Plymouth Argyle have called in former Leeds United and Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale as a football consultant to the club's board.

Ridsdale will work to bring stability to Argyle initially until 8 February -the day before they are due back in court to face a winding-up petition.

"From what I have seen the situation is precarious," Ridsdale said.

"No-one should underestimate the challenge that faces this club in surviving the short-term pressures."

He told BBC Spotlight: "We've got to raise money by selling assets and the only short-term assets that we've got are the players.

"That means that some of the players we'd like to keep, some of them may have to go."

Ridsdale was most recently involved with Cardiff City before his departure at the end of May following the Bluebirds' 3-2 defeat by Blackpool in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

He succeeded Sam Hammam at Ninian Park in 2006 and oversaw the club's relocation to the Cardiff City Stadium three years later before agreeing to sell up to Malaysian businessman Datuk Chan Tien Ghee.

606: DEBATE At the moment our choices are limited so let's at least give the bloke a chance tezla

But Ridsdale is perhaps best known for his six-year tenure at Leeds United up to his resignation in 2003.

The club ran up debts of £100m between 2000 and 2003 under Ridsdale and other former directors.

The 58-year-old has been involved with the Argyle board since November, when the club first confirmed that he was in talks about investing at Home Park.

He added: "I ask everyone connected with Plymouth Argyle: the political and business communities, our creditors and anyone else who feels they can contribute to work with us.

"I initially came to talk to Argyle regarding investment but frankly the true financial position that became apparent was significantly worse than had been volunteered.

"It therefore requires a different focus before traditional investment can be considered."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version