" LIFE WITHOUT CARDIFF CITY "

CARDIFF CITY
LIFE WITHOUT CARDIFF CITY
JANUARY 17, 2014 FFWTBOL

I saw my last Cardiff City game on the 26th of February 2012. As last games go, it wasn’t a bad one. The club I’ve supported since 1977 lost to Liverpool on penalties in the League Cup Final. I’d moved away from Cardiff to north west Wales in 2004, but since then I’d retained season tickets for a few seasons and even without them my sons and I had made it to about 15 games a year, with many away games being closer than home. So you could say that it was a simple decision for me to boycott when I heard news of the rebrand. And I’d agree that it wouldn’t so easy for somebody living near the stadium to pack it in, though it isn’t that straightforward.

Those 15 games a year added up to a lot of hours travelling. I’d argue that my commitment was equal to some of those who didn’t miss a home game during those years. I’d made 48 hour midweek trips to Norwich and Ipswich and there were long days travelling to Reading, Leicester, and Southampton. Even the home games involved a 12 hour round trip. But I’m not setting myself up as some sort of superfan – I’ve never thought of fandom as an attribute for anyone – I travelled because I loved it.

I’d flown to the League Cup semi final second leg against Crystal Palace by aeroplane from Anglesey, leaving after work and waking at 5am to catch the flight back north before the next day’s shift. I watched the game in the company of members of the London Supporters 1927 Club, many of whom are now also boycotting. Even as we celebrated wildly that evening, we raised a sceptical brow as Mr Vincent Tan paraded the trophy as if he’d scored the winning goal. Something wasn’t right.

I’ve been taking my eldest son down the City since he was about five years old. He’d been to the FA Cup Final and I’m really pleased that he got to experience the atmosphere at Ninian Park. His younger brother came to Wembley for the League Cup Final, and both are confirmed Bluebirds despite living in an area of Wales which is almost exclusively Liverpool, Man Utd and Everton, with a sprinkling of Spurs, Wrexham, and Leeds. They were club mascots in 2010 and for years theirs were the only Cardiff kits in Gwynedd. (But to be fair, there weren’t even many Cardiff kits in Cardiff when I was a lad.)

The boys are too young to understand my position on boycott, and have asked me if I mind if they still support the club. Of course, I won’t impose my own politics on them, but neither will I contribute a penny to Tan’s vandalism. There were no Cardiff City kits for Christmas, but I was also proud that none were asked for.

And that it was makes this boycott so difficult. Not only do I miss the hours of travelling to games in our colours with that unique sense of anticipation, but I miss the connections that Cardiff City gave us in all aspects of our lives. Cardiff City was our shared interest – it was our thing. Many fathers connect to their sons through a shared support for their club and I’m no different. But now, I can’t talk about transfer targets, about match prospects, about management decisions, and I certainly can’t follow games with them on television or radio.

You see, when you boycott a club, you don’t just not go to games, you switch off from every aspect of a supporter’s life. You turn away from that whole world to protect yourself. I didn’t realise that my interest in professional club football was entirely related to Cardiff City. But suddenly I couldn’t watch Match of the Day or the Football League Show – it was a reminder of previous trips. I’d watch every club as a potential opponent, a former player, or as a past conquest. Cardiff City were my point of reference for everything that happens in the Football League.

It hurts to walk away from something which has been such a big part of your life for so many years. People wonder if I now want the team to lose. I think the evidence has shown that the Cardiff crowd only rises in protest when the team is losing. And all I care about – the only thing I care about – is that my club regains its pride and identity. If the team needs to lose a few games to create a revolution, then that’s a small price to pay in my opinion.

In many respects, the boycott has been a positive move. I have more time to spend at home, I’ve saved a load of money and I’ve taken an interest in other things. I was out cycling in the hills on the night when Cardiff gained the promotion I’d waited 35 years to see. I was mowing the lawn when they played their first game in Utopia. My annual leave no longer pays heed to the fixture list and my boys don’t miss any of their own football games.

Other boycotters have found different interests to fill the hole. Many visit games in Europe, some have taken an interest in other sports, and others spend more time watching their local village sides. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’ve lost six stone since giving up the football trips fuelled by Magners and Monster Munch. But I can’t pretend I don’t miss it all. I just can’t contemplate the idea of supporting a tacky red ‘Fire and Passion’ brand which has replaced a club. That’s not what I signed up for.

