Who are our real rivals?

In 2010 you played bristol city in the fa cup at ccs and only 6731 turned up to watch, so I think it's fair to say that cardiff fans who claim bristol is cardiff's main rivals are in a small minority.

If you want to pick up on one particular match, it may be worth checking the games I was discussing earlier. I've watched Cardiff v Swansea on a Tuesday or Wednesday night when Cardiff were a strong 2nd division side, and Ninian Park while not deserted, was barely a quarter full. Can't remember the exact figures, around 7,000 I believe, and likewise at around the 5same time saw Wrexham there in front of around 5,000. Neither team was a particularly big draw for City fans in those days, especially when compared to the likes of Sheff Utd, Leicester, Bristol City, who we played frequently in the old Div 2.

Both clubs have had shit crowds at times. The figures for those matches were probably in line with what the average crowds were at the times. 6731 for a fa cup match at ccs is poor against what some people call their main rivals. If it had been Swansea instead of bristol in 2010 it would have been a 27000 sellout.

It's to do with geography, as much as anything. Cardiff is halfway between Swansea and Bristol. Both forty miles away, mind! We play both clubs at different times. Both are rivals. Some of us consider Bristol City as our main rivals, some Swansea. None of us are deluding ourselves, that's just how it is. Swansea have only got us. Even when they are in the top half of the PL, some of their fans still come on here. They seem disappointed that some of us rate the severnside derby higher, but it goes back decades. People in South East Wales look over the bridge a lot.

When I was a kid my dad would take me to see County if City weren't playing at home.
I had the Football Echo team pictures of all the Welsh clubs on my wall and wanted all the Welshclubs to win on a Saturday.
So Bristol was the Severnside derby, Wales vs England.

Itwas only when Swansea had their 'Golden Age' things changed and to me that was more ( and this laughingly is their main moan about us ) about their arrogance and the fawning media coverage of them.

It's to do with geography, as much as anything. Cardiff is halfway between Swansea and Bristol. Both forty miles away, mind! We play both clubs at different times. Both are rivals. Some of us consider Bristol City as our main rivals, some Swansea. None of us are deluding ourselves, that's just how it is. Swansea have only got us. Even when they are in the top half of the PL, some of their fans still come on here. They seem disappointed that some of us rate the severnside derby higher, but it goes back decades. People in South East Wales look over the bridge a lot.

You have cardiff fans on the Swansea message boards and don't delude yourself they were also on there when cardiff were in higher divisions that Swansea.

All games at ninnian park

april 1981 v Bristol city 5575
dec 1980 v swans 21198

aug 85 v swans Lcup 4218
dec 85 v swans 8375
sept 85 v Bristol 4412

april 89 v Bristol 6358
dec 88 v swans 10675
sept 89 v Bristol 5970
april 90 v swans 8356

aug 92 v Bristol L cup 4066
dec 93 v swans 9815

feb 2000 v Bristol 6586
april 99 v swans 10809

you lot talk some shit

All games at ninnian park

april 1981 v Bristol city 5575
dec 1980 v swans 21198

aug 85 v swans Lcup 4218
dec 85 v swans 8375
sept 85 v Bristol 4412

april 89 v Bristol 6358
dec 88 v swans 10675
sept 89 v Bristol 5970
april 90 v swans 8356

aug 92 v Bristol L cup 4066
dec 93 v swans 9815

feb 2000 v Bristol 6586
april 99 v swans 10809

you lot talk some shit

I think you'll find that our matches began long before 1981 and most of us are talking about what was for them the traditional big rivalry. Personally, my experience began in the late 1960's and the two Bristol clubs were our big rivals. You could hardly call what was then Swansea Town, a mediocre 4th division club, much of a rival. Those rivalries tend to stick, and for modern fans perhaps Swansea have taken over from Bristol. If Swansea ever end up in the bottom division again, and Bristol are in the Championship with us, Swansea will still be our biggest rivals for the younger fans, because as I said traditions don't change much.

