Bates seeks 'substantial compensation'

Leeds chairman Ken Bates has demanded action from the Football League and Premier League following teenager Luke Garbutt’s decision to join Everton.

The West Yorkshire club want “substantial compensation” after the 16-year-old Thorp Arch academy product turned down a contract to join Leeds as a scholar and a professional in favour of a switch to Goodison Park.

Bates told Yorkshire Radio: “We are dissatisfied. We’re chasing the matter with the Football League and the Premier League and we’re seeking substantial compensation.

“The days of nicking Leeds players and paying peanuts are over. We are determined to be adequately compensated for the work we are doing in our academy.”

Leeds received a reported £4m compensation fee over a poaching row involving academy pair Tom Taiwo and Michael Woods, who quit the club to join Chelsea in 2006, while Tottenham paid up £1m the following summer for Elland Road starlet Danny Rose.