By Chris O'Brien
May 21 2005

Cardiff City have announced the controversial appointment of Peter Ridsdale as chief executive. The former Leeds United chairman is accused of causing the decline of the Yorkshire club, but he has impressed Bluebirds owner Sam Hammam on a short-term 3-month contract at Ninian Park.

Leeds United never managed to get revenge for the 2002 F.A Cup reverse at Ninian Park, a game many highlight as what started the plight of the once great Yorkshire club. Having had a mixed season in the Football League Championship, both league encounters against the Bluebirds ended draws, but supporters of the Whites may feel that revenge has been found with the news that Peter Ridsdale is the new chief executive of Cardiff City.

Leeds fans blame their plight, mainly caused by financial uncertainty, on Ridsdale. He plunged the Elland Road club into huge debt, relying on success in the Premiership, domestic Cup competitions and on the continent to fund his expenditure. The dream came close. Leeds made the European Cup semi-final, but won no honours and failure to qualify for Europe's top competition every season had devastating consequences. In 2004, the club were relegated.

Eyebrows were raised when City owner Sam Hammam appointed Risdale when news of our severe financial difficulty became public knowledge. He is thought to have impressed the Lebanese Information Minister, and has now been offered a full-time post as chief executive of the club. His job will now involve the general day-to-day running of the club, with main objectives being to use his "experience" and help the economics at the club. Mammoth debt is certainly something the former Leeds supremo is used to! He replaces David Temme as CEO of CCFC, with Temme now fulfilling a role purely designed on helping the club towards a goal of a new purpose-built ground.

Ridsdale left Leeds under a storm cloud, but was not out of football for long quickly taking the helm at another Yorkshire club, becoming chairman of Barnsley. He did a reasonable job at Oakwell restructuring their finances and helping to lay foundations for the club to return to former glories. He has also served on various Football Association committees, including the F.A Cup body.

It is difficult to draw conclusions to how Ridsdale's permanent arrival will affect the club. Sam Hammam is under-fire from supporters, so he could well act as a spokesman for the club and Hammam, as a result, could fade away into the background. Whatever happens, it's another interesting turn in the roller coaster that's Cardiff City AFC.