"Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 12:45 pm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/apr/17/cardiff-city-promoted-died-last-summer
In the summer of 2012 Cardiff City changed their colours from blue to red. The owner, Vincent Tan, thought the club would thrive on the field and in the Asian market if they played in red and wore a dragon on their shirt.
Some fans were pragmatic enough to accept the changes. They have gone on to enjoy the uptake in the team's form that culminated in Cardiff City's promotion to the Premier League on Tuesday night. Other supporters, such as Scott Thomas, thought the bargain was not worth it. After 30 years of following the club, Thomas walked away from Cardiff City last summer. Here he explains his decision.
"I don't watch Cardiff City games any more but, when I saw a picture of Craig Bellamy holding a red scarf emblazoned with dragons and the word 'Cardiff' rather than the club's proper name, it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. It confirmed that I made the right decision. I was surprisingly sanguine about the promotion. Cardiff City didn't go up last night; Cardiff City died last summer.
"Seeing fans celebrate on the pitch during a news bulletin felt like watching the plug being pulled from a life-support machine that has been keeping an old relative alive. It was just another day at the office for club I no longer recognise. They are just another team now, not the one I supported for decades.
"I never dreamed that Cardiff City would make it to the top flight and I wouldn't be there to see it. But the club I supported disappeared when a Malaysian businessman with no previous links to the city and no interest in its football took over Cardiff City and made it literally unrecognisable. The club I followed had history and traditions that went back 100 years, but now its future is subject to the whims of a single man.
"I began supporting the club when my uncle and cousin took me to a match against Sheffield Wednesday in the 1975-76 season. I followed them to over 60 grounds in the fourth, third and second tiers with 25 friends I picked up over the years. I'm proud to say only a few of those guys renewed their season tickets for this season and some of them will not be renewing for next year.
"It was big decision to walk away. Every fan has their own tipping point, but I knew immediately that I couldn't support a franchise. I wouldn't support a business like Tesco or Sainsbury's, and that's what Cardiff City have become. The club is no longer a community asset; it's just a football team that happens to play in the city. Cardiff City are one step away from MK Dons.
"Many supporters stayed and many more will join now – people love a bandwagon – but a lot of the old-timers go less regularly and with less passion. More would have left, but a perfect storm of circumstances whipped fans into a demented reaction. They were desperate for success after so many near-misses and couldn't bear to see Swansea City do so well up the road.
"I hate to admit it – old habits die hard – but Swansea City are a model club in many ways. Fan ownership has to be the way forward, but the Football Association aren't going protect the historical identity of clubs. The FA are just a booking agent for Wembley Stadium these days, as shown by the announcement of a 5.15pm kick-off time for this year's Cup final.
"Even the national team are inferior to Premier League clubs now. Owners with money – or the promise of money – can do as they please. The FA didn't prevent Newcastle from rebranding their stadium and they didn't save Wimbledon, so they weren't going to save Cardiff City. We have listed buildings in this country, but football clubs are a free for all.
"I could never support another club, but I've enjoyed watching other teams and other sports. I went to Wales's game in Scotland at Hampden last month, then to the Six Nations at Murrayfield and then to see Rangers play a few days later. Going to the Olympics and Paralympics, as well as rugby and boxing has been refreshing. On balance, it's better to be away from the venal, soul-destroying situation at Cardiff City."
Discuss....
In the summer of 2012 Cardiff City changed their colours from blue to red. The owner, Vincent Tan, thought the club would thrive on the field and in the Asian market if they played in red and wore a dragon on their shirt.
Some fans were pragmatic enough to accept the changes. They have gone on to enjoy the uptake in the team's form that culminated in Cardiff City's promotion to the Premier League on Tuesday night. Other supporters, such as Scott Thomas, thought the bargain was not worth it. After 30 years of following the club, Thomas walked away from Cardiff City last summer. Here he explains his decision.
"I don't watch Cardiff City games any more but, when I saw a picture of Craig Bellamy holding a red scarf emblazoned with dragons and the word 'Cardiff' rather than the club's proper name, it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. It confirmed that I made the right decision. I was surprisingly sanguine about the promotion. Cardiff City didn't go up last night; Cardiff City died last summer.
"Seeing fans celebrate on the pitch during a news bulletin felt like watching the plug being pulled from a life-support machine that has been keeping an old relative alive. It was just another day at the office for club I no longer recognise. They are just another team now, not the one I supported for decades.