All games at ninnian park

april 1981 v Bristol city 5575
dec 1980 v swans 21198

aug 85 v swans Lcup 4218
dec 85 v swans 8375
sept 85 v Bristol 4412

april 89 v Bristol 6358
dec 88 v swans 10675
sept 89 v Bristol 5970
april 90 v swans 8356

aug 92 v Bristol L cup 4066
dec 93 v swans 9815

feb 2000 v Bristol 6586
april 99 v swans 10809

you lot talk some shit

I think you'll find that our matches began long before 1981 and most of us are talking about what was for them the traditional big rivalry. Personally, my experience began in the late 1960's and the two Bristol clubs were our big rivals. You could hardly call what was then Swansea Town, a mediocre 4th division club, much of a rival. Those rivalries tend to stick, and for modern fans perhaps Swansea have taken over from Bristol. If Swansea ever end up in the bottom division again, and Bristol are in the Championship with us, Swansea will still be our biggest rivals for the younger fans, because as I said traditions don't change much.

Didn't play each other from 1965 to 1980

1965 v swans 15896
1966 v Bristol 13405
need I go on

All games at ninnian park

april 1981 v Bristol city 5575
dec 1980 v swans 21198

aug 85 v swans Lcup 4218
dec 85 v swans 8375
sept 85 v Bristol 4412

april 89 v Bristol 6358
dec 88 v swans 10675
sept 89 v Bristol 5970
april 90 v swans 8356

aug 92 v Bristol L cup 4066
dec 93 v swans 9815

feb 2000 v Bristol 6586
april 99 v swans 10809

you lot talk some shit

I think you'll find that our matches began long before 1981 and most of us are talking about what was for them the traditional big rivalry. Personally, my experience began in the late 1960's and the two Bristol clubs were our big rivals. You could hardly call what was then Swansea Town, a mediocre 4th division club, much of a rival. Those rivalries tend to stick, and for modern fans perhaps Swansea have taken over from Bristol. If Swansea ever end up in the bottom division again, and Bristol are in the Championship with us, Swansea will still be our biggest rivals for the younger fans, because as I said traditions don't change much.

Didn't play each other from 1965 to 1980

1965 v swans 15896
1966 v Bristol 13405
need I go on

Perhaps the Welsh Cup was before your time.

All games at ninnian park

april 1981 v Bristol city 5575
dec 1980 v swans 21198

aug 85 v swans Lcup 4218
dec 85 v swans 8375
sept 85 v Bristol 4412

april 89 v Bristol 6358
dec 88 v swans 10675
sept 89 v Bristol 5970
april 90 v swans 8356

aug 92 v Bristol L cup 4066
dec 93 v swans 9815

feb 2000 v Bristol 6586
april 99 v swans 10809

you lot talk some shit

I think you'll find that our matches began long before 1981 and most of us are talking about what was for them the traditional big rivalry. Personally, my experience began in the late 1960's and the two Bristol clubs were our big rivals. You could hardly call what was then Swansea Town, a mediocre 4th division club, much of a rival. Those rivalries tend to stick, and for modern fans perhaps Swansea have taken over from Bristol. If Swansea ever end up in the bottom division again, and Bristol are in the Championship with us, Swansea will still be our biggest rivals for the younger fans, because as I said traditions don't change much.

Didn't play each other from 1965 to 1980

1965 v swans 15896
1966 v Bristol 13405
need I go on

All games at ninnian park

april 1981 v Bristol city 5575
dec 1980 v swans 21198

aug 85 v swans Lcup 4218
dec 85 v swans 8375
sept 85 v Bristol 4412

april 89 v Bristol 6358
dec 88 v swans 10675
sept 89 v Bristol 5970
april 90 v swans 8356

aug 92 v Bristol L cup 4066
dec 93 v swans 9815

feb 2000 v Bristol 6586
april 99 v swans 10809

you lot talk some shit

I think you'll find that our matches began long before 1981 and most of us are talking about what was for them the traditional big rivalry. Personally, my experience began in the late 1960's and the two Bristol clubs were our big rivals. You could hardly call what was then Swansea Town, a mediocre 4th division club, much of a rival. Those rivalries tend to stick, and for modern fans perhaps Swansea have taken over from Bristol. If Swansea ever end up in the bottom division again, and Bristol are in the Championship with us, Swansea will still be our biggest rivals for the younger fans, because as I said traditions don't change much.

Didn't play each other from 1965 to 1980

1965 v swans 15896
1966 v Bristol 13405
need I go on

Perhaps the Welsh Cup was before your time.

