MONTHLY NEWSFILE
JULY 1998

Thursday 30th July 1998

MAN CITY 0 - 0 CARDIFF CITY

Full report to follow.
The first half was full of good attacking football with many chances at either end. Cardiff faded in the second half but good news, Jon Hallworth played for the last half an hour. Att 2586.

Season Ticket discount cards
======================
Would any season ticket holders who did not receive a CCAFC season ticket
discount card (glossy plastic job) please call in at the club during office
hours to collect them- The card bears the Name, reference number and seat
number (grandstand only) of the holder and can be used to claim various
discounts and offers without having to take the ticket book. The cards
arrived courtesy of "Reds" bar after we had started issuing tickets and as
a result not all fans will have got theirs.

Places currently offering discounts include: RedsBar,Stamps Bar (Meals
only) Pieros Restaraunt, Cardiff Devils (season tickets), Stewart Greenberg
(Spectacles), Sports Cafe Cardiff Bay (meals) oh and of course the club
shop- more to be announced in match programmes/web site

New shirts
========
Delivery from Xara promised 1st week in August price to be confirmed -but
kids likely to be much less than last season. Shirts will be available from
the Club Shop and from a number of retail outlets & sports chains including
Gilesports. We are still awaiting order confirmations then a list of
outlets will be released

Programme Price 98/99
================
Programme for League games will be £1.60

Wednesday 29th July 1998

Irishman Seamus Kelly has joined Cardiff City today.
Seamus is from Tullamore in Ireland . He is 24 years old a B International
at under 21 level representing the Irish League. Kelly trained with the Bluebirds at Keele last week and was prefered over the other trialist keeper Matthew Hodson. City now have four keepers on the books. Jon Hallworth, Ian Loveless, Seamus Kelly and the non contracted Ronnie Sinclair. Kelly is the seventh signing made by Frank Burrows following Mark Bonner, Mark Delaney, Richard Carpenter, Mike Ford, John Williams and Graham Mitchell. 


Tuesday 28th July 1998

PRESS RELEASE 28TH JULY

New Players
------------------
Cardiff City AFC today announced the signings of 2 players for the coming
season-central defender Graham Mitchell (age 30) and forward John Williams
(age 30). Yorkshire born Graham is an experienced player who spent a number
of seasons with Huddersfield Town and Bradford City, and for the last 18
months he has been with Scottish club Raith Rovers.
Birmingham born Williams rejoins manager frank Burrows who originally
signed him for Swansea City from Cradley Town in 1991 John was later with
Coventry City, Wycombe Wanderers and Hereford United, before spending last
season with Exeter City. Both players have been training with Cardiff City
for the last few weeks.

(Above report by Richard Shepherd)

Graham Mitchell Defender Born - Shipley Date of Birth - 16 February 68 Signed - from Bradford City, October 1996

Report from Raith Rovers The experienced Englishman joined Rovers in October last year and impressed with his control and reading of the game. With over 500 games in the lower reaches of the English leagues, the calm central defender was made captain and is a cool customer. His partnership with Davie Craig towards the end of last season spelled the start of things going wrong however, and after a partnership with Andy Millen, both defenders were dropped and Graham was freed at the end of the 1997/98 season after a long loan spell at Cowdenbeath.

Coventry City Special Prices
-----------------------------------------
Discount prices announced by the Club are £5.00 adult most areas of
ground and FREE admission for Children (under 16) with voucher to be printed in South Wales Echo and South Wales Argus unaccompanied juveniles £2.00
Centre blocks of grandstand will be priced at £6.00 and £3.00.

MANGOTSFIELD 2 - 0 CARDIFF CITY XI

A City youth XI were beaten in a friendly last night at Mangotsfield. New signings Graham Mitchell and John Williams played for the first half. City were sunk by two goals in two minutes from Edward Gregg (62) and Kris Lee (64). Christian Roberts and Robert Earnshaw went closest for Cardiff.

Monday 27th July 1998

PRESS RELEASE 27TH JULY 1998

Cardiff City Football Club are pleased to announce a major new investment.
A consortium of 10 Cardiff City supporters have together with existing
board directors invested approximately £300,000 the vast majority of which
is available to manager Frank Burrows to buy new players .

The consortium is led by new director Philip Jardine, a partner in South
Wales law firm Morgan Bruce who said' "This is a tremendous step forward
for Cardiff City and reflects our confidence in Frank Burrows who we are
sure will bring long awaited success to Ninian Park".

