I Refuse To Be Blue – Season Preview

So the worm continues to turn on its infinite journey through the trials and tribulations of Leeds United. In their brief but colourful reign our Bahraini based overlords have fidgeted furtively between the roles of prince and pauper and the last few days have continued the trend. The month of July has seen us luxuriating in the optimism of new signings, departing adjutants and continental sunshine before witnessing this new found optimism run aground on disappointing friendly defeats, transfer inertia and fan misbehaviour.

Misfortune in Slovenia was taken with a shrug of the shoulders and several cold beers but the lamentable performance at Walsall elicited an altogether different response. An embarrassed and exasperated manager described the day as the worst in his brief tenure and could offer little consolation regarding team strengthening. While some fans directed their angst at players others questioned tactics. The lunatic fringe chose to channel their energies into redesigning the away section of the Banks Stadium. It was an afternoon that both clubs could have done without.

A midweek victory at Stevenage did little to lift the mood of supporters who were beginning to realise that the club’s audacious swoop for Luke Murphy was the exception rather than the rule. Some were driven to lament the arrival of the former Crewe starlet, questioning the manager’s decision to spend our scant resources on another midfielder instead of addressing more pressing issues. It appeared that the manager’s honeymoon period had ground to a halt.

During the late hours of Friday evening events changed direction once again. The club announced that Uncle Kenneth’s Presidency had been terminated after just three weeks of a three year term. It was a short and abrupt statement in keeping with the man himself. There was no suggestion of gratitude, platitude or well wishing just a couple of sentences scribed with ruthless efficiency. Fans of all ages and creeds rejoiced at the unfolding schadenfreude but await the inevitable lawsuit.  

While frustration at our financial plight has continued to reign there is an acknowledgement of the positive steps our inexperienced owners have taken in an attempt to rebuild and engage. The demise of our former tormentor is another such action that can only increase the goodwill. The cynical will argue this latest development was timed to improve morale on the eve of the new season, while the optimistic hope that it is a precursor to further investment.

One such suitor could be multi billion pound manufacturer Red Bull. Last week the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that the company were keen to add the name of Leeds United to their extensive sporting portfolio, with a potential shirt sponsorship deal. The story was met with trepidation from those that are fully appraised of the controversial takeover and subsequent destruction of three time champion Austria Salzburg.

Such a ‘megabucks’ link up may seem a sight more palatable to supporters following a chequered pre season campaign in which the abject ugliness of last season began to rear its ugly head. ‘Leeds United Red Bulls’ anyone?