Saturday, November 28, 2009

Publicity Pete's not talking to the South Wales Echo - how will he cope?


Peter Ridsdale not wanting to talk to the media is like an alcoholic saying he doesn't want a drink.


However it seems that our Pete is not a happy bunny just because local rag and the main club reporting organ in the region - The South Wales Echo - had the temerity to break news that the club were in court this week fighting a winding up order over an unpaid tax bill. Apparently, it Ridsdale's words, they are "despicable".

And why? Because they didn't ask him first!
Aww, bless.

(Pic - yes the toys are out of the pram!)

Some fans side with the club - and bring out all their long held grudges about the standard of local and investigative reporting and perceived negative reporting - others are 100% behind the media as they experess their displeasure at events at a club where Ridsdale's promised transparency is as clear as Port Talbot in the fog at night.


People get far too emotive and complex at times and overlook the basic facts. The club were in court on Wednesday and won a reprieve of sorts but are left with 70 days to pay off their tax bill or face a winding up order.

Do the Echo have a right to report what is the public domain? Absolutely. Is it a concern? Of course.

Does Peter have a right to respond to breaking news? Yes he does but it doesn't have to be carried at the same time.

That should be the end of the matter but it clearly isn't going to be.



Maybe Peter is upset as he would have preferred the story to be buried or completely manipulated. After all, while being upset he wasn't consulted as the story was published, it was always in his control to tell them before the story inevitably came out, wasn't it?

I do enjoy how he spins it as though it is a positive thing and that's there's no problem at all as if getting to this stage in the first place is just fine and one of those things.



After all, he was on the Cardiff City phone in the Wednesday before last denying there were serious problems after a Burnley website first broke rumours that the club had then just survived a winding up order. Seems that wasn't so wrong or far fetched after all.


If anyone is 100% confident in Peter Ridsdale's assurances that all is well and it's nothing to worry about, they're a better man than me.


It does appear as if the Malaysians are about to ride in to save the day. Publicly and privately, I'm getting that news and exciting times may well be ahead if this is true. Sam Hammam and the faceless Langston Corporation, who have been a barrier for far too long, will have to accept a final deal fast paving the way for change.


As I said in my blog earlier this week, it does seem like an end game is at play. Problem is, it can still all go horribly wrong, this is high stakes.


One thing supporting Cardiff City have taught me is only to believe it when you see it. Right now, with good reason, I'm struggling to see anything at all.



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