" MY FAMILY WERE TOLD THEY COULDN'T TRAVEL ALONE "

'Cardiff City V Swansea City was so full on my family were told they couldn't travel alone'

By Paul Smith

07/02/16

Former Bluebird realised the intensity of the derby after being told his family would have to be escorted to Swansea clash

Ex Cardiff City midfielder could not have asked for a tougher beginning to his Hearts career, brought on after 10 minutes into a blood and thunder Edinburgh derby against Hibernian in the Scottish Cup.

Cowie, however, insists that the ferocity of the South Wales derby has left him ready for any atmosphere in football.

Cowie said: "I played when they met in the Premier League, which was pretty intense, so I'm sure it'll stand me in good stead.

"Having come from the Highlands, where Inverness and Ross County is a fairly mellow derby, then you get to that Wales one... it was pretty full on and when my family wanted to go to the away game and they were told they weren't allowed to make their own way there, that was the point I realised it was a bit different.

"That it said it all really, the fact they had to get on a bus at Cardiff and everyone had to be escorted all the way to Swansea. Every bus was. It was a conveyor belt of them going along the M4.

"I think when I heard that, that's when I told them not to bother. I've got young kids so they were told it was best to watch it on TV."

Cowie did not feature in the 3-0 defeat at the Liberty Stadium, but played the full 90 minutes as Cardiff won 1-0 at the Cardiff City stadium, thanks to a 62nd minute goal from Steven Caulker.

His first Edinburgh derby turned out to be something of a baptism of fire for the former Scottish international.

Introduced after 10 minutes, Cowie watched his team take a 2-0 lead into half-time. Two goals in the final ten minutes for Hibernian, however, forced the tie into a replay to be played at Easter Road.

Cowie played 99 times for Cardiff after joining on a free transfer from Watford, scoring nine goals and laying on 10 assists.

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

That's only because the Police choose to overkill it, believe me, go to a couple of West Ham/Millwall derbies and you will see what is what, and the Met, still allow travel by tubes and trains

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

That's only because the Police choose to overkill it, believe me, go to a couple of West Ham/Millwall derbies and you will see what is what, and the Met, still allow travel by tubes and trains

And the old firm aswell.

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

That's only because the Police choose to overkill it, believe me, go to a couple of West Ham/Millwall derbies and you will see what is what, and the Met, still allow travel by tubes and trains

And the old firm aswell.

The difference is though, is that London is so difficult to Police public transport and roads. Glasgow is piss easy, that's why the London derbies are potentially so explosive, even now

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

That's only because the Police choose to overkill it, believe me, go to a couple of West Ham/Millwall derbies and you will see what is what, and the Met, still allow travel by tubes and trains

And the old firm aswell.

The difference is though, is that London is so difficult to Police public transport and roads. Glasgow is piss easy, that's why the London derbies are potentially so explosive, even now

Chelsea they are the worst aren't they.

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

That's only because the Police choose to overkill it, believe me, go to a couple of West Ham/Millwall derbies and you will see what is what, and the Met, still allow travel by tubes and trains

And the old firm aswell.

The difference is though, is that London is so difficult to Police public transport and roads. Glasgow is piss easy, that's why the London derbies are potentially so explosive, even now

Really?

Get yourself along to an old firm game and try wearing the wrong colours even just leaving the ground.

Those two games in the Prem the atmo was piss poor. Nothing like previous games between us.

Those two games in the Prem the atmo was piss poor. Nothing like previous games between us.

Yup, shit games both of them in regards to atmosphere and any real feeling of hostility. Hyped up by a massively Swansea bias media and watered down by police. The Derby is practically dead.

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

That's only because the Police choose to overkill it, believe me, go to a couple of West Ham/Millwall derbies and you will see what is what, and the Met, still allow travel by tubes and trains

And the old firm aswell.

The difference is though, is that London is so difficult to Police public transport and roads. Glasgow is piss easy, that's why the London derbies are potentially so explosive, even now

Really?

Get yourself along to an old firm game and try wearing the wrong colours even just leaving the ground.

Yes, really! Who the feck wears colours, anyway

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

That's only because the Police choose to overkill it, believe me, go to a couple of West Ham/Millwall derbies and you will see what is what, and the Met, still allow travel by tubes and trains

Millwall during the 1980's was without doubt the most dangerous away game. When I watch an episode of the walking dead the hoards of zombie's often reminds me of the Millwall fans pinned up against that fence between home & away fans screaming to eat our brains!

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

That's only because the Police choose to overkill it, believe me, go to a couple of West Ham/Millwall derbies and you will see what is what, and the Met, still allow travel by tubes and trains

Millwall during the 1980's was without doubt the most dangerous away game. When I watch an episode of the walking dead the hoards of zombie's often reminds me of the Millwall fans pinned up against that fence between home & away fans screaming to eat our brains!

There is a film called "Cockneys v Zombies" and it shows Millwall and West Ham zombies having a go at each other!!! Shit film but that scene had me in stitches

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

That's only because the Police choose to overkill it, believe me, go to a couple of West Ham/Millwall derbies and you will see what is what, and the Met, still allow travel by tubes and trains

And the old firm aswell.

The difference is though, is that London is so difficult to Police public transport and roads. Glasgow is piss easy, that's why the London derbies are potentially so explosive, even now

Really?

Get yourself along to an old firm game and try wearing the wrong colours even just leaving the ground.

Why would you "wear the wrong colours" fella?

Surely, you know which side you support BEFORE getting dressed?!

The Edinburgh derby is a walk in the park compared to our south wales derby.

That's only because the Police choose to overkill it, believe me, go to a couple of West Ham/Millwall derbies and you will see what is what, and the Met, still allow travel by tubes and trains

And the old firm aswell.

The difference is though, is that London is so difficult to Police public transport and roads. Glasgow is piss easy, that's why the London derbies are potentially so explosive, even now

Really?

Get yourself along to an old firm game and try wearing the wrong colours even just leaving the ground.

Why would you "wear the wrong colours" fella?

Surely, you know which side you support BEFORE getting dressed?!

Wrong colour in the wrong place.

I forgot we are dealing with the soul crew here

You guys would clear the place with your humour.
Or lack of it....

What a load of crap I have been to Old Firm games and nothing, I mean nothing compares. Cardiff vs Swansea ???? Spare me please, they pale into insignificance.Those who give it large have never been to Glasgow for the aforementioned, plain and simple.Jimmy is bang on !!!!