BLAKE " it’s the colour of the shirts. A very big problem."

" It’s not the colour of the shorts which is the problem, it’s the colour of the shirts. A very big problem. "
By Nathan Blake


Nathan Blake: Cardiff City made a wise move by allowing fans kit vote
3 Jun 2013

Our Cardiff City columnist Nathan Blake says


Like most people, I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw Cardiff City’s new home kit.

My first thought was that it looked like two different kits put together and that the whole thing was some kind of joke.

When it was announced it was actually a conscious decision by the club and the whole ‘two tone’ thing was chosen deliberately, well, I could only shrug my shoulders and laugh.

For the only ‘two tone’ scene I am interested in involved The Specials, The Selecter and me wearing my Crombie jacket back in the day.

Put simply, it looked awful and it was wise that the club quickly climbed down and allowed fans to vote on which shorts they wanted to see next season.

But the cynical part of me can’t help but see a conspiracy in all this.

We have now got fans voting on which colour shorts go best with a red shirt. The whole argument about red and blue is totally absent now.

It is an incredible situation and, as far as I am concerned, a very sad one too.

I do feel this new kit fiasco has reopened an old wound, that’s if it was ever closed in the first place.

Someone asked me, irrespective of the shorts, what I thought of the new Cardiff City shirt.

I told them I have no feelings about it whatsoever as it has no significance when it comes to Cardiff City due to the simple fact that it is red.

I’ve said it from the very start that Cardiff City is a blue club.

Blue, white and yellow are the colours that should be used on a Cardiff home shirt with blue being the main one.

The Echo printed a selection of kits from the past from, 1957 (blue), 1977 (blue), 1989 (blue) 1994 (blue) – when I proudly wore it as we won promotion – 2003 (blue), 2008 (blue)...and 2012 (red!)


It does not make any sense to me at all. No good reason for the change has ever been provided, because I don’t even think one is available.

I don’t care if in 20 years Cardiff are playing in red, if in 50 years they are playing in red... the Bluebirds are the Bluebirds, that is the way it will always be.

Like many, I swallowed my pride last season and watched them make the Premier League.

I’ll be honest you were made to feel you had to just to save the club we all love.

But, like many too, I will never accept a red home kit.

I suppose the irony of the vote for the new shorts will not have been lost on some. Cardiff fans who voted for black were effectively voting for the kit Vincent Tan imposed on the club last year.

It is a dreadful situation.

And it could have much bigger repercussions too. Last season everything went brilliantly for Malky Mackay and his men on the pitch and any ill-feeling never got a chance to develop.

But, trust me, if things do start to go wrong on the pitch in the Premier League then discontent can spread easily among supporters.

And something as seemingly insignificant as the kit colour can suddenly become a big thing.

In times of trouble, the smallest crack can soon become a gaping hole and the Bluebirds most certainly do not want that.

Going into the Premier League you need everyone pulling together, everyone pushing in the same direction – and that is not the case because of this ridiculous kit issue.

The unity that should be there, the joy everyone should be experiencing has been taken away by this issue.

I know the club are not going to change it back any time soon – that much is clear – but I have to say it how it is.

It’s not the colour of the shorts which is the problem, it’s the colour of the shirts. A very big problem.

He's pretty much hit the nail on the head there. It's a sad situation that the the clubs support have to deal with this unnecessary situation. Ive never banged the drum to hard about the kit issue, I reluctantly accepted the changes when the 'red or dead' situation unfolded.

But one thing is certain and Blake mentions it in his column here, if we struggle next season we will see a larger rift in the support in regards to this issue which has the potential to cause a big issue, lets hope it doesnt affect the team......

I have to agree with Nathan 100 % and I believe given a choice every city fan would want a blue home kit .

The problem was he was putting money into the club with conditions.

Most people accepted those conditions but to be honest you cant blame people for that and there is also a section who never wanted it all the red that is and those people would have seen us in league 2 or whatever.

Like Nathan said we had a vote for the shorts and the black shorts were voted for VT very colours from last season.

The bring back Blue is building a head of steam but if we really want it back we are gonna have to fight for it VT will pull all the blackmailing stops out to maintain his stance.

In an ideal world we should never of let it happen in the first place and i think we have pussy footed around the issue for to long.

The only hope i see at the moment is bluebirds unite as they are gathering numbers and seem to be going about it in the right way.

