PETER RIDSDALE
'Peter Ridsdale' (Born 11 March 1952, Leeds) is a former chairman of Leeds United A.F.C., and is currently chairman of Cardiff City F.C..
Under his chairmanship Leeds reached the UEFA Cup semi-final in 1999/2000 and the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2000/01. During this time he enjoyed a good relationship with the Leeds fans[1]. However once the full extent of what Ridsdale and his board had done at Elland Road was discovered by the fans this relationship vanished and he is now best remembered by Leeds United supporters for the financial nightmare that Leeds later found themselves in. Under Ridsdale's stewardship the club borrowed £60m against future gate receipts, effectively gambling on Leeds qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in successive seasons, which they failed to do. Ridsdale has repeatedly denied any blame with regard to the later situation of the club[2] but has also conflictingly admitted it was a mistake to allow David O'Leary to spend so lavishly on players[3]. Ridsdale also claimed that he would have saved Leeds from subsequent relegations to the third tier of English football and the debt his board had incurred in the name of the club[4]. The fact remained however that by the time time Ridsdale stepped down in March 2003, Leeds were £103 million in debt and failing on the field[5].
He was also the owner of Barnsley for a while, rescuing them from folding after dropping from the Premier League to Division Two and loss of revenue from ITV Digital. Some saw him as a major mistake at Barnsley as he nearly made the club go into liquidation before Gordon Shephard and Patrick Cryne took over at Oakwell.
He was formerly deputy Chairman of Cardiff City F.C., who recruited him to help with their new stadium project and, despite his appalling history in the business, became chairman on October 22 2006 after Sam Hammam stepped down[6].
Ridsdale is currently campaigning to become a member of the Football Association of Wales council, and hoping to be elected as one of six south Wales representatives on Welsh football's ruling body.
After Leeds' relegation to the third tier of the English league system for the first time in their history Ridsdale said he was "deeply saddened" by Leeds's relegation but stated that he did not believe that events during his tenure as Leeds chairman was in any way responsible for the club's current plight Ridsdale: No Leeds Celebration .
1. Peter Ridsdale: Dignified face of football
2. Ridsdale: Stop Blaming Me
3. Ridsdale: I should have said no to O'Leary
4. I would have saved Leeds, says Ridsdale
5. Leeds hopeful over new investors
6. Exorcising the demon of Peter Ridsdale
★ BBC - Leeds Sport - Peter Ridsdale Factfile
Under his chairmanship Leeds reached the UEFA Cup semi-final in 1999/2000 and the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2000/01. During this time he enjoyed a good relationship with the Leeds fans[1]. However once the full extent of what Ridsdale and his board had done at Elland Road was discovered by the fans this relationship vanished and he is now best remembered by Leeds United supporters for the financial nightmare that Leeds later found themselves in. Under Ridsdale's stewardship the club borrowed £60m against future gate receipts, effectively gambling on Leeds qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in successive seasons, which they failed to do. Ridsdale has repeatedly denied any blame with regard to the later situation of the club[2] but has also conflictingly admitted it was a mistake to allow David O'Leary to spend so lavishly on players[3]. Ridsdale also claimed that he would have saved Leeds from subsequent relegations to the third tier of English football and the debt his board had incurred in the name of the club[4]. The fact remained however that by the time time Ridsdale stepped down in March 2003, Leeds were £103 million in debt and failing on the field[5].
He was also the owner of Barnsley for a while, rescuing them from folding after dropping from the Premier League to Division Two and loss of revenue from ITV Digital. Some saw him as a major mistake at Barnsley as he nearly made the club go into liquidation before Gordon Shephard and Patrick Cryne took over at Oakwell.
He was formerly deputy Chairman of Cardiff City F.C., who recruited him to help with their new stadium project and, despite his appalling history in the business, became chairman on October 22 2006 after Sam Hammam stepped down[6].
Ridsdale is currently campaigning to become a member of the Football Association of Wales council, and hoping to be elected as one of six south Wales representatives on Welsh football's ruling body.
After Leeds' relegation to the third tier of the English league system for the first time in their history Ridsdale said he was "deeply saddened" by Leeds's relegation but stated that he did not believe that events during his tenure as Leeds chairman was in any way responsible for the club's current plight Ridsdale: No Leeds Celebration .
| Contents |
| Notes |
| External links |
Notes
1. Peter Ridsdale: Dignified face of football
2. Ridsdale: Stop Blaming Me
3. Ridsdale: I should have said no to O'Leary
4. I would have saved Leeds, says Ridsdale
5. Leeds hopeful over new investors
6. Exorcising the demon of Peter Ridsdale
External links
★ BBC - Leeds Sport - Peter Ridsdale Factfile
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