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' The bad old days...read the reports '

Mon Apr 22, 2013 1:16 pm

http://www.urban75.org/cardiff/reports2.html






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Here's more drunken ramblings and half-baked recollections about the City. You must be bored to get this far


18.05.98 City lose to Wrexham

Not exactly unexpectedly, Cardiff lost in the finals of the Invitation Cup 2-1 to Wrexham at the Racehourse Ground today.

At least now that the season is well and truly over City might start to consolidate the interest shown in them by several developers and sponsors and finally get round to delivering a team worthy of the Welsh capital.

Surely next season things will get better...(gulp)...won't they?!

04.05.98 Another crap season...
Much as I love Cardiff is does get increasingly hard to muster up any enthusiam for next season unless there are substantial changes at the club.

No matter how you look at it, the club has to radically change if there is any hope of Cardiff having a team that reflects the city's rising world status, and that boils down to one thing; money.

The strong rumours of David Sullivan waving his hefty wad around give rise to some hope on the terraces, but until something concrete comes out of it, I'm not holding my breath.

One of the options currently being discussed is a move out of Ninian Park down to the Docks. A few years ago, I would have dreaded the thought, but now I really couldn't give a toss where we play - just so long as we're not stranded near the bottom of the Third for yet another season...

15.04.98 Bollocks
Well, things are shaping up for yet another shite end to the season with any prospect of a revival around the corner fading fast. We've lost three on the trot, the squad's falling to pieces and there seems to be no coherent team spirit to fall back on.

It's miserable. Thank God for Doncaster and Brighton being so spectacularly crap, otherwise we'd be facing a relegation battle.

16.02.98 Yet another new manager...

Frank Burrows returns to Cardiff after leaving West Ham.I know I should get excited by this, but after seeing so many managers and (ahem) 'directors of football' come and go, I'm not celebrating yet. Word is he'll be bringing Billy Ayre, formerly No 2 to Jan Molby at Swansea.

Oh well, time to dust off those old 'Burrows' chants....

28.01.98 Racism slur

Sadly, after I'd posted up the match report, news came through about some of the trouble at Reading, which the tabloids seized on with predictable gusto.

Worst of all was the ill-informed sensationalist report in the Guardian by one of their most respected writers, Martin Thorpe.

Now I'm already familiar with this guy - he's the one who wouldn't post up details of my Football Fans Against the Criminal Justice Act campaign, despite there being 100 arrests at the time and widespread coverage in several other broadsheets.

In his match report he rightly condemned the behaviour of a violent minority of Cardiff's fans, but then continued to post up some of the sloppiest, ill-informed rubbish I've ever read in a broadsheet when he accused the Cardiff fans of shouting racist abuse throughout the game.

In his match report, he claimed that "A large number of the 3,000 or so Cardiff contingent massed behind one goal also betrayed their prejudices with frequent chants of 'You black b*stard' directed at the Reading striker Carl Asaba".

It seems that for all his years in the game, Thorpe hadn't worked out that Cardiff fans traditionally taunt any ex-Swansea player as a 'Jack b*stard' and had cluelessly jumped to the conclusion that they were racially abusing one of Reading's black players. Interestingly, the ex-Swansea player, Bowen, isn't even black, so even Thorpe must have thought it rather odd that the racist taunts only happened when Bowen had the ball.

This kind of inaccurate, sensationalist reporting does nothing to further the cause of football, and flagging such headlines across a newspaper will only give people the chance to trot out all the old cliches about football hooligans and racism.

urban75 rang up the Guardian and spoke to Nick Mason on the sports desk. He told me that there had been many complaints about the report and apparently Thorpe was not aware of the tradition of calling Swansea players 'Jacks'.
However, he then tried to excuse the comments by suggesting that they somehow were justified " in context of the behaviour or the supporters".

Quite how he can justify falsely accusing Cardiff fans of racism just because a minority of them caused trouble is anyone's guess.

The Guardian have stated that they will be posting a retraction tomorrow (5.02.98).

No doubt it'll be about one tenth of the headlines today, and the damage already done.

Update: the Guardian's web site was still running the original, inaccurate report as of 5.2.98

26.01.98 FA heroes!

Tonight Cardiff City were knocked out of the FA Cup (4-3 on penalties, 1-1 a.e.t.) after an inspirational performance at First Division Reading.

A big City turnout was shoe-horned into dangerously overcrowded terracing, with the Police predictably as heavy handed as ever.

On the pitch, Cardiff played with a rare passion and spirit and outplayed an uninspired Reading for most of the match with Dale putting in a strong performance, crowned by a superb goal.

Reading's equaliser quietened Cardiff for a while, but it was only due to some good goalkeeping by Reading's Nicky Hammond that City didn't finish the game.

In the end it came down to a nail biting penalty shoot out, which Reading clinched 4-3.



