" Stay Away Bluebirds Fans "

'Cardiff's blue diehards who don't go back will miss Premier League magic,' Neville Southall

17 Apr 2013

By Gareth Rogers



He wore blue for most of his career but Everton and Wales legend Neville Southall urges Cardiff City fans to embrace red.


Wales legend Neville Southall has urged stay away Bluebirds fans to back Cardiff City in the Premier League - despite the controversial rebrand.

While the Bluebirds clinched Premier League promotion against Charlton on Tuesday night many seasoned supporters stayed at home in protest at the controversial colour change but former Everton keeper Southall urges them to back Tan's plan.

He said: “You can say what you like (about Tan), but he has got success.”

“I can understand the shirt thing, but at the end of the day the most important thing was getting the club where it should be.

“They could come out in jockstraps and people wouldn’t give a monkey’s if they got into the Premier League.

"Some of the die-hards won’t go back, and that is a shame because they won’t see Premier League football.

“If they had failed it would probably have been seen as the manager’s fault, not the shirt’s fault.

But playing in red in Wales isn’t such a bad thing is it? I don’t think it was a major issue.”

victory over Burnley on Saturday would see Cardiff claim the Championship title, although two further opportunities would present themselves against Bolton and Hull should City not win at Turf Moor.

Southall, speaking at a Football Pools event today, said: “For a Cardiff fan, for the number of times they have nearly got there, it must be the sweetest night they have had.

Neville Southall
“It is brilliant (having two Welsh Premier League clubs), and if we can get a hat-trick with Newport or Wrexham being promoted (from the Conference) that would be even better.

“That would probably be the best season Welsh football has ever had. I can’t remember a time like it.

“We have two Premier League clubs – you would have to be stoned or bladdered to put a bet on like that a couple of years ago.

“One has been shown to have a good manager and good strategy in Swansea, and one has had some troubled times and have come through it and deserve to be in the Premier League.”

Southall, who won 92 caps during a 15-year international career, believes there could ultimately be spin-offs for the Wales national team, although that might take time.

“It may have a good effect if people in Cardiff want to play, but it may have the opposite effect – people have less patience in the Premier League and want success straight away,” he added.

“It would be nice if they could get some home-grown players. But I am not expecting a massive turnover, although I am sure they will buy for what they want to achieve.

“In fairness, if you ask a Cardiff or Swansea fan if they would rather have a good Welsh player or a super-duper foreign player, I think they would go for a super-duper foreign player.

“I think once they can build up their money – and they both do well in the community – they could make some improvement in the youth systems.

“I think they will do that, but in the past they have both been short of money. Hopefully, the money will go to that and they will produce their own in future.”

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

Tell the Fat Fook to "SHUT THE HELL UP" He is a Scouse loving....................................................................................................Legend !! But keep your nose out you are Everton through and through.

As far as I'm concerned we still have our identity, if anything last night proved that!

I admire Southall's encouragement as I truly believe being stubborn now will lead to a lot of regrets for many, I bet there are some already!

They could come out in jockstraps and people wouldn’t give a monkey’s if they got into the Premier League.


Let's be honest he is right, colour of shirt don't matter.

Cardiff City in the Prem... that what matters.

They could come out in jockstraps and people wouldn’t give a monkey’s if they got into the Premier League.


Let's be honest he is right, colour of shirt don't matter.

Cardiff City in the Prem... that what matters.

Yes it does and so does our badge.

Went to school with Nev when I was very young, he has always been crackers and he obviously has,nt changed with crackpot comments like this, he is blue through and through, imagine what he would have said if Everton were told they must change from blue to what ever other colour, it would never ever happen, the fans would never allow it, way to much history and tradition at the club

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

Wheres the lack of identity? The name, the nickname, the players, the history. Its all there. Do man united have no identity as they went from a completely different name and colour than they have now?

We have an identity, but it gets mistaken as a franchise because of how many people have to bringup the rebrand.

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

Wheres the lack of identity? The name, the nickname, the players, the history. Its all there. Do man united have no identity as they went from a completely different name and colour than they have now?

We have an identity, but it gets mistaken as a franchise because of how many people have to bring up the rebrand.

Sorry but that was all gobbledigook to me fella. No sense in it anywhere

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

Exactly, spot on. I'd take blue in League 2 any day

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

Wheres the lack of identity? The name, the nickname, the players, the history. Its all there. Do man united have no identity as they went from a completely different name and colour than they have now?

We have an identity, but it gets mistaken as a franchise because of how many people have to bringup the rebrand.

The colour.

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

hear,hear.

I enjoyed watching Neville Southall in the 80s and 90s but some of his comments make you think that he's pissed even through he's been 'tea-total' for many,many years!!!