"I never dreamed that Cardiff City would make it to the top flight and I wouldn't be there to see it. But the club I supported disappeared when a Malaysian businessman with no previous links to the city and no interest in its football took over Cardiff City and made it literally unrecognisable. The club I followed had history and traditions that went back 100 years, but now its future is subject to the whims of a single man.
"I began supporting the club when my uncle and cousin took me to a match against Sheffield Wednesday in the 1975-76 season. I followed them to over 60 grounds in the fourth, third and second tiers with 25 friends I picked up over the years. I'm proud to say only a few of those guys renewed their season tickets for this season and some of them will not be renewing for next year.
"It was big decision to walk away. Every fan has their own tipping point, but I knew immediately that I couldn't support a franchise. I wouldn't support a business like Tesco or Sainsbury's, and that's what Cardiff City have become. The club is no longer a community asset; it's just a football team that happens to play in the city. Cardiff City are one step away from MK Dons.
"Many supporters stayed and many more will join now – people love a bandwagon – but a lot of the old-timers go less regularly and with less passion. More would have left, but a perfect storm of circumstances whipped fans into a demented reaction. They were desperate for success after so many near-misses and couldn't bear to see Swansea City do so well up the road.
"I hate to admit it – old habits die hard – but Swansea City are a model club in many ways. Fan ownership has to be the way forward, but the Football Association aren't going protect the historical identity of clubs. The FA are just a booking agent for Wembley Stadium these days, as shown by the announcement of a 5.15pm kick-off time for this year's Cup final.
"Even the national team are inferior to Premier League clubs now. Owners with money – or the promise of money – can do as they please. The FA didn't prevent Newcastle from rebranding their stadium and they didn't save Wimbledon, so they weren't going to save Cardiff City. We have listed buildings in this country, but football clubs are a free for all.
"I could never support another club, but I've enjoyed watching other teams and other sports. I went to Wales's game in Scotland at Hampden last month, then to the Six Nations at Murrayfield and then to see Rangers play a few days later. Going to the Olympics and Paralympics, as well as rugby and boxing has been refreshing. On balance, it's better to be away from the venal, soul-destroying situation at Cardiff City."
Discuss....
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 12:48 pm
This has already been done and it was laughed off. Keep up. 
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 12:59 pm
Yesterday just called they want their news back please.
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:00 pm
Scott Thomas acts like a victim, feel for him in a way, a life of bitterness will always hang over him now.
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:03 pm
I Bleed Blue wrote:Scott Thomas acts like a victim, feel for him in a way, a life of bitterness will always hang over him now.
It might have died for him, but it lives on for me. Stronger than ever. And a new generation are coming through now, my son amongst them, Cardiff City will never die.
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:08 pm
He should move out of his mothers spare room and see the real world
sad b*stard
And any childish posts by obsessed jacks wont spoil this moment for us
sad b*stard
And any childish posts by obsessed jacks wont spoil this moment for us
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:08 pm
Lawnmower wrote:I Bleed Blue wrote:Scott Thomas acts like a victim, feel for him in a way, a life of bitterness will always hang over him now.
It might have died for him, but it lives on for me. Stronger than ever. And a new generation are coming through now, my son amongst them, Cardiff City will never die.
Exactly. We did get promoted Tuesday and we did win the title yesterday. I read his twitter saying he'd rather be in Portsmouth's position? What being in League 2 despite being in Europe 3 years ago, even despite being taken over by a fans trust, it could be a recipe for disaster. We live on and that's brilliant because Cardiff without a football team would hold the whole city back.
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:11 pm
Swansea fans will never shake off their obsession with their big brothers Cardiff City
Discuss
Discuss
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:18 pm
Swansea " Zombie" Cocktail Recipe:
Mix the following ingredients:
5 parts Jealousy.
4 parts Bitterness.
3 parts Hopelessness.
2 parts Homelessness.
1 part Poverty.
1 part Prescription Drugs.
Pour over crushed Backwater ice and sip slowly over 50 years. Add methadone, self-harming and tears to taste.
Mix the following ingredients:
5 parts Jealousy.
4 parts Bitterness.
3 parts Hopelessness.
2 parts Homelessness.
1 part Poverty.
1 part Prescription Drugs.
Pour over crushed Backwater ice and sip slowly over 50 years. Add methadone, self-harming and tears to taste.
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:21 pm
We and especially Tan need to be prepared for us to do the last year over again. A little like DiCanio, when he was in the football league nobody cared, now in the limelight of the premier league he gets the full attention of the national (london) media. Will Tan enjoy some self righteous journalist rip the rebrand theory to bits ?