Just proving you lot talk shit because the attendances prove Swansea was the biggest game for Cardiff fans FACT!

All games at ninnian park

april 1981 v Bristol city 5575
dec 1980 v swans 21198

aug 85 v swans Lcup 4218
dec 85 v swans 8375
sept 85 v Bristol 4412

april 89 v Bristol 6358
dec 88 v swans 10675
sept 89 v Bristol 5970
april 90 v swans 8356

aug 92 v Bristol L cup 4066
dec 93 v swans 9815

feb 2000 v Bristol 6586
april 99 v swans 10809

you lot talk some shit

I think you'll find that our matches began long before 1981 and most of us are talking about what was for them the traditional big rivalry. Personally, my experience began in the late 1960's and the two Bristol clubs were our big rivals. You could hardly call what was then Swansea Town, a mediocre 4th division club, much of a rival. Those rivalries tend to stick, and for modern fans perhaps Swansea have taken over from Bristol. If Swansea ever end up in the bottom division again, and Bristol are in the Championship with us, Swansea will still be our biggest rivals for the younger fans, because as I said traditions don't change much.

Didn't play each other from 1965 to 1980

1965 v swans 15896
1966 v Bristol 13405
need I go on

Perhaps the Welsh Cup was before your time.

Just proving you lot talk shit because the attendances prove Swansea was the biggest game for Cardiff fans FACT!

All games at ninnian park

april 1981 v Bristol city 5575
dec 1980 v swans 21198

aug 85 v swans Lcup 4218
dec 85 v swans 8375
sept 85 v Bristol 4412

april 89 v Bristol 6358
dec 88 v swans 10675
sept 89 v Bristol 5970
april 90 v swans 8356

aug 92 v Bristol L cup 4066
dec 93 v swans 9815

feb 2000 v Bristol 6586
april 99 v swans 10809

you lot talk some shit

I think you'll find that our matches began long before 1981 and most of us are talking about what was for them the traditional big rivalry. Personally, my experience began in the late 1960's and the two Bristol clubs were our big rivals. You could hardly call what was then Swansea Town, a mediocre 4th division club, much of a rival. Those rivalries tend to stick, and for modern fans perhaps Swansea have taken over from Bristol. If Swansea ever end up in the bottom division again, and Bristol are in the Championship with us, Swansea will still be our biggest rivals for the younger fans, because as I said traditions don't change much.

Didn't play each other from 1965 to 1980

1965 v swans 15896
1966 v Bristol 13405
need I go on

Perhaps the Welsh Cup was before your time.

Just proving you lot talk shit because the attendances prove Swansea was the biggest game for Cardiff fans FACT!

As we did'nt play each other for 15 years it is obvious that for many City fans Bristol were our biggest rivals as we were regularly playing them in the old Div 2. Swansea were'nt our rivals because they were never competing against us apart from the odd Welsh Cup games. I remember watching us play Swansea in a cup final with European football being the reward for the winners. Around 12,000 down there, and although I can't remember the score, we had comfortably won the first leg at the Vetch. From what I remember, only around 20,000 or so in total watched both games. Like you said, we rarely played each other so for fans starting out at that time Bristol was the big one, and that sort of rivalry tends to stick with you forever.

As i said in an earlier post I believe its a bigger rivalry for Swansea than Cardiff.

I believe its changed over the years, but for different era's its been Brizzle, County, Pompey, Leeds & QPR for some reason. Over the past 25 years the Jacks thing has grown.

A question for the jacks, who are your rivals?

All games at ninnian park

april 1981 v Bristol city 5575
dec 1980 v swans 21198

aug 85 v swans Lcup 4218
dec 85 v swans 8375
sept 85 v Bristol 4412

april 89 v Bristol 6358
dec 88 v swans 10675
sept 89 v Bristol 5970
april 90 v swans 8356

aug 92 v Bristol L cup 4066
dec 93 v swans 9815

feb 2000 v Bristol 6586
april 99 v swans 10809

you lot talk some shit

I think you'll find that our matches began long before 1981 and most of us are talking about what was for them the traditional big rivalry. Personally, my experience began in the late 1960's and the two Bristol clubs were our big rivals. You could hardly call what was then Swansea Town, a mediocre 4th division club, much of a rival. Those rivalries tend to stick, and for modern fans perhaps Swansea have taken over from Bristol. If Swansea ever end up in the bottom division again, and Bristol are in the Championship with us, Swansea will still be our biggest rivals for the younger fans, because as I said traditions don't change much.

