Sunday 30th May 1999
Scunthorpe win at Wembley, Gillingham
lose.
The play offs. Love them or hate them they can mean drama celebration and
despair, all of which have been experienced so far this weekend. Firstly Scunthorpe beat
Orient 1 - 0 yesterday to join Cardiff in Division 2. Excellent result for Scunthorpe,
they deserved it for finishing 4th in the table. Today Gillingham were 2 - 0 up v Man City
with 4 mins to go then City scored twice in injury time to force extra time and then went
on to win on penalties. The second division line up is now finalised.
Blackpool, Bournemouth, Brentford,
Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Burnley, Bury, Cambridge, CARDIFF, Chesterfield, Colchester,
Gillingham, Luton, Millwall, Notts County, Oldham, Oxford, Preston, Reading, Scunthorpe,
Stoke, Wigan, Wrexham, Wycombe.
Thursday 27th May 1999
Phillips signs new deal.
Lee Phillips has signed a new 1 year contract at Ninian Park. The only
player without a deal at the moment is Wayne O'Sullivan. Frank Burrows has put an offer on
the table for Wayne and he is making his mind up at the moment. The gaffer and O'Sullivan
met yesterday to discuss the deal.
Friday 21st May 1999
Legg called up to the full squad,
Earnshaw in the U21 squad.
Andy Legg is confirmed in the Wales squad for the forthcoming Euro 2000
qualifiers. Rob Earnshaw has been called up to the U21 squad with Lee Jarman on stand by.
Excellent news. Well done to all concerned.
(Report below from the Sporting Life).
LEGG-UP FOR ANDY
Cardiff's Andy Legg has the chance to add to his
four caps after being named in a 20-strong Wales
squad for the European Championship qualifiers
against Italy and Denmark next month.
Legg, a left wing-back or winger, made the last of
his international appearances in the friendly against
the Republic of Ireland in February 1997, when with
Birmingham.
But he dropped out of the international picture when
a loan spell at Ipswich was followed by a move to
Reading, where he had few first team opportunities.
A transfer to Cardiff in the middle of last season
revitalised his career and helped him to catch the
eye of Wales manager Bobby Gould once again.
Whether Legg makes the starting line-up could
depend on the fitness of Ryan Giggs, who has been
included in the party despite suffering from
hamstring problems.
Nathan Blake, who played in the defeat in
Switzerland on March 31, is unavailable because of
injury while Leicester's Robbie Savage will miss the
match against Italy because of suspension although
he can play against Denmark.
Squad:
Jones (Southampton), Crossley (Nottm Forest),
Symons, Coleman, Melville (all Fulham), Williams
(Wolves), Page (Watford), Jenkins (Huddersfield),
Robinson (Charlton), Savage (Leicester), Johnson
(Nottm Forest), Hughes (Southampton), Speed
(Newcastle), Pembridge (Benfica), Legg (Cardiff),
Barnard (Barnsley), Hartson (Wimbledon),
Saunders (Benfica), Giggs (Man Utd), Bellamy
(Norwich).
Thursday 20th may 1999
Andy Legg back in Wales squad?
Andy is likely be named in Bobby Gould's squad tomorrow for the Euro 2000
qualifiers against Italy and Denmark. Its a great achievement for Legg who must have
though his International career was over after being cold shouldered at Reading. Well done
to Andy and the management at Cardiff City for making him one of the players of the season
at Ninian Park.
Wednesday 19th May 1999
Play off semi final second legs.
Rotherham 0 - 0 Orient (aet)
Orient win 4 - 2 on pens
Scunthorpe 3 - 1 Swansea (aet)
Scunthorpe win 3 - 2 on agg
Burrows shakes on it with Borley.
Frank Burrows pledged himself to Cardiff City for next season at least
after a 4 hour meeting with Steve Borley yesterday. Frank will see out the one year left
on his contract. Frank has quoshed rumours about clubs like West Brom chasing him, he says
he has heard from no one and is looking forward to life in division two with Cardiff City.
Tuesday 18th May 1999
Hill resigns.
One week after Samesh Kumar reigned as Chairman and Managing Director of
Cardiff City Joan Hill has resigned as Chief Executive. The official line from the Club is
that Ms Hill has taken a well deserved holiday after working for the Football League as
well as Cardiff City but it seems unlikely that she will return. Mr Kumar and Ms Hill have
worked together for a long while and she was brought to Ninian Park by Kumar. Its thought
that Kumar will not return to Ninian either. Both are still directors and both have
shares, Kumar's stake is 31%, Hill has a very small ammount. An offer has been made for
Kumar's shares which was declined but a better offer is expected. When the share issue is
launched in July the percentage of shares owned by Kumar will diminish further (he did at
one stage have 100% worth). It would appear the reign of Kumar and Hill has finally come
to an end.
