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Leeds United fan's paint-job offer for THOSE gates
HE'S the Leeds-loving decorator who famously refuses to use red paint because of his loathing for Manchester United.
So it's little surprise that superfan Gary Edwards is up in arms about plans to give Cross Gates' infamous 'crossed gates' sculpture a red, white and black makeover.
Thankfully, though, Gary, 53, has an alternative idea that should please Leeds United fans everywhere – and save the city council money into the bargain.
He is offering to paint the sculpture in the all-white of his beloved club for FREE.
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Gary, who got married at Elland Road and has only missed one Leeds game in more than 40 years, said: "The gates are just ridiculous aren't they?
"They're bad enough in the colours they are now (white, blue and silver] but to paint them in Manchester United colours is like rubbing salt into the wound."
Gary, who lives in nearby Kippax, added: "I heard that the local councillors said they chose the theme without realising those were Manchester United's colours but that's crackers.
"Lord knows how much they're going to spend repainting them but I don't mind helping out.
"I will paint them for free – any colour, as long as it's white."
The controversial Cross Gates sculpture, installed on the main gateway to the area in January, has sparked fierce debate locally with many people branding it a waste of money.
As reported by the YEP, the cost of the artwork has rocketed from an estimated 70,000 to 143,000 – paid for from a community regeneration fund.
Some of that increase will be caused by the repainting of the gates.
The original plan was to have them in red, black and white. However, a council official is said to have stepped in and demanded they be painted blue, white and silver to stop them being vandalised by Leeds United fans.
Now, however, local councillors have insisted they be returned to the original colour scheme and the respraying work is set to start in the next few weeks.
The colour of the gates was just one of a number of issues which have angered local residents and sparked fierce infighting among rival councillors.
Under-fire Cross Gates Labour councillors said local Tories were using the much-disliked gates as a "political tool".
And Conservative joint city council leader Andrew Carter ordered an inquiry and put an immediate block on any more money being spent on it.
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Weather for Leeds
Thursday 24 May 2012
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