Quote Originally Posted by WTF11 View Post
Positive, negative.....thing is, does it really matter. And yes, genuine question, because........

For years we have dreamed of getting back where we deserve to be (and let's face it, most neutral observers have said as much), to play against top flight teams, not just here in the UK but internationally if we are good enough. We are well placed, although obviously not a done deal yet, so perhaps as Spaldy says, it is "our year", and so we succeed, we gain promotion after over a decade outside the top flight.......and then.......watching on TV as the price of tickets in a stadium that can no longer hold 44,000, but more like 20,000 make attandance at ER beyond the means of most. Unable, for the same reason, to travel to away games, as the same forces of economics will apply. Even if, through some earth-shattering gesture of benevolence, all the PL halved their prices, the crowds CANNOT be what they were, nor can the allocations for away games, which will impact Leeds supporters more than most. The days of hearing the roof raised (either being there, or at worst listening to the roar from afar on TV or radio) simply can't be the same.

A pyrrhic victory, coming too late to allow those who have yearned for promotion for so many years, and who, like me, probably don't have enough years left, to see us return to something like "normality" (if that is ever the case).



And its not just football, no more Last Night of the Proms, no more "Power in the Park", etc. the world seems bent on living "at a distance", for no good reason other than "an expert" told us to.

Mmmm,

Positive,negative,sweet or sour posts but I'll give an honest one regardless to consider in this moment of time of lock down & Brexit looming ............. I've read many reports to translate recently of football supporter concerns from British/European fans and the knock on effect of businesses surrounding clubs stadia due to lock down and Brexit let alone clubs perilous finances etc ...... coupled that with Sophie Jordan (beIN Media Group) on the legal warpath launching a legal procedure for more than $1bn (€862m) in damages against Saudi Arabia,all kinds of elements are now being taken into account to estimate the amount of business losses through the non airing of football matches - Yep the same Paris based Ms Jordan seen at ER negotiating on behalf of the PSG owner.

Now evolving Brexit politics are having an effect and restricting the Leeds United owners strategic long term plan of finance,scouting policies and recruitment for sure.

Brexit-fatigue or Brexit-anxiety has engulfed businesses across the UK. Often folks consider football to be immune from the common problems which face many in the UK. However there is growing evidence of serious concern among football clubs regarding the immigration status of current and future migrant footballers looming.

The UK Government has published a skills-based immigration White Paper setting out proposed new post-Brexit immigration rules which could have an impact on many professional football clubs in the UK. There are plans to phase in the new immigration system from 2021. It is proposed that to employ footballers from within the EU from the likes of France, Italy, Spain or Germany post Brexit could be subject to the same immigration restrictions as employing footballers from outside the EU in operation now.

It is perhaps worth considering that 'currently' professional football clubs wishing to employ footballers from outside the EU need to evidence and demonstrate that the player is ................... "Internationally recognised at the highest level" & "The player’s employment will make a significant contribution to the development of football at the highest level in the UK".

Basically it'll mean any foreign player must be playing regularly at capped International level to play in the UK which would,IMO,not create a level playing League due to only the top clubs creaming off the 'very best' players.As current laws permit each Premier League team to have 17 foreign players in their squads and the FA have now floated the idea of reducing that number to 12 post-Brexit (as many European players would no longer meet current work permit requirements).Surprisingly the PL big clubs are against the FA's proposal at this moment in time regardless of any possible British born player opportunities that could fill the squad voids and maybe even help UK's England,Scotland,Wales and N.Ireland teams future prospects.

Food for thought 'eh as are we a Burnley,Bournemouth,Southampton or a possible Liverpool,City,Chelsea etc in the making if we go up ?

Maybe Ms Jordan knows the answers from her HQ in Paris district of La Défense and if so I'm still happy to translate if it's her target to move into ER and still give the fans a voice.

MOT