Jose: Fans Are Being Ignored

Last updated : 27 April 2004 By Kevin Markey
Simon Jose, founder of the Leeds United Independent Supporters Association, said: "It's almost like the fans are being ignored, like we're a minor annoyance rather than people that actually are an integral part of the football club. All we get is lip service - 'the fans are important, the fans have been wonderful'. If that is how they feel, then they should treat us accordingly.

"But it just never seems to happen. It seems the attitude is 'oh, they're just working-class oiks who we can take money off' and their way to raise finance is again to get money off us" (by attempting to sell 2000 20-year season tickets).

The board turned away a £20m takeover bid by businessman Steve Parkin last week, according to a statement issued through his solicitor. That came hot on the heels of the Geoffery Richmond fiasco.

Chairman Gerald Krasner told fans the board wanted to be "judged by our actions" when his consortium took over and many fans are now frustrated that all the decisions appear to be taking place behind their backs.