No current ownership talks at Preston - Ridsdale

Preston North End have met with six potential new owners over the past year, according to chief executive Peter Ridsdale.

The Lilywhites finished 20th in the Championship this season, securing their status on the final day with a draw at Bristol City, as well as reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals.

"We're not currently talking to anybody, I've probably met half a dozen people over the past 12 months - but as we are today none are at the table," Ridsdale told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I think most are shocked by how much it takes to invest in a Championship club."

Preston have spent the past 10 seasons in the Championship and have been owned by the Hemmings family since 2010 when the late businessman Trevor Hemmings bought the club following a winding up petition by HM Revenue and Customs.

"The days when the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker locally could afford to own clubs are long gone," said Ridsdale.

"To be honest the days when millionaires could afford to own a Championship club are also long gone."

To push towards the Premier League the former Leeds chairman admitted North End will need significant outside investment.

"If we are to match the aspirations of our supporters then we need to be attracting some of the people who are buying into clubs in the Premier League or more recently Birmingham," he said.

"Outside investment of a minority stake doesn't work - if you're going to buy a club you want to make the decisions."

Peter Ridsdale was talking to BBC Radio Lancashire's Andy Bayes.