Premiership: ‘I would not sign Bowyer’ - Ridsdale
Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale has claimed he would not sign Lee Bowyer if the controversial midfielder was not already an Elland Road player.
Ridsdale told BBC Radio Five Live’s 606 programme that with hindsight he would not authorise manager David O’Leary to buy the player if he had been put up for sale by another club.
‘‘It is one (a question) I was asked by our manager this week and no I would not,’’ said Ridsdale.
‘‘Knowing what I know now I would not sign him.’’
Ridsdale pointed out that Bowyer had been cleared of all charges in the recent trial at Hull Crown Court and Leeds had fined Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate over breaching the club’s code of conduct - disciplinary action Bowyer had grudgingly accepted after at first rejecting it.
The Leeds chairman also said Michael Duberry had acted correctly by giving evidence in court.
‘‘Michael Duberry did exactly the right thing,’’ said Ridsdale.
‘‘That’s why the club are looking after him. Michael and Lee Bowyer have a long-term future at the club.’’
But Ridsdale has warned Bowyer and Woodgate that their futures at the club depend on their behaviour.
‘‘Lee and Jonathan Woodgate have been given final warnings,’’ added Ridsdale.
But O’Leary has backed Bowyer by stating he wants him to sign a new contract at Elland Road.
O’Leary tells tomorrow’s Sunday People: ‘‘Do I want him to stay and sign a new contract? Yes.
‘‘And if there is anything about him, he will.’’
