Fans Forum Another Success

Last updated : 06 August 2004 By Kevin Markey

Below are some of the main points to come out of the meeting, as listed on the official Leeds website;

The current level of the club's debt is just under the £40m mark. Some has been restructured and is payable over 20 years, some is interest free and not a lot incurs interest charges.

The unsuccessful launch of the 20-year season tickets resulted in a £4m shortfall for the next financial year. If more debentures had been sold, then the club would not have accepted offers for James Milner.

The club are currently talking "at a serious level" to a potential investor about a £2m cash injection, which could be realised in the next 6-8 weeks. The investor will receive a stake in the club in return.

The club currently have the threat of a £60k suspended fine for last season's poor disciplinary record hanging over them for the next 12 months. The FA could have imposed the maximum £100k fine.

They are looking at ways of using Elland Road. These include one remortgage deal , two sale and lease-back schemes which the club insist would only be done if a) there is a 25 year minimum lease with the right to renew and b) the club was able to buy the ground back at any time.

Krasner said the board would want the team to finish in the top half of the table this season - the play-offs or automatic promotion would be an added bonus.

Blackwell revealed that the board are digging into their own pockets to fund the potential arrival of a new midfielder at the club.

The next fans forum is likely to be held at the start of 2005.