Gordon Shepherd speaks!

Last updated : 23 December 2004 By Mad Tyke

Barnsley chairman in waiting Gordon Shepherd told the Barnsley Star today: "I keep hearing about a rift at Barnsley, there has been no rift. Healthy debate yes, but no rift. The club benefactor Patrick Cryne has been supporting Barnsley and is wanting more accountability, more visible accountability."

He added:"Don't lose your faith, stick with us, we totally believe in the team and the manager."

Lawyers were at Oakwell today to oversee the transfer of Barnsley FC from Peter Ridsdale to Shepherd who will hold it in trust.

The club are understood to now require £1m over budget to see out the season and owner Patrick Cryne together with Shepherd will have to find the shortfall.

It has cost Ridsdale and director/chief executive David Walker their jobs.

The failure of the True Red Barnsley Bond scheme has been a key cause of their demise after it flopped with just over 100 supporters subscribing.

A deal has been put together to buy back the club from Ridsdale for a token sum (Ridsdale loses out on the deal) and it was hoped it would be completed today.

Once the club is transferred to Shepherd, it is understood that Ridsdale and Walker will resign as directors.

So Peter Ridsdale's stint at Oakwell is over and despite his PR skills, it looks like he's failed to keep the costs in check.