Bates issues survival warning
30 May 2007 - 11:00:42
Chairman Ken Bates has warned fans that Leeds United are "unlikely" to survive should creditors vote against his bid to buy back the club.
Bates took Leeds into administration following their relegation to League One and is looking to buy back the club after wiping off some of its reported £35million debt.
Part of Bates' plan requires creditors to agree to a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) under which they would forego some of their debt.
However, Bates faces competition from Leeds businessman Simon Morris and Duncan Revie, son of Leeds manager Don, who are both interested in taking over the ailing club.
"If they want a football club in Leeds they should make sure they vote the right way ," he told Yorkshire Radio.
"Otherwise, if the CVA fails, I can assure the fans it is unlikely there will be a Leeds United Football Club.
"Remember Accrington took 45 years to get back to league status from when they went out of the league.
"Hopefully we can move forward and put the tribulations of the last five to six years behind us and start again with an open and even playing field so we can start getting the club back to where it belongs."