In addition to Philip Jardine, the board is strengthened by the appointment
of Michael Price a London based supporter who originally hails from the
Rhondda and now runs his own I.T. consultancy.

Further to the above..

City now have eight directors. Chairman Samesh Kumar, Vice-chair  Paul Guy, Bob Phillips, Steve Borley, David Temme, Joan Hill along with the two new boys. The sale of these new shares now means that Kumar has less than 50% of the shares. The other eight members of the new consortium are all Cardiff supporters and some of them are local businessmen.

Goalkeeper Ronnie Sinclair has been signed on non contract terms. Sinclair joined the Bluebirds on Saturday and found himself taking the ball out the net 5 times after the hiding by West Brom. Sinclair has been brought in from Chester as experienced cover for Jon Hallworth. Hallworth is trying to get fit for the first league match at Harlepool. Sinclair is like to keep goal against Man City and Coventry in the high profile preseon friendlies over the next 8 days or so. Frank Burrows does not feel that Ian Loveless or either of the two teenage trialists have the experince to step straight into the first team. Sinclair's future will be reviewed on a day to day basis.

Saturday 25th July 1998

CARDIFF CITY 0 - 5 WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Report by Nigelblues...

Happy Days are here again!

Glad I don't pay much attention to pre-season friendlies or I would be
worried. The scoreline was slightly flattering to West Brom who scored 4 in
the last 25 minutes. Nearly all were excellent goals too.
As for City, much the same as last season I'm afraid. Despite letting in 5,
they looked quite competent in defence. Whoever the keeper was (I think it
was Kelly from Dublin) wasn't bad but much too small - about 5'6" in my
estimation. Hallworth would have saved 2 or 3 by virtue of his size.
Mark Delaney on the other hand looks a cracking signing. A strong runner,
good tackling, good centres, a longish throw and a good shot too. I think
he'll become a crowd fave. He got man of the match today but not much
competition really.
The rest of the defence was Scott Young, Lee Jarman, Jeff Eckhardt and Lee
Phillips. All played well, Phillips stood in as an emergency left back and
did well.
Problems remain in midfield and up front. Midfield are not creative enough
and not much pace. Penney seemed fitter but not a great deal better on this
showing although he had City's best chance when he ran through well and was 1
on 1 with the keeper but shot tamely at him. Carpenter looked ok and hit 1
blistering shot against the bar but nothing out of the ordinary apart from
that. Bonner didn't play and O'Sullivan was in. You can understand why
Frankie is begging Fowler to stay but he can't wait on him any longer.
Strikers were Nugent and Saville who I don't think will work as a duo.
Problem is mainly no pace again. Saville had a great shot well saved, Nugent
didn't have any shots that I recall.
Roberts and Cadette came on for final 20 mins.
It proved Frankie must get in the 3 or 4 players he says he is hunting
quickly. Priority is a striker and, as someone posted after the Stoke game, it
needs someone in the Dale mould. If we're trying Kevin Lloyd again, why not
Dale too (if fit)? Just give him a monthly contract. Roberts and Earnshaw
are great prospects but still too young to be relied on to do it week in, week
out this season.
The game apart, the new kit looks good, the ground is decorated with Brains
Bitter adverts all along the Grandstand roof (and the City crest is back!) and
the Bob Bank wall is decorated with Coca Cola signs. Don't know if this
happened elsewhere but in the ground but the Canton Stand were treated to the
surreal sight of someone dressed in a suit and bow tie selling hot and drinks,
crisps etc from a trolley like those you see on the trains. I think he sold 2
cups of tea for his pains!
A bit depressing but it is just a friendly and, hey, in nine and a 1/2 months,
it'll all be over! (can't wait on this showing).

Friday 24th July 1998

Cardiff have made two fixtures changes for later next season. The home game against Halifax has been brought forward to Friday 19th February 1999 and two weeks later the home game v Chester has been brought forward to Friday 5th March 1999. I presume this is because of the 5 nations but I am not sure.

Thursday 23rd July 1998

MACCLESFIELD XI 0 - 1 CARDIFF CITY.

Mark Delaney scored a late winner in this afternoons friendly against a Macclesfield XI at Keele University. Further good news is that Jeff Eckhardt and Kevin Nugent came through the full 90 minutes.

Wednesday 22nd July 1998

STOKE CITY  1 - 0 CARDIFF CITY.

City went down to a disputed penalty scored by Dean Crowe in their first official pre season friendly.

