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United We Fall
"United We Fall" is the unique story of life inside football, told from behind the scenes of one of Britain's most legendary clubs - Leeds United. It is also the true story of the childhood fan who became chairman of his Premiership team.
Peter Ridsdale, one of the game's most controversial and colourful figures, oversaw the most dramatic and talked-about period in Leeds United's history. In this compelling account, he writes about how the dream spectacularly unravelled when the club went into financial meltdown. It is a fall from grace which speaks volumes for the politicking, pressures, successes and failures within the professional game today.
This book is like reading the confidential files of a Premiership football chairman, detailing the characters, the prima donnas, the fall-outs, the outrageous transfer demands, and the secret deals. Then there is the Leeds United trial, a near-death plane crash, and the fatal riots from Galatasaray - and the tale of how one chairman fought to keep a club together throughout it all.
Peter Ridsdale, one of the game's most controversial and colourful figures, oversaw the most dramatic and talked-about period in Leeds United's history. In this compelling account, he writes about how the dream spectacularly unravelled when the club went into financial meltdown. It is a fall from grace which speaks volumes for the politicking, pressures, successes and failures within the professional game today.
This book is like reading the confidential files of a Premiership football chairman, detailing the characters, the prima donnas, the fall-outs, the outrageous transfer demands, and the secret deals. Then there is the Leeds United trial, a near-death plane crash, and the fatal riots from Galatasaray - and the tale of how one chairman fought to keep a club together throughout it all.
308 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2008
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 21, 2020
Peter Ridsdale is the ex Leeds United chairman who fans believe led to the club’s financial ruin, which shortly after caused them to be relegated into the Championship. Ridsdale had left the club when Leeds were still in the Premier League, but fan’s hate had risen to the point where he was forced to resign.
It covers a fair bit of content found in the ex Leeds United manager’s book; David O’Leary “Leeds United On Trial”. At their high point, Leeds United were a top 5 team, qualifying for Europe, and even reached the final rounds of the Champions League at their peak.
The court case involving star players Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate was a massive distraction, although Bowyer’s performances were somehow maintained through the ordeal. Another distraction was the fatal stabbings of two Leeds fans in their trip to Istanbul.
Ridsdale actually strongly blames the release of David O’Leary’s book for the fall, as form dipped massively at this time, which saw them tumbling out of the cups and falling out of the European Qualification spots in the league. This massive loss of revenue caused a few players to be sold. O’Leary demanded more investment which was the opposite of what the board planned; so O’Leary was sacked.
The selling of players continued over the seasons, but Ridsdale argues that only a few players with high value needed to be sold to gain cash flow, and cut the wage bill. They would still have debts; but they would be manageable. Leeds United still had a strong squad, and with the right results, they could be back in Europe.
Ridsdale identified Martin O’Neill as the manager to lead the revival, but after a failed attempt. Terry Venables was employed. He was mediocre and the financial woes continued. There was still a chance of O’Neill and he agreed to join at the end of the season. However, Ridsdale didn’t last that long due to fan protests, and so he stepped down and the O’Neill deal fell through, leading to a permanent appointment of Peter Reid who was disastrous.
Risdale went on to achieve success with Barnsley and Cardiff who seemed to approach Ridsdale for his financial advice.
I liked reminiscing about the good old days; this era was when I was most interested in football. It’s hard to know if Risdale’s account is the truth - he obviously aims to try and regain some respect from the fans. Even though he ultimately was in charge, there are still board members and manager’s making decisions, and it even seemed O’Leary acted outside his bounds. O’Leary’s dealing with agents sounds very illegal and led to million’s being wasted by the club. Ironically it was Ridsdale that was investigated for corruption.
I never fully placed the blame at Ridsdale, but he was essentially the face of the club and an easy scape-goat for everyone else involved. We can only imagine what could have happened if he had stayed; maybe he could have “steadied the ship” with O’Neill and more prudent spending. Afterall, he caused an upturn in fortunes at the other clubs he worked with.
