MONTHLY NEWSFILE
SEPTEMBER 1998

Wednesday 30th September 1998

Mike Ford is looking for a run out today.
City are playing a training match against Barry Town this morning in which Mike Ford hopes to take part. More details later in the day but best wishes to Mike in his bid to get fit again.

City appeal to the big boys.
City director Phill Jardine has written to many top European clubs in the hope they will play a part in Cardiff's Centenary next year. Phil has invited Juventus, Roma and Leeds to join City in a four team tournament for the John Charles Trophy, John's former clubs of course. The competition to take place before the start of next season.

Real Madrid have been invited to play a one off match to celebrate City's famous victory in Madrid in 1971.

Celtic have been invited to play a game in memory of Jock Stein who sadly died at Ninian Park after a Wales match in 1985.

Nantes and Stuttgart, Cardiff's twin towns have also been invited to take some part in the festivities.

The directors will also invite Premiership clubs to come to Ninian as well.

For the sake of everybody connected with the club lets hope some of these teams agree.

Centenary Club
City are to launch a Centenary Club this week. It is free to join and the club are hoping for over 10,000 members. There will be a wide range of benefits to members. It is planned that only Centenary Club members will be able to buy shares in Cardiff City when they are offered to the fans in the new year. The Club hope to raise over £1m from the share issue. More details will be available nearer the time but it could be a minimum investment of £250.

Congratulations to...
Lee Jarman for being called up to the Wales U21 squad for the matches away in Denmark and at home to Belarus.
And to Scot Young who is the proud father of a bay boy who arrived last weekend.

Saturday 26th September 1998

CHESTER CITY 2 - 2 CARDIFF CITY. Match report.

Matthew Brazier scored an equaliser 11 minutes from time to get his second goal in two matches and become joint highest scorer at Ninian Park this season. City went ahead on 62 mins with a goal from Lee Jarman. Priest equalised for Chester a minute later and on 68 mins Chester took the lead through Thomas. Brazier's late equaliser kept Cardiff's unbeaten run going.

Friday 25th September 1998

Chester preview.
City travel to the Deva Stadium tomorrow looking for a fifth straight league victory. City are currently on their best run in over five years and could go within a point of the leaders if results go the right way tomorrow. One major piece of team news is that Jason Fowler is struggling to make the match. Fowler has been a major influence in the City winning streak as our performances have improved dramatically after he has come on as a substitute.

Wednesday 23rd September 1998

Matt Brazier has agreed to stay for another month.
Fulham have agreed to let Brazier come to Ninian for a second month but, he could be recalled if Rufus Brevett sustains an injury and Keegan needs him back. I think every City fan welcomes this descision. Brazier's last match would have been at Chester this weekend but now he could be in line for seven more matches, six of them league games.

CITY res 0 - 0 EXETER res.

The second team fought out a goalless draw at Ninian park last night to gain their first reserve league point. The City side was Kelly, Delaney, Derbyshire, Phillips, Jarman, Skelly, Middleton, Fowler, Roberts, Williams, Cadette. With the subs Earnshaw, Owen (not Michael), Parnell, Kelly and Buttery. Exeter played former Bluebirds Lee Baddeley, Jimmy Gardner and Glen Crowe in their XI.

Tuesday 22nd September 1998

City reserves play tonight.
The reserve team have their second league fixture tonight. Kick off at Ninian Park against Exeter is at 7:30pm. Result update when I get it.

Jeff Eckhardt has won the first Cardiff City player of the month award.
The award is sponsored by the Copthorne Hotel, with Frank Burrow's selecting his best player each month and Colin Pascoe choosing the youth player to be rewarded. The first youth player to win was YTS trainee Lee Skelley.
The senior prize is a short break at the Copthorn Hotel. A meal for two is the prize for the youth player. The Hotel have also provided £1000 towards youth development at Ninian Park.

Saturday 19th September 1998

CARDIFF CITY 2 - 1 ROCHDALE. Match report.

A stirring second half performance earned City three points today for the fourth match running. A disappoining first half ended with City a goal down after a great header from Robbie Painter in the 25th minute. Frank Burrow's half time talk had the desired affect and City came out blazing. A superb volley on 54 mins by Man of the Match Matthew Brazier brought the teams level and just four minutes later Mark Bonner struck a super shot from outside the box to beat Edwards in the Rochdale goal. City had several chances to score more but some good work by Edwards kept them at bay, especially from a fantastic shot from Brazier in the first half which had the keeper at full stretch to push the ball away for a corner. City rode their luck in the last minutes as Rochdale tried to get an equaliser with one goalmouth scramble thet verged on the ludicrous as the ball bounced around the six yard box. City are now unbeaten in the league in September taking 12 out of 12 points so far. We are now up to sixth in the table a far cry from the 21st position we occupied just 19 days ago. City play away at Chester next Saturday in the final game of the month. One more victory would surely bring the manager of the month award to Wales!!!

CARDIFF CITY YOUTH 6 - 0 BRISTOL ROVERS YOUTH.

An excellent win for the youngsters this morning. Goals from Warren Givans (3), John Derbyshire, Phil Kelly and Ian Howse saw the Bluebirds to a comfortable victory. Rovers finished the match with 10 men to complete a miserable morning.