Richard Carpenter and Mark Delaney will make their City debuts tonight against Stoke in the first official pre season friendly. City's other two new signings Mike Ford (hamstring) and Mark Bonner (bruised toes) will miss the game.

Graham Mitchell is the lastest triallist with the Bluebirds at Keele. Mitchell, a 30 year old central defender is currently under contract to Raith Rovers but would love to move to Cardiff. He is training with the Bluebirds and will review his position later. The other triallists with the club are teenage goalkeepers Seamus Kelly and Matthew Hodson and also John Williams who scored in the training match against Port Vale. City were giving a trial to striker Scott Bundy from Portsmouth but his name is not mentioned at the moment.

The squad for tonights game is: Loveless, Kelly, Lloyd, Phillips, Delaney, Jarman, Young, Penney, Middleton, O'Sullivan, Fowler, Cadette, Nugent, Earnshaw, Carpenter, Saville, Roberts.

The full squad players not taking part are Jon Hallworth (knee injury) Jon is at Ninian park receiving treatment on his injury and is expected to be fit for the trip to Hartlepool on Aug 8th, Jeff Eckhardt, Mike Ford, Gareth Stoker, Mark Bonner.

You will notice Kevin Lloyd's name in the above squad. I believe he is still with the Bluebirds at the moment but will be leaving as he was released at the end of last season.

Tuesday 21st July 1998

PORT VALE XI 0 - 4 CARDIFF CITY.

Cardiff made a winning start to the 1998/99 preseason friendly campaign. City played a Port Vale XI in a match behind closed doors yesterday. Goals from Andy Saville, John Williams (ex Swansea and Coventry City who is on trial, Williams will decide next week if he will join the Bluebirds), Robert Earnshaw and Jason Fowler saw the Bluebirds home.

Andy Dibble has turned down the chance to rejoin Cardiff City. City will now rely on Ian Loveless who is on a senior contract with the Bluebirds to deputise for the injured Jon Hallworth. There are two triallists at Keele with the squad, Irishman Seamus Kelly, who participated in yesterdays friendly and former Wycombe keeper Matthew Hodson.

Monday 20th July 1998

DIBBLE IS BACK?
Jon Hallworth has a knee injury and likely to be out for a week at least so
Frankie has approached Andy Dibble (currently with no club) to play against
Port Vale on Wednesday and West Brom on Saturday with possible talks if
Hallworth is not fit soon. A decision is awaited.

INJURIES ALREADY!
As well as Hallworth, Jeff Eckhardt is still troubled by last season's back
and hamstring injury. Mike Ford also has a hamstring injury and is unlikely
to play until the West Brom game on Saturday. Mark Delaney has a strain but
is training & Craig Middleton will be suspended for City's 1st 4 league and
cup games.

OTHER KEEPERS
City have 3 teenage keepers at Keele. Ian Loveless (a former YTS player),
Matthew Hodson (who had a previous spell at Wycombe) & Seamus Kelly (from
Dublin University and recommended by the ex-Blackpool/Eire player, Mickey
Walsh).

FRANKIE SAYS
The pitch is definitely being widened again (as said in the London meeting)
and is set to bring in 3 or 4 new signings before the season starts - 1 or 2
may be Premier Division long-term loans.

Sunday 19th July 1998

Cardiff City are to hold an open day at Ninian Park. It will take place on Sunday August 16th, the day after the opening home league game against Peterboro. Fans are invited to meet the squad and see behind the scenes at Ninian Park.

Wednesday 15th July 1998

Robert Earnshaw has signed full time for Cardiff. Earnshaw is a highly talented striker who scored over 50 goals for the youth team last season. This is a good signing for the City as Earnshaw was attracting interest from higher division clubs.

Friday 10th July

Tickets for the away friendly at Man City go on sale. Tickets for the match at Maine Road are available from the club on Monday. Priced at £8.00 and £5.00. The game takes place on Thursday July 30th kick off 7:45pm.

Cardiff's new strip has been unveiled.

The home kit is being modelled by Gareth Stoker and the away kit by Suzanne Collins from the commercial department.

Thursday 9th July 1998

John Hodge has decided to join Gillingham. Hodge has been linked to Cardiff City but has decided to leave Walsall and go to Gillingham instead.

Monday 6th July 1998

British Telecom are likely to sponsor the Bob Bank at Ninian Park. BT were originally thought to be sponsoring the football kits at Ninian but that honour has gone to "The Sports Cafe". An impression as to how the design might look is below. The BT deal is believed to be worth around an initial £20,000. Full details are not yet available, the Club is likely to announce the deal in the near future. The BT logo's will replace the famous "Captain Morgan Rum" wording which has been visible on the stand for nearly 40 years.

