Dylan Thwaites was one of the visionaries behind the Leeds Fans United (LFU) group, a group aiming for fan representation at Elland Road.
Today, after 18 months of involvement, LFU announced that Thwaites was stepping down from his role as chief executive.
The full statement on the LFU website reads:
“Today we announce the resignation of Dylan Thwaites from Leeds Fans Utd (LFU). Dylan has been part of Leeds Fans Utd since the start and his vision, commitment, enthusiasm and business acumen has got us where we are today. Dylan continues to support LFU and will work with us again in the future should we require his assistance.”
“The goal of Leeds Fans Utd has not changed during this time – to get fan ownership at Leeds United. In a constantly changing situation it is our belief that we need to be ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Therefore we will hold elections over the summer for new Directors to serve Leeds Fans CBS Ltd; new Directors may also be asked to serve on the LFU Exec.”
“The rest of the LFU Exec wishes Dylan all the best for the future as he pursues other ventures.”
Originally founded with the sole intention of buying up a minority stake in Leeds United, there was an opportunity for the group to purchase Cellino’s majority stake with LFU asking him for a price and exclusivity on November 1 after the Leeds United owner told them he was willing to sell them his controlling interest.
Cellino being Cellino though, withdrew his offer on a whim, leading LFU to issue a statement that said: “Leeds Fans Utd has just been informed by the lawyers of Massimo Cellino that he no longer wishes to sell to Leeds fans. Our insistence on him confirming his verbal offer of exclusivity in a legally binding agreement has forced transparency on his motives.”
Cellino hit back saying of LFU: “They say a lot of fairytales. They really are like kids in a sweet shop.”
Cellino’s fits of pique aside, the vision and drive of Dylan Thwaites should not be overlooked and nor should his efforts to engage the fans in an integral role at Elland Road be belittled.
