Preston North End issue a statement amid a screenshot of a WhatsApp message alleged to come from Peter Ridsdale’s phone this week.
On Monday, Preston denied that any supporters, as a result of post on a fans’ forum regarding talk of Ben Whiteman and interest from Watford, had had their ticket for the game revoked, something the Lancashire Post claim that is not to be the case.
There were rumours online that direct contact had been made with director Peter Ridsdale, who was then said to have cancel their ticket for the upcoming FA Cup fourth round clash with Tottenham.
— Keatz (@KeatonFisher19) January 16, 2023
The club have denied the allegations, issuing a statement which read: “The club has been made aware of a WhatsApp message which is in the public domain and purports to come from Peter Ridsdale’s phone.
“As Peter Ridsdale did not send any such message today this matter is now being put into the hands of the police.”
Talk consists of Ben Whiteman’s future at Preston and that Watford had been set to make an offer to sign the 26 year old midfielder.
One user from a fans’ forum posted claims about him potentially signing, before posting again to say that they had their ticket for next week’s game taken away from them.
The Lancashire Post reached out to the Deepdale outfit for comment and the club have insisted that no supporters have been banned from the game despite rumours and social media activity on it.
They add no contact has been made directly with director Peter Ridsdale, who was said to have revoked the fan’s ticket for the game.
And to ‘nip it in the bud’, there is also no contact made for Whiteman, who has played every game (available for) whilst Ryan Lowe has been in charge.
Ben is unfortunately out with a muscular injury, not playing any of their last two games, however Lowe is hopeful Whiteman can be back playing this week, and might get a chance when his side face Birmingham in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Preston currently sit 13th in the second tier, with 37 points from 27 games played.
Here’s the fan reaction as Preston issue a statement amid a WhatsApp message alleged to come from Peter Ridsdale’s phone…
@Original_Moldo: This feels unnecessary. Airing our dirty laundry in public! It’s a ridiculous distraction from what feels like a car crash of a week! #pnefc
@Mick_Porter: Sweet Jesus. Are you actively trying to alienate your fanbase now? It’s beyond belief. Absolute utter shambles of a club at the minute.
@YoungJo24137950: Where are we going with this nonsense?
@danmichthomas: We’re so embarrassing as a club. First, Saturday’s performance. Now this. Joke.
@dillonmillward3: Peter ridsdale hacked WhatsApp whites
@Peter_Carr_: After over 50 years supporting this club I’m at the end of my tether…that’s me done. £30 for Spurs it’s BBC for me, renew season ticket? Doubtful. Watched some great players over the years but enough is enough xx
@Conpne03: We are such a mess. Absolutely embarrassing
@dezpne: #HemmingsOut #RidsdaleOut
@prestonmike: the fan/club relationship is at an all time low, whether Ridsdale has sent the message or the fan has made it up, something has to change
@Infoball2: Even if it’s found out that Peter didn’t send that message surely his position is now untenable?
@Lilywhite_DadL The fact the club are having to release this is a joke. Ridsdale haters will say is him, and it could be BUT if its not, some fans are being clowns and trying to discredit the club and making us look a laughing stock. #pnefc
@joshtt2: Doesn’t change the fact that he shouldn’t be anywhere near the football club though. (in my opinion – please don’t sue me Peter 🙄)
@Craig_Haz: PNE have some odd fans
@theGentryPNE: Problem here is PR is putting this message out on @pnefc twitter. It’s a channel about the football club; addressing it on here is embarrassing. His choice to post, that’s not the decision of anyone else at the club. He can’t do anything right. Truly embarrassing. #pnefc
@philltea: All those helmets that believed it. 😂😂
@adamjbriggs: Joke of a club! Sell up Hemmings and get rid of Ridsdale too
@WilliamBeesle18: Need more answers @pnefc
@paul_tracey8: Getting very ugly this 😞 surely someone at board level can read the room and know what the right thing to do is!
@pj895: Gets better and better. What a joke of a club
@Connor52921624: Hahahah what is going on
@gingerdowie: Key word in this statement is the use of the word ‘today’ it implies he may have sent it another day or time??
@MajorSudell: Embarrassing. Who’s telling the social media team to put this together at 9.30pm? We’re more tin bloody foil than tin pot at this stage. Get that tax dodging, club sinking fraudster out of the club for good.
@KEITHpne1: Some of our fans will stop at nothing to stir shit is it any wonder the club don’t like talking to the fan base .but also something has to be done at boardroom level.all this when focus should be on recruitment. Embarrassing
@CarysforthJack: P Riddy to have an interview with Piers Morgan by tomorrow just to finish off the club once and for all wouldn’t surprise me at this point 🫠 #pnefc
@dom_33: Clubs rotten to the core. Tinpot
@Budgierustler34: This is not a good look for the club, or the fans. Get it sorted in private and move on, quickly. It”s Birmingham we should be concentrating on not another Whatsappgate
@adamepne: This is more entertaining than what we watch on a weekly basis
@philltea: Hope someone gets arrested for it. Then the club have every right to ban them.
@thejdtucker: you just think things can’t get anymore embarrassing and then stuff like this happens…
@IanCookson72: Death by a thousand cuts. Managerial merry go round, slow decline of first team squad, tired stadium, poor matchday experience, and now this. I’ve been a north End fan a long time but rarely have I felt so gloomy. #pnefc
@dballpne: The fact our football clubs official account is tweeting about whats app messages? Embarrassing. Please stop. #pnefc
@James_Nelson20: Class, when’s the club going on Jeremy Kyle?
@Pneawaydays: Peter we know this you and your making the club look like a laughing stock! Absolutely pathetic from you Peter!
— Jonny Nelson (@fulljonnynelson) January 16, 2023
Only one person behind this I reckon pic.twitter.com/qbuZGNlF60
— James (@JamesBrightling) January 16, 2023
— max_burrow (@maxburrow_) January 16, 2023
— Matthew Thomas (@mthomas_27) January 16, 2023
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