' VINCENT TAN CONSIDERS RETURN TO BLUE. '

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27358728

(Follow link above for bbc video)
SUNDAY 11th MAY 2014.

' VINCENT TAN CONSIDERS RETURN TO BLUE. '

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has said for the first time that he is willing to reconsider his decision to change the club's colours from blue to red - but only upon their Premier League return.

The Malaysian businessman also confirmed that he has no plans to walk away from the Bluebirds following their recent relegation to the Championship.

"I would like to focus on getting back to the Premier League and after we are there I will definitely agree to sit down and find a solution - maybe we can have a compromise," said Tan.

"I am not a quitter. I will stay until we get ourselves up and then we will see whether we can work out this colour change and compromise. If we can, maybe I will stay for a long time."

Tan also said he:

• Wants to unite with supporters and is open to fan representation on the board of directors

• Is considering turning a third of the £150m owed to him by the club into equity

• Welcomes ex-manager Malky Mackay's decision to drop his legal case against Cardiff

• Has been unfairly labelled a "Bond villain" and is more like James Bond

But the most significant development is Tan's new stance on the home colours.

His decision in 2012 to change Cardiff's shirt from their traditional blue to "lucky" red, and the crest from a bluebird to a red dragon, formed part of a multi-million pound investment.

The rebrand sparked opposition from sections of the fanbase - with protests, demonstrations and, most recently, the daubing of graffiti at the stadium entrance.

Cardiff fans protest
Parts of Cardiff City's fanbase have continued to show their dislike of the club's colour change
Tan told the BBC in February there would be no return to blue under his ownership and that if supporters refused to accept his ruling, they should find a new investor to buy him out.

But on Saturday the 62-year-old said: "Let us get back to Premier League first and after we are there I assure fans, the Supporters' Trust and all of them, that I will sit down with them and we will find a solution that I hope will be satisfactory for all - for them and for me also.

"We would like to work closely with the fans. We will try to engage and meet as often as we can. Our chairman [Mehmet Dalman] will have constant dialogue and whenever I can I will join them."

When asked if there was scope for a supporter to join the board, Tan replied: "That's possible, yes. Maybe we can even bring one in now, that's a good suggestion, I would not mind at all."

On his own future, he was emphatic: "No-one should question my commitment. I will not quit while we are in this situation. I am not a quitter, nor a loser. A quitter never wins; a winner never quits.

"I will convert some of my debt to equity but not all because the amount is very big. The club owes me maybe £120m and I put in £140m or £150m. Maybe I will convert £50m and leave £100m debt.

"I won't walk away and let it go bust because if I want to walk away I must go and look for a new owner to take my place. That is being responsible. I don't do things in an irresponsible manner. I have a better chance of recouping my investment if it's in the Premier League."

Sir Alex Ferguson and Vincent Tan
As well as owning Cardiff City, Tan bought Bosnian club FK Sarajevo in 2013
Tan was speaking the day after Mackay halted his legal action against the south Wales outfit and apologised "without reservation" over the issues that led to his mid-season dismissal.

"For legal reasons I cannot comment on the detail," Tan explained. "But I'm pleased that finally we have a closure on this matter and suffice to say he is dropping all litigation, all claims against us. I'm pleased with the result and I'm also pleased that he has publicly apologised.

"I said before, one day some people will apologise to me for what they have done. Some people made me out like the villain. I'm supposed to be the Bond villain, but actually I'm James Bond."

It is understood that neither Mackay nor former head of recruitment Iain Moody, who was sacked in October and also released a statement of apology, received any compensation.

Tan refused to explain why Mackay dropped his case, adding: "Maybe you should ask him."

The Malaysian was unhappy with a perceived overspend of £15m on an agreed budget of £35m for player transfers last summer, a claim which Mackay and Moody have previously denied.

"He [Mackay] is supposed to be the expert in football," said Tan. "He let us down terribly. The fans and everyone should know. I hope they look at this and think carefully. They should judge me with their head, thinking with their brain, instead of from their heart or being influenced by others.

"The manager of a club is very important. He is like the lifeblood of the club and for that man to be manager of the club he must be trustworthy. When I lose trust in the manager, how can he carry on? I lost trust in my manager."

A representative for Mackay declined to comment when contacted by the BBC.

Massive news and no comments?

