Monday September 20th UPDATE

* An update to the update, a travel meeting as just finished regarding Bristol City away, despite Cardiff allowing the Bristol City fans a ticket exchange for next month like it was last season, Bristol City are demanding that we travel to them on New Years Day as a bubble match. City are fighting this stance by Bristol City

An update to the update of the update - New years day will be postponed cos they have a Victorian stadium and no undersoil heating - It will be rearranged for April when we will win 7-0 to relegate them and clinch the league title.

There is some good news regarding the injured players, both Craig Bellamy and Seyi Olofinjana are expected to be fit for Saturday's midday kick off with Millwall.

Michael Chopra is making excellent progress and should be available for the Championship clash with Bristol City on October 16th.

Danny Drinkwater is also targetting the same game for his comeback.

There has been rumblings about Jason Koumas' fitness ( or lack of it ) but as well as getting him up to being physically fit the club understand that Jason needs building mentally too, JK was very down when he came back to sign for City and needs encouraging so maybe we as fans could give him the support too and show JK how much we want him in a City shirt.

Over the weekend I have learned some very encouraging news regarding future season ticket sales and good news for current ambassadors. It is the club's intentions not to put season tickets on sale as early as they have done in previous seasons but have made a concious decision to get their business done in the January transfer window before putting 15,000 season tickets on sale for a limited time in Feb/March, this is the club showing it's commitment to us before we are asked to show ours. There will be no extended timeframes it will be one window and once it is closed it is closed for good. As you know we have a 5 year price freeze so there will be no hike in prices to current ambassadors.

The club plan to reward current ambassadors before they announce future season tickets to show that they respect what those fans done in December/January and understand how the fans felt cheated. This new regime led by TG want to build a relationship of trust between the club and the fans and recognises that a record number of 17,350 (incl 950 Premier seats ) put their hands in their pockets to bail this club out of a hole at the turn of the year. The club has a few ideas that they plan to reward the fans with but at present they have not decided on the one but I am sure you will hear about it soon enough. This shows me that the club is moving in the right direction.

Something that I feel is worth mentioning is the new way our players wages are paid. Historically the club has paid it's staff on the 28th of each month but that has been moved to the 31st to fall in line with how the Malaysians pay their workforce. Also with our loan players the club receives an invoice for the loanees which is payable in the middle of each month, so the effectively has 2 pay dates in one month and going by the wages that is being paid to those particular players then they are 2 substantial sums.

On a sidenote I do not understand why Terry Phillips and Wales media are still banned from CCS and press conferences, Dave Jones has spoken with Terry and apologised and is quoted as saying it is not his decision to keep the ban on them. The ban was imposed during Peter Ridsdales tenure and now that he has left and Dave Jones has no problem talking to Terry then who has kept the ban imposed ? Even at the recent Ricky Tomlinson/Dave Jones evening, orders were given that Terry Phillips was not allowed to be given the microphone to ask Dave Jones a question in an open floor Q + A. Who give the order and why ? Whether you read or even like the Echo, to me it smacks of nothing short of childeshness and in this time of building relationships then surely the time has come to allow the journalists of Wales media access to CCS press conferences.

Another issue that has been brought to my intention is that the FAW wanted to reinstate the FAW Invitational cup and invited ourselves along with Swansea, Wrexham and Newport to take part. It is my understanding that the only club to refuse to take part was our club, Why ?

At a time when we are bringing together a larger squad than previous years wouldn't this have been an opportunity again to play fringe players and even younger players ?

Ok so it's not the most important competition that we would be challenging for but is there not a need for these games and also are we now in a position where we can turn our noses up at a potential £100k prize fund. Yes I know TG and VT are worth billions but it was not too long ago we were scratching around in a hole begging anyone who would listen for a handout. Personnally I feel this was a chance to showcase youngsters and bring the returning injured players ( whoever they may be at the time ) to pit themselves in a real game with a crowd and an atmosphere as opposed to a behind closed doors game.
It is also the chance to see City on tv which many fans who cannot afford to make every game the opportunity to see the boys play.

