Cardiff City news 18/04/01

Fri 20th April 2001 - News round up

Several hundred Cardiff fans have already arrived in York to hopefully celebrate the clubs return to Division 2. City fans can pay at the gate for the terrace at York that accomodates some 2,700 fans. Its thought that all the 900 odd seats have already been taken. City have a total of around 3,600 spaces allocated and the way things have started off they could well fill their allocation.

A win would ensure promotion but other combinations could come into play meaning City would only require a draw. But 3 points will guarantee the Holy Grail of promotion.

Monday April 24th 2000 was the last time that City were beaten at Ninian Park. With the next game, the last of the season, on April 28th it means the Bluebirds have gone a whole calender year unbeaten at home. Congratulations, a great achievement. Avoiding defeat in the game against Shewsbury would be only the second time in history City have remained unbeaten at home all season.

City are in action again next Tuesday at Mansfield. Field Mill can accomodate 2,500 City fans and its pay at the gate. The home match against Shrewsbury is not all ticket but you can book online and at the ticket office to avoid disappointment. There were reports this week that over 1,000 fans were locked out of the capacity crowd at NP last Monday. Make sure you get your ticket early. Hartlepool away on May 5th is an all ticket game. Only 741 tickets are available and they have been allocated to fans who have pre booked away tickets before. To satisfy the demand from fans to see the game, our last in Div 3, then a big screen has been arranged for NP on that day.

City are hoping to have Scott Young and Mark Bonner back in the squad for tomorrows game. Its unlikely that Josh Low and Gavin Gordan will be fit.

Andy Thompson will hope to keep his place after a successful return to action last Monday. Thompson was injured in the first home game against Blackpool and apart from an FAW appearance only regained first team status last Monday. Experience will play a major role in tomorrows game. Thompson, Young, Bonner, Boland, Legg, Bowen have all been in this situation before and I think can help City to promotion.

Chesterfield have decided to appeal against their proposed 9 point deduction. As far as City is concerned it matters not. A win tomorrow will see us promoted if Chesterfield lose points or not.

Promotion was the goal for this season. Thank you Sam, thank you Corky and all. We are going up and at the start of the season we would have taken promotion in whatever place. I think the title is out of reach and the players have blown that with some indifferent away performances but thats for another time. This weekend will hopefully be one for celebration. Enjoy it. I know I will.