norwich game. Fingers crossed.

An open letter to Andrew Umbers ‏

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