| Leeds Fans Utd Ltd. | |
| Foundation: | 2015 |
| Type: | Private limited company |
| Location City: | Leeds |
| Location Country: | United Kingdom |
| Industry: | Association football |
| Former Name: | Leeds Fans LLP |
| Homepage: | https://www.leedsfansutd.com |
| Leeds Fans Utd Community Benefit Society Ltd. | |
| Formation: | 2015 |
| Type: | Community benefit society |
| Purpose: | Purchase a stake in Leeds United F.C. and give supporters a voice in the running of the club |
| Headquarters: | Leeds, United Kingdom |
| Website: | https://www.leedsfansutd.com |
Leeds Fans Utd is a private limited company which intends to secure a stake in Leeds United F.C.[1] [2] The funding for the project comes from ordinary Leeds fans, who collectively acquire shares in the company through the Leeds Fans Utd Community Benefit Society.[3] If the company is successful in acquiring a stake in the club, the society will be able to have a voice at director level of the Club. If the company cannot acquire a stake, the society will return fans at least 90% of their investment.
The company's Executive team is now led by Sharon Reid, as CEO, and Brendan Meehan, as Chairman [4] At the end of October 2015, it had reached an agreement in principle with Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino to buy a majority stake in the club. When Mr Cellino was asked to commit to an exclusivity period for the deal, he changed his mind.[5]
With over 2,000 members who have committed funding, it was stated at the Leeds Fans CBS Annual General Meeting on 3 December 2016 [6] that the group remains in touch with many parties who have the desire and ability to invest in Leeds United along with LFU immediately or within the medium term; the directors noted that achieving Fan Ownership in Leeds United was always known as being potentially a long term effort (despite early success with Mr Cellino as above) and a resounding 87% of its investors voted, during the summer, to continue with these efforts. New directors joined the board at the AGM.