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:30 pm
GrangeEndStar wrote:Swansea " Zombie" Cocktail Recipe:
Mix the following ingredients:
5 parts Jealousy.
4 parts Bitterness.
3 parts Hopelessness.
2 parts Homelessness.
1 part Poverty.
1 part Prescription Drugs.
Pour over crushed Backwater ice and sip slowly over 50 years. Add methadone, self-harming and tears to taste.
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:37 pm
Who is Scott Thomas???
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 1:51 pm
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 2:31 pm
I don't do twitter,,,,its bad enough doing this forum sometimes. I just wondered if the guy is (was) a real City fan, or just another fabricated, journalistic "Walter Mitty"????
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 2:53 pm
Looks like his best friend is that other tosser pengedragon.
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:28 pm
oh dear how sad never mind went down asda earlier and guess what it still says CARDIFF CITY FOOTBALL CLUB above our stadium 
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 3:34 pm
Obsessed
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 4:02 pm
love the cocktail, best seller dont in nomarkville.
i reckon the jacks are now petrified they might go down next season and we stay up. Lets face there current form is awful and if they carry that into next season with the added Europa league games, its going to be one long struggle maybe. This is what really scares them, a few i know are already worried about it (despite buzzing about winning the cup
)
come on jacks you know your rightful place, let the eventual slide commence, or, has it already.
i reckon the jacks are now petrified they might go down next season and we stay up. Lets face there current form is awful and if they carry that into next season with the added Europa league games, its going to be one long struggle maybe. This is what really scares them, a few i know are already worried about it (despite buzzing about winning the cup
)come on jacks you know your rightful place, let the eventual slide commence, or, has it already.
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:18 pm
Carpe Diem wrote:Swansea fans will never shake off their obsession with their big brothers Cardiff City
Discuss
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:24 pm
Done to death but lets discuss Swansea dying next season if you want Dopey daps
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:26 pm
Fantastic isn't it, don't be jealous, because you are run by a failed Builders Merchant, while we are being run by a Billionaire business man, tapping in to a massive world wide Market 
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 7:17 pm
Scott Thomas was one of the regulars in the 1927 club. Went with him to games and meetings around the turn of the millennium. He was a proper loyal CCFC fan and did a lot for the organisation of the 1927 club. He obviously feels very strongly about the rebrand and you've got to respect his article. It's really sad that this type of supporter has been lost. I know VT says that there'll always be others to take the place of supporters that decide to leave, but I doubt anyone has replaced his commitment to and organisation of the 1927 club.
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 7:57 pm
bunsen wrote:Scott Thomas was one of the regulars in the 1927 club. Went with him to games and meetings around the turn of the millennium. He was a proper loyal CCFC fan and did a lot for the organisation of the 1927 club. He obviously feels very strongly about the rebrand and you've got to respect his article. It's really sad that this type of supporter has been lost. I know VT says that there'll always be others to take the place of supporters that decide to leave, but I doubt anyone has replaced his commitment to and organisation of the 1927 club.
Interesting. I know somebody with the same surname who's a member (or was) of that named supporters club. Can't be the same person??
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 8:23 pm
You must be really concerned and sh*tting in your pants of us coming up to the Premiership due to your post since our promotion hence why you keep posting on our board ,because as i see it you have no reason to come here and should be putting all your efforts following your club 
all you are doing is exposing your fears of the fact you know we are going to trample all over you.
I is apparent from your threads that you know with a team coming up with strong finances and your record of one season syndrome you are f**king bricking it and expect us to send you back down of which we are going to oblige
Your threads reek fear.
hence why you keep posting on our board ,because as i see it you have no reason to come here and should be putting all your efforts following your club all you are doing is exposing your fears of the fact you know we are going to trample all over you.I is apparent from your threads that you know with a team coming up with strong finances and your record of one season syndrome you are f**king bricking it and expect us to send you back down of which we are going to oblige
Your threads reek fear.
Re: "Cardiff City died last summer".
Sun Apr 21, 2013 8:32 pm
T-G-I-ROBINFRIDAY wrote:You must be really concerned and sh*tting in your pants of us coming up to the Premiership due to your post since our promotion
I is apparent from your threads that you know with a team coming up with strong finances and your record of one season syndrome you are f**king bricking it and expect us to send you back down of which we are going to oblige
Your threads reek fear.
They are shitting bricks
hopefully we will play them on a Sunday after they have just had a stuffing in Europe, we know more than most fans that cup games feck up your season...