Peter Ridsdale resigned as chairman of crisis club Leeds on this day in 2003.
In a statement released to the Stock Exchange, the 50-year-old announced he was standing down after five years in the post.
Ridsdale said: “After five years as chairman I have decided to step down and hand over the reins as chairman to Professor John McKenzie who has my full support.”
Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Keane, Lee Bowyer, Olivier Dacourt, Robbie Fowler and Jonathan Woodgate had all been sold off since David O’Leary’s exit the previous June.
The previous 14 months had been a turbulent time for Leeds. From topping the Premier League in January 2002, the Elland Road club experienced a decline which had rapidly increased since the turn of the year.
The good times are finally returning, though, after the club returned to the Premier League last season under Marcelo Bielsa. They currently lie 11th in the table.
