In spite of returning to the top flight after 16 long years, the Whites have not been able to enjoy the occasion with their fans as football has been played behind closed doors.
While some fans are now starting to return to stadiums, Leeds will have to wait to be able to welcome back their supporters, while the prospect of a full Elland Road still appears some way off.
The managing director insists that the absence of the fans has been challenging financially because Leeds knew they would sell out Elland Road for every game.
Kinnear admits that the loss of revenue has been hard to manage, but insists the club’s main reason for wanting the fans back is to back the team.
“It’s been really challenging financially”, Kinnear said in a Q&A session with the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“Clearly we benefit from the increased TV revenue from the Premier League but it’s not an insignificant amount.
“We expected and we knew Elland Road would be packed with 34,000 supporters in hospitality and the general seats week in, week out.
“It’s a significant revenue hit and it’s been hard to manage but it’s not the main reason we want supporters back.
“The main reason we want supporters back is to be back supporting the team.”
Leeds visit Stamford Bridge this weekend to take on Chelsea and the Blues will have the backing of 2,000 supporters.
