Goodbye Ken, it's not been emotional

By Keith Ingham

On Friday the 26th of July the final brick from the Bates wall fell to the ground with the announcement of him leaving the club completely, with his resignation or sacking of his post as Club President. Like the Berlin Wall it was late in coming but celebrated just as loudly by the fans of Leeds United.

He may have stepped in when nobody else would but after his links to Chelsea, it was never going to be an easy marriage with whatever foreplay he suggested. Pause to evacuate stomach contents.

Over eight years of Mr Bates certainly hasn't been an easy ride. From relegation, administration and the selling of any player that Norwich fancied. Johnson, Howson, Snodgrass and Becchio have taken the East Anglian shilling, but the blame rests with Chairman Bates as he continually resisted the temptation to financially support any manager during his tenure. 

Whoever agreed with him (Bates) must also agree that the team Simon Grayson had a few years ago was only a couple of players away from claiming the top six place that Notts Forest acquired instead. In fact the Promoted side of 2009 was a fantastic side and it's a shame players had to leave to financially support the club.
 
I wrote earlier that the re movement of Bates, Harvey and Williams was a step in the right direction. Now with ties with the ex chairman completely cut I feel that the future could indeed be 'Gold'. I for one await with interest who the position of club president is to be.

As Vinny said so well in a film 'It's been emotional', unfortunately for Leeds United for the wrong reasons.

Goodbye Ken, please don't come back.

On On On without Bates