PETER RIDSDALE REFLECTS ON HIS TIME AT CCFC

' PETER RIDSDALE REFLECTS ON HIS TIME AT CCFC AS HE RETURNS THIS SAT V PRESTON '

Thursday 25th Feb 2016

As he prepares to return to south Wales with new club Preston, Peter Ridsdale reflects upon an incredible five-year period in charge of Cardiff during which he courted controversy but went out with his head held high


Peter Ridsdale was brought into Cardiff by Sam Hammam and sold the club to Vincent Tan

For five years, Peter Ridsdale was at the helm of Cardiff City... at a time that could be described as one of the most crucial and controversial in the club’s history.

The Bluebirds’ rollercoaster saw them lurch from the steps of the court and the threat of administration to Wembley way, from Ninian Park to a brand new stadium and eventually the Premier League.

He is also, of course, the man who brought in Vincent Tan and also forged strong links with Sam Hammam. Not many can say they are friendly with each of those.

As he prepares to return with new club Preston for the first time since leaving South Wales in 2010, Ridsdale speaks to Football Correspondent Chris Wathan and opens up on his eventful Bluebirds tenure.


CW: Starting off with where you are as advisor to the owner at Preston, are you enjoying yourself?

PR: I’m loving my time in football. I was at Leeds for 16 years, loved my time at Cardiff for five years and I’m very grateful for the opportunity at Preston. We had a great season last year when we got promoted via the play-offs and, having found our feet after the first games in the Championship, the last 23 matches have been very exciting. We’re giving a good account of ourselves and we find ourselves ninth in the table.


CW: It seems that compared to previous clubs where, perhaps headlines followed you, that things seem to be going smoother at Preston? You don’t have to do as much fire-fighting it seems?

PR: I think we had a great time at Cardiff. You say that controversy or headlines were there but people forget that when I walked through the door in 2005 we faced winding up petitions, the threat of administration and a stadium scheme that was finished in the water.

So it was always going to be a fight to get the club back on an even keel. It was almost like though people had forgotten what I walked into

When I walked out in May 2010 people would say there was no money or that there was debt, but they had forgotten there was far more debt when I came in and I left with the club on the brink of the Premier League and with a brand new stadium.

People are always happy to criticise and I’m very grateful for my role at Preston, where I work directly for the owner, that I’ve probably been below the parapet rather than in the public gaze.

But I’d like to think the job I did with colleagues at Cardiff was a very good one and that I’ve continued that good work with Preston.

CW: People have their views on your time in Cardiff, but I do remember you coming in with the remit to stabilise the club as best you could, but also deliver the stadium and find new ownership. When it’s down in black and white like that you did achieve that?

PR: I think people forget we sold almost £30m worth of players when I was there but we still finished higher in the league every season and we ended up fourth in my last season there.

In the meantime we had had to fund a new stadium and then there was the court case with Langston. It was a very volatile time.



I’ve said in the past that the job seemed impossible, but we did it. My brief was to stop the club going bust, to build a stadium and to sell the club and on those three counts it was job done.

CW: It felt like the best of times and the worst of times on occasion. Great football, a Wembley cup final, yet there always seemed to be something lurking to worry about?

PR: If I’d known what I’d knew when I left, and what we would have to go through, I never would have joined in the first place. Like I say, it was almost impossible – it clearly wasn’t because we achieved what we achieved. But we walked into a club on the brink of administration and on the brink of losing the stadium scheme.

We staved off administration, we built the stadium, we sold £30m worth of players, we got to the cup final, got to the play-off final and we found a new owner who has invested heavily in the club since I left.



So I only look back on my time with Cardiff with great pride, I loved being there and I think the job we did was a good one with the foundations built for what happened since.

CW: On the pitch, you mentioned the cup final, was that the stand-out moment?

PR: The cup final was very special. I’ve been in football 30 years and I’ve been to Champions League semi-finals, the top five of the Premier League, but that was very special.

