Former Leeds United chairman launches tirade against supporters who protested against Massimo Cellino.
Leeds United’s future looks brighter than at any point in the past decade with the club harbouring strong hope of a return to the Premier League.
Businessman Andrea Radrizzani this month completed a buyout of 50 per cent of the club, a timely development with Massimo Cellino facing a suspension.
Elland Road
Amid the positivity, former owner Ken Bates has launched a tirade against the many supporters who protested against Cellino during the past 12 months, urging them to go and support another club instead.
Speaking to Radio Yorkshire yesterday (19/1), Bates blasted: “People who screamed for Massimo to go, with all sorts of demonstrations, are absolute idiots.
“Loud mouths, big mouths, with small pockets. The real fans want them to shut up and stay away, go and support Guiseley or something so the real fans can enjoy their weekends.
“Marching on together, that should be what it says. It was when they were going through a bad patch of course, [they should] support the team, not just being fairweather fans.”
General view of a protest against Leeds owner Massimo Cellino
Bates, whose reputation among fans is already very low, does himself no favours with his rant, and is looking at the scenario through the eyes of an owner, rather than a supporters.
While protesting outside the ground and taking part in publicity stunts to draw attention is not everybody’s cup of tea, it proved somewhat effective, as it helped Cellino realise he could not take the club forward on his own.
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