|
|
|
 |
Sat 5th Aug 2000 - Hammam's scecond meeting. |
| August Headlines |
Yesterday afternoon at 4:10pm , Sam Hammam phoned me. He had been asked by the News Of The World to be interviewed for a feature in tomorrows paper. Sam is keen on publicity as the more exposure his clubs can get the better. Sam decided to make it an interview and an occasion for City fans, not just one or two but as many as possible. I was asked by Sam to get some people together. I said when for, he said 7pm. 2 hours 50 mins later. Sams first idea was to hold the meeting in town but I advised against it with Friday evening trade at pubs making it difficult to get a place where the fans could come togetther. Sam then called David Temme at CCFC and Ninian Park was made available for 7pm. I called NigelBlues, Steve Day and Tony Jeffries and placed a message on the messageboard and on the mailing list. The wording was simple enough. Urgent, meeting tonight. I drove to Ninian park at 6:55pm. Hoping that at least 10 or 20 people would have turned up so it would create a good impression to Sam that we were fans that cared and would support him. I was gobsmacked to find the best part of 200 or more people there. There was a great occasion on pitchside where Sam was photographed with kids, families and fans in general. The obligatory big scarf appeared and pics of Sam in a City kit were taken. There was much chanting and singing and if Sam was in any doubt about our support then it was made plain and clear for him. The way the occasion excited him and showed him how much we do care about our was good enough for him to say that he was smitten by us and the deal was a racing certainty. After the photos came a speech from Sam where he answered questions from the floor. Controversial issues were the changes Sam had proposed but again he confirmed that if the fans did not want change it would not happen. He likened us to the Toon Army at the meeting on Thursday night, last night he claimed we were better than the Toon army. Players were mentioned, Sam will make £0.5m available immediately for team strengthening, he will budget to lose money, £0.5m per season, if they lose less than that the the difference will be put towards the playing side. If the fans turn up and fill the ground than Sam will make the ground bigger. Not with club money but with money from financial institutions that will be paid back when the bums fill the seats. All in all it was a great night. Fans who have never been anywhere else except the Bob bank had the chance to walk down the tunnel, go into the sponsors areas and meet and shake hands with a legend in football. Personally speaking I would like to thank Nigel, Tony and Steve for helping out with phone calls. I would especially like to thank all those who came in from work yesterday, clicked on the messageboard to see what was what and then rushing like hell to get to Ninian Park. Its that loyalty and support that has encourage Sam to put his money into Cardiff City. Report from TotalWales (they are
slightly incorrect by saying Sam phoned Tony J, I phoned Tony, Sam called me first.) And manager Billy Ayre has been promised £500,000 to strengthen his Bluebirds squad. Wimbledon’s former owner, who is paying £3.1m to own City, met almost 100 City fans on Wednesday night to outline his plans. Excited by the prospect of taking charge, the Lebanese tycoon checked out of his Cardiff hotel in the early hours of yesterday morning and drove to his London home. He told members of City’s supporters club he could not sleep because the imminent take-over was on his mind. At 4.30 p.m. yesterday Hammam told supporters club spokesman Tony Jefferies he wanted to meet the fans again - and the more the merrier. Word spread on the internet and by the time Hammam drove back to Cardiff and arrived at Ninian Park more than 300 were waiting to greet him. He shook many of their hands, telling them he would do all in his power to take City up through the divisions. The smiling football fanatic was happy to be photographed with groups of younger Cardiff City supporters and waving the official Bluebirds scarf. After walking around the pitch, he addressed the fans in the John Charles suite, answering their questions. He said he was totally committed to buying the club and was keen to improve the youth structure and scouting system to unearth talent for the future. “Everyone was so taken by Sam’s enthusiasm for the club. He is such a charismatic character,” said Jefferies. “If he can attract more than 300 fans in only 2 1/2 hours, imagine the interest he is going to create over the next 2 1/2 years. “My advice is to buy season tickets while they are still available because there probably won’t be any left by the start of the season. Hammam was with lawyers in London yesterday trying to push through his £3.1m City takeover, and has not given up hope of it happening before the first league game at Exeter next Saturday. The former Wimbledon owner certainly hopes to be in charge before the first home game against Black-pool on August 19 - and he will greeted by fans delighted that his idea of a name change and a Celtic emblem has been put on the backburner. Hammam, concerned about the quality of the playing squad who welcome Brentford to Ninian Park today for a pre-season friendly (3pm) will also make funds instantly available for team strengthening. Joe Kinnear and Bobby Gould - who seems likely to arrive in some sort of advisory capacity - continue to be linked with the job of managing City. But Hammam went out of his way at Ninian Park on Thursday night to say that Ayre would be getting the money to spend. |
Copyright Michael Morris 2000.