Everybody in Wales at the time was very proud to say we got there for the first time since 1927 and it was a special memory. Clearly, it was a disappointing memory the next time we got to Wembley against Blackpool but I knew then it would be my last game because we’d done the deal to sell the club, so 2008 does stand out.

Also read : Tan wins over the fans

But for me, my real stand-out memory was opening the stadium because without that stadium, the club would not have had an opportunity to progress.

Michael Chopra cries tears of joy with chairman Peter Ridsdale after the penalty win against Leicester in the play-off semi final
Michael Chopra cries tears of joy with chairman Peter Ridsdale after the penalty win against Leicester in the play-off semi final
CW: If you did feel it was an impossible job at times, did you feel like walking away? I know that you weren’t looking to redress opinion of you after Leeds, but there must have been doubt or time you wondered whether it was all worth it?

PR: I think part of the problem was that because of what people – in my opinion – wrongly criticised me for after I left Leeds, I couldn’t walk away from Cardiff unless we did the job we ultimately did. Because otherwise people would have said ‘I told you so’. Whether I to liked it or not, I had to complete the job at Cardiff and I believe we did.

CW: And Langston appears to be sorted, which you were involved in negotiating for the two parties?

PR: I don’t want to get into the last few weeks because that’s between Sam Hammam and Vincent Tan, but I always said that part of my remit when I came in was to sort out that for good and clearly two parties recognised I knew the history.

If that whole issue has finally been put to bed I’m delighted it’s been resolved.

Sam Hammam and Vincent Tan
Ridsdale brought Sam Hammam and Vincent Tan together to do a deal
CW: I know how much the stresses and strains of what happened at Leeds affected you. Was the worry at Cardiff any comparison, or having gone through what you had, did you find yourself able to cope better?

PR: I think we coped well with it. I look back and there were days when we didn’t think we’d be able pay the wage bill, there were days when we thought we might well go under, but we kept going, stayed focused on what we had to do and that does come from experience.

A sad thing in the UK is that if you make mistakes people just want to put you down; what they don’t do, as they do in the States, is recognise that mistakes make you stronger because you learn from it.

I think Cardiff got almost the best from what I’d learned from what we did right and wrong at Leeds. I think it was that knowledge base that helped us do the job, and I’m very proud of that.

That’s why I’m excited about going back with Preston on Saturday for the first time since I left, because I left with my head held high.

I’ve watched Cardiff from a distance and been proud of what they’ve achieved, especially getting to the Premier League.

CW: One thing that always gets mentioned is the Golden Ticket scheme....

PR: It’s difficult to comment because there were certain incomes promised that never arrived. Looking back I have no hesitation in saying that everything was done around the scheme in good belief from the whole board – including a representative of the current ownership structure - and supporters did benefit.

Certain incomes that were expected and anticipated that would have made things easier in those last few months didn’t come until after the takeover and if everybody knew the full details I think people would reflect and say they understand.

In 2010 it was Peter Ridsdale who incurred the wrath of the Bluebirds faithful as financial turmoil and golden ticket scandals engulfed the club
Cardiff fans protest against Peter Ridsdale as financial turmoil and golden ticket controversy engulfed the club
CW: The Malaysian investment was, again, something from your remit. How did it come about?

PR: I went to see Vincent Tan and eventually it led to the current ownership structure. Like you say, it was another part of my remit. When I walked out I believed sincerely I delivered on everything that had been asked from me.

I don’t tend to look back and watching what’s happened since is no different to watching what happens at any other football club. I just feel I played a part in a very important part of Cardiff City’s history.

Vincent Tan is flying into London to watch the Bluebirds
Vincent Tan has ploughed millions into the Bluebirds after being brought in by Ridsdale
CW: Was there anything you look back at and think you got it wrong?

PR: You can’t look back and say ‘What if?’ because you have to deal with things in the circumstances of the time. As time goes on you have the benefit of hindsight, but it’s not there when you’re making decisions.

Everybody makes good decisions and everyone makes bad decisions, and provided you get more right than wrong then you progress. I think we did that.

Of course we made mistakes, but did we get more right than wrong? Absolutely.

