Source: Team_Talk
Ridsdale defends Ledley exit
Former Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale has defended himself against accusations that he was to blame for Joe Ledley's summer exit to Celtic.[LNB] The Wales international sealed his free transfer move to the SPL giants this summer following the conclusion of his Bluebirds contract.[LNB]Ledley has suffered a backlash from Cardiff fans after his transfer was confirmed, but he claims Ridsdale messed him about for two seasons.[LNB]While Ridsdale has confirmed Cardiff rejected a last-minute offer from Stoke two years ago, he also states that he held talks with the player's agent in the ensuing period attempting to thrash out new terms.[LNB]Although Ridsdale has apologised for publicly criticising Ledley's form he insists that he did everything possible to secure the talented midfielder on new terms and did not mess anyone about.[LNB]"Two years ago Cardiff City turned down an offer for Ledley on transfer day," Ridsdale told the South Wales Echo.[LNB]"He phoned me and begged me to let him go to Stoke. We had already sold Glen Loovens and Aaron Ramsey that summer and had no need for further sales.[LNB]"Despite this, the offer was tempting but it came too last-minute. The final day of the transfer window gave us no time to replace him.[LNB]"I was with the manager Dave Jones in London as the calls came in and we each agreed, as did the board, that it was wrong to sell at that point.[LNB]"Since that day, I tried to interest Ledley in signing a new deal and numerous different offers were put to him through his agent.[LNB]"Far from keeping a distance from him, I regularly saw him at the training ground and on match days. Every time I raised the question with him, he said, 'Talk to my agent'. I did.[LNB]"I even took Ledley into my office at the training ground last season for a private chat and asked him if he would sign a new deal. Again he said, 'Talk to my agent'.[LNB]"There are two specifics of what he has said that I wish to highlight. I was asked at a supporters' club meeting last autumn about his performances which at the time, in my opinion, weren't up to his usual high standard. I made a comment, which was my personal view, but I wish it had not been made public. I did pull him to one side shortly afterwards and apologised.[LNB]"On the second comment that I supposedly said, that his agent was in Canada. I think that if Ledley checks the facts, it was Dave Jones who said that.[LNB]"I have no problem with any player seeing out their contract and moving on; that is their right.[LNB]"In doing so, however, they should then have the ability to stand up and say why they have made that decision.[LNB]"He had made it clear for some time that if Cardiff didn't get promoted he would move on. He has done so.[LNB]"Trying then to blame me is a sad end to a great career at Cardiff."
