Found this is my old archives....interesting to look back on it all...
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AMID swirling accusations of ill deeds and behind-the-scenes chicanery at
Elland Road, Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale is facing the biggest
crisis of his time at the club which he holds so dear.
Various meetings in London and Leeds have intensified the pressure on a
leader who must explain his blueprint for the future of a club which is
reeling under the burden of perceived under-achievement.
And the fallout from these crunch talks could be immense.
On the very day that the Yorkshire Evening Post brings you an exclusive
heart-to-heart with manager Terry Venables, the man who appointed him has
acquired the soubriquet Peter Vulnerable.
His position is under threat because of the activities of agitants outside –
and if everything is to be believed possibly also within the club's
corridors of power – who have joined forces to try to kick a man when he is
down.
Ridsdale, a lifelong supporter of Leeds United, achieved five years ago the
dream of everybody in that guise in becoming chairman.
In that time he has presided over a club which has reached the dizzy heights
of a Champions League semi-final and never finished lower than fifth in the
Premiership.
He has acquired funds which have propelled the club to successive European
campaigns and gained the admiration of football followers throughout the
land.
Yet a temporary blip which sees Leeds languishing in 13th position in the
Premiership, out of the ticket-to-Europe Worthington Cup at the first hurdle
and with only one win in their last nine games threatens to see Ridsdale
fall on his sword.
Yesterday, an individual purporting to be a prominent first-team player
telephoned the YEP with some astonishing revelations. We believe the real
identity of this person is someone acting on behalf of one of the men who
wishes to see Ridsdale out of his job.
In a 40-minute dialogue he alleged that:
• Venables has already lost control of the dressing room.
• He will be replaced by players' choice Peter Reid.
• Two United players were involved in a dressing room brawl after Wednesday
night's Worthington Cup defeat by Sheffield United – one accusing the other
of not trying – and that evidence of the skirmish will be apparent at
Sunday's Premiership fixture at West Ham.
• The players are giving less than their best.
• Head coach Brian Kidd doesn't have the respect of the players.
• Lee Bowyer will NOT sign a new contract while Ridsdale is chairman.
• Form will not improve and the side are staring at relegation.
• Certain players are simply going through the motions.
Make no mistake, Leeds United is a club in turmoil and in danger of falling
into complete disarray. Yet this is totally unsurprising when meddling,
trouble-making people with ambitions of their own are seeking to
de-stabilise its leader.
Let us hope that this sorry episode is satisfactorily resolved forthwith.
And that means a unanimous vote of confidence in Ridsdale, the man who cares
more than most about it.
As the old saying goes, act in haste and repent at leisure. Football people,
more than most, should know that.
08 November 2002
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Sorry Macca - it's the curse of Bates old lad
