Leeds chairman Ken Bates hits out at 'moron' protestors
Last updated on .From the section Football
Leeds chairman Ken Bates has hit back at fans who protested against him last weekend, labelling them "morons".
Hundreds of fans gathered before the defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday to protest against the club's lack of investment in the team.
Bates said: "I'm saying I'm unimpressed by the demonstrations of a few morons.
"I ain't going anywhere soon. Some fans may not like me, or agree with me, but you're stuck with me."
Bates became the controlling shareholder of Leeds in April 2011, holding 72.85% of the club's shares.
Simon Grayson's men lost their first two games of the season and have lost strikers Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma to injuries, but they beat Hull 4-1 on Tuesday night.
Bates added in his programme notes: "I saved your club in 2005 and 2007 when nobody else would.
"We're in this for the long term. We may have had two disappointing results, but we will get there - we are building for the future."
The BBC is currently not allowed to cover news conferences or send reporters or producers to speak to players or the manager of Leeds on match days, except in cases where the club is contractually bound to make access available.
Bates took the decision earlier this month because he was unhappy about a BBC Inside Out TV documentary being made about the club's ownership.