Bates in pole position to buy back stricken Leeds
Ken Bates is set to cling onto power when five bids are made for Leeds United at what is expected to be a stormy creditors' meeting at Elland Road on Friday.
The rival bidders include local property developer Simon Morris and Duncan Revie, who is believed to be fronting a a bid on behalf of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed.
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Face in the crowd: Ken Bates
But Bates is favourite to complete his buy-back of Leeds - who plunged into administration earlier this month with debts of around £35m - after major creditors said they are ready to use their voting rights to defeat any alternative proposal, even if it results in the club's liquidation.
Bates, who has formed a new company with co-directors Shaun Harvey and Mark Taylor, said: "I would like to thank everyone for the measure of their support.
"After Friday, we hope to be able to go forward, put the tribulations of the past five or six years behind us, and start getting the club back where it belongs."
Even if creditors agree to accept the CVA proposal from Bates, he could still face a future buy-out from Revie and Sheikh Mohammed, who has an estimated £15billion fortune.
Revie said: "The creditors' meeting has never been a deadline for me. Whatever happens will not alter our plans at all. We have a much longer-term view of taking on the whole thing and will not be rushing into our judgement."