Just a quick mention on Andy Melville, the Wales
defender has signed for Fulham so we can stop speculating about him.
Monday 17th May 1999
City off to Scotland for a pre season
tour.
The Bluebirds are off the Scotland for a four match pre season tour. The
boys start off against Dunfermline on Sat 17th July (3:00pm) followed on Monday 19th July
at Frank Burrows and Graham Mitchell's old club Raith Rovers (7:30pm), then again on
Wednesday 21st July at Clyde (7:30pm) finishing off on Sat 24th July against Falkirk
(3:00pm). All the players will report in for pre season training on the 30th June. The
league season kicks off on August 7th.
Nothing new to report.
There's still speculation, rumour and counter rumour flying around. West
Brom are the latest club reported to be interested in taking Frank from Ninian Park, but
Frank has shaken hands with Steve Borley and agreed to at least see out his contract which
has another season to run on it. We are still linked to the same players, Brazier (which
is an alledged formality), Forrester, Melville (who may have signed for Fulham already)
and the young lad from Connahs Quay. This speculation will continue on a daily basis until
we actually sign somebody. As soon as we do then I will let you know.
Thursday 13th May 1999
Frank gets the backing of the board.
Chairman Steve Borley and the board of directors have told Frank Burrows
he can attempt to sign all the players on his "shopping list". Frank put his
proposals to the board in a meeting on Tuesday (at the end of which Samesh Kumar resigned
as Chairman and MD). The directors have agreed to Franks plans for players and likewise
Frank has backed the club in the efforts to improve Ninian Park. These assurances between
the board and the manager will ensure that Frank stays at City. Last time round he left
because of lack of ambition and support, this time he has it 100%. Frank still has one
year left on his contract and the board are trying to extend it. Vice Chairman Paul Guy
said "We have agreed a significant increase on the football budget and accepted
everything that Frank Burrows has asked for". Director Kim Walker said "Whatever
happens, Frank Burrows will get all the financial backing he needs". The directors
are looking for money to come into the club. One of the major money raising projects is
the share issue. It is planned to go ahead and make around 600,000 £2 shares available to
the public. The cash raised will be used for both team strengthening and ground
improvements.
The players reported to be targets for City at
the moment are:-
Matt Brazier, who played on loan for City earlier in the season.
Jamie Forrester the Scunthorpe striker.
Andy Melville from Sunderland and a Welsh International.
Jamie Hughes a striker from Conahs Quay is thought to be of interest.
plus others.
Steve Borley has told the Echo that he
will tell the fans the truth. He told reporter Terry Phillips that he will be honest and
tell the fans the truth whether they like what he has to say or not. Terry then reported
that Steve is a regular on the internet where responds to the fans - hey thats us and our
message board. Thank you Steve for your involvement.
New contracts offered.
All the current professional playing staff have been retained by Frank.
The only two players who are out of contract Wayne O'Sullivan and Lee Phillips have been
offered new deals. Frank has given trainee Phil Owen a 3 month senior contract in which he
will try to prove himself worthy of a full deal. 3rd keeper Ian Loveless has also been
offered improved non contract terms. Three trainees have been released, they are Phil
Kelly, Steven George and Blake Parnell.
1999 Centenary Competition.
The three clubs to join Cardiff City in the pre season celebratory
tournament are Premiership Wimbledon, Boavista from Portugal and Shamrock Rovers. The semi
finals in the competition will take place on Sat July 31st and the final on Sunday August
1s. Guest of honour will be Portuguese legend Eusebio. West ham were lined up but they now
have Inter Toto Cup commitments. Benfica were also targetted but hope faded when Graham
Souness left them.
98 / 99. Thank you and goodnight.
Well what a season. It started like the previous season ended we won only
once in the first 5 games and the omens were not good but Frank and the players turned it
around, the new team members start to gel and we were away. We hit the top briefely in the
autumn but on Dec 1st after a win at Carlisle we went top again and stayed in the top 3
until the end of the season. The Holy Grail - Promotion was acheived. Add to that a great
FA Cup run with two memorable matches against the mighty Yeovil whose players and fans
were brilliant. A FAW Cup run that ended on Monday to a last second goal by Wrexham it has
to be said that it has been a great season.
I would like to thank all of you that have read
these pages, thank you for the support and feedback you have given me. Its nice to know
that my efforts are appreciated. Thanks to Steve Borley for his contributions, I'm sure
theres not many unofficial websites if any that can say a member of the board (now
chairman) regularaly contributes to the website and makes himself accessible to the fans.
I will be making adjustments to the site in
preparation for next season. I will condense all of this years statistics into one page,
the list for all the match reports will still be there so you can look back. The newsfile
pages will continue as normal, as I fould last summer the site was being updated on a
daily basis with transfers and speculation etc. I am not closing down for the summer, the
site will continue as strong as ever.
