MONTHLY NEWSFILE
APRIL 1998

Thursday 30th April 1998

After a seven and a half hour board meeting on Tuesday the Directors have announced they are planning to meet David Sullivan. They also want to meet several other possible investors who responded to the Clubs advertisement for backing. They say they want to get all this sorted quickly. It helps nobody for speculation to drag on. Hear hear to that.

The other topic discussed was the possible move to a new stadium. The options are,

1. Under David Sullivan a move to the Millenium Stadium. (Ever the cynic I can see us playing at the Millenium Dome before the Millenium Stadium).

2. A new stadium in the Bay.

3. Remain at Ninian Park.

There has been much discussion about option No.2. I think everybody at the Club is aiming for that. Especially with the tie up with the Devils who are also looking to relocate in the same "Sports Village". The Directors say they want to talk with supporters before progressing but I think its out of our hands.

Speaking personally I will be sad to see Ninian go but I do like the idea of a new ground, providing its forward thinking. If we are serious about the future it would need to be able go up to 30-40000 seats. I appreciate that size is not needed as yet and would settle for a smaller capacity to start with. We have to be thinking about new stadia to rank along the lines of Sunderland, Stoke and Middlebrough, not the likes of Northampton Towns Sixfields or Chesters Deva Stadium.

As the list of names of past Cardiff players are lined up for Jimmy Goodfellow's testimonial against a Manchester Utd XI gets longer, the chances of seeing any current Man Utd stars is still as distant as ever. Kevin Ratcliffe is definately in the City squad and Goodfellow has invited Jason Perry, Phil Stant, Nathan Blake, Simon Haworth, Derek Brazil, Gary Bennett, Dave Bennett and Paul Ramsay. While all the above named players would like to play they will have to wait until after this weekends action to see if their clubs will release them. The match is next Tuesday (5th May) at 7:30pm. Ticket prices are the same as a league game.

Cardiff City's youth team play their Welsh Cup final this Sunday 3rd May against Llanelli at Afan Lido, kick off 2:30 pm. Nathan Cadette and Robert Earnshaw will both play even if they feature for the first team on Saturday.

Tuesday 28th April 1998

There is a board meeting at Ninian Park later today. Hopefully some questions will be answered regarding the apparent publicity seeking information regarding the proposed investment by David Sullivan.

Saturday 25th April 1998

Hartlepool 2 - 0 Cardiff City - Report.

If 5 defeats in the last 5 games means the players are fighting for their lives with Cardiff City then I would ditch the lot of them. The only bright spots have been the appearances of Roberts, Earnshaw and Cadette. Mr Burrows must perform major surgery this summer to get this club moving.

The predictions league that is being run on these pages is nearing completetion. With one game left it is a two horse race with Dave Hicks in pole position. Predictions league table.

Friday 24th April 1998

There is much gossip over the announcement by Birmingham City owner David Sullivan that he would be willing to invest into Cardiff City if they could relocate to the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. It now seems he may well still be interested even if City will not be allowed to play at the new National Ground but he has his own ideas which frighteningly involve the WRU as well. Its all talk at the moment although Sullivan himself has confirmed the press releases.

As a City fan for 25 years I have learned not to get too exited by the hype. In principle his involvement and money would be great, in reality I've seen it all before so I am watching this space.

from todays Western Mail...