WE have the prem we have other financial stabilities but dont forget we have financial instabilities aswell but i see it as we have to push for this now and make a stand against the man that brought us prem football but stole are identity in doing so .I always said it was to big a sacrifice so will we have the fight in us to get the identity back time will tell.

I have never agreed to any rebrand and I still want my identity back this isnt Cardiff City at the moment how do you see it ?

Good man Nathan well said clear and to the point , lets hope that you are understood !!! Thanks !!

A massive compromise by VT would be to allow regular use of a blue away kit rather than the yellow. I think they tested the water last season with regular use of black but the fans voiced their passion for blue on many occasions, be interesting this season to see if VT takes that on board and accepts that eradicating blue isn't an option

A massive compromise by VT would be to allow regular use of a blue away kit rather than the yellow. I think they tested the water last season with regular use of black but the fans voiced their passion for blue on many occasions, be interesting this season to see if VT takes that on board and accepts that eradicating blue isn't an option

Next season there will be 7 clubs wearing red playing strips, including ourselves, in the Premier League which gives the club the opportunity to wear our traditional colours in as many as 15 of our away games. Only Chelsea, Everton, West Brom and Palace are games where we would have to wear another strip, probably red.

Why should it be such a compromise for VT to allow the team to wear our traditional colours away from home We need to be on the case NOW and as fans demanding it.

Last week demonstrated to a point that fan power does still exist and we need to take the opportunity to lobby the club for a commitment to wear our traditional colours in as many away games as possible. VT has his red home kit so in my opinion there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why we cannot have our traditional colours away.

We need to be writing to the club, by email, asking for a commitment from the club about our Blue away kit and we need to be doing it now. Getting the Blue home kit back, whilst VT is around, is a more longterm goal but trust me if enough of us send polite emails asking for this commitment we have a real chance of getting it.

That article shows MediaWales would be behind us and if enough of us spend just a few minutes writing and sending and email, then discussing the matter on this and other MB the media will start taking an interest.

We have the power but it's time to stop rolling over and letting VT tickle our tummies.

Get writing lads - today.

Well said,and nice to hear this from a high profile ex City player. My feelings exactly, and many others

Do you thinking writing as individuals is effective enough? How about askinh the trust to take this on? VT made noises about wearing blue against MU next season, maybe the trust could try to gain support to ensure this happens for the majority of away days.

Do you thinking writing as individuals is effective enough? How about askinh the trust to take this on? VT made noises about wearing blue against MU next season, maybe the trust could try to gain support to ensure this happens for the majority of away days.

Yes I do as customers, and that's how the club views us, we have far more influence that representative groups. Yesterday Steve Borley made a comment about fans of "Other" clubs signing a BU petition, and he has a point, it will be easy for our club to deflect the message on the basis of "How many people who signed it were actually Cardiff Fans"

Not having a go at the Trust here because I think they are doing thier best in a difficult situation and in many ways this would help and support The Trust, The Supporters Club and BU.

Send a polite email yourself and sign it with your name and fan number is a far more powerful message than any "Open" petition or the words of any representative group.


Trust Me.

Do you thinking writing as individuals is effective enough? How about askinh the trust to take this on? VT made noises about wearing blue against MU next season, maybe the trust could try to gain support to ensure this happens for the majority of away days.

Yes I do as customers, and that's how the club views us, we have far more influence that representative groups. Yesterday Steve Borley made a comment about fans of "Other" clubs signing a BU petition, and he has a point, it will be easy for our club to deflect the message on the basis of "How many people who signed it were actually Cardiff Fans"

Not having a go at the Trust here because I think they are doing thier best in a difficult situation and in many ways this would help and support The Trust, The Supporters Club and BU.

Send a polite email yourself and sign it with your name and fan number is a far more powerful message than any "Open" petition or the words of any representative group.


Trust Me.

OK, will do, who are we sending it too? just the clubs general email address or do you have a specific one?

Do you thinking writing as individuals is effective enough? How about askinh the trust to take this on? VT made noises about wearing blue against MU next season, maybe the trust could try to gain support to ensure this happens for the majority of away days.

Yes I do as customers, and that's how the club views us, we have far more influence that representative groups. Yesterday Steve Borley made a comment about fans of "Other" clubs signing a BU petition, and he has a point, it will be easy for our club to deflect the message on the basis of "How many people who signed it were actually Cardiff Fans"

Not having a go at the Trust here because I think they are doing thier best in a difficult situation and in many ways this would help and support The Trust, The Supporters Club and BU.