With the expected news that Craig Bellamy will be returning this Saturday the club are hopeful of another 24,000 plus bumper crowd boosting the coffers for the 3rd home game running but because Millwall are expected to bringing 1100 supporters the segregation netting will be placed back on the City side of the Ninian Stand and the same in the Grange Stand, so there will be less home tickets available so the word is to buy your tickets early this week to avoid disappointment especially if you want to buy 2 seats or more together.

Carl thank you for the update it really does sound like our new owners value us as fans and that great to hear.

An observation on your DJ press conference situation I have a subscription to Cardiff City Player and always watch DJ pre and post match press conferences. Last year with everything that is going on a few were well right tetchy affairs nearly always over 20 minutes in duration some nearly 30 minutes. The MediaWales mob whilst sometimes asking silly questions at times did in fairness cover topics which would be of interest to us fans.

Last week DJs pre match press conferences were 6 minutes and 5 minutes in duration for Leicester and Ipswich, they have become highly staged, predictable turgid shite. Only 3 topics are really covered which he has stock answers to like "Every game in this Division is a hard game" "I won't know about the injured players until we have a look at them later this morning" "We are all working very hard to take this club forward" Blah Blah Blah.

If the guys from mediawales were involved a get they would be asking questions about contract negotiations with the players whose contracts will expire next june, this is of geniune interest to us fans but for some reason the club doesn't comment on it. The last thing I remember DJ saying was Jay agent was due in for talks he has not been asked the question since.

If the club thought anything of us fans they would make dam sure the local press are involved and that DJ answer their questions with good grace, but I don't think that is going to happen anytime soon. Mind you if I ever meet TG I will ask him to look at this rediculous situation.

Anyway I am now going to offer a prediction of the content of DJ pre match press conference for the Millwall game. DJ will explain that all games in this league are difficult games and Millwall are no different. He won't be able to give an update on the injured players until the medical staff have looked at them on Friday morning. And everyone is working really hard to blah blah blah. Another 5 minutes 27 seconds of boring, turgid, uninformative shite.

There is some good news regarding the injured players, both Craig Bellamy and Seyi Olofinjana are expected to be fit for Saturday's midday kick off with Millwall.

Michael Chopra is making excellent progress and should be available for the Championship clash with Bristol City on October 16th.

Danny Drinkwater is also targetting the same game for his comeback.

There has been rumblings about Jason Koumas' fitness ( or lack of it ) but as well as getting him up to being physically fit the club understand that Jason needs building mentally too, JK was very down when he came back to sign for City and needs encouraging so maybe we as fans could give him the support too and show JK how much we want him in a City shirt.

Over the weekend I have learned some very encouraging news regarding future season ticket sales and good news for current ambassadors. It is the club's intentions not to put season tickets on sale as early as they have done in previous seasons but have made a concious decision to get their business done in the January transfer window before putting 15,000 season tickets on sale for a limited time in Feb/March, this is the club showing it's commitment to us before we are asked to show ours. There will be no extended timeframes it will be one window and once it is closed it is closed for good. As you know we have a 5 year price freeze so there will be no hike in prices to current ambassadors.

The club plan to reward current ambassadors before they announce future season tickets to show that they respect what those fans done in December/January and understand how the fans felt cheated. This new regime led by TG want to build a relationship of trust between the club and the fans and recognises that a record number of 17,350 (incl 950 Premier seats ) put their hands in their pockets to bail this club out of a hole at the turn of the year. The club has a few ideas that they plan to reward the fans with but at present they have not decided on the one but I am sure you will hear about it soon enough. This shows me that the club is moving in the right direction.

Something that I feel is worth mentioning is the new way our players wages are paid. Historically the club has paid it's staff on the 28th of each month but that has been moved to the 31st to fall in line with how the Malaysians pay their workforce. Also with our loan players the club receives an invoice for the loanees which is payable in the middle of each month, so the effectively has 2 pay dates in one month and going by the wages that is being paid to those particular players then they are 2 substantial sums.