Last summer the forthcoming league fixtures were
announced on Jun 15th. I would imagine the same sort of thing again. Obviously any news on
any matter will be reported here.
Any comments or suggestions you may have please
let me know.
Remember the futures bright, the futures BLUE.
Report from Mirror On Line.
SAMESH KUMAR moved last night to calm fans' fears that Cardiff City
manager Frank Burrows is about to walk out on the club. The former Ninian Park
chairman insisted Burrows would still be handed the cash to make the Bluebirds a force in
the Second Division. Kumar stepped down as chairman on Tuesday after four years at
the helm in a move that stunned his fellow directors.
His decision immediately placed a question mark over Burrows's future just days after he
led City to promotion from Division Three. But after agreeing a new two-year
contract with Burrows's assistant Billy Ayre, Kumar pledged: "Cardiff
City will continue to move forward under Frank Burrows. "The funds for Frank to
strengthen the team for next season have already been agreed. "Frank is under
contract for another year anyway and my recommendation to the board of a further two-year
contract, which I think the manager will sign, has been
accepted. "Frank Burrows was my No.1 signing. He's the best manager I've ever
worked with. He's been a dream. "He's brought us promotion, brought good
players in and improved the players we had. The club is in very good shape.
"I wanted to take the club into Division One at least, but we have the right
management pair in place to do that now.
"Once the club gets into the First Division it will need a really long, hard look at
how it will raise enough finance for the final push into the Premiership."
Burrows has repeatedly said he wants to aim for the top and has warned: "The moment
the club's ambition doesn't match mine or that of the supporters, I'll know
it's time to go." Bringing in new players to compete with richer Second Division
clubs will cost Burrows at least pounds 3million. Players on his hit list include
Fulham defender Matt Brazier, Portsmouth striker Guy Whittingham and
Scunthorpe's Jamie Forrester. Kumar has said he will stay on the City board - at
least in the short term. But it seems certain he had grown weary of in-fighting
among the board over future investment plans, with some directors feeling not enough was
being done to push the club forward. Kumar admitted: "I've been thinking about
going for nine months or so. There were a few things I was unhappy about. "But
the club has a bright future. Four years ago, we couldn't even get anyone to come here to
manage the team. "The marketing operation was non-existent and the club didn't
have a proper bank. That's all been turned around thanks to a lot of hard work.
"There are a lot more kids around now wearing Cardiff City shirts instead of Arsenal
or Man United and people can puff out their chests and be proud of Cardiff
City." But Burrows will be concerned that the man who convinced him to leave
West Ham and return to South Wales is now taking a back seat.
Report from Total Wales.
TEN days ago Samesh Kumar was promising Cardiff City’s
promotion-celebrating fans that “this is just the start.”
For Kumar’s reign as City chairman, however, it was almost the end.
Nearly four years after walking into Ninian Park, Kumar decided to quit his high-profile
position. It should not have come as a surprise.
When Kumar took over a club reeling from the shambolic conclusion to the Rick Wright era
(remember the ill-fated Jim Cadman consortium) his shareholding was 100 per cent.
Since then his stake has dwindled to 37 per cent. Although still the major shareholder,
Kumar’s control of the club had long since disappeared.
Plans to press ahead for a summer share issue designed to strengthen the hand of manager
Frank Burrows in the transfer market would have reduced that holding further.
Kumar’s legacy as Cardiff chairman (he will remain on the board for the time being,
despite suggestions he may soon withdraw from the club) is one of unfulfilled ambition.
When he arrived in July 1995, Kumar promised a five-year plan to turn City into a
Premiership force. “If I didn’t think I could do that, I wouldn’t be in
football,” he said at the time.
On that manifesto pledge alone, Kumar must be judged a failure. Ninian Park, too, remains
a relic of the past, despite the refurbishment of the reception area, dressing rooms and
the John Charles Suite.
Until Burrows’s second coming in February 1998, City often hinted they were more
interested in Conference rather than Premiership football.
Chairmen, whether they operate at the top or in the lower leagues, live and die by their
choice of managers.
Kumar’s was Ian Atkins, the former Birmingham City player whose passion for football
had impressed him during his time in charge at St Andrew’s.
But Atkins the manager remained loyal to Northampton Town and Kumar turned to Kenny
Hibbitt, the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers star who had built an attractive side at Walsall
but failed to win promotion there.
The City hierarchy complained about the long contracts that Wright, who had put his faith
in youth, had given to young players with no future under the new regime.
Strangely, though, Kumar duplicated the error by handing Hibbitt a five-year contract.
It was his first mistake and the most serious of his reign as Cardiff soon began to enter
choppy Third Division waters.
Former Liverpool and England defender Phil Neal was summoned in January 1996, but Cardiff
still finished 22nd in the bottom tier – the club’s lowest league placing.