Send a polite email yourself and sign it with your name and fan number is a far more powerful message than any "Open" petition or the words of any representative group.


Trust Me.

OK, will do, who are we sending it too? just the clubs general email address or do you have a specific one?

I sent an email last night to club@cardiffcityfc.co.uk


viewtopic.php?f=2&t=114313


I posted a copy on that thread and as you will see right now I'm asking the club where in the "All-Inclusive Ethos" does respect for our traditional colours.

I'm waiting for a reply and when I do I'll be hoping to get a discussion going about using our Blue away kit.

The club simply cannot ignore us if, and I hope people support me with this, enough of us write to the club asking the same question.

Where is the respect for our traditional colours and the significant group of fans within the Cardiff City fan who support our traditional colours.

Good article by Blakey. At the very least we should play in blue at away games, like we did at Watford and Hull recently, when there is no clash. This wound will not heal until blue, white, and a bit of yellow is reinstated as our home kit. Even the most successful season in our club's history can't hide that fact. If anything, the pro-blue feeling is stronger now than a year ago. It's all so unnecessary. Just swap the home and away kits round!

Drafted a quick email, haven't spell checked it yet

To whom it may concern

I am writing to you in regards to an issue that I feel is one of the biggest causes of discontent between the club and the fans in recent years, im of course referring to the rebranding of our club.

When the original announcement was made I was angry, angry that something that a football fan holds in such high regard, our crest and colours could be altered by Mr Tan, who, at the time probably lacked a good understanding of the passion for them.

I did however feel that if a business man of Mr Tan's status felt he was making a decision to increase our clubs revenues, I would reluctantly accept his decision and continue to show support for our new look club.

Last season however what I found fairly disturbing was the fact that our blue alternative kit was hardly used and Mr Ali Yassine no longer announced the club as 'The Bluebirds' over the PA system. Its almost felt like the club was trying to eradicate part of its history, a part our fans are eager to hold onto.

Despite these issues the club delivered, promotion to the EPL and the chance to see the club compete at this level is a dream come true for me. I believe at this time Mr Tan has a opportunity to build a bridge between himself and the fans in this coming season and im appealing too him to do so.

My request is a simple one, allow the regular use of our beloved blue kit at away matches next season, make it the first choice alternative kit rather than what we suspect will be a yellow one.

If the yellow (or other non blue) kit is used as the primary alternative next season I honestly feel it would be a snub of the fans wishes and rather disrespectful.

Im not going to argue about a blue home kit as I am willing to, at this time, buy into Mr Tan's idea of improving revenue streams by becoming more appealing in the far east.

All I'm asking for is the fans are meet half way by allowing regular use of a blue alternative kit.

Its not much to ask in my personal opinion.

Drafted a quick email, haven't spell checked it yet

To whom it may concern

I am writing to you in regards to an issue that I feel is one of the biggest causes of discontent between the club and the fans in recent years, im of course referring to the rebranding of our club.

When the original announcement was made I was angry, angry that something that a football fan holds in such high regard, our crest and colours could be altered by Mr Tan, who, at the time probably lacked a good understanding of the passion for them.

I did however feel that if a business man of Mr Tan's status felt he was making a decision to increase our clubs revenues, I would reluctantly accept his decision and continue to show support for our new look club.

Last season however what I found fairly disturbing was the fact that our blue alternative kit was hardly used and Mr Ali Yassine no longer announced the club as 'The Bluebirds' over the PA system. Its almost felt like the club was trying to eradicate part of its history, a part our fans are eager to hold onto.

Despite these issues the club delivered, promotion to the EPL and the chance to see the club compete at this level is a dream come true for me. I believe at this time Mr Tan has a opportunity to build a bridge between himself and the fans in this coming season and im appealing too him to do so.

My request is a simple one, allow the regular use of our beloved blue kit at away matches next season, make it the first choice alternative kit rather than what we suspect will be a yellow one.

If the yellow (or other non blue) kit is used as the primary alternative next season I honestly feel it would be a snub of the fans wishes and rather disrespectful.

Im not going to argue about a blue home kit as I am willing to, at this time, buy into Mr Tan's idea of improving revenue streams by becoming more appealing in the far east.

