Their verbal planning in the wake of Leeds United's defeat in the League One play-off final continued for so long that, around 8pm, Bates was politely asked to vacate his table by a member of Wembley's staff.


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The stadium had one remaining play-off fixture to prepare for, and United's chairman was hindering their progress.

McAllister made his disappointment plain after United's narrow failure to beat Doncaster Rovers to the one remaining vacancy in the Championship, but it is because of his willingness to forward-plan immediately, Bates believes, that Leeds can confidently expect to take that step forward this season.

The club's signings have totalled five since May – three secured with transfer fees and two made using the Bosman ruling – and McAllister's strike-rate in the summer market has been almost perfect, according to Bates.

"With one exception, every player who Gary asked us to sign has agreed to come here," Bates said, declining to name the player in question but perhaps referring to Jay Bothroyd, Cardiff City's recent signing.

"That player asked for a month to consider his options and Gary told him that if he wasn't sure about coming here then he should cross Leeds United off his list. We didn't have time to mess about.

"By six o'clock after the play-off final, he'd grabbed a quick shower and the two of us were sat together in Wembley talking about next season and how we should prepare for it.

"I was there until they kicked me out. It meant we were clear about what we intended to do and about the players he thought he needed. Our plans have come together nicely."

This is, regrettably for Bates and his club, the second time in less than four years as chairman that he has been required to assist in picking up the pieces of a play-off final defeat.

Two years ago, the summer which followed United's loss to Watford at the Millennium Stadium was the prelude to a season which ended in relegation from the Championship and brought with it the severe consequences of administration.

The close-season which ends on Saturday has been reassuringly free of disruption – no alterations have been made to McAllister's coaching staff, and the club's outgoing transfers have been limited to fringe players – but, at the start of his fourth full season at Elland Road, the majority of supporters may feel that Bates has reached the point where the delivery of footballing success is now everything.

Leeds have successfully tackled their historical debts and gradually reduced their wage bill – it is still the highest in League One, Bates admits – but their presence in the country's third division is a black mark on their chairman's record.