Bates: Nothing In Life Except Soccer And A Good Woman

Last updated : 23 January 2005 By Kevin Markey

Former Chelsea supremo Bates completed his takeover last Friday after just over 4 days of talk with the old Leeds board.

He told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme he was back "because there's nothing else in life except soccer and a good woman".

Bates added: "I have missed football a great deal, that is fairly obvious or I wouldn't have come back. Monaco is a very nice place to live.

"I have been trying to get involved because I have been in talks with Sheffield Wednesday and wasted a year of my life over that. The difference between Leeds and Wednesday is that the Leeds directors have been very positive.

"The directors did not get much money for their shares, they have left their money in the club for four years to demonstrate their support for the club.

"It's a big task, but we are big enough to handle it.

"The toughest job is to ride out the cynicism extended to my involvement in the club. I'm doing it because I enjoy it and it is a challenge and I want to convert the doubters.

"You do that with hard work and success. I'm motivated because there is nothing else in life apart from a good woman. And I have a good woman so I need the soccer.

"I never discuss financial matters, we have a hard battle ahead but there is life at the end of a very long tunnel.

"Leeds are a great club and they should be back in the Premiership. Even Chelsea fans have told me `good luck' in my next venture and to get promotion and bring Leeds back to Chelsea."