Two months into the next campaign the eccentric Neal dropped a bombshell by leaving for
the assistant manager’s post at Manchester City.
Kumar took his time before deciding on Russell Osman, another former England player, as a
successor. But the decision backfired within six weeks.
Osman, working as a television pundit in Bristol, had angered City fans by suggesting that
the derby game with Swansea was “just another match.”
Coming on the back of an embarrassing FA Cup loss to Gillingham shown live on national
television, defeat to Jan Molby’s Swansea saw Osman lose control of team affairs.
Perversely, Osman retained the title of team manager and shared the same office as
Hibbitt, the club’s director of football, who began to pick the team again.
The picture at Ninian Park had become blurred and the City faithful – who had never
taken to Kumar – were clearly running out of patience.
Terrace grumblings that Kumar, a devoted fan who often accompanied Hibbitt on scouting
trips, stretched his influencebeyond the boardroom and into the dressing room did not
help.
But local boy Simon Haworth, whose end-of-season goals helped City finish seventh and
sneak into the play-offs, released the pressure-valve.
The play-offs, however, flattered City (ironically, the knock-out blow to promotion hopes
was administered by Atkins’s Northampton) and Haworth departed to Coventry City that
summer.
When things got tough the following season Osman was made the scapegoat, although he
hadn’t picked the team for 13 months.
Hibbitt survived again and was pushed upstairs as Burrows returned to Cardiff 10 years
after ending his first stay at the club.
Finally, Kumar had the manager who could work on a shoestring budget to good effect.
Twelve months after finishing 21st in the Third Division, City were promoted before nearly
12,500 delirious fans at Ninian Park.
It was Kumar’s crowning moment. But the issue that had dominated his reign refused to
go away even amid the celebrations.
“If there is a sugar daddy out there who wants to put millions into the club I think
it would be right that my fellow directors and I moved aside,” said Kumar.
The mid-season distraction of Penarth-born David Sullivan’s interest in buying
Cardiff served to weaken Kumar’s position.
Kumar, always wary about the idea, allowed himself to be dragged along by the hype
surrounding the possible investment of Sullivan’s millions.
He and other City directors went to meet Sullivan, despite Football League rules that
prevented Birmingham City’s majority shareholder owning a second club.
The idea was always a non-starter (until at least next year when financial rules in the
City may allow Sullivan to sell his controlling share at Birmingham) but it revealed what
many had always suspected.
Kumar did not have the necessary finance to take Cardiff any further than the Second
Division.
Leading Cardiff into the Promised Land of the Premiership was, in the end, no more than a
pipedream.
Wednesday 12th May 1999
Report from the Mirror On Line.
SAMESH KUMAR stunned Cardiff City last night when he quit as chairman and
managing director of the Ninian Park club.
Kumar dropped his bombshell on disbelieving board members just nine days after City had
won promotion to the Second Division.
His move throws manager Frank Burrows's team-building plans into chaos.
When City were celebrating their escape from the league's basement, Kumar said he would
definitely stay and promised Burrows a big cash injection.
Burrows has repeatedly said he would remain only if City shared his ambition. That means
investment in the squad and Kumar's temporary successor, Steve Borley, has already started
searching for backers to ensure the Scot stays at Ninian Park.
Borley, a director, became acting chairman after Kumar's departure took the nine-strong
board by surprise at their meeting yesterday and his priority was to reassure Burrows.
Former Birmingham City chairman Kumar had given no inkling during the meeting that he was
about to quit. He merely got up as it was ending and announced he was standing down as
chairman and managing director, though he remains the club's major shareholder.
Despite enjoying bumper crowds as they stayed in the top three for virtually the whole
season, City recently announced a pounds 400,000 deficit despite the sale of full-back
Mark Delaney to Aston Villa for pounds 500,000.
Kumar did not comment publicly on the reasons for his decision to stand down after four
years at the helm.
Borley, who has been on the board for two years, said: "I will do my best to ensure
the club continues to build on the success we have achieved this season.
"On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Samesh for all his hard work. The club
is in a far healthier state today than when he took over.
"I was totally shocked by Samesh's decision. I had expected a report at the board
meeting saying how well we were doing and then he said he was resigning.
"We are looking for new investment and I am confident we will attract it. The picture
will become clearer in a few days."
Report from Total Wales.
Samesh Kumar has resigned as Cardiff City’s chairman and managing
director only 11 days after the club gained promotion to the Second Division.
Kumar dropped the bombshell at the end of a board meeting at Ninian Park before Carl
Dale’s testimonial match against Aston Villa last night.
He left the ground immediately and did not return for the game. His fellow directors were
left in the dark as to whether he would remain on the board or sell his majority 37 per
cent shareholding. Club secretary Ceri Whitehead said he understood Kumar would be staying
on the board.