All I'm asking for is the fans are meet half way by allowing regular use of a blue alternative kit.

Its not much to ask in my personal opinion.

Well said Nathan. I am afraid to say though that the club just dont care about their fans we are just comodities to them, they will do as they please, its their toy and they will do as they want

Even as a reluctant red I can't help but agree with him.

When it was announced it was actually a conscious decision by the club and the whole ‘two tone’ thing was chosen deliberately, well, I could only shrug my shoulders and laugh.

This sums up my feelings too. Some of the things done by the club are so stupid you can't help but laugh, even if it is the club you support. It's the only way to keep positive in some respect.

I think Tan will end up being the catalyst for his own demise. The Cardiff City fan base is now a fractured and fragile entity and one more bad decision could see the fans kick off big time. Scarf gate was one, short gate was two, third time and I think people will take to the streets and go mental and want Tan out.

I wonder if Barrie is doing this on purpose to provoke a reaction and get Tan out. You never know and I refuse to say he is for libel reasons but surely provocation is the only way that our fan base with be spurred into action. Maybe Barrie is playing a blinder here and is pro blue.

Can't see it but it is definitely a conspiracy theory for Splott David and Mrs Steve R to get excited about on the other board.

Sent my email and I've joined the Trust, I feel the fans need some official representation at a time like this, no disrespect for BU but I'd rather present my views to the trust than them.

I know that some people want to focus on regaining a blue home kit, but I feel trying to get a blue away strip in regular use is more realistic at this time.

Sent my email and I've joined the Trust, I feel the fans need some official representation at a time like this, no disrespect for BU but I'd rather present my views to the trust than them.

I know that some people want to focus on regaining a blue home kit, but I feel trying to get a blue away strip in regular use is more realistic at this time.

How much is the trust to join and what you get from it? I might join if its worth it. Do they have a discussion forum?

A massive compromise by VT would be to allow regular use of a blue away kit rather than the yellow. I think they tested the water last season with regular use of black but the fans voiced their passion for blue on many occasions, be interesting this season to see if VT takes that on board and accepts that eradicating blue isn't an option

Next season there will be 7 clubs wearing red playing strips, including ourselves, in the Premier League which gives the club the opportunity to wear our traditional colours in as many as 15 of our away games. Only Chelsea, Everton, West Brom and Palace are games where we would have to wear another strip, probably red.

Why should it be such a compromise for VT to allow the team to wear our traditional colours away from home We need to be on the case NOW and as fans demanding it.

Last week demonstrated to a point that fan power does still exist and we need to take the opportunity to lobby the club for a commitment to wear our traditional colours in as many away games as possible. VT has his red home kit so in my opinion there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why we cannot have our traditional colours away.

We need to be writing to the club, by email, asking for a commitment from the club about our Blue away kit and we need to be doing it now. Getting the Blue home kit back, whilst VT is around, is a more longterm goal but trust me if enough of us send polite emails asking for this commitment we have a real chance of getting it.

That article shows MediaWales would be behind us and if enough of us spend just a few minutes writing and sending and email, then discussing the matter on this and other MB the media will start taking an interest.

We have the power but it's time to stop rolling over and letting VT tickle our tummies.

Get writing lads - today.

A change kit may only be worn a maximum of EIGHT times during one season unless necessity suggests otherwise. This decision lies with match officials.

http://www.truecoloursfootballkits.com/ ... es-on-kits

Sent my email and I've joined the Trust, I feel the fans need some official representation at a time like this, no disrespect for BU but I'd rather present my views to the trust than them.

I know that some people want to focus on regaining a blue home kit, but I feel trying to get a blue away strip in regular use is more realistic at this time.

I agree Gavin getting the Blue away kit used as often as possible must be top priority, because that's a more realistic goal than getting the home kit changed.

At least whilst VT is involved.

I think Tan believes that he must eradicate blue from the club or the red is temporary.

Sent my email and I've joined the Trust, I feel the fans need some official representation at a time like this, no disrespect for BU but I'd rather present my views to the trust than them.

I know that some people want to focus on regaining a blue home kit, but I feel trying to get a blue away strip in regular use is more realistic at this time.

How much is the trust to join and what you get from it? I might join if its worth it. Do they have a discussion forum?[/quote]


Isn't your hands full on this forum?

