Ben Fry: First let’s start with loan signings. Before the window closed last Thursday, Jake Livermore joined from Tottenham. Were you pleased to make the capture from another Premier League club?
Ken Bates: Well again, as I said last week, I doubted if we would make any more signings because it looked unlikely but in the event, Simon was successful in getting Livermore and he just adds to our midfield strength at a time when we are looking at possible injuries and suspensions as we go into the last eight, 10, 11 games of the season. So yes, it’s a good deal.
BF: At the same time, Ramon Nunez and Adam Clayton have gone out on loan do you see them having a more long term future and they need football at this stage?
KB: Well I think the thing is, at the moment we have seven strikers and Nunez is a Honduran international and that’s not fair on him playing against Gateshead, Lincoln and these kind of two-bob reserve teams on a very poor pitch. So it’s better to go out and play first-team football – and Clayton of course needs more experience so again, I think Simon has done a good job there.
BF: Now with so many players out on international duty this week, have you been sat there with your fingers crossed that they all come back fit and healthy?
KB: Well of course they’re all bloody meaningless friendlies and as we have already seen on TV, quite a few players have come back injured or whatever and in fact they’re damaging their respective clubs’ run-in to the end of the season. So, I’m agreeing with Ferguson when he says most of these friendlies are useless anyway and they’re only money-making jobs. They’re not for football, they’re for money.
BF: You mention there are either eight, 10 or 11 games left this season. Four of those will be at home and they actually turn out to be the four sides directly below Leeds in the Championship. Does that mean that fate is in the club’s own hands?
KB: It is indeed. Win those four games and we’re definitely in the play-offs because they are all six-pointers. But of course the four games away from home – it’s funny how the fixture list turned out that three of the four are in London, plus Derby. But they’re all important. We’ve simply got to reach the play-offs and maybe even nick the second place although that’s becoming increasingly difficult.
BF: Early start against Forest on Saturday. Another six-pointer however you look at it. Do you think the early start makes any difference for a game of this magnitude?
KB: No, I don’t think so. It just reduces the suspense by three hours (laughs). Hopefully, if we win on Saturday, we can turn around to the rest of the league and say ‘Catch us if you can!’. But I must say, it’s very encouraging because as of last night we had nearly 29,000 tickets sold, which is a tremendous tribute to our fans.
BF: Couple of months ago it looked like Forest were going to the side to beat for second place – are you surprised by how their form has dipped?
KB: Well, I mean, the manager (Billy Davies) has been saying for some time he thinks he has a small squad and obviously injuries and suspensions have caught up with them. Long may it continue.
BF: I know you have got a busy week ahead of the game on Saturday. In Oslo tomorrow night for a Leeds on the Road event with Peter Lorimer. Are you looking forward to meeting the fans?
KB: Of course, I mean… what actually happened was we had to go to Norway on business and I just thought it would be an ideal opportunity to double up so we’re looking forward to meeting 80-100 members in the Hard Rock Cafe in the middle of Oslo and have a great evening. Of course, Peter Lorimer, Billy Paynter, the usual Stix and Lorna will be there as well as Shaun and myself. And of course Susannah.
BF: Is that because Billy Paynter is suspended, so is available?
KB: Yeah. We still pay his wages so he is coming over to meet the fans.
BF: And talking of meeting the fans, Simon is going to be at Lorimer’s Bar next Tuesday as well. Do you think it’s important that the fans get a chance to put their questions to the manager, even at this crucial stage?
KB: Well the whole thing is, every game is a crucial game and every stage is a crucial stage. Simon’s the manager and therefore he will be there, answering and explaining his views, plans and thoughts.
BF: Many players when they come to the club are surprised how many opportunities the fans do get to meet the players. Is that part of your philosophy of running a club?
KB: Well I think so. I was thinking about this regarding the Select Committee queries on this, that and the other. When you actually think about it, first of all we have got nearly 39,000 members, we are the fourth biggest most visited website in the country from a club point of view, we have 65-70 regional members’ clubs including overseas, we try to attend every regional members’ club at least once a year, all the letters we get are answered, in fact Susannah is on the phone as we speak talking to somebody about Wembley ticket allocations. Yes. Frankly we don’t need self-appointed, self-important representatives of nobody except themselves in supporters clubs. We like to deal with the people themselves. Direct, talk to them, not through people who presume an importance which they don’t have.
BF: Now talking of support, more than 700 have booked already for the members’ end of season event which takes place (interrupted)
KB: Well it’s absolutely fantastic isn’t it. Let’s hope it’s a great evening after we play Burnley. 700 yes, and it’s still rising. So, who knows, we might even touch 1,000. That will be a record for Leeds. Absolutely fantastic.
BF: And of course if you would like to book for the members’ end of season event you can call 0871 332 1919 and choose option two. And now on Monday there is going to be and upgrade for the online tickets services which means the ticket office will be closed, but in the long term what will this upgrade provide to fans?
KB: Well the whole thing we have been working on this for some time actually. To change over, well I don’t understand the technicalities, I’m too old but to change over we have to shut the whole system down for 24 hours, which we are doing. But it really means that when that reopens on Tuesday, members, fans or whatever can booked almost anything they want from a shirt, to a coach ticket to lunch in Billy’s Bar, to anything. And of course, they can do it 24 hours a day, seven days a week which is a quite fantastic facility for the fans. So well done to the IT boys and Katie Holmes who spent all this time organising it and I’m very pleased for them and I’m obviously very pleased for the fans.
BF: And that new ticket service, online service will be available from Tuesday April 5 at leedsunited.com
KB: Before you go. Let’s remind people that if members haven’t renewed yet, they can still renew up to April 30 online only. Our new extra time memberships are still available until April 8 so it’s getting close.
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