Steve Borley, a director for two years, became acting chairman. During the match the head
of a local engineering company held lengthy talks with manager Frank Burrows, who arrived
apparently unaware of the dramatic developments.
“Mr Kumar announced his decision at the end of the board meeting. It came as a
bombshell,” Borley told The Western Mail.
“It took me completely by surprise. I haven’t had time to let it sink in but the
directors will take stock in the next few days. I am an optimist and can only see Cardiff
City going on to bigger and better things.”
Kumar gave no reason why he was resigning, but he is known to have been hurt by strong
criticism from sections of the fans during the season.
The former Birmingham chairman, who had an over-ambitious five-year plan to take City to
the Premiership when he took over four years ago, probably felt he had done as much as he
could on limited resources.
But Borley pointed out, “For a long time the directors, not Mr Kumar, have controlled
the club’s finances.”
Asked about the manager’s future in the face of speculation that the club faced a
fight to keep him, he said, “I am sure Frank Burrows will stay – I don’t
see any problem with that.”
He declined to say how much money would be available for team strengthening, but he added,
“I think we will do very well next season.
We will continue to work very hard to generate more income and attract other investors.
The planned £1m share issue will go ahead in July. I’ve done very well in my own
engineering business and will try to run the football club the same
way.”
Supporters club press officer Tony Jefferies was “surprised but not shocked” by
Kumar’s resignation.
“I think it has been going to happen for some time since it was obvious the fans
weren’t happy with Mr Kumar at the helm. I believe it’s the right time for
change in the close season when disruption is at a minimum.
“It allows time to look around for people with funds who might want to join the
board, even if they are not interested in becoming chairman.
“Samesh Kumar goes with some thanks from the supporters club. He came in four years
ago to save the club from possible extinction and steadied the ship.
“But he won’t go down in history as one of Cardiff City’s great chairman.
“We feel the change will make Frank Burrows’s future steadier because the
directors will do their utmost to keep him at
the club.”
Report from SKY Sports
Bluebirds chairman Samesh Kumar shocked newly-promoted Cardiff City on
Tuesday by announcing he was retiring from the post only a week after the Ninian Park club
claimed a place in the Nationwide Second Division.
Kumar, made his decision to quit as both chairman and managing director at a weekly board
meeting at the ground. However, he will remain on the board while Steve Borley, a local
businessman and current board member, takes over as acting chairman.
Director Phil Jardine said: "It came as a complete shock to the whole of the board.
Sam handed in his resignation and said only that he would like to remain a member of the
board.
"He did not expand on his reasons but, presumably, he felt that he had done what he
had said he would do when he first came here, and that was to take Cardiff City out of the
league basement.
"But I can assure all the club's fans and supporters that we are as robust and strong
as we were before we heard the news. The present board, including Sam, is extremely strong
and confident that we can take the club even higher in the Nationwide League, and
quickly."
Borley said: "On behalf of Cardiff City, I would like to thank Sam Kumar for all the
hard work he has put into the club over the last four years."
Tuesday 11th May 1999
SAMESH KUMAR RESIGNS.
The following press release was issued this afternoon.
11 May 1999:-
City Chairman resigns
PRESS RELEASE - 11th May 1999
Samesh Kumar today announced that he is to step down
as Chairman and Managing Director of Cardiff City
Football Club.
The new Chairman is Mr. Steven Borley who has been a
Director of the club for the last two years.
Speaking today Mr Borley said "It is an enormous
privilege to be asked to serve as Chairman of
Cardiff City albeit on an acting basis. I will do my
very best to ensure that the club continues to build
on the success we have achieved this season. On
behalf of the Board I would like to thank Samesh
Kumar for all his hard work over the past four
years. The club is in a far healthier state today
than when he first took over."
1999 / 2000 season ticket prices
BUY BEFORE JUNE 8 AFTER JUNE 8
Grandstand C&D
Adult 272.00 320.00
Junior 170.00 200.00
Grandstand E&F
Adult 204.00 240.00
Junior 102.00 120.00
Canton/Bob/Family
Adult 170.00 200.00
Junior/O.A.P. 85.00
100.00
*Under 12's in Family Enc - 69.00 if
bought with adult ticket before July 31.
Carl Dale Testimonial
CARDIFF CITY XI 1 - 3 ASTON VILLA XI
Report on tonights match by NigelBlues.
Testimonials, don't you just love'em? I always go out of blind loyalty to
the player even though they are outdated. I also find them really boring
affairs. Tonight was no exception.
Thanks to Aston Villa who brought their first team unlike many recent Premier opponents in
recent years. The one non-first teamer was a certain Mark Delaney appearing at right back.
The one surprise was Paul Merson who showed his class most of the night but looked quite
overweight as in Dai Thomas proportions.
