The current badge is viewed by some as being symbolic of previous regimes at the club and could be interpreted as a branding symbol rather than a true club badge. Bates admits he has no real opinion either way, but says he is more than willing to listen to fans' views on the subject.
The current shield was introduced in '98 as the "new" United sought to develop a corporate image and it replaced the "football in a rose" which was popular among fans.
The shield was worn throughout the European campaigns and during the relegation season. Leeds have traditionally changed badges over the years – there are seven designs which will be familiar to United fans – and have occasionally gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.
United originally displayed the city coat of arms on their chest, but that was later modified to an owl symbol. That in turn was replaced by the most simplistic of logos – the letters LUFC were displayed one above the other – before the '70s took hold and psychedelia reached the Elland Road boardroom.
The smiley face logo, which ironically was a forerunner to the infamous Acid House symbol of the late '80s, lasted only a couple of seasons, before a rather garish little number with a peacock took over.
The Yorkshire rose was next on the agenda in '84 – it was worn by the last promotion-winning side and the title-winning side of '92 – and that lasted for over a decade before the current shield became the club's latest standard. What do you, the supporters think?