A massive compromise by VT would be to allow regular use of a blue away kit rather than the yellow. I think they tested the water last season with regular use of black but the fans voiced their passion for blue on many occasions, be interesting this season to see if VT takes that on board and accepts that eradicating blue isn't an option

Next season there will be 7 clubs wearing red playing strips, including ourselves, in the Premier League which gives the club the opportunity to wear our traditional colours in as many as 15 of our away games. Only Chelsea, Everton, West Brom and Palace are games where we would have to wear another strip, probably red.

Why should it be such a compromise for VT to allow the team to wear our traditional colours away from home We need to be on the case NOW and as fans demanding it.

Last week demonstrated to a point that fan power does still exist and we need to take the opportunity to lobby the club for a commitment to wear our traditional colours in as many away games as possible. VT has his red home kit so in my opinion there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why we cannot have our traditional colours away.

We need to be writing to the club, by email, asking for a commitment from the club about our Blue away kit and we need to be doing it now. Getting the Blue home kit back, whilst VT is around, is a more longterm goal but trust me if enough of us send polite emails asking for this commitment we have a real chance of getting it.

That article shows MediaWales would be behind us and if enough of us spend just a few minutes writing and sending and email, then discussing the matter on this and other MB the media will start taking an interest.

We have the power but it's time to stop rolling over and letting VT tickle our tummies.

Get writing lads - today.

A change kit may only be worn a maximum of EIGHT times during one season unless necessity suggests otherwise. This decision lies with match officials.

http://www.truecoloursfootballkits.com/ ... es-on-kits

That's well out of date so it's not relevent. PL rules now allow clubs to register a home kit and a maximum of two alternative kits which must be registered not less than 4 weeks before the start of the season. Any of the registered kits can be worn in away games but it is important for us as fans to push now to get a commitment that our traditional Blue kit is worn in as many away games as possible.

It will be to late if by the middle of July the club hasn't even registered a Blue alternative kit. Anyone else think that VT might do that

Right now I wouldn't put it past the club.

Sent my email and I've joined the Trust, I feel the fans need some official representation at a time like this, no disrespect for BU but I'd rather present my views to the trust than them.

I know that some people want to focus on regaining a blue home kit, but I feel trying to get a blue away strip in regular use is more realistic at this time.

How much is the trust to join and what you get from it? I might join if its worth it. Do they have a discussion forum?[/quote]


Isn't your hands full on this forum?

No I use several others. Reddit, TSR, etc. I use Reddit the most out of all. Much more intelligent discussion tbh.

@ JB


http://www.ccfctrust.org

@ JB


http://www.ccfctrust.org

Thanks Gav. I'll sign up in August when I move to my new address.

I hardly ever agree with what Blakey as to say, but this is one of those rare occasions

I believe also that tan wants blue/bluebird out of the equatiun his long term plan is for us to be the dragons
and the reds and thats were he sees the future of the City and that were he has got it so badly catastrophicaly
wrong by refusing to consider blue shorts he has showed his hand and that is will prove the undoing of red at
this club eventualy. there is no way its for superstitiuos reasons hes thinking china far east and dragons dragons
dragons. wat an amazing clever shrewd businesman he is but nobody gets it right all the time eh. blakey, forget
a blue top its not happening not even worth fighting for while hes here and guess what i dont care that much as
long as we get blue shorts and socks. a compramise, thas all! CCFC fans bent over and took it cos we were scared
of being in the shit again but hes pushed to far now nex season could be proper cringing for him wen millions round
the globe heare cardiff city fans sing bluebirds, come on you blues, blue army, and fans are mainly dresed in blue too
cos i think a lot of the reluctant red are pised off now to. the atitude of the city faithful is getting more like: thank you
for everything u done for us Vincent but it does not mean we have to swallow everything we were here first if he wants
to see that as confrontation then f**k him

First time I've heard Blake talk any sense.

A massive compromise by VT would be to allow regular use of a blue away kit rather than the yellow. I think they tested the water last season with regular use of black but the fans voiced their passion for blue on many occasions, be interesting this season to see if VT takes that on board and accepts that eradicating blue isn't an option

Respect your view Gavin but 'allowing' us to wear our traditional home colours away from home more regularly,is not the sort of compromise that I would find acceptable in any way. Indeed, if the supporters showed any gratitude whatsoever for what isn't really a concession at all,then I think it would set a dangerous precedent and suggest that we'll accept the rebrand providing we can play in blue away!