He moved to Hampshire in 1985 upon his return from Singapore and became a major sponsor of a number of Southampton players including Kevin Davies, Dan Petrescu and Graeme Le Saux before acquiring a 10% stake in the club from existing Director Paul Thompson, the former West Bromwich Albion Chairman in February 2006.
His first period as chairman was from 30 June 2006 to February 2007, gaining his position following pressure on Rupert Lowe to resign, the club's previouschairman of ten years.
A number of new players were brought into a depleted squad including Rudi Skacel, Kelvin Davis, Jermaine Wright, Bradley Wright-Phillips, and Iñigo Idiakez, but despite the Saints being in a play-off position in the championship under manager, George Burley, Wilde resigned, reportedly due to a lack of promised investment from outside investors.
Upon becoming chairman again, Jan Poortvliet, who represented the Netherlands in the Final of the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, was appointed head coach to work with what was a very young squad for the 2008/9 season.
Whilst showing promise the team struggled to remain consistent in the Championship, and when the club were deducted 10 points as a result of its holding company going into administration, relegation to League One became inevitable.
The company quickly expanded through the establishment of operational offices in Hong Kong, East and West Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia.
[5] Although retaining strong links to the North-West, Wilde acquired Cardington House, a landmark property in Saint Aubin, Jersey in 2006 and after an extensive refurbishment programme opened it as a luxury boutique hotel.