Penarth-born publisher David Sullivan, the second richest Welshman after Terry
Matthews with personal wealth of £350m, has approached the WRU with the plan.
If approved, he said he would be willing to pump in money to help City in their
attempt to climb from the Third Division to the Premier.
Millions of pounds would have to be invested in quality players over the next four or
five years for City to stand a chance of reaching top status.
Sullivan hopes to have detailed discussions with Glanmor Griffiths in London next
week, having already had preliminary talks with the WRU chairman.
“We have always said the Millennium Stadium will be a available for a variety of
uses, including soccer,” Griffiths said yesterday.
“If Mr Sullivan, or anyone else, has worthwhile plans we are very willing to discuss them.
“Maximising the financial and usage potential of the stadium is part of our mission
statement. Therefore, any viable proposal which could fully utilise and complement
the stadium facilities has to receive consideration.
“If the financial viability of this venture could be proven, a meeting could be
formalised.”
Sullivan, the owner of Birmingham City FC whose publishing concerns include a
Sunday newspaper, had his interest in Cardiff City aroused by a recentadvertisement placed by City chairman Samesh Kumar seeking investment in the club.
However, he decided any financial support would need to be linked with a move to
a new ground.
“I am very serious about investing in Cardiff City and very serious about the
potential the club has if it were playing at the right stadium,” Sullivan was reported
as saying yesterday.
The report went on to confirm that he had already spoken to Cardiff City chief
executive Joan Hill about such a possibility.
“If a deal could be done with the Millennium Stadium operators to move the soccer
club there I would love to back it. I would be very keen to get involved if a viable
deal could be struck.
“But the stadium is the key. There is no potential at Cardiff City while they remain at
a dilapidated ground like Ninian Park.”
He was quoted as dismissing a City relocation to the £240m Cardiff Bay sports
village, adding, “Nor is there any point moving to a new ground that holds only
15,000 or even 25,000.
“My ultimate ambition for Cardiff City would be the top of the Premiership. I believe
the potential is there. But to do that nowadays you need to be building a stadium
with at least a 40,000 capacity.
“That’s why the Millennium Stadium would be perfect. I’m sure the people of Cardiff
would respond to the prospect of Premiership football in the city.”
Hill said last night, “To have a man like David Sullivan interested shows the
potential we have. Wherever he puts his money, it’s going to be a money-spinner in
football.
“You pray for something really good to happen to the club. If ever there was a time
to take it forward it is now. Judging by the non-stop phone calls to Ninian Park,
supporters seem to be over the moon about David’s interest. ”
Sullivan, who would have to give up his interest in Birmingham City if he were to
become involved with City, is one of a number of interested parties to have
responded to Kumar’s advertisement.
But Kumar, the former Birmingham City chairman instrumental in Sullivan’s
take-over of the Midlands club, said City were also keeping their options open
about a move to the Cardiff Bay sports village.
“We have had no concrete proposals put to us, and I can assure our fans we will
talk to them before any decision is made,” he said.
“We are keeping an open mind. If it is a good deal for the club we would consider it.
But there is also a desire to stay at Ninian Park.”

Tuesday 21st April 1998

Cardiff City 3 - 1 Merthyr Tydfil - Report.

Success at last. City reach the final of the FAW Invitation Cup.

Saturday 18th April 1998

Cardiff City 1 - 2 Macclesfield - Report.

A fourth league defeat in a row is making the end of the league season a nightmare.

Friday 17th April 1998

All thats really happened this week has been the speculation over injuries. It would appear that David Penney and Mark Harris are likely to return tomorrow. Young and Middleton are probably ruled out. Dale may need an operation on his shoulder.

I read the other day the the BBC have dropped the live game against Merthyr next Tuesday. They feel the tie is already won and there is no need to televise. The clubs are both upset about. I have heard no more.

Tuesday 14th April 1998

The weekend fixtures have produced an injury headache for Frank Burrows. Carl Dale (shoulder). Scott Young (ankle) and Craig Middleton (ankle) were all substituted at Peterboro yesterday. They join Mark Harris (calf) strain), Jeff Eckhardt (back and hamstring), Garteth Stoker (cruciate knee ligamnets), David Penney (hamstring) and Kevin Nugent (calf strain). Burrows has only eleven fit first team players and they finished the match at London Rd yesterday. Kevin Lloyd, who has been out all season with a serious back problem, is the only senior player that can be called into the squad. It is hopeful that Penney and Harris may be able to make it for Saturday's match at home to Macclesfield. Descisions will not be made on Middleton, Dale and Young until later in the week.

Monday 13th April 1998

Peterborough 2 - 0 Cardiff City - Report.

Theres a definate end of season nothing to play for feeling around at the moment. Cardiff were beaten for the third league game in a row today. Not the sort of Easter the fans or the management would have wanted.

Saturday 11th April 1998

Cardiff City 0 - 2 Colchester - Report.

City went down at home today after a poor performance. Full match report.

from the Western Mail.....