For City, nearly half the first team were missing due to injury. This meant
Dai Thomas playing up front with Bowen, Lee Phillips staying playing central defence and
no Williams, Nugent, Carpenter, Mitchell with Fowler as sub.
Villa showed their class from the off and lead comfortably by 3-0 at
half-time. A Steve Stone 25 yard volley on 9 minutes, Joachim chip on 18 and a Merson goal
on 40 minutes. City tried, played some nice football, but
surprise, surprise, there was no cutting edge in attack. Dai Thomas played
well (honest!) and showed some excellent touches and hold-up play. To be
honest though, it was like watching a training session - little passion, no
contact etc.
At half-time, the whole 1998/99 squad came onto the half-way line and took
applause for their fantastic efforts this season.
There was a penalty competition featuring Eddie May, Nathan Wigg, Joe
Calzaghe and some others vs Neville Southall. Big Nev saved half of them
just by flicking an arm or a leg out lazily - fantastic stuff. Nathan Blake
and Steady Eddie Newton came out onto the pitch too.
Second half was suppposed to have been the '93 side vs Villa but many were misising due to
other committements or injury so there was no Ward, Ratcliffe, Millar, Ramsey, Blake,
Millar, Ramsey, Baddely, Stant amongst others - of curse, sadly no Robbie James too. So
the side was Big Nev in goals with Psycho, Brazil, Searle, Nicky Richardson
(unrecognisable with a no 3 haircut), Pike, Dale amongst others and Christian Roberts plus
Earnie making up the numbers.
The only highlight of the half was Villa being determined to score past Big
Nevand failing. They must have had 8 or 9 efforts at him including one on
ones but there was no way he was going to be beaten. The guy is absolute class.
Funniest moment was a Villa sub running onto the pitch pulling his shirt over his head and
then getting his legs tangled ending in a Norman Wisdom style fall.
For City, Pikey came very close with a header, Earnie showed he can worry any team with
his pace, is always direct and never afraid to shoot (unlike the 1st team!).
In the final seconds, a Villa defender accidentally handled justoutside the
area but Keith Cooper gave a penalty. Of course, Dale stepped up and slotted it into the
corner. The final whistle blew immediately.
A party atmosphere is expected at Ninian Park
tonight as Premiership Aston Villa including ex City star Mark Delaney come to Ninian to
celebrate the years of service given to the Bluebirds by former striker Carl Dale. Carl
has just celebrated his own promotion this season with Newport AFC. The first half will
see a current City XI play followed by a 92/93 promotion winning City XI playing in the
second half. Also there will be a celebrity penalty shoot out again Neville Southall.
Boxers Joe Calzaghe and Barry Jones along with athlete Iwan Thomas and rugby stars Rob
Howley and Neil Jenkins will try their luck againt the former Wales international. Tickets
can be bought at the gate and they cost £8 for adults and £4 for consessions.
Monday 10th May 1999
FAW PREMIER CUP. Semi final 2nd leg.
CARDIFF CITY 2 - 1 WREXHAM. Match
report.
Wrexham win 4 - 3 on agg.
What a heartbreaking last 30 seconds.
City had managed to get the 2 - 0 lead that they needed to win the tie only to see Wreham
score the goal they need in the 92nd minute. It was an entertaining cup tie that was made
a biy one sided when Lee Phillips was sent off around the 35 minute mark for his second
bookable offence. At that stage City were 1 - 0 up and the game was evenly balanced.
Against the odds City kept Wrexham at bay, mainly thanks to a blinding performance from
Shay Kelly in goal. The match entered the twilight zone, Dai Thomas on as a sub chested
the ball down for Kevin Nugent to slot the ball home from 18 yards and on 89 minutes City
were in front in the tie as well as 2 - 0 up in the match. The 4th official held up his
electronic board with 2 minutes left to play. The Robins pressed and pressed but they
could not beat Kelly untill the 92nd minute when the last of many corners clipped a
Wrexham head and was hooked in by Morrell whose shot bobbled in off the far post. It hurts
real bad when you have victory snatched from you deep in injury time. Wrexham went away
happy, the Bluebirds were gutted.
That was the last competitive action of
the season.
Wrexham preview.
Like the competition or hate it the team deserve 100% backing tonight
against Wrexham tonight. I have always supported the competition and will be there
cheering us on. With promotion in the bag and the league season over we can turn all our
attention to winning tonight and getting into the final. City will again be without John
Williams and Richard Carpenter who both missed the trip to Mansfield. City will be taking
this game seriously and I expect to see a full strength squad available for selection.
City must overturn a 3 - 1 deficit and I think away goals count so a 2 - 0 win would be
enough.
Saturday 8th May 1999
MANSFIELD TOWN 3 - 0 CARDIFF CITY. Match report.
