blueball.gif (262 bytes) Tues 21st Nov 2000 - "The times they are a changing"
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"Show me the money" is what the fans said when Sam Hammam came to Ninian Park. Now Sam is rightly saying "Show me the fans". The developments at Ninian Park are stunning but the last two crowds have been disappointing. OK the tide has only recently turned, and the last game was live on SKY TV. So lower gates can be barely justified.

But on Wednesday and especially Saturday (if we get a result on Wednesday) there is no excuse.

City have already had over 11,000 at Ninian Park for the first home game of the season, the supporters are out there but have been worn down by the lack of success and ambition at Ninian Park. Now its all different. 9 goals scored in the last 2 games, quality players signing on a weekly basis. A young team full of passion and drive. Players playing for the shirt again. Competition for all positions on the pitch. Players arriving from Arsenal, Celtic, Leeds and West Brom players linked from Spurs and Norwich, add to that some home grown talent like Rob Earnshaw. Sure to be City's first million pound player, but the club won't sell him. We don't need to. Rob is part of the future at Ninian Park. On current form the door to division 2 would appear to be already open.

We are on the verge of a move to a new stadium, 20, 30, 40,000 seats, who knows. A foundation has been laid at Cardiff City and it is so exciting. Questions were asked if Sam could do a "Wimbledon" and help City climb the divisions. Could he produce another teams of big players who could kick their way to the top. If half the potential is realised, City will progress playing quality football and with stability that will make it a big club again sooner rather than later. We have a fan base to out number Wimbledon 5 - 1. Here is where its at, we will be bigger and better than Wimbledon.

Tomorrow against Lincoln we will welcome Rhys Weston to Ninian Park. The unfortunate injury to Andy Legg will mean that Rhys will probably slot straight into the team. Now this lad is 20, a reserve team player at Arsenal but with Premiership experience, he played a couple of Worthington Cup games and just a few weeks ago was on the bench in a Champions League game. Now he has seen the potential at Cardiff City. He feels he can fulfil his international dreams playing at Cardiff City. If Sam can attract players of this quality from Premiership clubs he can do anything.

Guts and determintion with luck will get you so far, you have to spend a few bob nowadays to go that one, two or three steps further. Sam has taken a chance. Leo Fortune West a record £300,000 signing. Its emerged that Daniel Gabbidon has cost £500,000 plus add ons, Rhys Weston £300,000 plus add ons, Stewart Kerr for £350,000, Scott McCulloch £100,000, Andrew Jordan, an absolute bargain at £30,000. Jordan was able to leave a reluctant Bristol City cheaply due to a clause in his contract. Gabbidon, Jordan and Weston are current U21 internationals.

Just sit back and think, when was the last time we signed a current international player at any level, and when, if ever, we could go out and choose a player and then actually get him.

Times they are a changing, the giant is waking up and those who have not opened their eyes to the fact should do so, and quickly. Our support will ensure the dream can be fulfilled.

Even our top match reporter (unfairly referred to as negative Nigel at times) cannot believe what he is seeing. Speaking about Sam's appearance in the bars after the game on Sunday with Rhys Weston and Stewart Kerr Nigel says..

"What other Chairman/Owner would come and join the fans after a win like that or at any time really?  

Some of the biggest, most cynical, hardest City fans you could imagine were just stood there going, "this is unbelievable, never seen anything like it".

Then when he came back with Weston and Kerr - heaven.  I can't imagine this ever happening anywhere else."

Sams Celtic vision is rubbing off on Nigel as well..

"I think many, if not all of us, have known City are more than a football team, it's something that represents a region and the people.  I thought Sam was going way OTT with his Wales/Celtic thing but as it builds, it doesn't look quite so stupid.  It's a living thing isn't it and very very special when it's at its best, like now."

Nigel sums it up by applauding the words of Hammam and Cork concerning Rob Earnshaw and finishes with a compliment to the great man Sam Hammam..

"And isn't it fantastic to read Sam and Corkie saying Earnie is not for sale, even for a silly money offer and that Cardiff are a big club now who are building, not dismantling.  Fantastic stuff although it seems hard to stop Earnie going if someone comes in with mega-millions. 

Got to say that life keeps getting better and better.  Since Corkie's 1st match, that 2-2 at Carlisle when City didn't play well, it's hard to think of the last time City were playing such mesmerising and exciting football consistently. 

It was special on that winning run with Frank but I don't remember the performance levels, or the quality of goals scored, being as outstanding as at present and the players being as exciting to watch as it currently is with Low, Bowen and Earnie to name just three.   I think it's the best it's been since Eddie May, Ricky Wright et al.

And it's all topped by Sam Hammam, I forgive him all his faults (and they ain't too many) when he's giving the club the best chance of success they've had since I was a nipper. "

Cardiff City v Lincoln City. Wed 22nd Nov. 7:45pm. Be a part of it.

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Copyright Michael Morris 2000.