On a sidenote I do not understand why Terry Phillips and Wales media are still banned from CCS and press conferences, Dave Jones has spoken with Terry and apologised and is quoted as saying it is not his decision to keep the ban on them. The ban was imposed during Peter Ridsdales tenure and now that he has left and Dave Jones has no problem talking to Terry then who has kept the ban imposed ? Even at the recent Ricky Tomlinson/Dave Jones evening, orders were given that Terry Phillips was not allowed to be given the microphone to ask Dave Jones a question in an open floor Q + A. Who give the order and why ? Whether you read or even like the Echo, to me it smacks of nothing short of childeshness and in this time of building relationships then surely the time has come to allow the journalists of Wales media access to CCS press conferences.

Another issue that has been brought to my intention is that the FAW wanted to reinstate the FAW Invitational cup and invited ourselves along with Swansea, Wrexham and Newport to take part. It is my understanding that the only club to refuse to take part was our club, Why ?

At a time when we are bringing together a larger squad than previous years wouldn't this have been an opportunity again to play fringe players and even younger players ?

Ok so it's not the most important competition that we would be challenging for but is there not a need for these games and also are we now in a position where we can turn our noses up at a potential £100k prize fund. Yes I know TG and VT are worth billions but it was not too long ago we were scratching around in a hole begging anyone who would listen for a handout. Personnally I feel this was a chance to showcase youngsters and bring the returning injured players ( whoever they may be at the time ) to pit themselves in a real game with a crowd and an atmosphere as opposed to a behind closed doors game.
It is also the chance to see City on tv which many fans who cannot afford to make every game the opportunity to see the boys play.

With the expected news that Craig Bellamy will be returning this Saturday the club are hopeful of another 24,000 plus bumper crowd boosting the coffers for the 3rd home game running but because Millwall are expected to bringing 1100 supporters the segregation netting will be placed back on the City side of the Ninian Stand and the same in the Grange Stand, so there will be less home tickets available so the word is to buy your tickets early this week to avoid disappointment especially if you want to buy 2 seats or more together.

* An update to the update, a travel meeting as just finished regarding Bristol City away, despite Cardiff allowing the Bristol City fans a ticket exchange for next month like it was last season, Bristol City are demanding that we travel to them on New Years Day as a bubble match. City are fighting this stance by Bristol City.

Great news re: Bellamy & Oli, boy do we need them.

As for the FAW wanting us to promote their nonentity of a cup - f**k 'em. Invite us into the Welsh Cup with European entry & it may be worth the injuries/suspensions that inevitably come - otherwise not.

And its about time the club stood up for us with the bubble trips, long overdue imo

well that was the quickest time i have done my evening run, just to get back for the update!! cheers again carl!!

Carl great report as usual!!

But after last night the wife has requested that you delay the the next update by two days

Carl great report as usual!!

But after last night the wife has requested that you delay the the next update by two days

You must have done the male race proud Dange

Carl great report as usual!!

But after last night the wife has requested that you delay the the next update by two days

You must have done the male race proud Dange

I'd like to think so

Thanks Carl

Thanks Carl!!

Well I'm self-employed and struggling like f**k at the moment. for the first time ever I've
had to sign on, just to make sure I dont lose my flat. Work is in short supply and its proper
getting me down. But I will survive lol. I just get fed up that I cant get to do things i want
such as watch the City more, go away once in a while off the cuff without wondering if i
can afford it.

So....

Jason Koumas - Put your f*cking man-suit on you big baby, you get paid a fortune, you
never have to worry about money. you dont wake up in the morning wondering how your
going to pay this bill or that bill!!!

Cardiff City have not only given you an opportunity to play football. But your no longer having
to turn out in an empty lifeless stadium. 24,000 supporters will cheer your name 24,000 will
back you to the hilt. Thousands of kids want 'Koumas' on the back of their shirt. You are in a
City that thinks the world of you. But the rest is up to you. Man up you faggot!!! FFS its a game
of football we're talking about. We're not asking you to go to war

You got a talent we'd all give our right arms for, you have a gift. This is Wales, nobody is going
to give you a hug, your a grown man.