PHUT. That was the sound of City's
division 3 campaign coming to an end. In the first half at Field Mill City played some of
the quality football that has earned them promotion but as in most other recent games the
cutting edge was lacking. Mansfield to their credit stuck to their task and were carving
out chances, one especially came rocketting out off the crossbar. In the second half City
were lacking in all areas. Mansfield exposed us and when they had a chance of a crack at
goal they took it. The first and third goals (the third especially) were excellent strikes
from outside the box. The second goal was a penalty after Seamus Kelly brought down
Christie who managed get through on goal. Jason Bowen missed City's best chance in the
first half his shot was deflected over for a fruitless corner. The game was heading for a
0 - 0 stalemate when the Stags scored all three goals in a 10 minute spell.
Brentford have finished the season as
champions.
Congratulations to Swansea who made it
to the play offs and to Carlisle who stay in the football league thanks to a 95th minute
goal by their keeper who made a Schmeical type reccie into the attack and hammered home
the goal that secured their league status. Hard luck to Scarborough who have been
relegated to the Nationwide Conference.
Friday 7th May 1999
Big screen attempt fails
Huw Owen at the BBC explains why.
It's off.
We can't get the screen into the ground - short of lifting 26 tonnes of
articulated lorry over the Grandstand. Whilst the club were prepared to
knock walls etc. down to gain entry to the ground, nobody was prepared to
compromise the playing surface which would inevitably have been churned up
by a 26 tonne articulated truch turning on it, particularly in view of the
fact that there are important games at Ninian on Monday and Tuesday night.
Had the original screen suppliers not let us down, this would not have been
a problem.
I can't believe we've come this far only to fail at the last minute. I take
my hat off to HTV, Sky Sports, Trison Ltd, Proquip, BBC Pebble Mill and
above all else, Steve Borley, Ceri Whitehead and Wayne Nash at the club. A
lot of sleep has been missed in the last 24 hours, and a tremendous effort
has been put in by the staff and Directors at Cardiff City to try to make
this happen.
Persoanlly, I am totally and utterly gutted - I'll now have to watch the
match on Ceefax !
Cheers
Huw
Mansfield preview
City go into this match knowing a win will ensure runners up sopt in
Division 3. Mathematically we can still win the title but we need something like 19 goals
scored in tomorrows game. As optomistic as I am I'm not putting any money on that
happening. Should City earn 3 points second place will happen whatever the outcome at the
Abbey between Cambridge and Brentford. Cambridge are a point behind Brentford so therefore
need to win to get the title, if they do get a win and City win then Brentford will be
third. If it is a draw in Cambridge and City win then Brentford will take the title from
us on goals scored with Cambridge a point behind in third place. If that happens it will
surely hit home that we needed a proven goalscorer for the latter part of the season. If
Brentford win they will pull clear and as long as City win we will be second. Failure for
us to win will mean 3rd place whatever happens in Cambridge. This adds something to
tomorrows game, there is a greater financial award for finishing higher and the kudos of
being runner up, not third place. The main goal has been achieved though, we got the
promotion we wanted but it would be nice to go out as high as possible.
On the playing front City are likely to be
without the injured Mike Ford, John Williams, Richard Carpenter and Lee Jarman as well as
long term injured, Jon Hallworth and Scott Young. It is hoped that Ford, Williams,
Carpenter and Jarman will be fit for the visit of Wrexham to Ninian Park on Monday night.
I am still waiting for the final word on the big
screen.
Thursday 6th May 1999
Sky Television give go ahead for Big
Screen.
Sky TV gave Cardiff City and the BBC permission to screen the Mansfield
game live at Ninian Park on Saturday afternoon on a big screen. The rights were originally
passed from ITV to the BBC so that a mailing list member who works at the BBC could
negotiate with Sky. The final health and safety procedures are being finalised and a
definate announcement of the arrangements will follow on Friday. We have now moved to
99.9%.
Swansea 2 - 0 Cambridge
Swansea moved into the play off zone with a 2-0 win over Cambridge. If
only they could have done that to Brentford the title would have still been on. The Swans
will guarantee a play off place with a win over Hull at the Vetch on Saturday.
Big Screen 99% certain.
Steve Borley has stated today that it is 99% certain that a big screen
will be erected at Ninian Park to show the Mansfield game live to home fans. The Club has
done a deal with the BBC and with financial help from the Supporters Club only a few small
hurdles need to be overcome. As soon as I get final confirmation I will post it on this
website.
FAW kick off time change.
Next Mondays FAW Premier Cup semi final 2nd leg at Ninian Park v Wrexham
has been moved from 7:15pm to 7:25pm. This is to accomodate live television coverage of
the game on BBC Wales. I have heard that it may be shown on BBC Choice Wales for those
away from home with SKY Digital (check that out though). Tickets for the game are £5 for
adults and £2 for consessions. There prices are applicable to all areas of the ground.