Friday 18th September 1998

Rochdale preview.
Rochdale stand between Cardiff City and a fourth successive league victory. City will probably have a full strength squad to chose from with the exception on Mike Ford. Scott Young is looking for his place back from Lee Jarman and minor injury worries to Dai Thomas, Matt Brazier and Jason Fowler should have all cleared up by tomorrow. Robert Earnshaw is available after his trip to Fulham (see below). Should Jason Fowler make the starting XI then one of either Mark Bonner, Richard Carpenter or Wayne O'Sullivan will have to make way. Surely not O'Sullivan after his last few performances. The front two will again be Kevin Nugent and Dai Thomas. Dai is desperate to get his first home goal of the season.

Saville goes North on loan.
Andy Saville has joined Hull for a months loan. His permanent departure from Ninian Park must now be inevitable. Saville lives in Yorkshire. His move to Scarboro earlier this month fell through after financial difficulties with the Yorkshire side. Good luck to Andy on his time in Hull.

Robert Earnshaw returns from the smoke.
Rob Earnshaw has returned to City after a trial with Fulham. It's believed that this was part of an agreement between Frank Burrows and Kevin Keegan when we took Matt Brazier from them. We are told there is nothing sinister in the arrangement, Earnshaw is a City player.

Reserve / youth team.
The next fixture for the reserve team is at Ninian Park next Tuesday (7:30pm) against Exeter. This fixture is the reserves second in the new reserve team league. They lost the first match 0 - 1 away at Bristol Rovers last Wednesday.

The youth team play this Saturday at the University of Glamorgan in Treforest (kick off 11:00am). They take on Bristol Rovers in their 5th game of the season. The boys have a 100% record so far.

Thursday 17th September 1998

Bristol Rovers res 1 - 0 Cardiff City res

City reserves lost 0 - 1 at Bristol Rovers yesterday in their first reserve team league match. The City team included Andy Saville, Christian Roberts, Craig Middleton and John Williams. Seamus Kelly played in goal.

Tuesday 15th September 1998

The earlier news that Simon Haworth was about to sign for Brentford took an about turn today.
Simon pulled out of the deal after he had passed his medical. His failure to sign has cost City £25,000 in a selling on clause that was put in the contract when he signed for Coventry.

Brentford have dropped their interest in Lee Jarman.
Todays Echo states that Brentford Chairman / manager Ron Noades has assured Cardiff they will be making no further moves. It looks likely though that Simon Howarth will complete his move to Griffin Park today, with the possibility of taking part in tonights Worthington Cup game v Spurs.

Tom Ramasut released by Bluebirds
Ramasut has been released after his months trial.

Monday 14th September 1998

CARDIFF CITY 0 - 1 BANGOR. Match report.

City were beaten tonight by a Bangor side who came to Ninian fearing the worst. Cardiff had virtually all the play in the first half but could not create a goal. Bangor scored a brilliant goal on 44 mins when Darren Hilditch blasted in from 25 yards. His somersaulting celebration nearly matched the quality of the goal. City came close in the second half with a Jeff Eckhardt header coming off the post and a Lee Phillips header being cleared off the line when it in fact looked to have crossed the line. Bangor could have scored again in the second half as they grew in confidence. If Cardiff had put away there chances they could have scored four or five but the result says it all.

Cardiff face Bangor at Ninian Park tonight in the first of the FAW Premier Cup group matches. City will field a strong side but are also likely to give fringe players a chance. With money up for grabs City will not be taking the game lightly but its possible players like Robert Earnshaw and Christian Roberts will be given a chance.

In addition to the speculation over Lee Jarman and Brentford (Brentford supposedly offering £400,000 for him), its now rumoured that Sunderland and Chelsea are tracking Mark Delaney. 22 year old Delaney has only been in full time football for a couple of months since his move to Ninian from Carmarthen but he has impressed in that time. Peter Reid at Sunderland has alledgedly offered £150,000 for him but Burrows has refused to listen until the offer is doubled. reid watched the game at the Shay last Friday.

Friday 11th September 1998

HALIFAX TOWN 1 - 2 CARDIFF CITY. Match report.

Cardiff have pulled off a fantastic away win at the Shay tonight. City fell behind on 60 mins after a deflected free kick from O'Regan beat Hallworth but City came back and into the goal which the City fans were behind strikes from Jason Fowler and Dai Thomas bagged the points for Cardiff.

Cardiff face a tough game at the Shay tonight against newcomers Halifax. The Shaymen are currently fourth in the table only one point behind the leaders and are 4 points ahead of Cardiff. Halifax are unbeaten at home in the league and City will need to play well to get something from the game. Confidence is high though after two victories at Ninian Park in the last week.

Lee Jarman has been recalled to the first team squad as cover for Scott Young. Young was substituted last Tuesday after sustaining a back injury. Jason Fowler is pushing for a starting line up place and Andy Saville is in the squad. Mike Ford is still out injured. Frank Burrows will delay naming his side until the last minute.