01.98 FA Cup survival!

The Blues did themselves proud after a stirling performance against 1st Division Reading in the FA Cup 4th round, holding out for a valiant, if predictable, 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, off the pitch, Osman was abruptly given the elbow much to the relief of many fans, with speculation that Lou Macari may be lined up as a replacement.

20.01.98 Mid Table again...

Ho hum. After the excitement of the FA Cup we're back to our usual ways, and making mid-table mediocrity our usual speciality. What odds on us managing a play off this year?



3.01.98 FA Cup Victory!

You wouldn't have thought it possible after our recent results, but today City turned in a superb performance in an exciting FA Cup 3rd round tie against second Division Oldham.

Straight from the start, City looked sharp and hungry, and after missing several good chances Jason Fowler scored a superb 18th minute goal to set Ninian Park alight.

Oldham responded by piling on the pressure and it was only thanks to some unusually solid defending and a couple of great saves from John Hallworth that they didn't manage the (these days, almost inevitable) equaliser.

So, we're through to the 4th round again, and let's hope we get a decent draw.

Me? I'm off down the pub to celebrate! Bloooobirds!!!





28.12.97 Happy Feckin' Christmas :(

It guess says a lot about the blandness of Christmas TV, but I was actually excited at the prospect of getting away from the tedium of Noel f*cking Edmonds to watch the highly uncharismatic Exeter City at Ninian Park.

The club had been hoping that their latest half-baked scheme of offering free entry for kids and the laydees would bring in a bumper attendance of 15,000 plus, but seeing as they've yet to actually offer anything new in the way of decent facilities, food or any form of worthwhile entertainment it was no surprise to see a no-bigger-than-average crowd of 6.000+.

On the field, Cardiff turned in a surprisingly sharp performance and Exeter were very fortunate not to be more than the one goal down at half time.

At the interval, the usual pathetic fare of nasty food with minimal choice was on offer (nothing for vegetarians, as expected), while the men's toilets continue to set the watermark for the Worst Toilets in the League.

The second half saw City showing some inspiration, and it was only due to Exeter's goalkeeper suddenly turning into Superman that City failed to score with several good strikes. Needless to say, despite all the chances, City soon squandered the lead and Exeter equalised in the 82nd draw. Another draw.

There was however some signs of hope. City actually looked like a team with a bit of passion in their hearts for some of the game and this was rewarded by one of the most animated crowds I've seen at Ninian for some time.

We've still got great support. By the standards of Division Three we've got a brilliant ground and everyone knows all about our enormous potential, but until we get some people in - on both the managerial and commercial side - we will continue to flounder where we should be flourishing.

Update: 28.12.97 Shrewsbury 3 Cardiff 2.
Well, that's screwed up my Christmas then. If we can't even beat desperately average teams like Shrewsbury then it's patently clear that there is something seriously wrong in the club. Me? I blame the management set up. It's clear by now that the Osman/Hibbit (ahem) 'team' haven't got what it takes to motivate Cardiff out of a very unspectacular league, and I remain thoroughly convinced that until we get some first-rate management in we're doomed to life in the slow lane..





8.12.97 The FA Cup looms!

Well, it looks like we're looking pretty good with a home tie against Oldham in the Third Round. And who knows? After finally losing the drawing habit (albeit to totally crap teams), there is a vague hope that we might be able to progress further in the Cup. After all, it's teams like Oldham who have far more to fear when they travel to lower league teams, and if the crowd gets behind City, we could sneak a result - and earn some valuable cash for some desperately needed new players.

25.11.97 SIX POINTS and the FA CUP is still ALIVE!

Well, I guess I should be feeling a little better with the fact that we we've won the last three games but frankly, there's little to get excited about. Two wholly unconvincing wins against clubs lower than us in the league and a scrambled defeat of non-league Slough is no reason to start optimistically flicking through the Division Two guidebook and dreaming of FA Cup Glory. The truth is that we're still looking like a piss-poor bunch of hoofers with precious little in the way of creative and flowing football.

We're desperately short in the goalscoring department (we've scored less goals than just about everyone else in the league) and there seems to be a lack of motivation and commitment within the squad. And the blame for this lies fair and square with the (ahem) 'Director of Football'. Hibbit.

At Brighton, more half hearted 'Hibbit/Osman out!' chants punctuated a dreary game, witnessed by a paltry Cardiff turnout. They've had long enough to prove themselves incapable of providing the kind of motivation our players need.

We deserve better than this....




16.11.97 MORE DRAWZZZZ

Oh dear. Another dreadful draw, this time against the extra-lowly might of Slough Town

Any of you who came to the game will no doubt have noticed the ridiculous over-policing at the ground.

Despite the small crowd, the police showed up in full riot gear, with dogs, horses, and those f*cking annoying cameramen. I don't know about you, but I don't care to have my picture taken by some anonymous sneak clad in a boiler suit, and I find the exercise rather intimidatory (perhaps that's the intent).

Despite the heavily over-ambitious policing, the game passed without event (both on and off the field) and we trudged along to the now almost-inevitable draw.