Didn't play each other from 1965 to 1980

1965 v swans 15896
1966 v Bristol 13405
need I go on

Perhaps the Welsh Cup was before your time.

Just proving you lot talk shit because the attendances prove Swansea was the biggest game for Cardiff fans FACT!

Attendance's prove you are our rivals. mmmmm ok

23,525
3 Apr 1971 Second Division Ninian Park 1–0 Ken Wimshurst Goal 4' (own goal) 24,368
29 Aug 1970 Second Division Ashton Gate Stadium 1–0 Gerry Sharpe Goal 84' 24,969
29 Dec 1969 Second Division Ninian Park 1–0 John Toshack 18,479
23 Aug 1969 Second Division Ashton Gate Stadium 2–0 Brian Clark, Ronnie Bird(pen) 23,237
25 Jan 1969 Second Division Ninian Park 3–0 Brian Clark(2), Peter King 26,210
28 Sep 1968 Second Division Ashton Gate Stadium 3–0 Peter King, John Toshack, Barrie Jones 20,632
2 Mar 1968 Second Division Ninian Park 1–0 15,334
Attendances against Bristol City during a 5 year period when many of us started watching Cardiff. Rarely played the Swans then as they were struggling in the bottom division, and I don't think any of us considered Swansea as serious rivals in those days.

Always been Bristol for me. Dates back to my early days when Swansea, Newport & Wrexham were always in the bottom division and were never considered serious rivals, particularly when we virtually owned the Welsh Cup

Did you play bristol much in the welsh cup then ?

What's playing In cup got to to with anything? Just because you don't have any natural rivals except us doesn't mean we don't, our history of rivalry didn't include you until recent years! But guess you know better?

We certainly don't have any natural rivals in the PL Allan, but I can settle for that, after all we do have the likes of Man U, man city, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, spurs to play.

What a +++++ talking about local rivals and you say man u ect ect are your rivals!

Read what I said Allan.

Allan is sayin what many Cardiff supporters think, including myself. As far as a lot of us are concerned, we consider Bristol City to be our biggest rivals. Similar distance away from us to Swansea, an English club as well, and traditionally a club that has been of a similar size to us. Swansea can also be considered a big rival, but for a lot of us not as much as the Bristol clubs, City in particular.

Will you sellout when you play bristol this season ? Would you sellout if you played Swansea in the FA cup ?

What's attendance's got to do with it?

Always been Bristol for me. Dates back to my early days when Swansea, Newport & Wrexham were always in the bottom division and were never considered serious rivals, particularly when we virtually owned the Welsh Cup

Did you play bristol much in the welsh cup then ?

What's playing In cup got to to with anything? Just because you don't have any natural rivals except us doesn't mean we don't, our history of rivalry didn't include you until recent years! But guess you know better?

We certainly don't have any natural rivals in the PL Allan, but I can settle for that, after all we do have the likes of Man U, man city, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, spurs to play.

What a +++++ talking about local rivals and you say man u ect ect are your rivals!

Read what I said Allan.

Allan is sayin what many Cardiff supporters think, including myself. As far as a lot of us are concerned, we consider Bristol City to be our biggest rivals. Similar distance away from us to Swansea, an English club as well, and traditionally a club that has been of a similar size to us. Swansea can also be considered a big rival, but for a lot of us not as much as the Bristol clubs, City in particular.

Will you sellout when you play bristol this season ? Would you sellout if you played Swansea in the FA cup ?

What's attendance's got to do with it?

ps your problem is you dont have any rivals in your history except us!. where as we have several nport bris c and rovers even Hereford have been rivals in my years of following city! and saying attendances dictate rivalry is as pointless as you are!

In work I tell the jacks that Brizzle are our real rivals to shut them up, but if I had the chance to beat either then it would be Swansea every time and I think thats how it is with the majority of our fans in reality. As others have said, our match against Bristol wont come near a sell out, if we played the jacks then people would be clamouring for tickets. We sing anti jack songs at games far more than anything anti wurzel and also sang songs about them in our promotion parade to the Prem, i dont recall anything Bristol related. if anyone thinks Bristol are our main rivals then they are either in a wind up or in the very tiny minority. Thats how I see it.

