Aldridge Remains Upbeat

[Daggers]

Aldridge Remains Upbeat

Posted on: Tue 06 May 2008

Chief Executive Paul Aldridge is convinced that the good times can return to Leicester City.

The Foxes were relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time in their 124-year history on Sunday when they drew 0-0 at promoted Stoke City, while Southampton defeated Sheffield United 3-2 at St Mary's.

City are now facing up to life in League One but Aldridge, who was appointed CEO by Chairman Milan Mandaric back in late January, is confident that the club can bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

He said: "Understandably, everyone connected with the club is desperately disappointed at this moment in time but the sad facts of the matter are that the league table doesn't lie.

"Despite the huge investment by Milan on the playing front, we have simply not been consistently good enough over the last nine months.

"Milan is bitterly disappointed and feels for each and every supporter of the club. Of course, this was not the plan he had in mind for the club when he took charge just over a year ago.

"But he will be back in the country later this week and is determined to come back fighting and help this club bounce back.

"He is a winner, not a quitter, and I will support him in every way I can.

"We will now quickly reflect on our position and then get fully focused on the important job of initially returning to the Championship and our long term objective of regaining our Premier League status.

"I have already arranged a meeting with Ian and his senior staff to review the mistakes that have been made this season and consider any changes that need to be made to ensure a quick return to the second tier of the game."

Aldridge spent over 10 years at West Ham United - seven of those as Managing Director - and has a wealth of Premier League and Championship experience under his belt.

As a result, he is no stranger to the sort of predicament the Foxes currently find themselves in.

He added: "I have been in this position before and hopefully the club can benefit from my experience within the game.

"I was the MD of West Ham during the 2002/03 season when we were relegated from the Premier League with the highest ever points total, and like now, it seemed like the end of the world.

"We worked extremely hard and returned to the top-flight two seasons later through the Play-Offs in a much stronger position.

"In that first season we finished seventh in the league, reached the FA Cup Final and qualified for Europe.

"During that period we also addressed our huge debt following ground redevelopment and turned in the best operating profits in the club's history.

"I say this only to give our fans the encouragement to stay positive. Unlike most businesses, the football industry can turn quickly and we are determined to bring success back to Leicester City."

Aldridge has therefore urged the fans to stick by their beloved club and continue to demonstrate that unprecedented level of support.

"We have the fundamentals required to become a top club - a great fan-base and an impressive infrastructure whilst our Academy set-up is one of the best in the country and will continue to prove to be vital.

"I would ask that you play your part in our revival; your continued loyalty is crucial from both a financial and team support perspective.

"The proof of how strong a relationship really is is always tested to the maximum during times of adversity.

"Milan has already reiterated his commitment to the club and despite your obvious disappointment, I just hope you do not desert him after he has devoted so much time, money and personal sacrifice in such a short period of time."

[LeeCovFox]

"Milan has already reiterated his commitment to the club and despite your obvious disappointment, I just hope you do not desert him after he has devoted so much time, money and personal sacrifice in such a short period of time."

He only made these 'sacrifices' because he thought he would end up being bloody well renumerated for his troubles. Please do not talk about Mandaric as though he were the club itself.

[teblin]

We have to forget about relegation, its gone get on with getting out firs time.

Its not going to be easy we won't walk it, but we have to set out our stall to go up as champions,.

[Lets Be having You]

I Just hope he stays and sorts this mess out,cause if he goes this Club will be in Big Big Trouble

[LeeCovFox]

I agree. I'm hoping that any changes that are made to the management team are made before this weekend, with a replacement confirmed by the following week. Presumably that man will be Dowie, who I am not against. But neither am I against Holloway staying, even as angry as I do feel right now at everybody involved with the club. Whatever happens, we need to be getting behind whoever is there, and support the club's efforts next season, because one thing that is certain is that we really cannot afford to stay in this league for too long.

Just as an aside, is the fact that Aldridge and not Mandaric has set up a meeting with Holloway et al a sign that he will not be chairman next season, and is going to take more of a backseat role? (Yes I know he is away but surely he could still have arranged it himself?) Maybe, just maybe, he has realised that his interference has played a big part in all of this.

[Daggers]

I Just hope stays and sorts this mess out,cause if he goes this Club will be in Big Big Trouble

Seems pretty clear-cut to me...

"But he will be back in the country later this week and is determined to come back fighting and help this club bounce back.

"He is a winner, not a quitter, and I will support him in every way I can.

"We will now quickly reflect on our position and then get fully focused on the important job of initially returning to the Championship and our long term objective of regaining our Premier League status.

I hope this draws a line under the 'I can't believe he is leaving us' bullshit that's been flying around for 48 hours.

[Master Fox]

Look at Bristol City. It can be done. All this negativity needs to be laid to rest. We’re down and it sucks, but let’s move on from it. We can really use this as an opportunity to start afresh, this club forgot what it felt like to win. We've got a huge advantage over any other club in that league. Let's not fcuk it up this time.

[Dr The Singh]

Look at Bristol City. It can be done. All this negativity needs to be laid to rest. We’re down and it sucks, but let’s move on from it. We can really use this as an opportunity to start afresh, this club forgot what it felt like to win. We've got a huge advantage over any other club in that league. Let's not fcuk it up this time.

I want that bird in the shower, she's fit!!

