Preston North End Appoint Peter Ridsdale to Chairman of Football

December 6, 2011

English League One side, Preston North End Football Club, have appointed Peter Ridsdale as their full-time Chairman of Football.

Ridsdale has over 24 years experience of football management having held senior positions in a number of professional football clubs.

Ridsdale was Executive Chairman of Leeds United for five years (1997 to 2003) having served as a non-executive director for the previous ten years. During his five years as Chairman of Leeds United they finished in the top five of the Premier League in each season and also reached the semi-final of the UEFA Cup in 2000 and were Champions League semi-finalists in 2001.

Following a brief spell at Barnsley FC where he led a consortium that rescued the club from administration, Ridsdale joined Cardiff City Football Club. During Ridsdale’s five years at Cardiff City he rescued them from almost certain administration, raised the funding and completed the building of the new ‘Cardiff City Stadium’ and on the field he took Cardiff City to their first FA Cup Final since 1927 (2008) and to their first Championship Play-Off Final (2010). Peter then completed his brief by then ensuring the sale of Cardiff City to their current Malaysian owners.

During the last 12 months Ridsdale has worked for the administrator of Plymouth Argyle Football Club helping to conclude a successful sale and thereby ensuring their survival.

At the announcement of his appointment, 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.”