Preston fans stunned after Ridsdale named chairman of League One club

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 11:19, 6 December 2011

New Preston chairman Peter Ridsdale has moved to reassure fans that the club has a bright future after his shock appointment.

The former Leeds, Barnsley, Plymouth and Cardiff chief joined the troubled League One outfit after Maurice Lindsay, aged 70, decided to step down due to ill health.

Hot seat: Ridsdale has left Plymouth to take charge at Preston

The move stunned Preston fans, who voiced their anger and disbelief on message forums and Twitter.

Clocky1 tweeted: '#pnefc be afraid be very afraid #ridsdale', atkypne wrote: 'Peter Ridsdale is the new PNE chairman, the final nail in the coffin for me!' and CraigyAnderson said: 'The one headline all football fans must dread: "Peter Ridsdale appointed chairman of..." Hard luck, Preston North End fans.'

But Ridsdale played down concern over the club's finances by setting his sights on promotion to the Championship.

In a statement released by Preston, Ridsdale said: 'I am delighted and privileged to be joining Preston North End Football Club.

'Preston North End is a football club that has an incredible football heritage, a large and loyal supporter base and a club that frankly ought to be competing to join the Premier League rather than playing in League One.

'I sincerely hope that working with Preston North End’s existing staff and with the continued support of its fan base, I can play a part in ensuring that we return to the Championship as a minimum in the not too distant future.'

Under pressure: Phil Brown has the job of trying to revive Preston's fortunes on the pitch

Owner Trevor Hemmings was expected to make the new appointment from within his personal business empire, making Ridsdale's arrival at Preston - currently 14th in League One under manager Phil Brown - something of a shock.

Ridsdale moves to Deepdale from Plymouth Argyle, where as acting chairman he oversaw James Brent's takeover of the stricken npower League Two club.

In a statement on the Pilgrims' official website, www.pafc.co.uk, Brent said: "I would personally like to thank Peter for his contribution to Argyle as there is little doubt that, without his presence here during the period of administration, it is highly likely that this football club would no longer exist.

'In expressing my disappointment at Peter leaving, I fully understand the reasons why he would wish to take up the offer at Preston North End and I and everyone at Argyle wish him well for the future. Peter leaves us with our grateful thanks and he will always be a welcome visitor here at Home Park.

'We will be engaging a recruitment consultant to seek an appropriate replacement following Peter's departure.'

Ridsdale,aged 59, who enjoyed a brief period at Barnsley, is best remembered for his time with Leeds from 1997 to 2003, when a lavish transfer policy led the Yorkshire club to the semi-finals of the Champions League before a dramatic slide in fortunes and relegation from the top flight.

Hemmings revealed it is costing him £750,000 a month to keep the club alive and by the end of the season his investment will total £25million