Cardiff's Ridsdale & Mixed Messages

Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale has delivered mixed feelings regarding the possibility of Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham fielding 2nd string teams in the Welsh Premier league with the possibility of securing European football for the club.


The idea is being mooted as recommended by an FAW Strategic Plan, but will face strong opposition from other Welsh sides. Ridsdale however, appears divided on the subject.

Speaking to BBC Sport Wales, Ridsdale said:

'That would be a disaster for Cardiff, there's so many questions and I find it disappointing that no one has had the courtesy of consulting us before this came out in the public domain.'


Thats a fairly resounding 'no', however, the very next day - Ridsdale came up with a different stance speaking to the Western Mail:

'Clearly I know about the finance, rewards and glamour Champions League football can bring. As such, I am certainly not against this idea for Cardiff.'

'I have to say I am somewhat surprised that, as one of the main participants in this proposal, they have not spoken to us about it yet. So let`s sit down together, let`s have the debate.'



Mr Ridsdale certainly wanted to hear about the proposal before it was made public, and he is known to regard the current situation (where we cannot qualify for Europe at all) as unacceptable. Nevertheless, the two statements are in stark contrast and the Chairman needs all the facts before he can fully appreciate the situation. Key to the plans would be assurances from the English FA that the positions of the 3 Welsh clubs in their leagues would be unaffected by the proposal.