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

Exactly, spot on. I'd take blue in League 2 any day

Says the man with a premier league avatar

JonCCFC wrote:
Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

Angry Man wrote:
hear,hear.

I enjoyed watching Neville Southall in the 80s and 90s but some of his comments make you think that he's pissed even through he's been 'tea-total' for many,many years!!!

Some of the comments you come out with you must be permantly pissed

They could come out in jockstraps and people wouldn’t give a monkey’s if they got into the Premier League.


Let's be honest he is right, colour of shirt don't matter.

Cardiff City in the Prem... that what matters.

Yes it does and so does our badge.

Which badge, coz I got four different one tattooed on my body, we have had lot's of different badges.

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

After the game Tuesday, good few hundred of us headed back to Snowys pub in Pontypridd, lot'of these were blokes like me in their fifties or forties, people I have known though following the City year in year out for what seems like ever.

Sharing the common bond and love for the club and having shared many more lows than highs over the years, has given us an identity that goes far deeper than any pigment, shade or colour. Looking into the tearful eyes of people and knowing what it meant to them, remembering how many disappointments and frustrations we had all been through but stuck with it, that's what identity is to most.

I genuinely feel sorry for people who can't share in that feeling of togetherness and brotherhood that goes with the senseof belonging and identity that many of us feel, and in fact changing the colour in some way has brought many even closer together, because whilst it was a low point sticking together for the good and future security and successf that it brings, is a sacrifice that most genuine fans were prepared to make.

Tell the Fat Fook to "SHUT THE HELL UP" He is a Scouse loving....................................................................................................Legend !! But keep your nose out you are Everton through and through.

Same could be said about the other links that get posted on here of what fans from other clubs think about us and the rebrand..
Feck southall's and feck everyone else's opinions who ain't cardiff

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

After the game Tuesday, good few hundred of us headed back to Snowys pub in Pontypridd, lot'of these were blokes like me in their fifties or forties, people I have known though following the City year in year out for what seems like ever.

Sharing the common bond and love for the club and having shared many more lows than highs over the years, has given us an identity that goes far deeper than any pigment, shade or colour. Looking into the tearful eyes of people and knowing what it meant to them, remembering how many disappointments and frustrations we had all been through but stuck with it, that's what identity is to most.

I genuinely feel sorry for people who can't share in that feeling of togetherness and brotherhood that goes with the senseof belonging and identity that many of us feel, and in fact changing the colour in some way has brought many even closer together, because whilst it was a low point sticking together for the good and future security and successf that it brings, is a sacrifice that most genuine fans were prepared to make.

Gwyn I can agree to some extent with what you say. You must remember that there is nothing wrong with being loyal to our traditions and heritage and that we all know that change in some form is inevitable however the reason for change in our case is that a madman has a belief that red is a lucky colour and this is not a good enough reason to justify the change. when Tan did his pitchside walk on Tuesday night then you could hear the thousands of fans singing "we will always be blue".
Tan has missed the opportunity to become a legend and although fans are grateful to him for what he has done, the shine will be always taken off due to his rebrand.

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

Exactly, spot on. I'd take blue in League 2 any day

Says the man with a premier league avatar

Because we got promoted last Tuesday, in case you didn't know

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

After the game Tuesday, good few hundred of us headed back to Snowys pub in Pontypridd, lot'of these were blokes like me in their fifties or forties, people I have known though following the City year in year out for what seems like ever.

Sharing the common bond and love for the club and having shared many more lows than highs over the years, has given us an identity that goes far deeper than any pigment, shade or colour. Looking into the tearful eyes of people and knowing what it meant to them, remembering how many disappointments and frustrations we had all been through but stuck with it, that's what identity is to most.

I genuinely feel sorry for people who can't share in that feeling of togetherness and brotherhood that goes with the senseof belonging and identity that many of us feel, and in fact changing the colour in some way has brought many even closer together, because whilst it was a low point sticking together for the good and future security and successf that it brings, is a sacrifice that most genuine fans were prepared to make.

Gwyn I can agree to some extent with what you say. You must remember that there is nothing wrong with being loyal to our traditions and heritage and that we all know that change in some form is inevitable however the reason for change in our case is that a madman has a belief that red is a lucky colour and this is not a good enough reason to justify the change. when Tan did his pitchside walk on Tuesday night then you could hear the thousands of fans singing "we will always be blue".
Tan has missed the opportunity to become a legend and although fans are grateful to him for what he has done, the shine will be always taken off due to his rebrand.

I was in front of the ninian stand by the hoarding's and nowhere near thousands sang that when Tan passed probably nearer 50

Very easy to comment when it's not your club, should mind his own fecking business

What the f**k does he know about our club or our fans? Nothing. I love it went these people try to tell us what we should be doing.

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

After the game Tuesday, good few hundred of us headed back to Snowys pub in Pontypridd, lot'of these were blokes like me in their fifties or forties, people I have known though following the City year in year out for what seems like ever.

