June
Newsfile

Newsfile Archive

24 years later its happening again. 2001 is again the "Summer of Sam" only this time its Sam Hammam and he is on a spending spree. Close on £2m in transfer fees so far, hundreds of thousands of pounds on new contracts to bosman players. Ground improvements at NP and £40m swiss funding in place for a new 30,000 stadium for Cardiff City on the Leckwith site opposte the current ground.

Cardiff City's pre season spending shows no sign of stopping. Already signed are Neil Alexander, Michael Simpkins, Des Hamilton, Spencer Prior and Graham Kavanagh. Leon Jeanne has been given a 2/3 month period to prove himself. Layton Maxwell will complete his move by Tuesday.

After that comes the news that City will be bidding over £2m for Brighton's Bobby Zamora and City are also holding talks with Swansea City's Jason Price.

Of the signings so far Sam says

Neil Alexander. "He is really somehting special and has the potential to be the best keep Scotland has produced. I'm eally excited about him joing us".

Michael Simpkins. "Another one, like Alexander, who really excites me. He too is a player who is capable of going to the top".

Des Hamilton. "Des may have come free but he hasn't come cheap (in terms of wages). We have to invest if we want quality."

Spencer Prior. "The day I signed Spencer was a new turning in the history of Cardif City. He will be a leader for this club, not only on the field of play but on the training ground. Spencer is used to Premiership football and had to ask himself whether Cardiff was the right club to come to. Thefact he's here speaks volumes for our ambition".

Graham Kavanagh. "They (Stoke) din't want to lose him and offered a new three year contract. But Graham wants first division foorball and he beleives he can get it with Cardiff - thats the sort of drive I look for in a player. They (Graham and Spencer) joined becuase of our ambition."

Sam has very little intention to stay in Division 2. The ambition of the players being bought points to another promotion campaign.

Sam can't help himself. He told the News of the World, "My wife thinks I'm out of control - I think she's worried about my state of mind but I can't stop spending money on Cardiff City. I'm taking chances financially but I'm totally mesmerised by the situation down here and infatuated by this football club."