LUST Update: Council Leader Pledges Support, and LUST Welcomes Neil Warnock as Manager
Monday, February 20, 2012 at 4:06PM Leeds United Supporters Trust is honoured and delighted that the Leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Keith Wakefield, has today announced his support for the Trust and its aims.
Councillor Wakefield is the latest of a number of high-profile supporters of L.U.S.T., joining our Honorary President Nigel Martyn, and several local politicians including Rachel Reeves, Greg Mulholland, Fabian Hamilton and Hilary Benn.
Councillor Wakefield said he is:
"Pleased to have joined the Leeds United Supporters Trust. I support the Campaign for Change and vision to see Leeds United regain their rightful place in the Premier League".
"Fans need a greater say in the running of clubs. I’m happy to work with all political groups at the Council to see how we can support the Leeds United Supporters Trust".
Leeds United Supporters’ Trust is particularly pleased to have Councillor Wakefield’s support, as one of the main aims in our Vision Statement is to build positive relations with local bodies, working in partnership to give the city of Leeds a football club it can be proud of. Leeds City Council is the second largest local government district in England by population and the second largest metropolitan district by area, and to have the Leader of L.C.C. on board with the Trust gives greater volume to the fans’ voice. There is growing political support for the role of supporters’ organisations in the governance of football clubs, and last July the Commons Select Committee’s Football Governance Report endorsed the Trust model as the preferred method for giving fans a meaningful voice.. Councillor Wakefield’s support will be of great help to L.U.S.T., as we continue to campaign for the fans’ requests for positive change to be heard at our football club.
Leeds United Supporters’ Trust would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Neil Warnock to Leeds United. Our Honorary President, Nigel Martyn, contacted the Trust this morning to say that he is delighted with Neil’s arrival at Leeds as it demonstrates the kind of ambition Leeds United supporters asked for in the Trust’s Vision Statement. We see Neil’s appointment as a positive step and look forward to giving him our support as he works to bring success to our club on the football pitch. We would urge the club to give more backing to its new manager than has been shown in recent seasons, to concentrate its resources on supporting Neil and the players rather than spending in non-football areas. We also call on the club not to ignore the wider ambitions of the Trust’s Vision Statement. More than a change of manager is required, not only to take Leeds United back to the Premier League, but to repair relations with supporters who have felt disenfranchised by the events of the last seven years. The club needs to work positively with local bodies and fans’ groups to bring a positive atmosphere back to Elland Road. Leeds United Supporters’ Trust will continue to Campaign For Change at Leeds United, and to make the voices of the fans heard.
Supporters can also join more than 4,000 other Leeds fans and have their voice heard as members of the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust by filling in the form at www.lufctrust.org. Membership is free. Keep checking for updates on www.lufctrust.org, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Reader Comments (6)
Great to see the trust willing to praise the club when they agree with their actions (appointing Colin) and not just slate them when they do things they don't agree with.
The free kids top promotion is also a move I think the club should be praised on even if it is a case of trying to shift some old unsalable stock.
In order for the Trust to achieve anything they need to work with the club not against it and keep trying to build a relationship with those in the club however much they resist/ignore the approaches. Keep up the good work!
Interesting view but I am personally favouring campaigning for no season ticket renewals. My opinion is that a lack of guaranteed income will mean the board (and particularly Bates) will have to think how to attract fans to Ellandroad. Magically we may see investment in playing staff and a rise in entertainment value for our money! It has been the total p2ss take of the fans that has most stunk at Ellandroad. Warnock coming is an act of a man trying to give the fans a bit of hope (one of his standard tricks that he has a history of in one form of action or propaganda in recent years) - he simply needs the gate above 20k! That is our weapon and every fan should unite and use it!
Good statement!... I also would like to welcome Colin aboard!... I agree that on the surface this would appear to be a significant step in the right direction by the club but let's not forget who we're dealing with!... We're only at this point because of everything that went on before!... We need to keep the pressure on the board and we need reassurances that they'll back Colin's requests for loanees AND that they'll back him in the next 2 transfer windows!... This IS an opportunity for Ken to win me over and get me back on board, but ONLY if he spends in the Summer!... The other outstanding issue is what will Williams' involvement be?... If he retains his power of veto over transfers then really it's NO CHANGE!!... Really, it's typical Leeds isn't it?... I mean look what a hash they made of announcing his appointment, choosing to use Kammy's Twitter feed!... So really, it's ball back in your court Kenneth!... Yes, you've got us a manager we can all get behind but you only did it under duress!... The Campaign For (Real) Change goes on!... My final words to Kenny are 'YOU invest, then so will I!' @j3tt4tur4
Politics has no place in football and any intervention is band by FIFA regulations, the actions of Councillor Keith Wakefield are very questionable he has no place to pass judgement or make comment on footballing matters. Yet again L.U.S.T try to undermine bates this organisation is a joke when he has doing an exceptional job. I would like to ask you who is paying for the policing of your protest, not L.U.S.T no that would be Leeds Utd and the tax payer. The actions of your members on match days are appalling I don't wish to take my son to a game to here or see your unfounded message being spread. L.U.S.T bring so much distaste ER you should be ashamed you must all be in fear now your over reaction at the sacking of SG who was inpet at this level with a win % of just over 40% in the championship that was falling, now NW is here your audience will dwindle as LUFC will be successful.
If you think that Ken Bates pays any attentions to you or you put "pressure" on the board the you are deluded. The Fact is Bates did the right thing taking us into administration (this should of happened as soon as we was relegated from the premier league) and since then he has been an exceptionally good performing chairman for our club and I thank him for that.
Thank you for your comments Jigzy, 4000 plus trust members, UEFA as well as Parliament and the FL and FA may not agree with the accuracy of your opinions but in the interests of debate and consideration for all i am sure your fellow Leeds United supporters will take what you have said on board.
LUST speaks for less than 2% of the attendance on match days this season not the voice of all Leeds fans is it??