RIDSDALE WANTS TO COME BACK. . . . . .

Friday November 1st 2013.

Wales Online.

Former chairman Peter Ridsdale has not been back to Cardiff City Stadium since the day he left the club during 2010.

But he admits he has a burning desire to experience the intense atmosphere during this Sunday’s South Wales derby.

A sell-out attendance of 27,000-plus spectators will roar their support for Cardiff or Swansea and Ridsdale says: “I’d love to be there. It’s going to be a special occasion.

“I was at Cardiff City for five years and have not been back since I left. I would love to see Cardiff in the Premier League and hopefully there will be an opportunity to do that at some stage in the future.”

Yorkshireman Ridsdale, 61, experienced five South Wales derbies in his time with City, four in the Championship and one Carling Cup tie.

The Swans won two, Cardiff one with two drawn. Stephen McPhail was sent off twice, while Ross McCormack’s 90th-minute equaliser at home is a big memory.

Michael Chopra scored three times in the five matches, twice in Cardiff’s 2-1 home win during 2009-10.

“I’ve experienced some big matches during my time in football, including Manchester United v Leeds,” says Ridsdale. “Another big match in terms of atmosphere and intensity was Galatasaray v Leeds in Europe.

“But there is no doubt the intensity of Cardiff v Swansea is incredible. You have to go through it to understand that and feel it.

“Personally, I was surprised at the intensity levels. I had heard about the atmosphere at South Wales derbies, but I wasn’t quite prepared for it.”

The Bluebirds lost 1-0 in a Carling Cup tie, while both league matches between the clubs that season ended 2-2. Joe Ledley and McCormack, with his late leveller, scored at Swansea with Michael Chopra and Ross McCormack on target at home.

In 2009-10 Jay Bothroyd and Mark Hudson netted against the Swans away, but Cardiff went down 3-2. It was Chopra’s double which earned a home win in the return.

Dave Jones was manager and he infuriated fans by playing down the importance of matches against Swansea. He would say the fixture was only worth three League points, the same as any other Championship match.

Malky Mackay has a different approach and understands the importance and value to fans of the South Wales derby.

He talks about that openly and knows Sunday’s result means a huge amount to Bluebirds supporters.

“There are two ways to look at it,” says Ridsdale. “There is no doubt whatsoever that among supporters this is the fixture they most want to win.

“Cardiff play Manchester United fairly soon and I mean no disrespect when I say the South Wales derby is, to fans, of huge importance.

“But from a player’s perspective or a manager’s viewpoint it’s important to play the game and not the occasion. I remember Stephen McPhail being sent off against Swansea.

“If players believe the hype they can get dragged into the occasion and lose focus on the match.

“Both Dave Jones and Malky Mackay are right in a way. When Dave said the fixture was only worth three points he was trying to ensure his players went out and did everything possible to produce their best.

“Malky is also right. For supporters this is their big match. The rivalry between cities and clubs means everything to people.

“There is no doubt Malky will work to keep his players calm, composed and focused, to keep their feet on the ground during the build-up.

“The stadium will be rocking, but the players must see this as another football match.”

Ridsdale also believes Cardiff could have the edge in Sunday’s clash. He accepts it’s going to be tight, but can see Mackay’s man coming out on top.

“When I was in Cardiff and we played Swansea they always seemed to be favourites,” says Ridsdale. “That was down to the style of football they played and because Cardiff’s team was still developing.

“Swansea had an edge and that probably showed in matches. They were tight affairs, but results favoured Swansea.

“On Sunday I believe Cardiff will be favourites. Malky Mackay has his team supremely organised and they have a way of playing which is effective.

“My feeling is that Cardiff, on this occasion, are slight favourites. It’s close, but that’s the way I see it going.”

Tomorrow afternoon Ridsdale will be at Deepdale, watching his Preston North End team take on manager Ronnie Moore’s Tranmere Rovers.

Preston lie fourth, while Tranmere are just outside the relegation zone.

On Sunday, though, Ridsdale will be at home in front of the television watching Cardiff City v Swansea City.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” says Ridsdale. “It would be fantastic to be there because a South Wales derby in the Premier League is special.

“But I’ll enjoy watching the match on television – and I’m sure I’ll be watching Cardiff City play Premier League football live in the not too distant future. I look forward to that.”