God I hope you read this mate!! Cos its meant in a good way.

WE NEED YOU - WE WANT YOU - f*cking SORT YOURSELF OUT!!!!

Thanks Carl!!

Well I'm self-employed and struggling like f**k at the moment. for the first time ever I've
had to sign on, just to make sure I dont lose my flat. Work is in short supply and its proper
getting me down. But I will survive lol. I just get fed up that I cant get to do things i want
such as watch the City more, go away once in a while off the cuff without wondering if i
can afford it.

So....

Jason Koumas - Put your f*cking man-suit on you big baby, you get paid a fortune, you
never have to worry about money. you dont wake up in the morning wondering how your
going to pay this bill or that bill!!!

Cardiff City have not only given you an opportunity to play football. But your no longer having
to turn out in an empty lifeless stadium. 24,000 supporters will cheer your name 24,000 will
back you to the hilt. Thousands of kids want 'Koumas' on the back of their shirt. You are in a
City that thinks the world of you. But the rest is up to you. Man up you faggot!!! FFS its a game
of football we're talking about. We're not asking you to go to war

You got a talent we'd all give our right arms for, you have a gift. This is Wales, nobody is going
to give you a hug, your a grown man.

God I hope you read this mate!! Cos its meant in a good way.

WE NEED YOU - WE WANT YOU - f*cking SORT YOURSELF OUT!!!!

Good post Taffy!

Carl, Thanks very much i have just come back from 5 aside and i am well chuffed i logged back on to this news.Great news about looking after us ambassadors too.

Cheers, Lee

Gr8 update as usual................

Good news for Ambo`s and obviously Craig this sat is a huge boost if fit

Nice update Carl. Great to hear Oli could be back Saturday.

Great Update thanks very much Carl.

Ive just realised that the Malaysians have pulled a master stroke by changing the players' pay day to the 31st. That means they only get paid for 7 months of the year because the other 5 haven't got a 31st in them.. brilliant money saving scheme

Thanks Carl. the clubs stance on the FAW cup/ reserve team baffles me

me to

Look forward to seeing what or how they reward current platinum ambassadors, also with regards to Bellamy i think throughout the season the club will keep its cards close to its chest about his fitness prior to games for marketing reasons.

Yes, but what about the 'true' Ambassadors who supprted Sam in his hour of need and only got a metal badge in return??

There were only a couple of thousand of us....and we seem to have been 'swallowed up' in the PR stunt that is now known as The Ambassador Programme.

Ridsdale's forgotten men (and women)!!


"Like Spartacus, 10,000 claim to be one!!"

thanks for the info carl great news regarding the injuries, the club is making a big mistake banning media wales writers, we need the welsh media on our side, we don't want the press printing negative stuff about the club all the time, most city fans don't use messageboards so the echo and the western mail is the only city news they get, they need to keep a feel good factor around the club to keep filling the ground, there is very rarely a negative story about swansea in evening post they seem to have a far better relationship with the local press.

If you think the local press were more positive they would be banned ???

It's for a reason..........

thanks Carl and a great update , glad to be an Ambo after hearing that . Can u confirm that the ST price freeze is defo guaranteed for 5 years then ? And WTF are Brizzle City playing at with us , they got no reason to victimize CCFC and the fans !

Thanks for the update Carl

Glad to see the new owners are think for the fans and don't just us as cash cows. Cant wait for the players to come back, with two home games coming up too its a big boost for us to get back on track and take maximum points.

thanks for the update

thanks Carl and a great update , glad to be an Ambo after hearing that . Can u confirm that the ST price freeze is defo guaranteed for 5 years then ? And WTF are Brizzle City playing at with us , they got no reason to victimize CCFC and the fans !

Most likely dont trust their own fans after the way they attacked a Millwall bus at the start of the season.

Carl,

Just hearing that Bellamy's fitness coach is stopping him from playing on Sat and probably on Tuesday....have you heard anything else mate?