Preston North End chief Peter Ridsdale slams "selfish and arrogant" self-appointed Big SIx 'elite' clubs

The Lilywhites issued a strongly-worded statement on the subject yesterday, highlighting their concerns at the project which involves six English clubs together with sides from Italy and Spain.

Ridsdale, representative to PNE owner Trevor Hemmings, aired his thoughts further in an interview with the Lancashire Post.

“The only thing football should be built on is winning and losing matches,” said Ridsdale.

“To have this European Super League based on invite and supposed being an elite club is just wrong.

“The plans are arrogant and selfish, we need the football authorities and the Government to stand firm.

“What right have these clubs got to effectively have a closed shop?

“Things change in football, history shows that the status of clubs change over time.

“Manchester United won the title in 1967 but then didn’t win it again until 1993.

“Tottenham haven’t won the title since 1961.

“Manchester City before Sheikh Mansour weren’t considered an elite club.

“Chelsea’s title win in 2005 was their first since 1955.

“The other Premier League teams are rightly going to be angry about this.

“Look at Everton with plans to build a new stadium, and give things a go, why should they look across Stanley Park and see Liverpool being guaranteed European football every season?

“At the start of every season, it doesn’t matter what division you are in, you are selling the hope of getting promotion. That can’t happen in a closed shop, which this plan is.”

On the pitch, PNE host Derby at Deepdale tonight (7pm), with Frankie McAvoy looking to take his side through the 50-point barrier.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Stoke edged them on to 49 points and going beyond the half-century should ensure Championship safety.

It is one win, two draws and one defeat for North End under McAvoy, but only two goals have been scored.

That is an aspect of their game the interim head coach is looking for a major improvement in.

McAvoy said: “I got told a stat on Sunday that we have created more chances in the last four games than we did in the previous nine.

“We need to turn those chances into goals. The more we can score, the more chance we have of winning games.

“It’s something we are working hard to do.”

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