Sporting Life 19/8/06
BOARDROOM DRAMA AT ELLAND ROAD
Cardiff manager Dave Jones claimed former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale was thrown out of the boardroom after the Bluebirds' 1-0 win at Elland Road.
Ridsdale was making only his second return to the Yorkshire club where his spell as chairman ended in financial meltdown.
He saw his current club triumph thanks to Willo Flood's goal but was allegedly asked to leave just minutes after the final whistle for apparently cheering a replay of the winning goal.
"It's been a great afternoon," said Jones. "I enjoyed the win and enjoyed our vice-chairman being thrown out of the boardroom."
But Leeds chairman Ken Bates hit back. He said: "It's a pack of lies but I'm sure he (Ridsdale) needs the attention."
Flood had snatched the points for Cardiff to silence a half-empty Elland Road as Leeds were booed off the field at full-time.
And a jubilant Jones was left predicting a bright future for the Welsh club, who are now joint top of the table. He believes their early-season achievements point towards a promising campaign.
"We played very well and thoroughly deserved the victory," said former Wolves boss Jones.
"It's not a bad start but there's a long way to go.
"If the players are prepared to listen and learn then it bears well for the future of the football club."
Cardiff spent much of the afternoon coping admirably as Leeds tried to control possession but Kevin Blackwell's misfiring attack were thwarted again.
Leeds have now failed to score in open play in three of their opening four Championship matches, a worrying trend for Blackwell's side after a lack of goals cost them dearly last season.
It took the hosts until the 43rd minute before they created a real chance, when Matthew Kilgallon, Shaun Derry and Eirik Bakke all saw their close-range efforts blocked in a goalmouth scramble.
And it was a similar story at the other end, with long-range shots from Michael Chopra and Stephen McPhail - making his first return to Elland Road since leaving in 2004 - causing little alarm for Leeds keeper Tony Warner.
Flood's strike came after a blistering break in the 84th minute from Michael Chopra but there was more controversy to follow when Darren Purse was sent off in injury-time after an altercation with David Healy.
"He (Purse) says he got Healy by the throat and pushed him away," said Jones. "You can't do that. It will be his loss. It just takes the gloss off a great victory."
Blackwell was left to reflect on a disappointing start that sees his side languishing in mid-table and looking a long way from the promotion charge they were anticipating after losing last season's play-off final.
"At the moment things aren't dropping for us," he said. "We had all the best chances in the game and dominated for long spells. But that's life, isn't it?"
In truth Leeds, watched by a disappointing crowd of 18,246, rarely threatened and Blackwell will be under increasing pressure to turn around a poor points haul.
BOARDROOM DRAMA AT ELLAND ROAD
Cardiff manager Dave Jones claimed former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale was thrown out of the boardroom after the Bluebirds' 1-0 win at Elland Road.
Ridsdale was making only his second return to the Yorkshire club where his spell as chairman ended in financial meltdown.
He saw his current club triumph thanks to Willo Flood's goal but was allegedly asked to leave just minutes after the final whistle for apparently cheering a replay of the winning goal.
"It's been a great afternoon," said Jones. "I enjoyed the win and enjoyed our vice-chairman being thrown out of the boardroom."
But Leeds chairman Ken Bates hit back. He said: "It's a pack of lies but I'm sure he (Ridsdale) needs the attention."
Flood had snatched the points for Cardiff to silence a half-empty Elland Road as Leeds were booed off the field at full-time.
And a jubilant Jones was left predicting a bright future for the Welsh club, who are now joint top of the table. He believes their early-season achievements point towards a promising campaign.
"We played very well and thoroughly deserved the victory," said former Wolves boss Jones.
"It's not a bad start but there's a long way to go.
"If the players are prepared to listen and learn then it bears well for the future of the football club."
Cardiff spent much of the afternoon coping admirably as Leeds tried to control possession but Kevin Blackwell's misfiring attack were thwarted again.
Leeds have now failed to score in open play in three of their opening four Championship matches, a worrying trend for Blackwell's side after a lack of goals cost them dearly last season.
It took the hosts until the 43rd minute before they created a real chance, when Matthew Kilgallon, Shaun Derry and Eirik Bakke all saw their close-range efforts blocked in a goalmouth scramble.
And it was a similar story at the other end, with long-range shots from Michael Chopra and Stephen McPhail - making his first return to Elland Road since leaving in 2004 - causing little alarm for Leeds keeper Tony Warner.
Flood's strike came after a blistering break in the 84th minute from Michael Chopra but there was more controversy to follow when Darren Purse was sent off in injury-time after an altercation with David Healy.
"He (Purse) says he got Healy by the throat and pushed him away," said Jones. "You can't do that. It will be his loss. It just takes the gloss off a great victory."
Blackwell was left to reflect on a disappointing start that sees his side languishing in mid-table and looking a long way from the promotion charge they were anticipating after losing last season's play-off final.
"At the moment things aren't dropping for us," he said. "We had all the best chances in the game and dominated for long spells. But that's life, isn't it?"
In truth Leeds, watched by a disappointing crowd of 18,246, rarely threatened and Blackwell will be under increasing pressure to turn around a poor points haul.