Stupid. It should be changed back to Blue for next season, in order to make a genuine challenge back to the
Premiership!

1st time hes spoken about it. Really cant see why he dont do a compromise for next season. Why wait untill we get back up ? I dont understand the logic in it

Full interview - http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27358728
Strange how its now only a third debt to equity

Full interview - http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27358728
Strange how its now only a third debt to equity

that is not good, another lie from tan don't trust a word he says

He talks about focusing on getting back up to the premier and reuniting the fans. Surely the best way to do that is change us back to blue now. If he thinks everyone is just going to back the red next season just because of the statement, he's in for a shock.

Might be looking into this wrong, but my take on it is that he wants to get us promoted, make us worth a lot more to any interested parties, then his compromise would simply be to sell us and leave NOT turn us back to blue

He needs to get back up to get his cash back. f**k him protest every game and if it affects the players so be it. Tell him we won't stop until we are blue.

Look on the brightside gents, he is saying that compromise is now a real possibility, of course changing back to blue for next season would be preferable but I'll settle for the season after if we come back up, perhaps deals with the new kit manufacturer's are already in place etc etc, who knows perhaps he is just trying to pacify us.

Hes hinting at a return to blue and allowing a fan onto the board, im happy with this man as owner, other than not changing the badge he has kept his word on most things and I see no reason to think this is a lie.

This should be seen as a big step forward for the fans in terms of ongoing dialogue and unity with the owner.

Where does it say he's considering changing back to blue?? As far as I can see he is desperate to get us fans 'on side' for a push for promotion and realised it'll never happen with disunity (something that he has caused)

If he wants unity then he should compromise NOW!! Change the home kit to blue and play away in red - that is the only solution. The man just doesn't get it does he??

As for the debt to equity farce - how many times has he said he was going to convert ALL the money owed ? Now he is 'considering' 30% and still lumbering us with £100m FFS. He knows the only way he is ever going to recoup his dosh is to get us promoted and is saying ANYTHING to realise this.

James Bond??? Don't make me laugh

Look on the brightside gents, he is saying that compromise is now a real possibility, of course changing back to blue for next season would be preferable but I'll settle for the season after if we come back up, perhaps deals with the new kit manufacturer's are already in place etc etc, who knows perhaps he is just trying to pacify us.

Hes hinting at a return to blue and allowing a fan onto the board, im happy with this man as owner, other than not changing the badge he has kept his word on most things and I see no reason to think this is a lie.

This should be seen as a big step forward for the fans in terms of ongoing dialogue and unity with the owner.

Aye if he had a reputation with us to keeping his word which he does not.

All things that Tan has done where people say he is good for the club is really things that are good for Tan only. Training facilities and stadium expansion only add value to the club that benefits Tans saleable attraction. Conversion to debt would make the club attractive BUT would come at a great cost to Tans portfolio. There is very little gain for Tan in the conversion to debt and he is using all the excuses not to do it.

Big step I dont think so.

He needs to get back up to get his cash back. f**k him protest every game and if it affects the players so be it. Tell him we won't stop until we are blue.

Spot on - the idiot is deluded

James Bond?? He'll be swinging into his seat from a rope on his helicopter next.

We need to force him out - give him his £100m and be rid of this fool for ever

Ian
The rebrand was a massive error on Tan's part, some fans will never see past that whatever Tan does to make amends, lets be honest most fans would have never heard of a debt to equity conversion if Tan hadn't mentioned it himself!

Sounds like he is willing to compromise which is a step in the right direction.

So basically we certainly won't be returning to blue next season & even if we did get promoted he would'nt change back as he knows that the glory hunters would be back so the rest who are unhappy can be easily replaced. An evil conman who should'nt be anywhere near a football club, if fans start wavering again to this madman i'm finished with the City.

Yep that definitely sounds like a man with a plan, let's get back to the prem so Its easier for me to sell you and get some money back and maybe I will write off 50 mill to do it, as I have had gutsful of you all.

Change us back to blue now restore the badge and I will forgive you Vinnie , I will even let you leave one Malaysian flag in the stadium and the sponsor on the shirt plus I will buy you a pint of SA.

Seriously if it's a faint possibility in compromise in his mind for the future, that's making it worse, that's messing with our emotions and if he wants a half red and half blue kit that's even worse still. If he wants unity turn us to blue and return the badge NOW , a divided club out of sync between the terraces and the pitch will struggle as a unit. I would rather he start finding us a buyer now, than put us through the mill any more.

