Telephone call from Ridsdale to Guernsey investor

...overheard at the CCS, but only Ridsdales conversation could be heard. Allegedly.


PR: Hi Ben, its me - Peter. Remember me?

PR: Ridsdale.

PR: Ridsdale, Peter Ridsdale.

PR: Yes, that one - but it was a long time ago and wasn't all my fault.

PR: Yes, Barnsley as well. Good memory you have there.

PR: Anyway Ben - how's your dad at Bolton, give him my regards.

PR: He said that? Was that recently?

PR: Back to the present, I've a little proposition for you.

PR: No, nothing like that. I'm in Wales at the moment and the heat is being turned up on me.

PR: Ha ha - they stopped burning witches here years ago. No, I'm at Cardiff City.

PR: Yes, still in football.

PR: Not THAT unbelievable. And I'd demand an apology from anyone saying those things.

PR: I need a favour, a favour for which you'll be handsomely rewarded and will raise both our profiles in the media. I need you to go along with a story of mine which I'll leak to the press.

PR: Yes they will, they always do. I've got a couple of journos in my pocket so it'll be fine.

PR: Well basically, I've got the fans on my back and they want me out. But I'm on a great little earner down here and want to stay forever. I get to change my car every other month so there could be something there for you as well.

PR: Yes, on expenses. Or as a bonus. Here's what I want you to do: I want you to do an interview in the press saying you'd like to invest in Cardiff City.

PR: No, really. Say that you're interested in anything from a small investment to a full takeover and that it's always been your ambition to own a Premiership team, cite Southampton etc - they'll fall for it hook, line & sinker.

PR: Trust me. They do. Every time. How do you think I've lasted this long.

PR: No luck involved, just careful planning.

PR: No, the Revenue dispute wasn't planned it just happened - I don't know how.

PR: February, in the High Court.

PR: Deep shit, yes. But I've managed to get 10500 fans to part with around £3.5m - that'll pay the tax bill and still have a bit left over for a Legal Completion bonus for the Chairman.

PR: Me.

PR: They're not, no. We told them that we'd use all that money in the transfer window on new players but the embargo is stopping us.

PR: Bombarding me with emails, texts and the like. They're talking about banners and demonstrations about me now - and it's not my fault, it's the previous regime.

PR: It's not funny.

PR: Seriously, it's not funny. But you could stop this happening by saying you'll come over to watch a game.

PR: Of course you don't - just SAY you will. I'll get someone they trust to appeal to them to stop, telling them it could hinder investment if they protest.

PR: They WILL. Believe me. What would you think is a reasonable figure for your role in all this.

PR: Really? I was thinking treble that - so we'll split the difference and double my original offer. Happy?

PR: Now if you DID want to invest in Cardiff City, keeping me as Chairman obviously, could you be tempted?

PR: Ben?

PR: Ben?

PR: Ben?

PR: Maybe I'll try later....

I would love to laugh my bollox off at that. If I were a Swansea fan I would fall off my chair in fits of laughter but I am not I am blue and white through and through and it's pretty painful reading really, because although a bit of fun and may or may not be partly fiction it highlights what mugs we have all been. However heres a token If I could find a smiley with tears I would have put that there - sort it Annis

I am unsure whether to laugh or take this seriously! As ihatealiens said, there's probably more truth than fiction in it all!

Just take it for the bit of light relief it was intended as

We HAVE been mugs, myself included

As for the shadow dwellers down West, couldn't give a flying f**k what they think.

If it gives them a little happiness, so be it. They need a release from their drab existence and, as usual with everything in their lives from cradle to grave, they look to Cardiff to provide.

its not often that you get a joke that is so close to the truth

Just take it for the bit of light relief it was intended as

We HAVE been mugs, myself included

As for the shadow dwellers down West, couldn't give a flying f**k what they think.

If it gives them a little happiness, so be it. They need a release from their drab existence and, as usual with everything in their lives from cradle to grave, they look to Cardiff to provide.

Mr brown, work is quiet is it

" pure class"