Reserves celebrating.
The 4 - 1 thrashing of Bristol Rovers reserves yesterday has secured the
South West Counties League title for Cardiff City. The win in the final game has put City
4 points ahead of Bristol Rovers and Exeter who both have only one game left to play. City
will be the only ever holders of this trophy as next season there will be a different
reserve league structure.
Carl Dale's testimonial.
City play Aston Villa next Tuesday May 11th for Carl's testimonial. Villa
say they will bring a full 1st team squad inc Mark Delany. City are planning to play a
98/99 promotion winning XI in the first half and a 92/93 promotion winning XI in the
second half. Kick off is at 7:30pm.
Wednesday 5th May 1999
City res 4 - 1 Bristol R res
The scoreline is not surprising when you see the
XI that started against Rovers. The team was Loveless, O'Sullivan, Middleton, Mitchell,
Eckhardt, Bonner, Fowler, Phillips, Nugent, Bowen and Roberts. Over half of that team
started against Scunthorpe last Sat. On the bench today was Earnshaw, Buttery, Legg,
Thomas, Hill. No doubt City wanted to win this game as it may well clinch the South West
Counties League. We are awaiting details of other reserve team matches in the league. It
does though look as if the Bluebirds have won the title. I will confirm when I get the
information.
Tuesday 4th May 1999
Title not going to be ours.
Brentford 4 - 1 Swansea
The third division title will be decided at the Abbey Stadium on Saturday.
City's only hope was for Swansea to take points from both Brentford and Cambridge this
week, but they fell at the first hurdle and have ensured the title will not be won in
Wales. Also it means that the Swansea need two wins from their last two games to be sure
of a play off place. Brentford are now two points ahead of us. A draw for them on Sat
means they will finish above us on goals scored, obviously a win for them will take them
well clear. Cambridge if they beat Brentford on Sat will go three points ahead (even if
they lose against Swansea) and they have a far superior goals scored so it is nigh on
impossible for City to win the title (they would need to score at least 17 goals against
Mansfield).
City res 2 - 3 Bristol Rov res.
The reserve team suffered a setback in their
attempt to win the inaugural South West Counties League title. It now hinges on the last
game of the campaign at home again to Bristol Rovers tomorrow. Rob Earnshaw and Chris
Roberts scored the goals. The team was skippered by Richard Carpenter and also included
Dai Thomas and Lee Jarman.
Swansea may hold the key to our title
hopes.
The third division title race is between 3 clubs, Cambridge, Brentford and
Cardiff. Swansea have to play Brentford and Cambridge in a 48 hour period. Should
Brentford beat the Swans at Griffin Park tonight then we cannot win the league. It would
mean the outcome of Saturdays clash between Cambridge and Brentford would see one of those
teams clinching the title. Cambridge have two games left and are 1 point ahead, one win in
either of those games is enough for them to finish higher than us. Brentford if they win
tonight would go two points ahead of us and would only need a draw against Cambridge to
finish higher on goals scored. Defeat for Brentford on Sat would give Cambridge the points
they need to topple us anyway. Should Swansea beat Brentford tonight and get a point off
Cambridge then we would be cheering like hell for the Bees on Sat as well as City of
course. If we are in with a shout we have to win against Mansfield whatever happens
elsewhere.
By tonight all this could be academic anyway.
Sunday 2nd May 1999
 Over 24 hours
after the final whistle and it still feels good. The partying continued last night at the
player of the year dinner. Congratulations to Rob Earnshaw who won the Internet award for
goal of the season. Yours truly declined the offer to speak as I handed Rob his trophy. I
would have mumbled some incoherent rubbish so I though it better to shut up. Rob won the
Young Player award from the Supporters Club also. Jason Fowler won the Supporters Club
goal of the season and Graham Mitchell won most improved player. The main award for Player
of the Season unsurprisingly went to Kevin Nugent. Congratulations to Kevin. I have the
pleasure this season of sponsoring Kevins kit, so promotion and the our sponsored player
being player of the year has made it a wonderful season.
City now have one league match to play,
next Saturday at Mansfield. The title is still up for grabs but we would need to win at
Mansfield and hope that Cambridge and Brentford fail to win any of their remaining games.
Next season will we have the pleasure of
matches against Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, matches in the magnificent Madjeski
Staduium in Reading and the new ground in Stoke. Its likely that Mike Ford will be playing
against Oxford, the club he served for 10 years after leaving City in 1988.
Saturday 1st May 1999
CARDIFF CITY 0 - 0 SCUNTHORPE. Match report.
The fans head towards the tunnel is an awesome
display of support.
There must have been over 7,000 people on the
pitch in a well ordered celebration.
The players celebrate. |
