Leeds face winding-up order from shirt sponsor as Elland Road farce continues

[Rumpelstiltskin.]

The situation at Leeds United descended deeper into farce on Tuesday night the official shirt sponsor filing a winding-up order against the club and a row breaking out over the loan signing of Andrea Tabanelli.

Enterprise Insurance, the club’s shirt sponsor whose managing director Andrew Flowers had led a failed bid to buy the Championship club, filed the winding-up petition over an alleged unpaid debt understood to be about £1.8million. It is due to be heard at the High Court in March.

A statement on the club's website said on Tuesday night: 'The winding up petition issued by Enterprise Insurance, a sponsor whose managing director, Andrew Flowers, claims to support the club, is misconceived and an abuse of legal process. It is being vigorously contested by the club's lawyers.

'As there were no valid grounds to issue the petition, we can only assume that Mr. Flowers is seeking to influence the deliberations of the club's owners and management in relation to the take-over negotiations.

'Under the ownership of GFH Capital Leeds United has always met its financial obligations, and it will continue to do so.'

The move is clearly an attempt to stop Massimo Cellino completing his purchase of the club from GFH Capital.

That said, sources close to Cellino, the controversial owner of Italian club Cagliari, insist part of their deal includes settling the debt with Enterprise.

This news emerged a day after Leeds managing director David Haigh asked club security to escort Cellino’s lawyer, Chris Farnell, off the premises at Elland Road. Farnell has been at the centre of the controversy since being asked to inform manager Brian McDermott that he was to be sacked, only for the former Reading boss to be reinstated.

On Tuesday night it emerged that 23-year-old Tabanelli’s arrival in Leeds continues to cause concern. Part of the problem is the paperwork for the transfer; something that is being looked at by the Football League.

Sportsmail understands there is a dispute over who signed the paper work, with a spokesman for Haigh confirming that the managing director was not at the club at the time.

This, it is understood, was central to the disagreement that ended with Farnell’s ejection.

 

[Ferret]

MOT :Bounce:

 

[Rumpelstiltskin.]

A LEEDS fans’ group has questioned the intentions of prospective new owner Massimo Cellino and claims the reputation of current owners Gulf Finance House Capital lies “in tatters”.

As the power struggle continues at Elland Road amid growing concern about the club’s financial problems, Leeds United Supporters’ Trust (LUST) said the majority of fans who had contacted them are opposed to Italian businessman Cellino’s attempts to take control at Elland Road.

The latest bombshell to hit the ailing Sky Bet Championship club was the issue of a winding-up petition by Andrew Flowers, the managing director of the club’s main sponsor Enterprise Insurance and a member of the consortium Sport Capital, whose own takeover bid failed last week.

Flowers issued the winding-up petition on January 29, the day after extensive talks with GFH Capital had collapsed.

It is understood Flower’s move is an attempt to scupper Cellino’s bid to push a deal over the line. GFH Capital confirmed last week it had agreed to sell 75 per cent of the club’s shares to the 57-year-old Cagliari owner.

Flowers in the meantime has joined forces with another consortium, Together Leeds, and it is understood they are in talks with GFH Capital after claiming they could match Cellino’s reported £25million offer.

LUST said in a statement: “It is clear that emotions are running high and there is a lot of confusion, frustration and anger about what became almost a pantomime performance of events at Elland Road and Thorp Arch.

“Our members believe this has damaged the image of LUFC, left the credibility of our current owners in tatters and made the intentions of our potential new owner at the very best questionable.

“Over 75 per cent of members, who have responded so far, have indicated that, given the events of last week and the weekend, they do not feel that Mr Cellino would either understand LUFC supporters or be good for the club.

“Regarding the Together Leeds bid, our members indicated they would like to know more about the people involved, their potential to provide finance for the club and what their plan would be to take Leeds United forward.

“Overwhelmingly, our members offered massive support for Brian McDermott, and appreciation for the dignified way he has behaved under such unique circumstances.”

Following the collapse of Sport Capital’s bid last Thursday, GFH Capital confirmed on Friday it had agreed a deal with Cellino, who wanted his friend and former Middlesbrough defender Gianluca Festa to replace Brian McDermott as manager.

Cellino attempted to sack McDermott on Friday, but after the former Reading boss had stayed away from Saturday’s 5-1 win against Huddersfield, he returned to the club as normal on Monday morning with the backing of GFH Capital, which released a statement effectively saying it was still calling the shots.

In response to Flowers’ winding-up petition, GFH Capital said in a further statement: “The winding-up petition issued by Enterprise Insurance, a sponsor whose managing director, Andrew Flowers, claims to support the club, is misconceived and an abuse of legal process. It is being vigorously contested by the club’s lawyers.

“As there were no valid grounds to issue the petition, we can only assume that Mr Flowers is seeking to influence the deliberations of the club’s owners and management in relation to the takeover negotiations.

“Under the ownership of GFH Capital Leeds United has always met its financial obligations and it will continue to do so.”

 

[Thommo]

LUST are bellends who think they speak for all fans.

As for the wrapping up order it wont happen, Flowers chucked the teddy out of the cot when gfh refused to take his low ball offer to buy the club.

Bring on the Italian i say.

 

[kegnkiwi]

About time it was sorted, i work 200 yards from ground and have to sit and look at it all day. The rumour mill is always in overdrive and we get customers in all day who always say they have inside information. We even had guys who are working for a player who has just bought the soccer city coming in and tell us the player has sent a text from the training ground that there off else where. Lets get the takeover sorted asap.

 

[blackrod]

We just need all the off field antics to go away, the mad Italian for me, at least he's rich. MOT

 

[D 8 RCS]

For those not in the know.......................... MOT is "Marching On Together" the unofficial club anthem although regarded by the fans as the true anthem.

 

[Ferret]

For those not in the know.......................... MOT is "Marching On Together" the unofficial club anthem although regarded by the fans as the true anthem.

Yep best anthem..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................In the World :Bounce:

 

[AJT]

I support Coventry city so i know the score on that.
Born and bread Coventarian and i hate what's happened to my club but i will follow them to the ends of the earth.

 

[D 8 RCS]

I support Coventry city so i know the score on that.
Born and bread Coventarian and i hate what's happened to my club but i will follow them to the ends of the earth.

Good for you @AJT
I remember visiting grounds like Coventry, Leeds, Forest, Derby, Sheff Wed & Utd, Bolton, Burnley, Birmingham City, Brighton, Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Wimbledon back in the 70's and 80's. And of course when Man Utd were in the old 2nd Division going to places like Millwall, Leyton Orient, Oxford Utd, Bristol Rovers, Notts County and York City.
So, stick at it because every team has it's ups and downs. Rangers now are probably the biggest example of this !!!!
The Glory is in being able to say "I was there !" no matter what.

 

[trebor50]

Should the mad Italian pass the fit and proper persons tests. I would have serious doubts about the long term future of football in general.

 

[Ferret]

Should the mad Italian pass the fit and proper persons tests. I would have serious doubts about the long term future of football in general.

Well if he does not pass the fit and proper test.

Prepare for for us going into Admin again because that is the reality, id prefer a mad Itailian and a club to support personally.