Until recently I had not once considered going back while they play in red. It just doesn’t feel like the same club that I supported. But when I heard of the mass protest at Liverpool away, I was tempted for the first time to return. If there was an atmosphere of dissent amongst the support, then maybe I could make a banner and face it for the sake of my boys. I would wait to see how things went at the following home game, but the promised protests never materialised. And once again Vincent Tan outwitted the angry voices by appointing a celebrity manager in Oli Gunnar Solskjaer. The growing protest movement was nipped in the bud, and our family trip to Newcastle was aborted.

If Cardiff City returned to blue, I’d be back tomorrow, and I’d put a small dent in the £120 million pound that Tan has gambled on the future of the club. But he doesn’t need me now, or the rest of us who refuse to play his game. Others have taken our place. I’ll never forgive him for the arrogance and disregard he has shown for a once-proud club, but when he’s gone, I’ll be back.

Mate, Family is the most important thing.

I do not feel as strongly for the club as I once did, but whilst that club is called Cardiff City I will support them. I do not spend a penny on merchandise and have only stepped foot in the Stadium a few times since they turned red,i left with a strange feeling as I did not recognise my own team.
Since the Rebrand I have attended mainly away games but only a few. Work and location limit my time at the matches but to go "Cold Turkey" as you have done would be difficult.

Today I was originally supposed to be heading down to Manchester with another Cardiff exile but instead I'm now working. 10 years ago I would've pulled a sickie to attend the match and I could lie and say "it's because of the rebrand I can't do it" but the truth is there are far more important thing s I need to take care of nowadays.
My lovely family and our home is the single handed most important thing in my life and I will work my socks off to keep them happy.

If the Club became Cardiff dragons,Malaysia FC or anything other than Cardiff City then I would no longer support the club.

The Kit is not my cup of tea but the club is still there.
I respect your stance on the matter and sympathise with your hurt.
But you sound like you have grown a lot closer to your family and that is all that's important at the end of the day.

All the best,Tony.

:sleepy2:

Go back to bed, you seem tired.

I am tired, tired of people who feel the need to pour their heart out on an internet message board, Perhaps tired is not the word, bored is a better one. What I cannot understand is someone who truly supports CCFC can just walk away, I am 65 years old and have supported City all my life, and although I would love us to be in blue, the most important thing is that I still have a club to support

Feel sorry for the kids in this situation....could never ever do that to my son over a colour.

I am tired, tired of people who feel the need to pour their heart out on an internet message board, Perhaps tired is not the word, bored is a better one. What I cannot understand is someone who truly supports CCFC can just walk away, I am 65 years old and have supported City all my life, and although I would love us to be in blue, the most important thing is that I still have a club to support

Where do you live? Are you an exile od do you live in South Wales?

I love to hear how something as unimportant as a game of football can affect a whole persons life. It just shows how important it is to people.

My personal outlook was to make sure it did not affect my relationship with family members and a total boycott, to me, would cause issues within the family.

I notice that he said that he would not impose his own politics on his kids but he did anyway and it affected his relationship with his kids.

They did not ask for football tops because they knew none would be bought, it did not mean that they were not wanted.

The biggest parental faux pas is the removal of the camaraderie and relationship he was building up with the kids. A joint interest with your kids gives you an 'in' into the rest of their life, you become a confidante and not just another parent who has no idea what your kids at up to.

I understand that it is each to their own but this story is selfish. His stance was more important than his children.

Your relationship with your children should far outweigh a game of football.

I love to hear how something as unimportant as a game of football can affect a whole persons life. It just shows how important it is to people.

My personal outlook was to make sure it did not affect my relationship with family members and a total boycott, to me, would cause issues within the family.

I notice that he said that he would not impose his own politics on his kids but he did anyway and it affected his relationship with his kids.

They did not ask for football tops because they knew none would be bought, it did not mean that they were not wanted.

The biggest parental faux pas is the removal of the camaraderie and relationship he was building up with the kids. A joint interest with your kids gives you an 'in' into the rest of their life, you become a confidante and not just another parent who has no idea what your kids at up to.

I understand that it is each to their own but this story is selfish. His stance was more important than his children.

Your relationship with your children should far outweigh a game of football.

Bang on the money Wayne .

I love to hear how something as unimportant as a game of football can affect a whole persons life. It just shows how important it is to people.

My personal outlook was to make sure it did not affect my relationship with family members and a total boycott, to me, would cause issues within the family.

I notice that he said that he would not impose his own politics on his kids but he did anyway and it affected his relationship with his kids.

They did not ask for football tops because they knew none would be bought, it did not mean that they were not wanted.

The biggest parental faux pas is the removal of the camaraderie and relationship he was building up with the kids. A joint interest with your kids gives you an 'in' into the rest of their life, you become a confidante and not just another parent who has no idea what your kids at up to.

