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"Running a football club is like any other business, difficult in the current economic
climate... so we will not be signing Tevez or Torres in the close season" OUR DESTINY IS IN OUR OWN HANDS
It has been interesting to read the local press over the past few weeks. We have had one hack bemoaning the way in which Leeds conducted their search for a new manager. Contesting it was the professional way in which Wolves had handled the problem. Much was made of my procrastinations, namely my step-by-step, brick-by-brick method, adding sarcastically, and so on and so on and on... In the end, in the glare of constant media attention, Wolves didn't get a manager and promoted from within. Leeds having received over 100 applications for our vacancy, quickly went about our business, appointed Neil Warnock and have subsequently picked up four points from two games, meanwhile noting the legacy of Neil Redfearn who was admirable in his caretaker position. One advantage of a managerial change is that every player has a fresh star . Grievances, imagined or justified, t go out ofthe window. As Neil told them, as far as he was concerned, they had a clean sheet and it was up to them by per ormance, attitude on the training ground and f general demeanours to show why they should be par of t his favoured squad. Add to this the fact that nine players are out of contract this summer and the onus is on them to prove to the manager that they want a future with Leeds United and the honour to wear the shir . t So, the country must be in good shape. The fearless Damien Collins MP is introducing a Private Members Bill to reveal to the public who owns the ground of football clubs. No problem with that at Leeds United. He should ask the fearless David Conn, a so-called investigative journalist, fresh from his starring role in the recent BBC inspired programme Who Owns Leeds United?. Alternatively, he could ask Gerald Krasner, Simon Morris, David Richmond or Melvyn Helme. They were among the consorium that bought Leeds United with borrowed t money and gave personal guarantees. The consor ium then t sold Elland Road and Thorp Arch, which repaid the debt and discharged their personal guarantees. They sold the proper ies and they must know who bought them, where t the money (rumoured to be 11 m) came from and where it went. Mystery solved. Marching on together! Moving on to Members' events, the next two months are busy ones. On Monday March 5, Hull Whites are holding their Leeds On The Road event at One Stop Golf Club, National Avenue, Hull. For tickets, contact Tony Cook via hullwhites@live.co.uk The following Tuesday March 13 is Lorimer's Bar. This is a new date following the re-arranged Middlesbrough fixture. Tickets are available from the Ticket Office Counters or online under Club Events. Following the West Ham game LUDO will be having their 20th Anniversary Dinner in the Centenary Pavilion. All Members welcome at 21 aticket, obtainable online under Club Events and at the Ticket Office. Then on Thursday March 22 we have an event with a difference: "An Evening with Neil Warnock". He will regale you with his hopes and plans for Leeds United, his wide and varied career and a Q&A session. Get in early for this is Members-only and tickets are 29.50 available from 0871 334 1919 (option 2) or by emailing conferenceandevents leedsunited.com Finally, an early reminder of the Member's End of Season Awards Dinner in the Centenary Pavilion on Saturday April 28, following the Leicester City game. All the management and staff including the playing squad will be present. Tickets are 49.50 per adult and 32.50 for children aged 15 and under. Please note minimum age is 12 years. Tickets on 0871 334 1919 (option 2) or email conferenceandevents@leedsunited.com. This should be a sell-out, so it is advisable to book early. We are offering a special sampling offer of our new Matchday Hospitality experience at Elland Road for the Watford and Derby County games. For these two matches, you can enjoythe Nicky Chapman Suite for just 99 +VAT per person and the Norman Hunter Suite for just 89 +VAT. See what it is really like to experience the Hospitality package and book on 0871 334 1919 (option 3) Four points from two games, four points behind PlayOffs and starting today, we play seven of the nine clubs above us. Our destiny is in our own hands and we continue to invest to support the team. We have agreed substantial severance payments to the previous management staff. Management ofthe current team doesn't come cheap, either. At one point in the renegotiations, I thought it would be cheaper to give the club to Neil, but in the end he relented, although Suzannah will have to forgo her Easter Bonnet this year. With the spate of clubs' financial results coming out this week, it is interesting that Blackpool's Premier League wage bill was 12m - exactly the same as Leeds in the Championship this season. Wigan have 7.2m, Aston Villa 54m... and so it goes on. Running a football club is like any other business, difficu in the current economic climate. Here at Leeds, we will fac higher rent and rates, yet we have frozen Season Ticket prices. (Thank you to the 8,914 who have renewed so far), the central distribution from the Football League will be over 600,000 less next season and we will have to watch