Sharing the common bond and love for the club and having shared many more lows than highs over the years, has given us an identity that goes far deeper than any pigment, shade or colour. Looking into the tearful eyes of people and knowing what it meant to them, remembering how many disappointments and frustrations we had all been through but stuck with it, that's what identity is to most.

I genuinely feel sorry for people who can't share in that feeling of togetherness and brotherhood that goes with the senseof belonging and identity that many of us feel, and in fact changing the colour in some way has brought many even closer together, because whilst it was a low point sticking together for the good and future security and successf that it brings, is a sacrifice that most genuine fans were prepared to make.

Gwyn I can agree to some extent with what you say. You must remember that there is nothing wrong with being loyal to our traditions and heritage and that we all know that change in some form is inevitable however the reason for change in our case is that a madman has a belief that red is a lucky colour and this is not a good enough reason to justify the change. when Tan did his pitchside walk on Tuesday night then you could hear the thousands of fans singing "we will always be blue".
Tan has missed the opportunity to become a legend and although fans are grateful to him for what he has done, the shine will be always taken off due to his rebrand.

If he is mad, he ain't done bad has he? as for luck, well it ain't been bad has it, but possibly he knows what's needed to market us in the far east and attract massive investment such as the huge support we are now getting from Malaysian airways, and possibly more to follow.
As for hearing thousands sing we'll always be blue, I really didn't hear it, and I do find it ironic that people sing we'll always be blue, whilst we are playing in red, and you reckon Vince Tan is the mad one.

Spot on Gwyn.

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

After the game Tuesday, good few hundred of us headed back to Snowys pub in Pontypridd, lot'of these were blokes like me in their fifties or forties, people I have known though following the City year in year out for what seems like ever.

Sharing the common bond and love for the club and having shared many more lows than highs over the years, has given us an identity that goes far deeper than any pigment, shade or colour. Looking into the tearful eyes of people and knowing what it meant to them, remembering how many disappointments and frustrations we had all been through but stuck with it, that's what identity is to most.

I genuinely feel sorry for people who can't share in that feeling of togetherness and brotherhood that goes with the senseof belonging and identity that many of us feel, and in fact changing the colour in some way has brought many even closer together, because whilst it was a low point sticking together for the good and future security and successf that it brings, is a sacrifice that most genuine fans were prepared to make.

Gwyn I can agree to some extent with what you say. You must remember that there is nothing wrong with being loyal to our traditions and heritage and that we all know that change in some form is inevitable however the reason for change in our case is that a madman has a belief that red is a lucky colour and this is not a good enough reason to justify the change. when Tan did his pitchside walk on Tuesday night then you could hear the thousands of fans singing "we will always be blue".
Tan has missed the opportunity to become a legend and although fans are grateful to him for what he has done, the shine will be always taken off due to his rebrand.

I was in front of the ninian stand by the hoarding's and nowhere near thousands sang that when Tan passed probably nearer 50

Mr Jinks I was talking about the Canton and extending into the corner of the grandstand. But if it makes you feel better or less threatened thinking that only 50 people chanted then carry on.

I was in the back of the family stand and I could hear the chants clearly.

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

exactly...

btw

He wore blue for most of his career but Everton and Wales legend Neville Southall urges Cardiff City fans to embrace red.

How can a keeper wear the same colour as the rest? I never saw Big Nev wearing blue...

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

After the game Tuesday, good few hundred of us headed back to Snowys pub in Pontypridd, lot'of these were blokes like me in their fifties or forties, people I have known though following the City year in year out for what seems like ever.

Sharing the common bond and love for the club and having shared many more lows than highs over the years, has given us an identity that goes far deeper than any pigment, shade or colour. Looking into the tearful eyes of people and knowing what it meant to them, remembering how many disappointments and frustrations we had all been through but stuck with it, that's what identity is to most.

I genuinely feel sorry for people who can't share in that feeling of togetherness and brotherhood that goes with the senseof belonging and identity that many of us feel, and in fact changing the colour in some way has brought many even closer together, because whilst it was a low point sticking together for the good and future security and successf that it brings, is a sacrifice that most genuine fans were prepared to make.

Gwyn I can agree to some extent with what you say. You must remember that there is nothing wrong with being loyal to our traditions and heritage and that we all know that change in some form is inevitable however the reason for change in our case is that a madman has a belief that red is a lucky colour and this is not a good enough reason to justify the change. when Tan did his pitchside walk on Tuesday night then you could hear the thousands of fans singing "we will always be blue".
Tan has missed the opportunity to become a legend and although fans are grateful to him for what he has done, the shine will be always taken off due to his rebrand.