I understand that it is each to their own but this story is selfish. His stance was more important than his children.

Your relationship with your children should far outweigh a game of football.

Top post

I am tired, tired of people who feel the need to pour their heart out on an internet message board, Perhaps tired is not the word, bored is a better one. What I cannot understand is someone who truly supports CCFC can just walk away, I am 65 years old and have supported City all my life, and although I would love us to be in blue, the most important thing is that I still have a club to support

Where do you live? Are you an exile od do you live in South Wales?

South Wales

Very interesting read, whilst I didn't agree with the change I put up with it, right or wrong because I support Cardiff city. However as time as gone on and reading numerous debates on here and increasingly getting pissed off by Tan's antics I have changed my opinion? I live local so it is easier for me to see them I will continue to do so, but I do understand where you are coming from. Good luck Hope one day you be back,

The guy made a big step from the off. I honestley believe a fair number of us will join him in the next couple of seasons even if we stay up.

Some of us do things gradually while others jump in. I really do feel the club are going to lose a large section of diehard supporters soon. Perhaps that is what this regime running the show want, a new breed of customer.

I do get the feeling those taking over the clubs these days are more business orientated than traditional. The traditional guys always considered what the club is and cared very little about the money.

I enjoyed reading it, he has a point our fans seem to only rise when were losing.

Everyone has their own way of expressing their opinions/beliefs and we should all respect each other for it. I thought he put his beliefs across very well .

The guy made a big step from the off. I honestley believe a fair number of us will join him in the next couple of seasons even if we stay up.

Some of us do things gradually while others jump in. I really do feel the club are going to lose a large section of diehard supporters soon. Perhaps that is what this regime running the show want, a new breed of customer.

I do get the feeling those taking over the clubs these days are more business orientated than traditional. The traditional guys always considered what the club is and cared very little about the money.

agree totally with you Ian.
i have been underwhelmed by the experience so far but perhaps a lot of that is to do with the ultra defensive negative tactics employed by malky.
it remains to be seen if ole can turn things around but its certainly not all its been hyped up to be.
rebrand aside you also want to watch your team being competitive but for me how many people will continue to go when the height of ambition is to finish between 15th and 17th and going to man city every season thinking you have got a result if you lose less than 4 nil

his poor kids, i dont know how he could do that.

if my dad did that to me 15 years ago i would have been crushed, not only that i wouldnt be here supporting today.

completely selfish and totally underestimating what impact it would have on his kids relationship with him, his kids lives in general. depriving his kids of a passion in life

I will NEVER desert the team, no matter what colours they play in, no matter what they are called, no matter who owns them and no matter how good or bad they are

The guy made a big step from the off. I honestley believe a fair number of us will join him in the next couple of seasons even if we stay up.

Some of us do things gradually while others jump in. I really do feel the club are going to lose a large section of diehard supporters soon. Perhaps that is what this regime running the show want, a new breed of customer.

I do get the feeling those taking over the clubs these days are more business orientated than traditional. The traditional guys always considered what the club is and cared very little about the money.

agree totally with you Ian.
i have been underwhelmed by the experience so far but perhaps a lot of that is to do with the ultra defensive negative tactics employed by malky.
it remains to be seen if ole can turn things around but its certainly not all its been hyped up to be.
rebrand aside you also want to watch your team being competitive but for me how many people will continue to go when the height of ambition is to finish between 15th and 17th and going to man city every season thinking you have got a result if you lose less than 4 nil

Been through that Steve but in less picturesque scenes. That is take 15th place in the dungeon division and getting a draw at Hartlepool becomes a result. However what kept me going then is definitely not what we have now. It certainly isn't.

I will NEVER desert the team, no matter what colours they play in, no matter what they are called, no matter who owns them and no matter how good or bad they are

Really.

As JB said how about Cardiff Powder Puff playing in light pink because we are owned by a billionaire Barbie doll.

I'm an exile and I can't imagine life without " the city " hate the red but love my club so so passionately I could never boycott.

The guy made a big step from the off. I honestley believe a fair number of us will join him in the next couple of seasons even if we stay up.

Some of us do things gradually while others jump in. I really do feel the club are going to lose a large section of diehard supporters soon. Perhaps that is what this regime running the show want, a new breed of customer.

