Leeds will rise again, Ridsdale promises fans
Leeds fans have vented their anger on Ridsdale at recent matches following the £9million sale of Jonathan Woodgate to Newcastle during the January transfer window.
Woodgate was the sixth international to leave Leeds since Terry Venables took over as manager Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Keane, Lee Bowyer, Olivier Dacourt and Robbie Fowler were the others and his departure was the final straw for many fans.
But Ridsdale claims the club's "ambition is undiminished" despite the recent selling spree and Leeds will "regroup and go for it again".
He said: "However difficult it is at the moment, only by taking the painful decisions can we build again. We will build again, there is no doubt about that." The only thing that matters is that we do build again and that every Leeds fan gets the success that their loyalty deserves.
"I know that all Leeds supporters are concerned at what they see as a mass exodus of players. Despite some of the comments that have been made, the squad has reduced by only two players, with six leaving, and four joining us.
"More likely the sale of Jonathan Woodgate was seen as the first sign that the 'untouchables' were no longer sacrosanct.
"A year ago I went on record as saying that the overheads of our playing squad had become too expensive. This was said at a time when Champions League football for the current season was still a possibility.
"Football finances are changing. The income streams previously enjoyed in many areas can no longer be taken for granted. The TV deal with BSkyB expires at the end of next season and the European Commission is examining the format of the collective Premiership contract.
"In the current season we have only had four live Sky games to date. At over £600,000 per game the gap between these four and last years 11 is £4.2million. Each place in the league is worth £400,000 in the end of season bonuses. The difference between fifth place last year and 15th today is another £4million. It is incumbent on me and my fellow directors, to ensure that we are financially viable."
"Yes we agreed to spend the money. We also made it clear that we had to recoup money in the transfer market. This we have had to drive. We do not necessarily control who we sell.
"This is driven by who others are prepared to bid for. There are very few clubs with substantial sums to spend in the transfer market. We have, regrettably, therefore had to react to offers received.
"Our ambition is undiminished. Our commitment to our supporters is unaltered. We have done the right things to protect the future. We will regroup and go for it again, I know that we owe that to all Leeds supporters. I remain one of the staunchest Leeds supporters.
"That is why I was prepared to do the right, yet unpopular thing."
Ridsdale was determined to use today's meetings with fans to explain the reasons behind the drain of talent away from Elland Road.
"At the beginning of February I met with officials of the Leeds United Supporters' Club and over the last few days I have started a series of meetings to meet as many other Leeds United supporters as possible," he added.
"These meetings are a follow on from the transfer activity during January. Last week I had the opportunity on two separate days to see groups of individuals who wished to air their concerns at recent events and to seek reassurances regarding the club's future ambitions.
"Today saw a further series of meetings with larger groups of supporters coming to meet me. During the rest of the week there will be further opportunities for other people to get together including representatives of the recently-formed Independent Supporters' Association.
Leeds fans will have been dismayed by rumours that the club will be forced to sell again in the summer and Ridsdale, seeking to ease those fears, tonight told Sky Sports News: "The most important question is will more players have to be sold for us to stand still?
"We've tried to get in a position where any player sold from now on is to enable the manager to bring in another player that makes the club stronger.
"What we don't want to do in the future is to be forced into selling. What we hope in the summer is the gaps identified by the manager can be filled."
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