He rang 606 to speak to Littlespur and was asked "if Bowyer was at another club and you knew what you now know about him, would you buy him?" To his eternal credit he said "No!"

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001

Answers

Those who heard it will know it was a pretty dramatic phone call. Ridsdale had objected to one of Littlejohn's comments, so rang in. Littlejohn asked all the right questions and - to his credit - Ridsdale answered them honestly. Would our lot have done the same?

The latest news report:

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. 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.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001

It was a great interview. Top marks to Ridsdale. That man's got b@lls. Four of them in the back of their net ;-))

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001