Alan Cork officially departed from Cardiff City this morning in rapid time. He is believed to have already packed and moved from his Penarth Marina home and South Wales.

Those who witnessed Saturday’s horrific 4-0 defeat at Wigan coming just 4 days after an equally dismal failure at Brentford sensed his departure was imminent. These latest setbacks all but mathematically extinguished automatic promotion hopes but left play off ambitions in tatters too. It was the manner of the performances that left the bitterest taste however.

Too many players showed no fight - apart from with each other – while one stupidly decided to abuse fans too. They were dispirited and disunited. Cork, as their manager, was in the firing line. Fans vented their anger against both, but Cork especially. He looked helpless, a man who knew his time was over, as he sat or stood with his arms folded and lips shut throughout the 90 minutes.

The timetable to his departure was swift. Sam Hammam, unable to attend the game, spoke to Cork by mobile while he was on the team coach home. Cork was left under no illusions, he was offered the opportunity to resign with honour or face dismissal. He wisely opted for the former.

Rumours of his resignation emerged just an hour after final whistle at Wigan but it wasn’t officially announced until this morning. Cork and Sam met briefly at Ninian Park, their first chance to meet face-to-face. And with that, the bittersweet 16 month reign of Alan Cork at Cardiff City was over.

To the outside world, his departure will be a shock. Cork came to Cardiff City in October 2000 while they languished 17th in Division Three and in leaving them 11th in Division Two, The Bluebirds are undoubtedly in far better shape. Whatever happens in the final 13 games, this will be Cardiff City’s highest league placing in almost 20 years, Cork got us promoted and to within 5 points of the play-offs and the chance of a second successive promotion, this time to Division One.

Whilst only 6 weeks ago, Cardiff City deservedly beat star studded Leeds United, then top of the Premiership, at Ninian Park which has already entered Bluebirds folklore and one of the greatest results and days in the history of the club.

To those who follow Cardiff City closely however, his resignation was no surprise and, in many ways, a relief.

Cork knew Cardiff City’s objective this season was promotion or the play-offs. Sam told fans at last season’s Player of the Year dinner that he wanted to go up as Champions. He put his money where his mouth was by signing a calibre of player not seen at Ninian in decades and at prices never seen.

He bettered big money signings during the previous season by capturing Spencer Prior at £700,000, Graham Kavanagh in a package worth £1 Million and then striker Peter Thorne at a club record £1.7 Million. The highest genuine fee paid prior to Sam and Cork’s arrival was £210,000 for Billy Ronson – in 1979!

With £10 Million invested, a new stadium planned and fans dreaming of Division 1 and the Premiership, expectations were massive, some will still argue over-realistic. But Cork knew and accepted that challenge. He also accepted that failure to achieve play-offs as a minimum would put his head on the block.

While that may appear unfair, not even Cork’s vastly dwindled number of supporters can argue that the team under-achieved and, all too often, under-performed.

Early season excuses that the team with its many new faces needed time to gel but things never really improved, consistency never happened. Whenever there was some promise, another setback swiftly followed.

The team rarely performed for a full match. Indeed, statistics show that 1st half results are promotion form but 2nd half results have been relegation form which had many questioning the fitness and bottle of the players, the tactics and motivation of the manager.

Tactics and decisions could frequently be criticised. Rhys Weston and Mike Simpkins as wing backs in early season was a major blunder. The club had a squad of 34 players but Cork only showed real interest in half of them. Several have been ignored or banished, implying Cork was a poor man manager. Recently, there were rumours that even some of those favoured by Cork were having differences with him, and each other, too.

Cork was a private and shy man, it never helped him with the media or endeared him to fans. He never liked the media, it always showed. He always made time for them but lacked personality and his increasingly bizarre quotes made many wonder how he was able to motivate and inspire the squad. He had a habit of attacking players in the press without naming them, it was a factor in the behind the scenes friction.

It was in total contrast to Sam Hammam who is approachable, attends supporter meetings and very public. Not once did Alan Cork attend a fan meeting or occasion, whether formal or informal. He did himself no favours in that respect.

Ultimately, football is a cruel business but no crueller than most when you're at the top, it's all about results. It was Cork's failure to achieve this season that cost him his job. Despite the vast sums spent, Cardiff City never got into the promotion positions all season and rarely in the play off zone either. The best position they achieved with Cork was 5th and they only stayed there for two short spells this season. Cardiff have mostly spent the first half of the season below mid-table and the latter part in 10th or 11th where they currently stand, clearly not good enough.

