It's been a long time coming folks, but patience has been a virtue and now "he" has gone we take a look-back at how Ken Bates was slowly removed from office.

December 21st 2012

It was the day the Mayans predicted would see the world end, to Leeds fans it was the start of a new beginning as Messers Haigh and Patel officially got the keys to Elland Road as GFH Capital are our new owners.

Cheesy poses galore, a seven month slog to acquire the club is over, but cynics point to the fact that Bates will remain as Chairman until June 30th 2013 and then take up the role as Honouary President until 2016.

December 22nd 2012

Bates's customary programme notes are missing for the game against Middlesbrough, the columns which attacked everything and everyone under the sun and landed the club in both hot-water and the high court are banished to the annals of history.

April 26th 2013

Sabre-rattling or a death-rattle? Bates claims he would have fired Neil Warnock last October, but a clause inserted during negotiations prevented him from doing so. Meanwhile as the season ends, the new owners cut the price of season ticket renewals for 2013/14.

May 6th 2013

Another one of Bates's bright ideas to bring more discerning clients to ER is abandoned, "Howard's" the gourmet restaurant named in honour of our 1992 title winning Manager closes its doors as Leeds face up to the madness of Bates's reign.

To fund £13m worth of ground redevelopments, Bates mortgaged two-years worth of season-ticket sales, borrowed £1.5m from sponsors Enterprise Insurance and GFH Capital are reportedly having to find £8m worth of working capital to plug a cash flow shortage.

July 1st 2013

Bates finally leaves office as Chairman to become President, his replacements is businessman and shareholder Saleh Nooruddin, who steps up from Vice Chairman. Bates's trusted CEO Shaun Harvey is demoted to a Director's role, whilst GFH's David Haigh becomes the clubs MD.

Bates' trusted aide since his Chelsea days, Gwyn Williams is given "gardening leave" from his Technical Director role. Exactly what his remit was remains a mystery, former Manager Neil Warnock also admitted he was unsure exactly what Willams did but suspected he was Ken's "eyes and ears" on the ground.

In another breakthrough, Leeds sign a £1m player for the first-time in eight-years as Crewe starlet Luke Murphy pens a three-year deal.

July 12th 2013

One of many organisations Bates fell-out with was the BBC, however the club confirm that Radio Leeds will return to the press-box for the next three-seasons casting doubt over the future of Bates's digital only station Yorkshire Radio.

July 26th 2013

In a short statement, MD David Haigh confirms Bates is no longer the club president or involved with the club any capacity and street parties break out all over Leeds!

Photo: Action Images

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