Thursday 10th September 1998

CARDIFF CITY res 2 - 0 INTER CABLE TEL res

Cardiff fielded a strong reserve team against Inter Cable Tel  on Wednesday evening and won the game with goals from Christian Roberts and Tom Ramasut. City also included Andy Saville, Jason Fowler, Craig Middleton, John Williams and Lee Jarman amongst others.

Wednesday 9th September 1998

Brentford target Lee Jarman.
Todays Western Mail states that Brentford are interested in 21 year old Lee Jarman. Jarman played for the Wales U21 team last Friday but cannot get into the first team at Ninian at the moment. Brentford are also trying to sign ex City player Simon Haworth from Coventry for £600,000. Gordon Strachan has blocked the move at the moment due to the absence of Noel Wheelan who is out with head and stomach injuries after a brawl.

Tuesday 8th September 1998

CARDIFF CITY 1 - 0 BARNET. Match report.

Cardiff earned a second victory on the trot after a delightful Wayne O'Sullivan chip in the 61st minute. A long ball by Jeff Eckhardt was flicked on by Kevin Nugent and Wayne managed to loft the ball over the Barnet keeper into the empty net. Man of the Match O'Sullivan was on top form tonight as he teased the Barnet defence with mazy run after mazy run. Along with the classy Matt Brazier City have two match winners. City should have been 6 up by that time as Barnet were a very poor side. It could have all turned sour near then end when Barnet pressured the City goal looking for an equaliser. Jon Hallworth produced what must be the save of the season to deny Barnet in the closing minutes. He managed to keep out a goalbound header with his legs from point blank range.

Cardiff entertain Barnet tonight with both sides having a point to prove.
Cardiff will be looking to follow up last Saturday's victory with another three points tonight. Barnet will be looking to improve after last Saturday's 9-1 reverse at home to Peterborough. They come to Cardiff tonight without their assistant manager who has apparantly resigned. It looks like Kevin Nugent will be fit for the game after sustaining a knock on his ankle. Jason Fowler is puching for a strating place after coming off the bench against Plymouth. Mike Ford is still absent so Matthew Brazier will continue as left wing back.

Well done to the youth team.
Coin Pascoe's youth team won their second South West Counties youth game last weekend. They beat Swansesa City 2 - 1. That was the second win in two matches.

Saturday 5th September 1998

CARDIFF CITY 1 - 0 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE. Match report.

Cardiff earned their first home win of the sesaon with a dogged performance against Plymouth. The visitors were the better team for long periods but determination and a huge stroke of good luck saw the Bluebirds home. The only goal came on 88 mins when a hard hit John Williams cross was sliced into his own net by Wotton.

Cardiff's next visitors on Tuesday, Barnet, were beaten at Underhill today 9 - 1 by Peterborough. Lets not think it will be that easy for us on Tuesday. Barnet finished the game with only nine men as well.

Friday 4th September 1998

Cardiff City have forced a major rethink over the Sports Village at Cardiff Bay. CCFC have put on hold plans to move to Cardiff Bay in the first phase of development. The consortium behind the £240m village are now drawing up new plans. Supporters who want the Club to stay at Ninian Park will be overjoyed at the news.

Teamtalk from Billy Ayre.
Both Kevin Nugent and Jason Fowler have regained fitness and rejoined the
squad for the game with Plymouth Argyle.Andy Saville has rejoined after his
transfer to Scarborough fell through.The proposed takeover at Scarborough
did not go through as expected and it was the new consortium that
sanctioned the deal and consequently retracted due to the financial
restraints imposed.Andy was the innocent party but must now concentrate on
regaining full fitness to get back into the team here at Cardiff City
Mike Ford and Gareth Stoker continue to improve on their rehabilitation
work and Fordy will Hopefully be back in contension within the next
fortnight if everything goes according to plan.
Colin Pascoe started as youth coach this week to assist Gavin Tait with the
youth set-up at the club.
Lee Jarman is not available for the Plymouth game as he is playing for
Wales U21 v Italy on Friday night but hopefully will be available for
Tuesday against Barnet
Jummy Goodfellow (Physio) faces a mad dash north after our game with
Plymouth to reach Anfield for the Wales v Italy fixture where he is running
on there in that game.

Billy Ayre

Pilgrims preview.
Plymouth visit Ninian Park tomorrow for a 12:15 kick off. Cardiff will be looking to bounce back from successive Bank Holiday defeats last weekend. Andy Saville is back in contention after his aborted move to Scarborough, Kevin Nugent and Richard Carpenter were both hoping to be fit after this mornings training session. Plymouth bring Sean McCarthy with them. McCarthy, a former Swansea player, is their target man and is expecting a rough ride form the fans at Ninian Park.

Thursday 3rd September 1998

Andy Saville has returned to Ninian Park.
The deal with Scarborough has fallen through due to difficulties at their end. Andy has been training with the Bluebirds and is contention for Saturdays game at home to Plymouth.

Jason Bowen rumours.??
Reading Clubcall have announced that Jason Bowen has held talks and discussed figures with Frank Burrows. Bowen, ex Swansea City is a left winger.

Reserves defeat.
City reserves were baten 3 - 2 by Bristol Rovers at Ninian Park yesterday.