I do get the feeling those taking over the clubs these days are more business orientated than traditional. The traditional guys always considered what the club is and cared very little about the money.

agree totally with you Ian.
i have been underwhelmed by the experience so far but perhaps a lot of that is to do with the ultra defensive negative tactics employed by malky.
it remains to be seen if ole can turn things around but its certainly not all its been hyped up to be.
rebrand aside you also want to watch your team being competitive but for me how many people will continue to go when the height of ambition is to finish between 15th and 17th and going to man city every season thinking you have got a result if you lose less than 4 nil

I agree with certain aspects of not going anymore, my dream/goal was that I wanted to watch City in the top flight,waited for 35 years to achieve the dream.now it's here 'I've accomplished it. Not sure if I'll be renewing my season ticket next season as my dream/goal is over..

Unfortunately what kept this club alive in the lower divisions no longer exists thanks to tan. The '5%' as tan described it were some of our most passionate and replaced by newbies, casual football fans that will find the easiest accuse to jump ship as soon as things go tits up

How someone can be a fan and not care what we are called, or what colour we play in Etc is beyond me

can you be a true fan of any club if you dont care about them things, because the name and colour is what makes a club have its own identity ??

This club lost its backbone and fight a long time ago, everything that was special about this club gone. Years ago I would have fought for this club but now I find myself not caring half as much.

and, as I see more and more man utd, liverpool fans coming down as City season ticket holders the more I distance myself.

the atmosphere and drive has vanished, filled with people who are only interested is seeing the big clubs come down and these fans dont care too much if we lose.

I tok want to see the big clubs come down but not at the cost of the club I loved

How someone can be a fan and not care what we are called, or what colour we play in Etc is beyond me

can you be a true fan of any club if you dont care about them things, because the name and colour is what makes a club have its own identity ??

This club lost its backbone and fight a long time ago, everything that was special about this club gone. Years ago I would have fought for this club but now I find myself not caring half as much.

and, as I see more and more man utd, liverpool fans coming down as City season ticket holders the more I distance myself.

the atmosphere and drive has vanished, filled with people who are only interested is seeing the big clubs come down and these fans dont care too much if we lose.

I tok want to see the big clubs come down but not at the cost of the club I loved

Very Sad to say, but your spot on. I won't forget how fans like us who wanted to stay BLUE got belittled for it and they
Endorsed the Red/bullied the BLUE,wore the red,spread lies that it was red or dead. All for Prem Glory, Were they really there years ago? the truth no they were not.

I am tired, tired of people who feel the need to pour their heart out on an internet message board, Perhaps tired is not the word, bored is a better one. What I cannot understand is someone who truly supports CCFC can just walk away, I am 65 years old and have supported City all my life, and although I would love us to be in blue, the most important thing is that I still have a club to support

Those who walked away would argue that it's not CCFC anymore, history and fan identity has been mutilated to such a point, continued attendance would involve supporting the regime that mutilated 'our beautiful thing', are you that stupid to not understand this? By continuing support and ridiculing resistence to the rebrand you are not a true CCFC supporter imho. You can go back to bed now you've got some attention, sad how you behaved to get it.

I am tired, tired of people who feel the need to pour their heart out on an internet message board, Perhaps tired is not the word, bored is a better one. What I cannot understand is someone who truly supports CCFC can just walk away, I am 65 years old and have supported City all my life, and although I would love us to be in blue, the most important thing is that I still have a club to support

He didn't post it here though did he ... Carl did.

I am tired, tired of people who feel the need to pour their heart out on an internet message board, Perhaps tired is not the word, bored is a better one. What I cannot understand is someone who truly supports CCFC can just walk away, I am 65 years old and have supported City all my life, and although I would love us to be in blue, the most important thing is that I still have a club to support

He didn't post it here though did he ... Carl did.

Carl did not post it, it was on today's FWTBOL Site,

I won't return until we are a representation of what true fans believe to be the CCFC identity. and that awful man Vincent Tan is out of frame. I guess I'm not a true fan, those who visually AND financially support Vincent Tans dream are true fans. Best of luck to them, but the football experience is 10 times more rewarding when a sense of ownership, identity, representation and belonging are present on the 'terraces'. I'm not bothered if Tans red Cardiff win or lose today. I will watch the game as a curious neutral.

Last edited by Blue_Always on Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:01 am, edited 1 time in total.

I know where it's from an I know who wrote it and he didn't post it on an internet forum but on his own blog so someone saying they're tired of people pouring their hearts out on internet forums after reading this on here isn't really being fair.

I assumed latest news was Carl, apparently not.

I know where it's from an I know who wrote it and he didn't post it on an internet forum but on his own blog so someone saying they're tired of people pouring their hearts out on internet forums after reading this on here isn't really being fair.

I assumed latest news was Carl, apparently not.

Latest News can be one of any 9 mods who can post on it, I actually posted this one