City's millionaire ex-chairman who sold his shares to help the currently highly successful Thai regime at Eastlands take-over had been courted by Preston North End.
The ambitious Championship side managed by ex-Blue Paul Simpson, which narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season, is looking for investment and overtures were made to Wardle, who lives in North Manchester and has previously been financially involved with Oldham Athletic.
But Wardle, the founder of the JD sports empire was asked by ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to stay on the newly formed Blues board as vice chairman.
The duo have formed a sound working relationship and Wardle has, it is understood, rejected the hush-hush moves from Deepdale.
With London-based Shinawatra not able to be at the club every day he sees Wardle and chief executive Alistair Mackintosh as vital for continuity.
Wardle today refused to comment but a close associate told MEN Sport: "John is City through and through.
"He just couldn't imagine missing out on watching the Blues especially how brilliantly things are going this season.
"Approaches were made through intermediaries but he's declared he's happy with City." Tweet
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its about time that wardle gets some recognition for the work and money he's put into this club. without him we wouldn't be having this revolution.
NO INTEREST. IS THIS THE WORST STORY EVER MUEN???
what day is it?
Thank-you Mr Wardle. You have helped this club move onto a level that would not have been possible without your and Mr Makins generosity.
I'm glad to hear that he wants to stay. Yes, it was time for change at City last summer, but no one should forget the contribution that Wardle and Makin made to City, especially in times of real need, ie the third division days.
well done John,you made all this possible by sticking with Thaksin Shinawatra when at one time it looked as though it could fall through because of his political back ground
Thanks again
Ta very much Mr Wardle - you've done the club you clearly love as much as we do proud.
I atke my hat off to Wardle.
i) Dedicated
ii) Passionate
iii) Loyal
Without him the club could have been dead and buried. This man doesn't get the credit that he deserves, nor does he seek it.
I may end him a letter on behalf of all fans thanking him for what he has done for the club.
I know from experience that heading up an organisation can be lonely but letters offering praise can give one a much needed boost.
I may be in the minority but i thank John Wardle and David Makin for the investment they put in to City in very difficult and dark days,the both of them are blue through and through,and i will not knock either of them they put there own money in for no gain at all ,thank you JW AND DM,onwards and upwards ,on a different tack wonder if Petrov has any influence on Berbatov like to see him at city,he was not a happy chappy last night,
geordie blue-are you deluded..quote-thankyou for the generosity and money you have put in?""-is that the same money that he has had back with an amazing rate of interest...get real-i for one wanted wardle and mcintosh out and would not shed a tear if they just dissapeared.they are the old city...the bad city...and this story isnt even worth printing..obviously nothing to report on today then....
and before you berate my negative comments-how many of you were shouting "wardle out,mckintosh out" less than 6 months ago-along with "barton should stay blah blah blah"-wish frank would have blown him out!
Whoops i nearly forgot. Thanks to Giles too. OOHH AAARRRRR!!
St Helens Blue, I have heard that Wardle could have got interest elsewhere at a much better rate. I don't know what the truth is and would be interested to hear from someone who has real facts and figures. PS I'm not saying you don't.
St. Helen's Blue- Let me ask you a question, if you make a rash, unfair judgement of someone which in time is made evident, do you stick to your original wrong assumption or hold your hands up and admit you got it wrong? I didn't particularly like Wardle but I think he has actually done the club proud in his handling of the takeover! Whether this is through shrewd business measures or a bit of luck remains to be seen! Either way give the man a break, he deserves some praise for what he's done!
Mr Spencer, why do you feel the need to add the word 'currently' in front of 'successful'. Is there something you know that we don't? Or is it wishful thinking that it might not last? I have never subscribed to the MUEN theory but I am beginning to wonder.
"Hush hush?"This was talked about weeks ago....???
Agree with most comments re Wardle and Makin but Macintosh walks round like he's mates with the cock of the school these days...
St Helens Blue............what a misguided person you are. Our beloved club would not have existed these past 5 years but for Wardle & Makin and their financial support. We could very easily be where Leeds United are or worse than that........GONE. I sold my small shareholding to Thaksin and took a 40p per share loss, I understand Wardle & Makin took at least a £1 per share loss so I think you should reconsider on your comments! I said you are misguided I think on reflection I am being too kind to you.
St Helens blue
he could have taken his money from Ray ranson and ran away with god knows who as the manager. at least you should be thanking him for what he did during the takeover. we would be dead and buried now without his money so why not make a few quid from the sale of his shares. it is business after all. many thanks JW.
city onwards and upwards.
What's all this doffing of caps? Short memories some of you, the crowds are only just returning after the last two years of hell, we've been very LUCKY.
Giles - be warned, if you DO send him a letter he will ignore it. I wrote in January a long passioned letter about season ticket pricing amongst other things, and i didn't get even a one line reply. Isn't it against the clubs charter to ignore letters?
Peter Swales's hair do was quite magnificent in my opinion.
Once more, it`s good to see intelligence and acumen being applied at City. Mr Shinawatra has been very shrewd in appointing John wardle as vice-chairman and it must surely contribute to the stability and efficient running of the club.
In all the disappointment, frustration and bitterness of last season, I still think nobody should blame John Wardle. Remember, Pearce was the fan`s choice as manager. It`s good to have a dedicated City fan in Wardle`s position.
And one more thing...anyone with money can make it work a lot better in other branches of commerce than football clubs. People who invest in football usually do so mainly because of passion for the game, otherwise they could put their money elsewhere and make a lot more profit.
blueyblue, oop north
I wrote to City when Peter Reid and 2 or 3 others had a go at the wheel, regarding talented Brazilians and never heard a word either. They had every right to think me a buffoon Blue nutjob. Bit of courtesy goes a long way though, dunnit?
It was 10 million quid that Mr Wardle and David Makin lost as part of the deal. That money was used to invest in people like Anelka in the early days. The guys deserve a lot of credit.
When we were relegated at Stoke Makin and Wardle were the only two who put their hands in their pockets to fund our club.But for them we would still be watching lower league football along with the leeds and others.I for one wish to say thanks!