Cork went from crisis to crisis all season. Apparently told he had 1 game left last October, Cork and City won 3-0 at Swindon and then followed it with a similar score at Port Vale within 3 days last October. Many fans believe if Cork had departed then, things would be so much better now but we will never know.

City then had a poor Xmas with and 1 point from 2 Christmas home games against rivals Reading and Bristol City but the Leeds win saved him. The latest setbacks in the past week were the final straw.

Sam Hammam publicly declared Cork “an unfinished diamond” and one of the great upcoming managers. In private, he knew Cork was struggling.

Twice he brought in assistance. Ian Atkins’ appointment early in the season was a near catastrophe. Cork showed his weakness as a true leader by allowing Atkins to impose a Route One style of football that the fans and players hated. Atkins was blamed and shelved.

After the Crisis at Christmas, Sam brought Lennie Lawrence to the club. Although Lennie advised formations and substitutions but mostly stayed away from the bench during games, he was regarded by some as a ready made manager.

Many believed Cork needed replacing, not help, he was not able to take on the challenge of leading the club to Division One. After the latest set of results and performances, with reluctance, Sam Hammam was forced to agree.

Times have mostly been happy under Alan Cork however. Like him or not, he certainly will be a manager we will never forget. Sam Hammam promised Cardiff City supporters a rollercoaster ride, Alan Cork undoubtedly provided that. He gave us the highest highs but they were never sustained, the team unable to win more than 2 successive games this seasons. There were terrible lows in equal or greater measure, it cost Cork his job ultimately.

Alan Cork has not yet made any public comment about his departure or his present/future plans.

Cardiffcity.com wishes Alan its best wishes and every success for the future, whatever those plans may be.

STADIUM UPDATE
Cardiff City Council had a meeting today regarding the new stadium. No news or snippets yet but some developments are expected soon.

BLUEBIRD BLUEBEATS
Fans at Cardiff City's last home game against Swindon will have heard a tune playing homage to Sam Hammam and The Bluebirds, a cover version of the Ska song "Monkey Man".

The tune is currently being pressed on cd and while be on sale within the next two to three weeks. Get your pork pie hats, crombie and braces ready - Burberry of course!

HAWORTH HAS HAD ENOUGH AT WIGAN

Simon Haworth is expected to join Tranmere this week for a bargain £150,000 this week. If the move fails, he also believes that he will never play for Wigan again.

Haworth has no regrets about doing the ayatollah and waving to Bluebird fans at Wigan on Saturday which incensed the home support. "Cardiff City fans have always been good to me and it's my hometown club. Doing the Ayatollah is something every City player, past or present, does."

"It's simply the same as others waving to fans of their old club. I didn't mean to upset anybody, I was just acknowledging the reception given to me by Cardiff fans, I have an allegiance with them."

As for his own Wigan fans, Haworth said, "Cardiff City fans mean more to me than the Wigan supporters". (Yep, that should stop him getting any more games there!)

And aware that if he signs for Tranmere, he is likely to face City again on the final day of the season, Haworth commented, "I think I'll have flu on that day".

Nice One Simon! Haworth is a Bluebird, Haworth is a Bluebird.

EARLY CITY vs BURY NEWS

There is no early team news from either side for tomorrow evening's game (7:45pm kick off at Ninian Park).

Prior to resigning, Alan Cork hinted that Danny Gabbidon would be rested tomorrow commenting that the last week had got to hiom after playing twice for City and being in the full Welsh national squad, all in 5 days. Spencer Prior was due to replace him being fully fit again after injury. However Lennie Lawrence must see things differently, time will tell.

Bury come to Ninian Park with serious troubles. Supporters of the Shakers predicted that their club may not finish this season when The Bluebirds suffered a terrible 3-0 beating at Gigg Lane early last November. They may be right too as the club have announced that they may fold unless serious investment is received within the next fortnight too.

On the field, they have serious problems trying to survive in Division Two. With just 33 points from 33 games and only 1 win in their last 11 matches, they travel to Ninian Park in 20th, just 2 above above Wrexham and the relegation spots.

On the road, Bury have 4 wins and 2 draws in 16 league games and face a Cardiff City side determined to restore pride under a new manager and kick some life back into the season.