Ormsby: Why President Bates strikes a sour note with Leeds fans

Writing in his Yorkshire Evening Post column, Ormsby says many fans believed the club’s sale last year marked the end of the Bates era - and the view on the terraces is that he should now leave the scene.

He says: “He has done his business, saved the club, got them in the black. But fans just don’t seem to want him to have anything to do with the club any more. And because it seems that is not going to happen yet, many are angry.

“Yes, Ken did save the club and without him, we would probably have gone under and I have said that many times in the past.

“All the local businessmen said they would put the money in, which they never did.

“Ken always said: ‘Put your money where your mouth is’. But none of them ever did, and he did. The club and supporters – even though many don’t like him for his connections with Chelsea – have got to be grateful for that at the end of the day.

“But when he sold the club, people thought his time was over at Elland Road.”

Ormsby says Bates got a frosty reception at the members’ dinner on Saturday night after the Brighton game.

“Ken made his feelings known on the night, but the supporters were entitled to voice their opinion as well.

“They had paid 40-odd quid to go to that dinner after buying their season tickets throughout the years and everything.

“It was just a bit of an uncomfortable night all round after a forgettable season when we were all expecting to be well in the hunt for at least a play-off place – not scrambling to get the points to avoid the drop to League One.”

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