It covers a fair bit of content found in the ex Leeds United manager’s book; David O’Leary “Leeds United On Trial”. At their high point, Leeds United were a top 5 team, qualifying for Europe, and even reached the final rounds of the Champions League at their peak.
The court case involving star players Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate was a massive distraction, although Bowyer’s performances were somehow maintained through the ordeal. Another distraction was the fatal stabbings of two Leeds fans in their trip to Istanbul.
Ridsdale actually strongly blames the release of David O’Leary’s book for the fall, as form dipped massively at this time, which saw them tumbling out of the cups and falling out of the European Qualification spots in the league. This massive loss of revenue caused a few players to be sold. O’Leary demanded more investment which was the opposite of what the board planned; so O’Leary was sacked.
The selling of players continued over the seasons, but Ridsdale argues that only a few players with high value needed to be sold to gain cash flow, and cut the wage bill. They would still have debts; but they would be manageable. Leeds United still had a strong squad, and with the right results, they could be back in Europe.
Ridsdale identified Martin O’Neill as the manager to lead the revival, but after a failed attempt. Terry Venables was employed. He was mediocre and the financial woes continued. There was still a chance of O’Neill and he agreed to join at the end of the season. However, Ridsdale didn’t last that long due to fan protests, and so he stepped down and the O’Neill deal fell through, leading to a permanent appointment of Peter Reid who was disastrous.
Risdale went on to achieve success with Barnsley and Cardiff who seemed to approach Ridsdale for his financial advice.
I liked reminiscing about the good old days; this era was when I was most interested in football. It’s hard to know if Risdale’s account is the truth - he obviously aims to try and regain some respect from the fans. Even though he ultimately was in charge, there are still board members and manager’s making decisions, and it even seemed O’Leary acted outside his bounds. O’Leary’s dealing with agents sounds very illegal and led to million’s being wasted by the club. Ironically it was Ridsdale that was investigated for corruption.
I never fully placed the blame at Ridsdale, but he was essentially the face of the club and an easy scape-goat for everyone else involved. We can only imagine what could have happened if he had stayed; maybe he could have “steadied the ship” with O’Neill and more prudent spending. Afterall, he caused an upturn in fortunes at the other clubs he worked with.
March 6, 2019
I wish this book was fiction :s
September 14, 2016
An interesting read about the guy who "destroyed" my club! As a fan who lived the dream along with everyone else, this book relives those highs and the lows that followed. A pretty honest read, Ridsdale reveals the behind the scenes fall out that saw Leeds United go from being one of the top teams in the country, riding high in the Champions League, to a first division unrecognisable team, falling into administration. Starting this book I did wonder if Ridsdale would take responsibility for the downfall and in part he does, his naivety comes across in the book as he opens up about the player deals, the battle with the manager, and the conflicts on the board....but I am left a little frustrated at his lack of understanding that we the fans and club felt and still feel the repercussions of those decisions and choices he and the board made. With the club in free fall it is impossible to draw a line in mid air and say I was no longer part of the club at this point so it is nothing to do with me, the free fall is already underway. I never blamed Peter Ridsdale alone for the mistakes made, and this book confirms that in my mind, but as "Publicity Pete" he was the face of those decisions and as we currently languish near the bottom of the Championship at the start of the 2016/2017 season with no signs of a rise to the Leeds of old coming anytime soon, it does leave you asking, what is all worth it?
August 25, 2008
For Leeds fans: very good read.
It's a shame that some of the topics answered are now actually distant memories, if only the book could have been released earlier.
I think he's being honest, some things make sense now that didn't back then. Makes you wonder about David O'Leary. Glad this was all published
It's a shame that some of the topics answered are now actually distant memories, if only the book could have been released earlier.
I think he's being honest, some things make sense now that didn't back then. Makes you wonder about David O'Leary. Glad this was all published
August 26, 2012
A very interesting account of the Peter Ridsdale era at Leeds United Football Club. Although not essential, it is worth reading this book alongside former Leeds United manager David O'Leary's book "Leeds United: A Season On Trial" as Mr. Ridsdale often refers to Mr O'Leary and his book in order to compare and contrast accounts of this period in Leeds United FC's history.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews