Ridsdale 'threatened' after Rio sale

Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has claimed he has been subjected to “appalling, threatening” letters from fans protesting at the sale of Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United.

Ridsdale said that the job is the “most taxing I‘ve ever had” and admits “you can only do it for so long”.

The Elland Road chief sacked David O’Leary as manager in the summer and brought in Terry Venables, but it was the decision to sell Ferdinand to raise vital cash that upset fans.

“I’ve never done a job where I’ve been insulted so much and it’s hard to cope with,” he said.

“The letters I’ve had since Rio Ferdinand left have been appalling, threatening stuff that makes you wonder about people’s psychological state. It shocks me that they can be so vitriolic towards me and it’s a reminder of how passionate fans can be in a negative way.”

Ridsdale also criticised O’Leary’s decision to write a book, ‘Leeds United on Trial’, claiming he was “stunned by its title and timing”.

He added: “It’s wrong to say the book did not have an impact on the team’s performance. We were top on January 1 and then we had an appalling two months.

“I don’t see the need to write books when you are in a well-paid job.”