Are Leeds a big club? - Will Leeds stay up?

[1964white]

Simon Jordon gives is honest opinions as ever!

Leeds fans on the phone-in

[1964white]

Are we, will we?

[BradWhite]

Yes we are a big club, history and fan base wise.

A one club city of this size should be strong enough to anchor to the lower end of the EPL table for a season or two, it's the ownership that's the problem to previous downfalls milking the club and fanbase.
I think we might be ok under this lot, they'll need to extend the capacity though and I think we'll do better than the Blunts up there who will be joining us as runners up

[The Subhuman]

We're a big club because of history and a one club city, last 40 years though and we haven't been on the pitch bar a short term under Wilko and O'Leary

I doubt we'll stay up, I think we'll find it tough to get the requisite quality in through the doors.

[1964white]

We also have a worldwide fan base, unlike many clubs who are reliant on local fans.

[CUSSIE01]

Of course we’re a big club but we’ve allowed ourselves to be taken advantage of for too long. We also have a massive following as anyone trying to get a match ticket will agree, and if ER gets upgraded to 50,000+ we’ll still fill it.
A big majority of fans though are old campaigners from the good times so we need the stadium upgrade, Premiership football and a few years of stability to get younger people on board and continue the legacy.
Staying up will depend a lot on the owners, if other players see ER getting a makeover, money being spent wisely and a good solid foundation being built then they’ll want to sign for us. Will the owners make the long term commitment to keep us up and make the money available, I’m not convinced yet.

[Clacton White]

Got to be among the biggest clubs in this country ......as for staying up , I often think Farke isn't a manager at that level of ability or experience....but you have to say he has earned his chance to have a crack with Leeds , his record so far is excellent and must have maybe the best record of any manager so far at this club BUT it's not at the top level . Add to the question that the ground will be enlarged , hopefully not losing the atmosphere....must be among the top 10 clubs in England .

[andrewjohnsmith]

Are we, will we?

We must be based on the space we take up in everyone else's heads

[Finnatic]

Read on the Sunderland forum (cjay linked) that we are 16th in Europe for shirt sales.
If true then yes, we are a big club.
I’d say at best we’d be bottom 5 but think we’d be bottom 3 really.

[whiteswan]

I'm always accused of negativity on here, but I'm shocked that some think that we won't stay up and be bottom three if we get promotion. If we do go up I think we'll be OK. The 49ers don't want second best, they will want a very successful football club. I think we would be OK, we just need to get there first.

[whiteswan]

....and yes! We are a big club!

[Cjay]

Big club in terms of fanbase, worldwide appeal and recognition.

7th biggest shirt sales in England show that In 2023.

But we aren't a particularly successful club, that will always be a factor when discussing this.

We don't really have a leg to stand on in that respect, not even top 10 in the country for trophies won.

Part of that is age, we were founded quite a bit later than many.

But also unfortunately we have a history of underachieving.

[Jammy 07]

Subject to promotion then yes we will stay up next season.

We'll have to wait and see what the level of investment from the 49ers looks like and also whether it's spent wisely or not but I'm confident the plans are already in place to give us the best possible chance.

[Jammy 07]

To answer the Big Club question then I'd say no we're not.

We are just below that level but with the potential to be like Man City are now with the right owners/investment.

[1964white]

Big club in terms of fanbase, worldwide appeal and recognition.

7th biggest shirt sales in England show that In 2023.

But we aren't a particularly successful club, that will always be a factor when discussing this.

We don't really have a leg to stand on in that respect, not even top 10 in the country for trophies won.

Part of that is age, we were founded quite a bit later than many.

But also unfortunately we have a history of underachieving.

We must be in the top 15 for winning trophies.

There are currently at least eight Premier League clubs who have never won the top division

Leeds has won the top league three times.

[1964white]

I'm always accused of negativity on here, but I'm shocked that some think that we won't stay up and be bottom three if we get promotion. If we do go up I think we'll be OK. The 49ers don't want second best, they will want a very successful football club. I think we would be OK, we just need to get there first.

Totally agree, Swannie.

The 49ers will be looking to consolidate a healthy position in the PL initially, similar to the likes of Newcastle, Brentford, Fulham, Brighton, Bournemouth & Forest, evolving as a club over the next five seasons.

[Jammy 07]

We must be in the top 15 for winning trophies.

There are currently at least eight Premier League clubs who have never won the top division

Leeds has won the top league three times.

Forest have won the CL twice but still aren't a big club.

[1964white]

Forest have won the CL twice but still aren't a big club.

Yes, under Brian Clough.

[hector]

I'm always accused of negativity on here, but I'm shocked that some think that we won't stay up and be bottom three if we get promotion. If we do go up I think we'll be OK. The 49ers don't want second best, they will want a very successful football club. I think we would be OK, we just need to get there first.

What makes you think that they won't sell us the moment we are up... After all that would make them in profit..

[AylingFlop]

You're possibly right hector. I think the clue is in the way they've set up the funds & sold shares. It means we have lots of high profile "owners", but the likes of Paris Hilton hasn't invested because she has a lifelong for LUFC, she's invested because she's been told she could make money out of the investment. Presumably Red Bull would be the first option, but whoever it is, needs deep pockets and a willingness to stick 2 fingers up to PSR like Notts Forest did, because our squad overall isn't strong enough to thrive in the PL