Elland Road Up For Sale

Last updated : 10 July 2004 By Kevin Markey
Krasner and the Leeds board are negotiating a sale and lease agreement with a number of interested parties in a bid to ease the club’s debts of more than £50m.

However, Krasner insists the club will not be leaving their 100-year-old home but claims a sale would ensure they stayed at Elland Road for at least 25 years enabling Leeds to gain financial stability.

Krasner told the Yorkshire Post: "We are currently talking to a number of people about a sale and lease agreement. Any deal will have to include a minimum 25-year lease because football will be staying at Elland Road."

Leeds City Council have always been interested in the stadium, which would be a prime location for business or retail development due to its proximity to the city centre and good transport links.

A fans’ spokesman hit out at the proposed sale, claiming it showed the directors had no regard for the club’s long-term welfare.

Simon Jose, of the Leeds United Independent Fans’ Association, said: "They are selling the club’s assets and not generating any income. Selling the ground, our prime asset, to someone with no vested interest in Leeds United does not help the club. If there is going to be a development on the site it should benefit the club. This simply shows the directors have no ambition in our future."