Friday 3rd July 1998

Cardiff's new shirt sponsors have been revealed today. Both home and away kits will bear the logo of "The Sports Cafe". The Sports Cafe is opening a new outlet in Cardiff Bay. It will be the eighth Sports Cafe to open in the world, others include Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, London, Cape Town and Beirut with others planned. The deal is thought to be worth £20,000 to the club immediately with more money to follow.

Chris Vinnicombe has again been linked to the Bluebirds. He has been talking to various clubs but Cardiff are favourite to attract him. Vinnicombe has refused to sign a new contract with his club Burnley.

City have added two more pre season friendlies. Cardiff are planning to play 2 more pre season friendlies. A Cardiff City XI will play at Mangotsfield on Tuesday July 28th (7:30pm) and at Hungerford on Saturday August 1st (3:00pm).

Thursday 2nd July 1998

The City squad returned from their summer break yesterday and among them was Jason Fowler. Fowler has not yet signed a new contract but the club are hopeful.

(l-r) Mark Bonner, Jon Hallworth, Kevin Nugent and Mark Delaney

Also present were new signings Mark Bonner and Mark Delaney. Gareth Stoker joined in the training session but he was only able to train in the gym while the others were out running. Stoker will not be able to play until at least Christmas after rupturing his cruciate knee ligaments in a training match last season.

The transfer speculation merry go round continues. Mike Ford is the next expected definate signing for the Bluebirds. City are also linked with Walsall midfielder John Hodge. Hodge, 29,  is a former Exeter and Swansea player. One other new face at Ninian is trialist Scott Bundy, Bundy is a striker and was released by Portsmouth at the end of last season.

Some former City players are still trying to sort their futures out, Anthony Carss is likely to sign for Chesterfield. Jason Perry is eyeing up a move to Lincoln City, Jimmy Rollo has signed for non league Forest Green Rovers and Carl Dale has been in contact with several Nationwide League and non league clubs regarding his future.

There is a time change for City's home match v Plymouth Argyle. It is being played on the same day as Wales play Italy at Anfield (Sat September 5th @ 8:00pm) in the Euro 2000 qualifiers. City have brought kick off forward to 12:15pm instead of 3:00pm.

Cardiff draw Fulham in the new League Cup. Next season the League Cup is being sponsored by Worthington and not Coca Cola. City have been handed a tough first round against Fulham. The matches will be played on Tuesday 11th August at Craven Cottage with the return at Ninian Park on Tuesday 18th August. The full draw is below:-

First Round Draw
Huddersfield Town v Mansfield Town
Bolton Wanderers v Hartlepool United
Wigan Athletic v Rochdale
Wrexham v Halifax Town
Tranmere Rovers v Carlisle United
Notts County v Manchester City
Grimsby Town v Preston North End
Darlington v Sheffield United
Oldham Athletic v Crewe Alexandra
Bury v Burnley
Blackpool v Scunthorpe United
Macclesfield Town v Stoke City
Scarborough v Barnsley
Port Vale v Chester City
York City v Sunderland
Rotherham United v Chesterfield
Stockport County v Hull City
Bradford City v Lincoln City
Walsall v Queens Park Rangers
AFC Bournemouth v Colchester United
Plymouth Argyle v Portsmouth
Birmingham City v Millwall
Bristol City v Shrewsbury Town
Southend United v Gillingham
West Bromwich Albion v Brentford
Barnet v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Luton Town v Oxford United
Swindon Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Leyton Orient v Bristol Rovers
Fulham v Cardiff City
Swansea City v Norwich City
Exeter City v Ipswich Town
Torquay United v Crystal Palace
Northampton Town v Brighton & Hove Albion
Peterborough United v Reading
Cambridge United v Watford

First Leg ties to be played during the week
commencing August 10. Second Leg ties to be
played during the week commencing August 17.

Wednesday 1st July 1998

As exclusively revealed on this website two days ago Darren Freeman has signed for Brentford.

Frank Burrows / Billy Ayre have quoshed rumours about Andy Saville. There has been much speculation in the North East that Saville may be moving, Cardiff say that is not true and Saville will stay at Ninian Park.

It is expected that Jason Fowler will remain at Ninian. Fowler is the only out of contract player at the moment but it is believed he will put pen to paper this week and remain a Bluebird.