Annis, get in the boardroom!

At last there is some recognition from Tan that the rebrand has failed with the fans but everything else is am empty promise. Stating that we will sit down after getting back to the premier league to find a 'compromise' is a pathetic attempt at an olive branch to fans. He needs to do it now! All trust in this man is broken. A solution is needed to unite fans now because if we struggle next season the club will just quickly plummet.

We all know that the logical decision would be to change the colours back to blue immediately, his compromise could be that the away kit remains red and the badge incorporates the dragon and bluebird, like the one frequently posted on this message board. It would 100% unite supporters and club in what is going to be a tough promotion push However, as we are all too aware, Tan doesn't do logical

The manager of the club must be trustworthy I lost trust in my manager HMMMMMMMM

Sounds like he is willing to compromise which is a step in the right direction.

But only on his terms, & on his conditions.

Most businesses i know listen to their customers, in order to increase their profits & turnover. It's called customer satisfaction.

Mr Tan does the complete opposite.

The manager of the club must be trustworthy I lost trust in my manager HMMMMMMMM

Yes good point, easy to overlook that with all the other news, a definate hint at MM's wrongdoings.

Expect news from CCST soon, twitter account already active on the topic.

Look on the brightside gents, he is saying that compromise is now a real possibility, of course changing back to blue for next season would be preferable but I'll settle for the season after if we come back up, perhaps deals with the new kit manufacturer's are already in place etc etc, who knows perhaps he is just trying to pacify us.

Hes hinting at a return to blue and allowing a fan onto the board, im happy with this man as owner, other than not changing the badge he has kept his word on most things and I see no reason to think this is a lie.

This should be seen as a big step forward for the fans in terms of ongoing dialogue and unity with the owner.

Great post mate

He won't change us back. If we go up he will say lucky red and if you want to go back to blue , find a new owner.

A massive step in the right direction. Keep up the 19.27 blue protest. Keep wearing your blue. Don't buy red, most importantly support the team at all times. It won't be easy coming back up, so everyone needs to pitch in.

That's it Vinny make a vague comment and then do nothing next season it's not like we haven't seen you do it before.

Back to blue for next season or te protest will grow use your brain Vincent FFS!

Look on the brightside gents, he is saying that compromise is now a real possibility, of course changing back to blue for next season would be preferable but I'll settle for the season after if we come back up, perhaps deals with the new kit manufacturer's are already in place etc etc, who knows perhaps he is just trying to pacify us.

Hes hinting at a return to blue and allowing a fan onto the board, im happy with this man as owner, other than not changing the badge he has kept his word on most things and I see no reason to think this is a lie.

This should be seen as a big step forward for the fans in terms of ongoing dialogue and unity with the owner.

Great post mate

It is a major step forward and £50million is another massive investment, hopefully when he see's the backlash from this he will realise, that waiting a year is still a mistake. He needs us in the premiership, so he should not waste the opportunity to reunite the club now to help with that push to the premiership now.

If we turned back blue now, that would be worth at least an extra ten points from the improvement in the fans, go on VT you must know it makes sense

If you don't the blue in the crowd and songs about being blue and not getting behind the team will only continue and this will actually hinder our chances of getting promotion....

At least its on his mind, which it was not before.
need to show him today how much it means to us and keep going.

Blue without compromising

Look on the brightside gents, he is saying that compromise is now a real possibility, of course changing back to blue for next season would be preferable but I'll settle for the season after if we come back up, perhaps deals with the new kit manufacturer's are already in place etc etc, who knows perhaps he is just trying to pacify us.

Hes hinting at a return to blue and allowing a fan onto the board, im happy with this man as owner, other than not changing the badge he has kept his word on most things and I see no reason to think this is a lie.

This should be seen as a big step forward for the fans in terms of ongoing dialogue and unity with the owner.

Great post mate

Some of you are gullible beyond belief. He's trying to get you back onside by telling you want you want to hear. If and when you ever make it back to the promised land he'll simply say "well, I've considered it, and I've decided maybe we'll just stay in red". He knows full well you lot will do absolutely nothing about it. Other than the usual bitching and whining on Internet forums obviously.