Peter Ridsdale

Peter Ridsdale (Born 11 March 1952) is a former chairman of Leeds United AFC, and is currently chairman of Cardiff City F.C..

Under his chairmanship Leeds reached the UEFA Cup semi-final in 1999/2000 and the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2000/01, but is now best remembered by Leeds United supporters for the financial nightmare that Leeds later found themselves in. Under Ridsdale's stewardship the club borrowed £60m against future gate receipts, effectively gambling on Leeds qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in successive seasons, which they failed to do. By the time Ridsdale stepped down, Leeds were £103 million in debt and failing on the field.

He was also the owner of Barnsley for a while, rescuing them from folding after dropping from the Premier League to Division Two and loss of revenue from ITV Digital. Some saw him as a major mistake at Barnsley as he nearly made the club go into liquidation before Gordon Shephard and Patrick Cryne took over at Oakwell. He was formerly deputy Chairman of Cardiff City F.C., who recruited him to help with their new stadium project and became chairman on October 22 2006 after Sam Hammam stepped down.

According to a report on BBC Radio 5 Live, on 28 April 2007 Ridsdale 'celebrated' Leeds United's almost certain relegation from the Championship with the chairman of Hull City, ordering champagne and saying he was "delighted" with Leeds's demise. He behaviour was described by the BBC's reporter as "out of order".

He is thought to be Leeds' least popular man. Ever.