Fans group slams Milner sale
Selling James Milner is a massive step backwards for Leeds, according to an Elland Road supporters group.
Simon Jose, of the Leeds United Independent Fans’ Association, was angered by today’s sale of Milner to Newcastle for £5m (€7.43m), believing it has severely hampered the Whites’ chances of an immediate return to the Premiership.
Jose also expressed his disappointment at the leadership shown by chairman Gerald Krasner and directors Melvin Helme, Simon Morris and David Richmond since the takeover of the club in March.
Jose told the Press Association: “I just feel that we are back to square one - where the only way to raise money is by selling players. Selling Jonathan Woodgate wasn’t the answer and now we’ve come full circle.
“We had one Peter Ridsdale and now it feels like we have got four.
“I don’t think we could build a team around James Milner but we have got to find a way to get back into the Premiership – and the way is to hold on to your players.
“But it’s not done for footballing reasons and this is why the people who run football clubs shouldn’t be in charge.
“They should structure the club so this doesn’t happen.
“Selling players is like a get out clause and it sticks in the throat of the people of Leeds.
“Five million pounds might seem like a lot of money in the short term but relegation cost us £20m. In the long term, for a talented striker, it is financial suicide.
“Milner wanted to stay but the board took £5m. All they care about is making their wallets fatter.”
But Jose was more philosophical about Mark Viduka’s imminent move to Middlesbrough.
He said: “We couldn’t expect to keep Mark Viduka. You can’t keep a player on that level of salary.”
And despite the departures, he retained some optimism for Leeds’ chances in the Coca-Cola Championship next season under new manager Kevin Blackwell.
He said: “Blackwell is trying to build a team and if the squad gel we could do well.
“The test will be if we get a good start and he wants some financial back-up.
“The fans want us back in the Premiership – we won’t settle for top-half. We are a Premiership-sized club and we need to be in the Premiership to clear our debts.”
Leeds director Peter Lorimer was quick to assure fans that at least some of the money received for Milner would be used to buy new players.
He told Sky Sports News: “We are as disappointed as the fans are to lose a player like James Milner.
“Some of the money will be directed towards team rebuilding. The money will be put to good use, our fans can be sure of that.”