THE venue for the final of Welsh soccer’s richest tournament – the FAW Invitation
Cup – will be decided by the toss of a coin.
Cardiff City and Wrexham took major steps towards places in the final with
comfortable midweek victories.
Cardiff’s 4-0 win at Merthyr Tydfil gives them a healthy advantage for the Ninian
Park return on April 21, while Wrexham will defend a 2-0 lead at League of Wales club Newtown.
But whereas the semi-finals are over two-legs, the inaugural final on May 17 is a
one-off encounter. The expected finalists are likely to agree to tossing a coin for home advantage. The winners get £100,000 and the runners-up £60,000.
Ian Skewis, chairman of the FAW Invitation Cup board, said, “This is an issue that
will be discussed after the identity of the two finalists is known.”
But The Western Mail can reveal that the idea of using a neutral ground has been shelved.
Swansea City’s Vetch Field – the obvious candidate – was removed from the
running several weeks ago when it became clear that Cardiff would be probable finalists.
South Wales Police, concerned over the history of crowd trouble between Swansea
and Cardiff fans, contacted tournament organisers. But the police were quickly
assured they had no plans to stage the final at Swansea.
Other options for a Cardiff-Wrexham final include a Mid-Wales “half-way house” at
Newtown, or taking the game to Merthyr’s Penydarren Park or Bangor’s FarrarRoad.
The latter would ensure that one set of fans would not have far to travel. But it is
understood that the two Football League clubs are willing to try their luck on the toss of a coin.
Wrexham chief executive David Rhodes said, “I think it’s probably the best way to
do it. It would guarantee a good atmosphere at one of the grounds.
“Hopefully it will come to Wrexham, because we haven’t had a cup final in North
Wales for some time.”

Thursday 9th April 1998

A Man Utd XI are to play a Cardiff City XI at Ninian Park on Monday May 4th. The match will be a testimonial game for physio Jimmy Goodfellow.
Tickets are not yet on sale. The game is 24 hrs after Man Utd's final home Premier League game against Leeds, but they still have to play at Barnsley the following weekend.
Goodfellow is hoping to include Nathan Blake, Phil Stant and Gary Bennett in the Cardiff side.
Alex Fergusson will not say yet as to who will play for Utd. Hopefully it won't be as big a disappointment as the Spurs pre season game. I suppose it depends on how the title race stands with one game to go.

Mark Harris is fit again and looking to regain his place in the first team. Lee Jarman will remain as captain in the absence of David Penney. Also missing will be Kevin Nugent, Gareth Stoker and Jeff Eckhardt, all are injured.

Full squad for the Easter weekend..... Hallworth, Phillips, Beech, Jarman (capt), Harris, Young, O'Sullivan, Fowler, Carss, Middleton, Saville, Dale, Lloyd, Roberts, Earnshaw, Cadette.

Wednesday 8th April 1998

City have announced a new shirt deal today. It has been met with uproar from fans who have had new replica kits to pay for for the last 5 seasons. The new deal comes about due to contractual problems with Errea who will not be supplying the new shirts and with Gilesports who sponsored the current kit but not the new one. The new sponsorship deal has not been announced yet but I can reveal that it is likely to be with British Telecom who are the current sponsors of the Cardiff Devils. This further cements the relationship with the Devils as both teams now share directors. The ultimate convergance will come when Cardiff City and the Cardiff Devils all move to the new site in Cardiff Bay.

The new shirts will be based on a fifties design of navy blue body with white sleeves and a white collar.

I do not agree with the exploitation that is going on. I think the club should severely compensate the fans by offering the new kit at a vastly reduced price. I do though agree that any kit will be better than the old one which is a bit unfashionable. (I do wear mine with pride but my wife thinks its awful).

Tuesday 7th April 1998

Merthyr Tydfil 0 - 4 Cardiff City - Report.

Cardiff are odds on favorites to make it to the first FAW Invitation Cup final after trouncing Merthyr 4 - 0 at Penydarryn Park. Goals from Craig Middleton, Anthony Carss, Andy Saville and Carl Dale have left Merthyr needing a miracle at Ninian Park in a fortnights time.

City are set to sign Barry Town goalkeeper Mark Ovendale as back up for Jon Hallworth next season. The teams are on the verge of agreeing a £30,000 deal for the 23 year old. Cardiff are also beleived to have been offered Wales B cap Gary Lloyd but they do not seemed interested in the left back, who is also valued at £30,000. City will be running a reserve team next season to heighten competition for places.