In work I tell the jacks that Brizzle are our real rivals to shut them up, but if I had the chance to beat either then it would be Swansea every time and I think thats how it is with the majority of our fans in reality. As others have said, our match against Bristol wont come near a sell out, if we played the jacks then people would be clamouring for tickets. We sing anti jack songs at games far more than anything anti wurzel and also sang songs about them in our promotion parade to the Prem, i dont recall anything Bristol related. if anyone thinks Bristol are our main rivals then they are either in a wind up or in the very tiny minority. Thats how I see it.

Roathy ?

Wtf

As i said in an earlier post I believe its a bigger rivalry for Swansea than Cardiff.

I believe its changed over the years, but for different era's its been Brizzle, County, Pompey, Leeds & QPR for some reason. Over the past 25 years the Jacks thing has grown.

A question for the jacks, who are your rivals?

Never heard Sam the man make any speeches regarding Bristol like he did regarding Swansea. Who are our rivals in the Pl do you mean ? If so no one. In football in general it's cardiff.

23,525
3 Apr 1971 Second Division Ninian Park 1–0 Ken Wimshurst Goal 4' (own goal) 24,368
29 Aug 1970 Second Division Ashton Gate Stadium 1–0 Gerry Sharpe Goal 84' 24,969
29 Dec 1969 Second Division Ninian Park 1–0 John Toshack 18,479
23 Aug 1969 Second Division Ashton Gate Stadium 2–0 Brian Clark, Ronnie Bird(pen) 23,237
25 Jan 1969 Second Division Ninian Park 3–0 Brian Clark(2), Peter King 26,210
28 Sep 1968 Second Division Ashton Gate Stadium 3–0 Peter King, John Toshack, Barrie Jones 20,632
2 Mar 1968 Second Division Ninian Park 1–0 15,334
Attendances against Bristol City during a 5 year period when many of us started watching Cardiff. Rarely played the Swans then as they were struggling in the bottom division, and I don't think any of us considered Swansea as serious rivals in those days.

18,280 [14]
7 November 2010 Championship Cardiff City Stadium 1–0 Marvin Emnes 26,049 [15]
3 April 2010 Championship Cardiff City Stadium 2–1 Michael Chopra (2) Andrea Orlandi 25,130 [16]
7 November 2009 Championship Liberty Stadium 3–2 Jay Bothroyd, Mark Hudson Nathan Dyer, Darren Pratley (2) 18,209 [17]
5 April 2009 Championship Ninian Park 2–2 Michael Chopra, Ross McCormack Nathan Dyer, Joe Allen 20,156 [18]
30 November 2008 Championship Liberty Stadium 2–2 Joe Ledley, Ross McCormack Darren Pratley, Gorka Pintado 18,053 [19]
23 September 2008 League Cup Liberty Stadium 1–0 Jordi Gómez 17,411
Attendances against Swansea in the 2nd Tier the last time we were both there. No better than our regular fixtures against Bristol during the period when a lot of these rivalries started.

The question is who ARE our real rivals not who WERE our real rivals. Bristol may have been our main rivals 40 years ago, but they arent now. It may be the case for a tiny faction of our support but thats all it is.

If we continue to stay in different leagues and the question is asked in 50 years time then the answer may change again as the club and fanbase evolves. But if you did a staw poll of our fans this year who they would like to beat, Swansea or Bristol then it would be a landslide.

The question is who ARE our real rivals not who WERE our real rivals. Bristol may have been our main rivals 40 years ago, but they arent now. It may be the case for a tiny faction of our support but thats all it is.

If we continue to stay in different leagues and the question is asked in 50 years time then the answer may change again as the club and fanbase evolves. But if you did a staw poll of our fans this year who they would like to beat, Swansea or Bristol then it would be a landslide.

