LUFC Bates slams amateurish ESPN

Leeds United chairman Ken Bates took a swipe at ESPN for their coverage of the game against Arsenal on Monday night on, calling them a bunch of amateurs.

Bates is currently on holiday in South Africa and watched the game on ESPN and he said he saw little of the match action and more of Thierry Henry, David Beckham and constant replays of the game rather than focusing on the game as it happened.

Speaking on Yorkshire Radio, Bates said, "I watched the game live out here in South Africa and I thought the filming was absolutely appalling.

" I spent more time looking at David Beckham, Thierry Henry sitting on his seat, Thierry Henry sitting talking to the man next door to him, Thierry Henry standing up, Thierry Henry sitting down, Thierry Henry running up and down the touchline and Thierry Henry coming on the pitch and then watching Thierry Henry standing there when the ball was on the goal line at the other end and so it went on.

"There were constant replays and interruptions so you did not see the full flow at all.

"I don`t know who ESPN employed to do it, but I thought they were a bunch of amateurs and they have a lot to learn from Sky, BBC and ITV."

Leeds fans have come in for some criticism from ESPN analyst Robbie Savage this week.

The former dancer was unhappy with the Leeds fans during the coverage of the game, with female presenter Rebecca Lowe and Savage allegedly having things thrown at them as well as coming in for verbal abuse.

Speaking on his twit page earlier in the week, Savage said:
majority of Leeds fans were a disgrace throwing coins and hot dogs , shouting obscenities to a lady presenter ! Disgrace !

ESPN in their wisdom decided to set up their coverage in front of the Leeds fans and they got what they wanted, plenty of publicity from the evening.




Vital Leeds are the proud sponsors of the Thames Valley Whites Regional Supporters club

The fastest growing Leeds United supporters club in the South of England, with over 200 members since its formation in April 2009, travel to all games home and away.

The branch has pick up points at Basingstoke, Reading, Didcot, Abingdon, Oxford, Bicester and Banbury and will consider other pick up points on request.


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 .









Vital Leeds is now available on both facebook and twitter, so if you are that way inclined and more importantly understand all this new fangled dangled stuff, feel free to watch us, poke us or whatever else you are meant to do there!

Vital Leeds on:


Vital Leeds on:

Join Vital Leeds

It's easy to REGISTER HERE, simply click the link and enjoy getting involved!

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