Post by WyomingWhite on May 12, 2006 7:58:26 GMT -1
While it's old news that KB senior was threatening Chelsea with legal action, today the club have announced that legal proceedings have in fact started.
Ken Bates is seeking damages to the value of £24 million based partly on the potential future transfer fees of two players that left the Leeds United Academy for Chelsea as both are expected to have a successful career ahead of them.
Gary Worthington was employed until fairly recently at the Leeds United Academy and had a clause in his employment contract at the club that stated he would not actively target any of our youngsters for a period of five years after leaving the club. After taking a similar position at Chelsea it would seem he broke the terms of his Leeds contract in approaching Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo with the (successful) aim of taking these players yo Chelsea. Ken Bates is experienced and qualified in employment law, and so should be confident in being successful in this case if it goes to court, or settling with Chelsea out of court. This money would be a welcome addition to the club bank roll as they seek to return to the premiership.
Leeds United have one of the best youth academies in the country, with many players having come through it to go on to very successful careers at Leeds and elsewhere, (in recent years, Aaron Lennon, Alan Smith, Fraser Richardson, Gary Kelly, James Milner, etc.)
Quote from the official site: "Leeds United have instructed their lawyers, who have today issued legal proceedings against Gary Worthington, in respect of breach of contract.
The matter relates to the circumstances surrounding the signing of Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo by Chelsea FC."
Ken Bates is seeking damages to the value of £24 million based partly on the potential future transfer fees of two players that left the Leeds United Academy for Chelsea as both are expected to have a successful career ahead of them.
Gary Worthington was employed until fairly recently at the Leeds United Academy and had a clause in his employment contract at the club that stated he would not actively target any of our youngsters for a period of five years after leaving the club. After taking a similar position at Chelsea it would seem he broke the terms of his Leeds contract in approaching Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo with the (successful) aim of taking these players yo Chelsea. Ken Bates is experienced and qualified in employment law, and so should be confident in being successful in this case if it goes to court, or settling with Chelsea out of court. This money would be a welcome addition to the club bank roll as they seek to return to the premiership.
Leeds United have one of the best youth academies in the country, with many players having come through it to go on to very successful careers at Leeds and elsewhere, (in recent years, Aaron Lennon, Alan Smith, Fraser Richardson, Gary Kelly, James Milner, etc.)
Quote from the official site: "Leeds United have instructed their lawyers, who have today issued legal proceedings against Gary Worthington, in respect of breach of contract.
The matter relates to the circumstances surrounding the signing of Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo by Chelsea FC."