Ridsdale to keep helping Argyle

Last updated : 08 February 2011 By BBC Sport

Peter Ridsdale will continue to search for a buyer for Plymouth Argyle even after he leaves the club following Wednesday's date at the High Court.Ridsdale has been acting as financial advisor for the Pilgrims, who face a winding-up petition from HM Revenue & Customs over an unpaid tax bill.

He told BBC Spotlight: "After court I'm off into the sunset, but I will still be looking for a solution.

"I will still be helping the club, but not on a daily basis."

The club's board have announced the tax debt of ?760,000 to HMRC has been paid and they expect the winding-up petition to be dismissed on Wednesday.

However, Ridsdale has said that more money is needed to keep the League One side afloat, specifically from Japanese-based directors Yasuaki Kagami and George Synan.

"I came to try and assist Argyle, having been given clear assurances of investment from the Far East," he told BBC Spotlight last Tuesday.

Argyle fans appeal to Japanese directors

"I then made it clear that I could not stay if that money (?2m) had not arrived because I didn't see how we could complete the task.

"We have sold players, but we need money from the Far East and not a penny has been forthcoming."

Plymouth Argyle have struggled financially for several years, one of the first signs of trouble being the publication of a ?2.8m loss for the financial year 2008-09.

Cash-flow remains a major issue at Home Park where the players are still waiting to receive their January wage packets, having also been paid late in November and December.

The club's next tax bill is due to be paid on 22 February.

On the pitch, Plymouth sit 18th in League One, three places above the relegation zone.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport