Former Leeds United player Simon Walton recently joined the panel on the Talking Shutt podcast to discuss his career to date and in particular, his time with their club.
The 33-year-old, who currently plays his football for Havant & Waterlooville, discussed a variety of topics throughout the show, one of which was the way his departure from Elland Road came about and the fact that he “didn’t have a choice” but to leave at the time.
When discussing his move away, he specifically mentioned the role of Ken Bates, making clear of his disdain for the former Leeds owner, saying: “[In] the second season, I didn’t play as many games, January came, there was a couple of offers but the club weren’t that fussed about letting me go at the time – I didn’t want to go and then Mr Bates came in.
“I’ve done well not to swear and call him another name. He’s got a different name when I’m not on the phone.”
He then added: “I always get asked, ‘do you regret leaving Leeds?’ and I can’t say yes, because in my opinion, I didn’t have a choice. I had a year left on my contract, I’d been offered a new improved one in January, was supposed to sign it at the end of the season, there was a Premier League contract and a Championship contract – that got pulled and it was made [clear] in no uncertain terms that I would be sold, no matter what.”
Do you wish Leeds United had kept hold of Simon Walton?
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TIF Thoughts on Simon Walton’s comments regarding his departure…
It’s clear from the former Whites midfielder’s comments that he remains disappointed in the actions of Bates. He also revealed that an improved contract had been agreed only for the offer to be withdrawn by the Leeds hierarchy at the time.
It was interesting to hear that even more than 14 years on from his move to Charlton Athletic, in a deal reportedly worth £608k (as per Transfermarkt), Walton felt he needed to reiterate the point that staying at Elland Road was never an option.