Yeah, You stay at home and watch in on your telly. Would be good half time entertainment to get him on the pitch at half time.....

He can watch but he can't have...

If he comes withing 3 miles of that ground I hope someone does serious damage to the scumbag.

isn't it about time he went to jail for tax evasion or something.

that being said he has run a club that were in the champions league and the players let the club down more than anything, theirs no reason he couldn't bring forward cardiff to a position leeds were once in

Is he on the Gold membership scheme?

How many aways did he do last season?

I'm sure we could squeeze up a bit in the Canton so he can join us - would be lovely to see him again!

:

Yes bring him back , put him on the board. Tan, Sam, Risdale, Dalman

To watch a game !!....another post made to look more than what it is for hits !!!!

To watch a game !!....another post made to look more than what it is for hits !!!!

Lol

RIDSDALE to come back here comes the anticipation. . . . . . . .

Ohh no its only to watch a game

The riddler once said to me in a text reply the following.

Me- Stop clutching at straws for god sake and leave the club, your not wanted anymore you crook.

Riddler - You wouldnt have straws to clutch to if it was not for me.

Obviously i believed him

Yes bring him back , put him on the board. Tan, Sam, Risdale, Dalman

What about Rick Wright can we bring him back lol

Yes bring him back , put him on the board. Tan, Sam, Risdale, Dalman

What about Rick Wright can we bring him back lol

What about pissing through his letter box

Lol that will teach him for the golden ticket scam

Lol that will teach him for the golden ticket scam

Ha ha ha ha ha

Lol that will teach him for the golden ticket scam

Dont like the man but prob the best thing he ever did for us fans

Lol that will teach him for the golden ticket scam

Golden fountain Ha ha ha ha ha

Lol that will teach him for the golden ticket scam

Dont like the man but prob the best thing he ever did for us fans

Best freezing the prices ,just he lied about where the money was going

Lol that will teach him for the golden ticket scam

Dont like the man but prob the best thing he ever did for us fans

Best freezing the prices ,just he lied about where the money was going

Yeah thats was annoying but very glad of the price freeze

He can buy my ticket off me

£140,000


And I will promise to spend the money on whatever he wants me to. Honest.

Knows his football Riddler, but is a complete fool regarding money matters, would bankrupt any club.

Jesus Christ Carl, you had me scared then..

got things moving whilst others stalled mind.

Lol that will teach him for the golden ticket scam

Dont like the man but prob the best thing he ever did for us fans

That's a fact

Ridsdale may not be popular but I suspect that some people expected him to deliver more than we could reasonably expect anyone to deliver.

He took over a club in a financial mess, built the stadium and passed the club on to new investors.

He probably receives criticism for some things where he does not deserve it as he was always fighting a rearguard action to avoid financial meltdown. If he had been more open about the club's finances he may well have precipitated the financial collapse he strove to avoid.

However, some of the criticism was well deserved. The promise to bring in players from the season ticket money should never have been made. Some of the wages offered were too high.

Overall fans opinions on him have probably been defined by some football situations over which he had no control:
(a) If Robbie Fowler had avoided injury, who knows what would have happened?
(b) If Dave Jones had played Ramsey from the start of the FA Cup Final would we have won?
(c) If the players had won the playoffs at Wembley?

Despite his faults, and he definitely had faults, if the twists of fate had been a bit different we would be revering him as the FA Cup winning and promotion gaining hero who brought the club to the Premier League and financial stability.

Is public hanging legal in this country?..

Only if he has a Hull City stub from last season.

clever man, he can give his services for free, but needs, somewhere to stay, usually a 5 star hotel, transport, usually a top of the range 4 wheel drive, then expenses, costing a good few pounds, but all for free

clever man, he can give his services for free, but needs, somewhere to stay, usually a 5 star hotel, transport, usually a top of the range 4 wheel drive, then expenses, costing a good few pounds, but all for free

I hate to say it but that was part of the price the club paid to keep the show on the road, out of insolvency (just) and emerge with a new owner, a new stadium and in short order a premier league spot. At a cost he actually did a good job.
it must have been hugely stressful.On one occasion I spoke to him after a shareholders meeting and his hands were shaking like he had parkinsons.

clever man, he can give his services for free, but needs, somewhere to stay, usually a 5 star hotel, transport, usually a top of the range 4 wheel drive, then expenses, costing a good few pounds, but all for free

Until the mini came along