You are saying that as a Swansea supporter. Personally, I have no interest in Swansea, and have never considered them as our biggest rivals. Many of my friends, and i suspect the bulk of City supporters who followed the club through the 70's and 80's would still rank Bristol City as our main rivals. I am obviously not alone in my opinion as can be seen by reading this thread, although I agree that for many (particularly our younger fans) Swansea would be classed as our biggest rivals. Same as Man U fans in the main rank Liverpool as their biggest rivals, even though Man City have been by far and away the better club in recent times.

It's to do with geography, as much as anything. Cardiff is halfway between Swansea and Bristol. Both forty miles away, mind! We play both clubs at different times. Both are rivals. Some of us consider Bristol City as our main rivals, some Swansea. None of us are deluding ourselves, that's just how it is. Swansea have only got us. Even when they are in the top half of the PL, some of their fans still come on here. They seem disappointed that some of us rate the severnside derby higher, but it goes back decades. People in South East Wales look over the bridge a lot.

You have cardiff fans on the Swansea message boards and don't delude yourself they were also on there when cardiff were in higher divisions that Swansea.

I know that. Fans often go on each other's message boards.

Cardiff and Swansea are one - club cities. Bristol has City and Rovers. Anyone who has known any bristolians will know how keen that rivalry is!

Nowadays, most Cardiff fans probably see Swansea as our main rivals, especially the younger ones. That does not alter the fact that many of us still see Bristol City as our main rivals. That's what the OP asked.

Nothing more to add, really.

The question is who ARE our real rivals not who WERE our real rivals. Bristol may have been our main rivals 40 years ago, but they arent now. It may be the case for a tiny faction of our support but thats all it is.

If we continue to stay in different leagues and the question is asked in 50 years time then the answer may change again as the club and fanbase evolves. But if you did a staw poll of our fans this year who they would like to beat, Swansea or Bristol then it would be a landslide.

You are saying that as a Swansea supporter. Personally, I have no interest in Swansea, and have never considered them as our biggest rivals. Many of my friends, and i suspect the bulk of City supporters who followed the club through the 70's and 80's would still rank Bristol City as our main rivals. I am obviously not alone in my opinion as can be seen by reading this thread, although I agree that for many (particularly our younger fans) Swansea would be classed as our biggest rivals. Same as Man U fans in the main rank Liverpool as their biggest rivals, even though Man City have been by far and away the better club in recent times.

No, I am saying that as a City supporter of 25 years. You personally may not consider Swansea your main rivals but you are clearly and obviously in the minority and not in keeping with the clubs present day thoughts. Swansea are our main rivals in nearly every single way and that is felt even at boardroom level. Do you think our board think how Bristol are impacting our income or growth? No. We have already had Choo talking about their academy in recent weeks - they are the ones we are trying to competr with off the field. Do you hear more Swansea talk on here or Bristol talk? Do you hear more Swansea chants at games or Bristol ones? Is there more buzz around the south wales derby or the severn derby?

There really is no contest.

Those who are saying Bristol City are just saying that because Swansea are 10 times better than us these days.

Swansea are our main rivals by a country mile, very slowly followed by Bristol City and then Bristol Rovers/Newport County are somewhere in the distance due to the fact they're shit.

Those who are saying Bristol City are just saying that because Swansea are 10 times better than us these days.

Swansea are our main rivals by a country mile, very slowly followed by Bristol City and then Bristol Rovers/Newport County are somewhere in the distance due to the fact they're shit.

Swansea have been better than us for a while now, and good luck to them. Those of us who have followed Cardiff for long enough will remember the days when Wrexham, Swansea & Newport were better than us. I have nothing against any of them, as far as I'm concerned it is good for Welsh football if they are all performing, and Swansea performing at the top level has helped Williams become the player he is, which has had a knock on effect for Wales. Bristol City has always been the game for me and many of my mates, not just the Severnside derby but England v Wales as well. Like I said earlier, Swansea is the big one for the younger generation of fans, and I am not disputing that it is a big local derby. I think you will find that plenty of the older generation were brought up on the Bristol rivalry when Swansea were nowhere to be seen.

The jacks are my main rivals, whatever division we or they are in.

It wasnt always like that, I know. Bristol City and Rovers games were fierce in 70's and 80's.

but mid to late 80's it started to change and we had some good fierce derbys from then on.

wurzels will be a mad one this year, just like the jacks, they have a chip on their shoulder about us and spew hate towards us.

wankers the lot of them (and the cewnty cunts)