Published on Thursday 8 December 2011 08:54
Phil Brown has welcomed the swift appointment of Peter Ridsdale to the chairman’s job at Preston North End.
There were just five days between Maurice Lindsay stepping down because of illness and Ridsdale’s arrival.
Brown began his working relationship with the new chairman with a short meeting ahead of Tuesday night’s JPT defeat on penalties to Chesterfield.
Further discussions took place yesterday as Ridsdale spent his first full day in charge at Deepdale.
Said Brown: “We had a good chat at the pre-match meal and hopefully we can work well together.
“I’ve come across Peter many times before in terms of possible transfer dealings when he was chairman at Leeds and Cardiff.
“I’m pleased that the void of not having a chairman after Maurice stepped down, was only a short one.
“The leadership at a club comes from the manager, with the direction coming from the chairman and owner.
“When there is a void, you might have questions to ask but there is no one to answer them.
“Trevor Hemmings is the owner and wants to remain just that, but the chairman is someone who handles the executive decisions.
“There was no game last weekend which meant an appointment didn’t have to made then.
“But it was important to get someone in place by Tuesday night’s game.”
A topic of conversation for Brown and Ridsdale in the near future will be next month’s transfer window.
With Hemmings keen to get the budget down at Deepdale, there will almost certainly be outgoing activity in January.
And Brown has his own ideas on which areas of the squad need attention.
Ridsdale said: “Supporters look to the transfer window for new faces.
“I’ve always argued that every player at every club is up for sale, the only question is the price.
“But I also argue that if you sell players or let players go, you have to strengthen the club as a direct result by bringing people in.
“We will sit down in due course and see what is needed in January.
“I believe very much in doing that within a budget and making the club stronger.”
One player certain to attract attention in January is Iain Hume.
The Canadian striker has been sidelined for more than seven weeks with a damaged medial ligament suffered in October’s defeat at Huddersfield.
Brown is hoping that absence will end on Saturday when North End host Stevenage. He said: “Iain is an important player for us and we’re now in the eighth week without him.
“We’re all desperate to see him back on the pitch, none more so than myself and the lad himself.
“The Chesterfield game was just a step too far for him but he’s getting very close now.
“We’ve got Neil Mellor and Jamie Proctor back and hopefully Iain can play some part on Saturday.”
Well thank god for that, I was beginning to worry that Brown may walk;-)
I think Brown talks shit to be honest. He's a desparate man clinging on to his job. We need Captain Kirk bringing in. He was good at wiping out Klingons!!
Brown should try working with his players first.
Sounds like Phil knows his days are numbered.