I like your optimism, MF, id dunno whether to take it seriously though!!!

[Master Fox]

I want that bird in the shower, she's fit!!

I like your optimism, MF, id dunno whether to take it seriously though!!!

No, i'm actually being serious for a change. It won't last though.

[Dr The Singh]

No, i'm actually being serious for a change. It won't last though.

You still drunk from the weekend MF????

All I see is doom and gloom, at the mo, i've never been so embarassed to be a city fan!!!

[Master Fox]

You still drunk from the weekend MF????

All I see is doom and gloom, at the mo, i've never been so embarassed to be a city fan!!!

I think everyone needs to be more positive to make this work.

In a strange way I don't care about the relegation, because I couldn't stand another season in the Championship scrapping away down at the bottom like we have for the last four years. It’s just been a long drawn out process of denial and utter failure, with people teetering on the slight hope that 'one day' we'll sort it out. Everything the club have tried since relegation from the premiership has failed.

If a season or two in League 1 is what it takes to build a team we can have some kind of affinity with, rather a load of incompetent useless over-paid goon headed cretins, than so be it. These last four years have been a complete joke, and a damn sight more of an embarrassment than the inevitable relegation.

[Daggers]

I think everyone needs to be more positive to make this work.

Couldn't agree more.

Irrespective of manager and players - we need to be roaring this lot on from the outset of the season - no booing, no shouting at players. If anyone can't raise themselves up to being positive and working together for promotion ought to stay the **** at home or piss off to B&Q.

[Ric Flair]

I think everyone needs to be more positive to make this work.

In a strange way I don't care about the relegation, because I couldn't stand another season in the Championship scrapping away down at the bottom like we have for the last four years. It’s just been a long drawn out process of denial and utter failure, with people teetering on the slight hope that 'one day' we'll sort it out. Everything the club have tried since relegation from the premiership has failed.

If a season or two in League 1 is what it takes to build a team we can have some kind of affinity with, rather a load of incompetent useless over-paid goon headed cretins, than so be it. These last four years have been a complete joke, and a damn sight more of an embarrassment than the inevitable relegation.

My feelings exactly.

[The People's Hero]

I heard a Tin Tin Out song on the radio yesterday for the first time in YEARS!

[Dr The Singh]

I think everyone needs to be more positive to make this work.

In a strange way I don't care about the relegation, because I couldn't stand another season in the Championship scrapping away down at the bottom like we have for the last four years. It’s just been a long drawn out process of denial and utter failure, with people teetering on the slight hope that 'one day' we'll sort it out. Everything the club have tried since relegation from the premiership has failed.

If a season or two in League 1 is what it takes to build a team we can have some kind of affinity with, rather a load of incompetent useless over-paid goon headed cretins, than so be it. These last four years have been a complete joke, and a damn sight more of an embarrassment than the inevitable relegation.

I think we all would like that but weve seen how difficult it is to progress, sometimes having 'money to spend' and 'being a big club' is not the best thing. With all the previous poor managers and poor signings, it's difficult to see!!!

[Mort]

If Milian were to go then he shouldn’t be making any decisions about either the playing or coaching staff, that for a new chairman/owner/board to decide on…

…then again he’s not going (and a very good thing too because frankly I haven’t got a clue who’d be able to provide comparable investment for the club and we’ll really need it next season).

So as things stand I just hope he takes his time and thinks long and hard about selling players/assets and sacking managers – spur of the moment decisions wont help us and we need to approach the new season with a level head and say what you like but Holloway does know the division we’re heading into and has a great track record there… then again Dowie also boasts a very strong pedigree as a manager in that division, but are the advantages of appointing a Dowie, Newell or even Davies outweighed by the extra instability and uncertainty it might create?

[Scow]

"Milan has already reiterated his commitment to the club and despite your obvious disappointment, I just hope you do not desert him after he has devoted so much time, money and personal sacrifice in such a short period of time."

Desert him? He's not the football club, egotistical twat.

[Daggers]

Desert him? He's not the football club, egotistical twat.

I don't think that's what he meant.

I think it's a reference to people turning on Mandaric rather than not coming because of him.

That's my take anyway.

[Scow]

I don't think that's what he meant.

I think it's a reference to people turning on Mandaric rather than not coming because of him.

That's my take anyway.

You're right.

He's still an egotistical twat though.

[Daggers]

You're right.

He's still an egotistical twat though.

[Guest]

I'm sorry, but being relegated from the Premiership is not the same as being relegated from the Championship. Not in the slightest. I don't give a flying fcuk what he did at West Ham, or what contacts he has or hasn't got. No-one is going to be beating down the door to join us, not unless he sees an easy life.

And no, the day after relegation was not a relief or a weight off my shoulder. The bloke has no concept at all.

[act smiley]

Come on, what he's saying doesn't matter at all, he's just reading a script in the hope that it'll calm people down a bit - the man is a businessman, and a very effective one from Milan's point of view - at West Ham he did a good job in bringing in some top internationals and maximised matchday revenue (ie. bled the fans for all they were worth).

[Guest]

Come on, what he's saying doesn't matter at all, he's just reading a script in the hope that it'll calm people down a bit - the man is a businessman, and a very effective one from Milan's point of view - at West Ham he did a good job in bringing in some top internationals and maximised matchday revenue (ie. bled the fans for all they were worth).

Don't get me started.....