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Blaster for Bates as Leeds fans picket Billy!
Blaster for Bates as Leeds fans picket Billy!
Sunday, 22nd Jan 2012 12:36

13:45 Saturday January 21st, I wandered into the revolution,

I spotted a guy in a Kaiser Chiefs top with Radebe 5 on the back purposely stride towards Billy! There was about 200 or so fans milling round the statue, nothing unusual as it is a focal fans meeting point. There seemed to be slightly more Plod around than usual including a couple on horseback.

I noticed that my old adversaries from Waccoe had hung their banner on the railings near the club shop. Some wag shouted "Bates In!" not sure if in jest or seriousness but that sparked a rowdy "Bates Out!" and "Get out of our club..."

As several fans unfurled anti Bates banners, another handed out paper masks of our glorious leader, the TV crews started to capture the mood and there was decent coverage given on both Sky Sports News and BBC1 later that day.

Two photographers permanently stood on the statue and went into a snapping frenzy when one protester screwed up a Bates paper face and mimicked wiping his arse on it! A light moment but there was genuine anger towards our Chairman of the last seven years.

New songs rolled out "7 years and F--- All"', "No more dough for Monaco", "Fabian Delphi paid for that " "Robert Snodgrass will pay for that!" pointing at the East Stand redevelopment. Indeed the controversial renovation work then became the focal point of the demo as the fans began to hurl the chants in the direction of a couple of corporate diners and members of staff who looked on somewhat bemused.

The protest snaked down Lowfields Road, conveniently to our entrance gate. One of my sons was getting a bit anxious so we bid our new found dissident friends farewell. As we approached the turnstile Peter Lorimer and his long time oppo (think his name is Bobby, the one with the sticky out ears) left the Pavillion and seemed keen to get into the Corporate area. Eventually a gate opened. I reflected how sad it is that many of us now regard Lorro as Peter Puppet, some might say little more than another media outlet for Bates to shovel his spin through.

All I will say to Peter is, watch yer back. Remember how it turned nasty for Peter Osgood when he was going corporate stuff for Bates all those years ago.

On the subject of legends, Eddie Gray seemed none too impressed with the demo, claiming it brought anxiety into the ground later on during the Bates-owned Yorkshire Radio phone-in. The prick on the fans-panel, who's name now escapes me claimed he hated coming to ER because of all the anti-Bates stuff and reckon we have got it in for him purely because of his Chelsea connections.

If only it was that simple Moron!

I have mixed views about the effectiveness of yesterday's event. I honestly believe it is more likely that Grayson will go before Bates (Shaun Harvey copped a fair bit of stick too!). I am sure it is nothing he has seen or heard before.

The biggest question of all, which none of us can answer is who will step into the void should we get our way and Ken sells-up. As well as claiming they protests are putting off would be investors, Bates also says that he gets nothing but bogus enquiries from middle-men chancers. Driving home, I could not help feeling slightly depressed that Reading are the latest club who look set to be taken over. I just cannot believe that Leeds, with it's potential, fan-base and history is not ire for a takeover.

We must keep believing that one day it will happen.

Incidentally Bates was apparently still in South Africa on his jollies.

Photo: Action Images



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