If he is mad, he ain't done bad has he? as for luck, well it ain't been bad has it, but possibly he knows what's needed to market us in the far east and attract massive investment such as the huge support we are now getting from Malaysian airways, and possibly more to follow.
As for hearing thousands sing we'll always be blue, I really didn't hear it, and I do find it ironic that people sing we'll always be blue, whilst we are playing in red, and you reckon Vince Tan is the mad one.

Gwyn trust me he is mad, although I am not not a qualified psychiatrist, I would think that anyone who wears a red trenchcoat and wears his trousers that high is a bit of a maverick at the very least. His blind faith in having a lucky colour is just that and we would have just as easily been promoted in blue. Plenty of fans were chanting "we will always be blue" which did restore my faith in our attitude towards the rebrand. Not being a football fan himself, Tan will soon sell up in my opinion when the conditions are right for him. We may then have an opportunity to return to our colours and badge and attract back some of the good fans that have been lost.

Why won't people realise that identity is more important than success to some people?

After the game Tuesday, good few hundred of us headed back to Snowys pub in Pontypridd, lot'of these were blokes like me in their fifties or forties, people I have known though following the City year in year out for what seems like ever.

Sharing the common bond and love for the club and having shared many more lows than highs over the years, has given us an identity that goes far deeper than any pigment, shade or colour. Looking into the tearful eyes of people and knowing what it meant to them, remembering how many disappointments and frustrations we had all been through but stuck with it, that's what identity is to most.

I genuinely feel sorry for people who can't share in that feeling of togetherness and brotherhood that goes with the senseof belonging and identity that many of us feel, and in fact changing the colour in some way has brought many even closer together, because whilst it was a low point sticking together for the good and future security and successf that it brings, is a sacrifice that most genuine fans were prepared to make.

Gwyn I can agree to some extent with what you say. You must remember that there is nothing wrong with being loyal to our traditions and heritage and that we all know that change in some form is inevitable however the reason for change in our case is that a madman has a belief that red is a lucky colour and this is not a good enough reason to justify the change. when Tan did his pitchside walk on Tuesday night then you could hear the thousands of fans singing "we will always be blue".
Tan has missed the opportunity to become a legend and although fans are grateful to him for what he has done, the shine will be always taken off due to his rebrand.

If he is mad, he ain't done bad has he? as for luck, well it ain't been bad has it, but possibly he knows what's needed to market us in the far east and attract massive investment such as the huge support we are now getting from Malaysian airways, and possibly more to follow.
As for hearing thousands sing we'll always be blue, I really didn't hear it, and I do find it ironic that people sing we'll always be blue, whilst we are playing in red, and you reckon Vince Tan is the mad one.

Gwyn trust me he is mad, although I am not not a qualified psychiatrist, I would think that anyone who wears a red trenchcoat and wears his trousers that high is a bit of a maverick at the very least. His blind faith in having a lucky colour is just that and we would have just as easily been promoted in blue. Plenty of fans were chanting "we will always be blue" which did restore my faith in our attitude towards the rebrand. Not being a football fan himself, Tan will soon sell up in my opinion when the conditions are right for him. We may then have an opportunity to return to our colours and badge and attract back some of the good fans that have been lost.

There's no tickets left.And we couldn't have done it in blue, because he wouldn't have invested then.

Gwyn trust me he is mad, although I am not not a qualified psychiatrist, I would think that anyone who wears a red trench coat and wears his trousers that high is a bit of a maverick at the very least. His blind faith in having a lucky colour is just that and we would have just as easily been promoted in blue. Plenty of fans were chanting "we will always be blue" which did restore my faith in our attitude towards the rebrand. Not being a football fan himself, Tan will soon sell up in my opinion when the conditions are right for him. We may then have an opportunity to return to our colours and badge and attract back some of the good fans that have been lost.

Read a brilliant article from Dr David Owen about powerful people suffering from this disease that makes them come over as mad. I can't remember the title of the disease but its symptoms are bullying and one direction. Due to the power these guys get themselves into they feel the need not to listen to advice and think their way is immortal. Prime examples being the likes of Hitler but actually Owen used Tony Blair as an example of how someone could quite easily become mad when allowed their own agenda.

I can conjure with your statement you think Tan is mad but I don't think he is quite ready for the funny house yet. Thank God really because knowing how the culture is out there in the Far East I do believe there is a small hope of us returning to blue. The LOSS of FACE culture is practically life out there and these people will go to extremes to avoid it. You say Tan will soon sell up when the conditions are right for him. That to me is the most direct and correct sentence I have read from this sad rebrand saga.

I have never believed for one moment that it was Red or Dead. This is mainly down to this loss of face culture that embraces the oriental areas. Only lately Tan has said if we want him to go he will leave us in a good position. That statement confirmed my belief. What that good position means we all can guess but I certainly don't believe it would have been closed doors because that is not good in anyones books.