LUFC Bates - We've got a team full of fighters

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates is delighted with the mark Simon Grayson is making on the club after the former Leeds apprentice celebrated two years in charge at Elland Road on Thursday.

Bates managed to tempt Grayson to Elland Road from Blackpool in December 2008 and since then the club have seen an upturn in fortunes that as seen promotion from League One, and also an excellent FA Cup run last season that saw them defeat old rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The outspoken chairman is also enjoying working with Grayson and is enjoying the football that Leeds are playing. Speaking in the Yorkshire Post, Bates said, 'I enjoy working with Simon and am 100 per cent behind him. I don't expect us to always win and play at our best every week, that just isn't realistic in football. But what I like about the job Simon is doing is that he has got us playing a pleasing style of football with a degree of style."

Bates sanctioned the recruitment of ten new players to the Leeds squad in the summer as the club plotted their assault on the Championship for the first time since 2007.

He is particularly pleased with the attitude of the players and their desire to play for the club, 'As well as the good football we play, the team is also packed full of fighters who give their all. That is what we want because that has always been what Leeds United has been about," he continued.

Leeds are well placed going into the festive period and are currently sat in second place, just three points behind the leaders Queens Park Rangers.

Off the field activity could also be crucial during the January transfer window.

The club released the fantastic news at the weekend that leading goalscorer Luciano Becchio had signed a new deal at Elland Road.

Bradley Johnson looks to be heading for the exit door after refusing a new contract and being placed on the transfer list.

Fellow midfielder Neil Kilkenny is also out of contract in the summer and as yet no news as been announced about his future at Elland Road.

It will also be interesting to see if Grayson adds to his squad during the transfer window and fans will be hoping to see Andy O`Brien sign on a permanent basis.


Vital Leeds United is a fast growing Leeds United fan site, with the sole aim of becoming the #1 unofficial website for Leeds United fans everywhere.

The site is regularly updated with news and views regarding all the current events at Elland Road, alongside a fully interactive message forum and regularly looks at the clubs past. Vital Leeds offers everything that a Leeds United supporter could wish for. If you can think of something and suggest it, we`ll put it on the website!


With news and views, along with a forum, polls and article comments, everything you need in a fans site is right here!

You can even win prizes, by posting articles comments, posting on the message forum and voting on the polls.

Vital is also 100% interactive. Not only can you have your say on the articles and the forum but you can also suggest an article or a poll so you can air your views.

So why not join Vital today?

It's easy to register here and enjoy getting involved

Message Board

To visit the message board, click here.

Get involved

This website is your website and we are looking for people to help run the site. Do you go to most of the games and have an opinion? Why not write a match report? Perhaps you are a budding journalist or even just someone who is very opinionated? Well why not join our team? If this interests you please contact Vital leeds .

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.