CW: Do you think peoples’ view of you has changed?

PR: I’m not sure and to be honest, part of maturity is that you’re not really too concerned about it. At the time I was very upset and I remember the first interview at Cardiff where one of your colleagues made a particularly disparaging remark about how people would see my arrival and it does hurt.

But if you carry on doing what you believe to be right, you just have to develop a thick skin and move on and hope, like I say, you get more things right than wrong.

I honestly believe in 30 years in football I’ve done that. Look at Leeds today? Are they better off than when I was there?

People can take their views, it’s not for me to comment. At Cardiff we did better every year, built a stadium, went to a cup final, got to a play-off final and got new owners.

I’d like to think with some input from me we’re doing well at Preston, although that’s down to the owner we have who is outstanding.

But I don’t think my track record is bad. Those people who are quick to criticise, if they were to reflect, then the clubs I’ve been at have done pretty well when I’ve been there.

Cardiff City Stadium
Cardiff City Stadium would not have been built without Peter Ridsdale's input
How much people want to put down to me or not I don’t really care, I’m paid to do a job and I do it to the best of my ability – but I don’t think I’ve done a bad one.

CW: So Saturday, mixed emotions is perhaps not accurate because you’ll be there with Preston who have their own ambitions, but there will be some pride clearly.

PR: Cardiff City’s supporters were fantastic to me when I was there and I’m really looking forward to coming back and I hope they will reflect on the five years I was there and feel that I made positive contribution when I was there.

They will have moved on, it’s been six years, as I have, but I will take great pride in seeing that stadium because it is part of what I went through.

But from a footballing point of view, you wouldn’t expect me to say anything other than I want to win with Preston

Might have had a bit more respect for him if he hadn't taken a £500,000 p.a salary, stadium completion bonus,2 company cars, expense account etc when the club was on its arse and skint and numerous local contractors not paid in full for work they did on the stadium.

Same old story nothing was ever his fault, looked after himself and his buddy DJ no one else, money grabbing leech

Sorry but no warm welcome from me for him on Saturday

Might have had a bit more respect for him if he hadn't taken a £500,000 p.a salary, stadium completion bonus,2 company cars, expense account etc when the club was on its arse and skint and numerous local contractors not paid in full for work they did on the stadium.

Same old story nothing was ever his fault, looked after himself and his buddy DJ no one else, money grabbing leech

Sorry but no warm welcome from me for him on Saturday

No one is all bad and The Riddler did a lot of good for the club, as well as himself!

He certainly has a big ego and skin like a Rhino and I guess he needs that in his role!

No big drama for me on Saturday, as I doubt they'll announce his name before kick-off, so no need to other cheer or boo the guy and we can concentrate on the here and now rather than harp on about the things we can no longer affect!

Welcome back to Cardiff Peter

Apart from the golden ticket scheme, which he plainly lied to supporters about its true intentions, he did a great job at Cardiff, brought some excellent players to the club and delivered the stadium project. I marched against him at the time, however time is a healer and I would be glad to have him back as chairman with his extensive knowledge of the football industry.

Apart from the golden ticket scheme, which he plainly lied to supporters about its true intentions, he did a great job at Cardiff, brought some excellent players to the club and delivered the stadium project. I marched against him at the time, however time is a healer and I would be glad to have him back as chairman with his extensive knowledge of the football industry.

Extensive knowledge of the football industry??? Extensive knowledge of paying himself an hugely inflated salary more like!!!

Apart from the golden ticket scheme, which he plainly lied to supporters about its true intentions, he did a great job at Cardiff, brought some excellent players to the club and delivered the stadium project. I marched against him at the time, however time is a healer and I would be glad to have him back as chairman with his extensive knowledge of the football industry.

Extensive knowledge of the football industry??? Extensive knowledge of paying himself an hugely inflated salary more like!!!

Spot on..

Might have had a bit more respect for him if he hadn't taken a £500,000 p.a salary, stadium completion bonus,2 company cars, expense account etc when the club was on its arse and skint and numerous local contractors not paid in full for work they did on the stadium.

