Bates: Gills relegation 'Poetic Justice'
By Jack Nolan
May 2 2008
Leeds United Chairman Ken Bates believes that it would be ‘Poetic Justice’ if Gillingham were to be relegated by Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday following Gilingham chairman Paul Scally’s open support for Leeds’ fifteen point deduction. Anything less than a victory at Elland Road on Saturday would ensure League Two football for The Gills next season.
The Gillingham chairman once again spoke out on the Leeds United point’s deduction saga yesterday, supporting the arbitrations rejection of Leeds’ appeal.
Leeds fans were keen to point out their views to Scally in the reverse fixture at Priestfield earlier in the season, and it seems Scally should prepare for more abuse from the Leeds faithful, especially if Leeds do send Gillingham down at Elland Road on Saturday.
Bates said: "I have known Paul Scally for years and have always been available when he has sought my advice," said the Leeds chairman.
"I was surprised that he stated that he had voted in favour of our 15-point sanction and spoke at length on Sky TV after the meeting last August.
"I was surprised, too, that he claimed to know what we had done wrong. Surprised because Lord Mawhinney, who followed Scally on Sky TV, was unable to do so and has been unable to do so since.
"It is ironic that having voted to penalise Leeds, Gillingham find their fate in our hands on Saturday. It would be even more ironic if we win and are responsible for relegating them. Some might say it was poetic justice."
I for one will be very happy should Gillingham leave Elland Road as a Leauge 2 club tomorrow. Mr Scally voted against Leeds in the hope that it would be one less relegation place to avoid this season. Things didn't quite go to plan did they Paul??
In the end though you'll only be remembered as one of those jumped up chairmen who got over-excited at the thought of having Leeds United in the same division...
Scally has done a lot of wrong things as Gillingham chairman but voting in favor of the points deduction is not one of them.
I still dont see why Leeds think the FL are against them, they could have been chucked out of the League all together but only got a 15 point deduction. They broke the rules and got punished appropriately.
Lets just hope we can still somehow pull off a shock win.
Will these stupid idiotic chairmen never learn. If you voted against us, fair enough, you have your opinions, but there is just no need to go on air and voice them just to fuel your own self inflated ego.
Enjoy League two Scally !!!
If you read the whole of the report on the arbitration case - the panel supported Leeds United on every point - and the only reason they rejected Leeds United's appeal was on a technicality on which Leeds agreed to the -15 at the beginning of the season - a decision which was made without a caveat to state they thought the punishment was unfair - had they done that they would be sitting second as we speak.
Fact is they haven't yet how many teams who had a 15 point head start, a full pre-season to prepare, a pre-season where they could buy players, proves what a tin-pot league this one is, and proves Gillingham are even worse than on first glance, not to mention both Bournemouth and Luton have had penalties and you bunch of useless cnuts are scrapping it out with them to stay up! Scally Scally Time To GO!
all the best,
Russ