Cardiff City youth will play Llanelli in the Welsh Youth Cup final. Llanelli beat Caernarfon 4 - 0 in their semi final. City of course beat Swansea 1 - 0 last week.

Report from todays Western Mail...

Merthyr Tydfil attempt to cause an upset against the Cardiff City side their manager Colin Addison almost joined, at Penydarren Park tonight, spurred by a £40,000 cash incentive to reach the final of the FAW Invitation Cup.
Addison, short-listed for the City managerial hot-seat, was disappointed when Frank Burrows pipped him for the post in February.
“That’s history now,” he said before the semi-final first leg. “I called into Ninian Park for a chat with Frank last week and I’m sure we’ll both be approaching the cup-tie with the same attitude – to provide an attractive, competitive match.
“As a professional Football League club with some quality players, Cardiff will be favourites.
“But we are top of the Dr Martens League Premier Division. Our level of consistency has been magnificent – we’ve lost only four league games.
“This will be a welcome break from the pressure of trying to win the league. I want my players to relax and enjoy it although I would prefer not to have our present problems.”
Neil O’Brien and Mark Williams are banned, long-serving ’keeper Gary Wager and striker Chris Summers unfit, midfielder Shaun Chapple ineligible and leading scorer Ian Mitchell doubtful through injury.
Lee Jarman, 20, will captain City in the absence of the injured David Penney and Mark Harris while a hamstring injury threatens to rule out defender Jeff Eckhardt.
“It would have been easy to hand the captaincy to one of the other senior pros but I want younger players to take more responsibility rather than hide behind seasoned players,” said Burrows.
“I asked Lee if it would bother him being captain. He said he would very much like to lead his home-town club, the response I wanted. A Welshman should feel proud to captain Cardiff City.
“The FAW’s long-range plan is to get the winners of this competition into Europe. In the short term it provides a lot of local interest.”

Merthyr Tydfil: Thomas; (from) Wigley, Abraham, Gibbins, Rivett, Barnhouse, Clarke, Griffith, Mitchell, Evans, Loss, Poretta, Jenkins.

Cardiff City: Hallworth; (from) Jarman, Beech, Eckhardt, Young, Middleton, Carss, Fowler, Saville, Dale, O’Sullivan, Phillips, Roberts, Cadette, Earnshaw.

Friday 3rd April 1998

Scarborough 3 - 1 Cardiff City - Report.

City have gone down 3 - 1 to Scarboro tonight.

Nathan Cadette has been added to the squad for the trip to Scarboro. Also travelling North is Robert Earnshaw. Both played for the youth team last night. Kevin Lloyd is also in the squad. Cadette could be used as cover for Penney who has a hamstring injury.

City youth beat Swansea 1 - 0 at Jenner Park last night in the semi final of the Welsh Youth Cup. Danny Clark scored a first half winner after he was set up by a Robert Earnshaw pass. City now go on to meet either Llanelli or Caernarfon in the final.

Thursday 2nd April 1998

City will be without David Penney and Mark Harris through injury for tomorrow evenings game at Scarboro. Lee Phillips has been called into the squad to cover for Harris. Also out is Robert Earnshaw who will be playing for the youth team against Swansea tonight in the semi finals of the Welsh Youth Cup. There is a welcome return to the squad for Kevin Nugent, he joins Carl Dale, Andy Saville and Christian Roberts as the four front men looking for a place in the team.

It has been confirmed that at least one of Wales' European qualifiers will be played at Ninian Park. Plans have been submitted to turn Ninian into a 19,400 all seater ground in time for the match against Belarus on Wednesday October 14th 1998. The match against Italy will be played at Anfield home of Liverpool on Saturday September 5th 1998. The remaining games against Denmark (Jun 9/99) and Switzerland (Oct 9/99) are most likely to be played in Cardiff.

I do not know if the seating that is installed will remain or whether it will be taken out after the game. The temporary seating will be placed on the Grange End and at the base of the Bob Bank.

Wednesday 1st April 1998

David Penney has received a two match suspension after collecting too many yellow cards. He will miss the games against Colchester and Peterborough. For those who think this is an April fool and I am building your hopes up only to find he is playing, its true!!