Same old story nothing was ever his fault, looked after himself and his buddy DJ no one else, money grabbing leech

Sorry but no warm welcome from me for him on Saturday

That's my view

I spoke to him on the phone years back and said " Your clutching at straws with the golden ticket scam excuses"

He said " Without me here you wouldn't have had straws left to clutch to "

Don't believe a word of that interview, the mans full of shit.

I remember sitting in St David's hotel with TG and the riddler bombarding him with texts for a meet, I said to TG I bet he's sat outside in his car, TG said get away he's at home he says, went out for a fag and there he was sat round the corner , TG was pissing himself at the blag !

Who remembers the Guernsey fella who mugged the riddler for a free weekend ? Can't remember his name.

As for bringing in Vincent tan ?? .... What a load of bullshit that is, Tan ran like a kipper but did find a good honest decent man in Borley and came back to the table !!!

Many more stories of that era ..... The f*cking riddler, don't make me laugh too much it's late and I'll wet the bed !!!

I remember sitting in St David's hotel with TG and the riddler bombarding him with texts for a meet, I said to TG I bet he's sat outside in his car, TG said get away he's at home he says, went out for a fag and there he was sat round the corner , TG was pissing himself at the blag !

Who remembers the Guernsey fella who mugged the riddler for a free weekend ? Can't remember his name.

As for bringing in Vincent tan ?? .... What a load of bullshit that is, Tan ran like a kipper but did find a good honest decent man in Borley and came back to the table !!!

Many more stories of that era ..... The f*cking riddler, don't make me laugh too much it's late and I'll wet the bed !!!

The Steve Borley bit doesn't surprise me at all, Steve. Cardiff City FC to the core!

Sven,

A man who never takes the praise but was always and is Cardiff City's rock.

I remember the day the new stadium opened proper.

Ridders was out the front taking all the praise ( undeservedly) and Borley was in the kitchens making sure it worked correctly and the Premier Club got off to a good start.

One has always been a worker for the club the other ( riddler ) just a passing by bullshitter who used his bullshitting experience to con a few before they saw through him.

Man was a total liar of the first degree !

Even used club funds raised by the fans to get out of paying his dues.

Don't believe a word of that interview, the mans full of shit.

Agree

Don't believe a word of that interview, the mans full of shit.

Agree

Me too. Couldn't wait to see the back of the lying, robbing, shyster.

Sven,

A man who never takes the praise but was always and is Cardiff City's rock.

I remember the day the new stadium opened proper.

Ridders was out the front taking all the praise ( undeservedly) and Borley was in the kitchens making sure it worked correctly and the Premier Club got off to a good start.

One has always been a worker for the club the other ( riddler ) just a passing by bullshitter who used his bullshitting experience to con a few before they saw through him.

Man was a total liar of the first degree !

Even used club funds raised by the fans to get out of paying his dues.

No surprises there. He can't have got to the top of his particular career tree without being a bullshitter! LOL

Steve Borley, I always felt, got a poor deal from many City fans after the events of recent years but he stood firm and (I hope) those who doubted his commitment to Cardiff City FC look back with a little embarrassment when they compare him (Steve) to The Riddler and certain others involved with the club!

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local ... 5k-2162702

The clubs charity this year was to the cystic fibrosis trust, put forward by Julian Jenkins.

Ridsdale used these fans funds donated to cover his arse and ensure he never paid his bet.

The man was and is a total bullshitter to the first degree - his lips move quicker than his brain and what comes out is dire.

He should've been banned from the ground on this occasion never alone welcomed !

Might be wrong here but didn't Risdale bring in Dato TG and not Vincent Tan ? I thought Tan came in a little later. Might be wrong mind but sure someone will confirm. I was under the impression it was TG that encouraged Tan to the club and here Risdale is claiming it was him

Double G,

TG had no time for the Riddler, it was Borley again who brought in TG.

TG and Tan were always in it together from the beginning. TG never had the wedge, Tan was his money man.