At the end the 'Osman Out!' chants that have been building up over the weeks grew louder, with a half-hearted 'Eddie Eddie Eddie May' chant gaining some momentum.

I think I'd kinda like to have ol' Eddie May back. He's not the greatest manager in the world that's for sure, but at least he seems to have some commitment to the game.

And apart from that, his name's really easy to chant when you're off your face.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 3:09 pm

That Reading game was Amazing :ayatollah: :ayatollah: :ayatollah:

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 3:17 pm

Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 3:46 pm

Blue_Always wrote:Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.



Yes a great day Saturday at Burnley with all the above ingredients only unlike the desperation days some still crave for, we actually won something.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 3:55 pm

I remember that season, and the following comments in the article are interesting :

One of the options currently being discussed is a move out of Ninian Park down to the Docks. A few years ago, I would have dreaded the thought, but now I really couldn't give a toss where we play - just so long as we're not stranded near the bottom of the Third for yet another season...

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:04 pm

corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.



Yes a great day Saturday at Burnley with all the above ingredients only unlike the desperation days some still crave for, we actually won something.


What ever happened saturday was tarnished massively by the fact that within the space of one season blue is seemingly our third kit. You won't find many that craved this.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:07 pm

Die Walkure wrote:I remember that season, and the following comments in the article are interesting :

One of the options currently being discussed is a move out of Ninian Park down to the Docks. A few years ago, I would have dreaded the thought, but now I really couldn't give a toss where we play - just so long as we're not stranded near the bottom of the Third for yet another season...


Nonesense

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:08 pm

Blue_Always wrote:
Die Walkure wrote:I remember that season, and the following comments in the article are interesting :

One of the options currently being discussed is a move out of Ninian Park down to the Docks. A few years ago, I would have dreaded the thought, but now I really couldn't give a toss where we play - just so long as we're not stranded near the bottom of the Third for yet another season...


Nonesense

What is nonsense, the views expressed in the article?

I'm not saying I agree - I was just surprised by that quote.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:20 pm

Die Walkure wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:
Die Walkure wrote:I remember that season, and the following comments in the article are interesting :

One of the options currently being discussed is a move out of Ninian Park down to the Docks. A few years ago, I would have dreaded the thought, but now I really couldn't give a toss where we play - just so long as we're not stranded near the bottom of the Third for yet another season...


Nonesense

What is nonsense, the views expressed in the article?

I'm not saying I agree - I was just surprised by that quote.


Sorry, I thought you were presenting the knee jerk sentiments of one fan having a dark moment as a reflection of all fans views at that time. Then using this as justification for Tan's pisstake? I must've read it wrong, appologies.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:33 pm

Blue_Always wrote:
Sorry, I thought you were presenting the knee jerk sentiments of one fan having a dark moment as a reflection of all fans views at that time. Then using this as justification for Tan's pisstake? I must've read it wrong, appologies.

That's fine :ayatollah:

I just found it interesting as I'd largely forgotten all about that possible move down the bay.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:41 pm

Blue_Always wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.



Yes a great day Saturday at Burnley with all the above ingredients only unlike the desperation days some still crave for, we actually won something.


What ever happened saturday was tarnished massively by the fact that within the space of one season blue is seemingly our third kit. You won't find many that craved this.


Well all I seen was 1800 City fans many in Blue, some in red all having a fantastic time, going nuts like the old days...I honestly did not see or hear anyone at full time or during the celebrations say "this is spoilt because we are not playing in blue" Nobody craved for a red kit, nobody wanted it and very few like it but we have it and the bloke who pays the taxes, wages, etc and saved us from possible liquidation and definite administration has some strange fascination with a red kit and the fortune it brings...I do not know why, maybe its a cultural thing but he wants us in red and there was no big queue of investors willing to step in instead of Tan.
Hopefully we can return to Blue one day or certainly keep blue as the away kit for the time being, I hope so.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:49 pm

I remember Fulham away on a Tuesday night cup game I think (correct me if I'm wrong) & there was an ex jack playing for Fulham at the time. We were shouting you jack b*stard & there was a little tap on my shoulder ,when I turned around
a copper said anymore of that and you'll be nicked :?

When I asked him why he said racist chanting :lol: ACAB :malky:

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:50 pm

corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.



Yes a great day Saturday at Burnley with all the above ingredients only unlike the desperation days some still crave for, we actually won something.


What ever happened saturday was tarnished massively by the fact that within the space of one season blue is seemingly our third kit. You won't find many that craved this.


Well all I seen was 1800 City fans many in Blue, some in red all having a fantastic time, going nuts like the old days...I honestly did not see or hear anyone at full time or during the celebrations say "this is spoilt because we are not playing in blue" Nobody craved for a red kit, nobody wanted it and very few like it but we have it and the bloke who pays the taxes, wages, etc and saved us from possible liquidation and definite administration has some strange fascination with a red kit and the fortune it brings...I do not know why, maybe its a cultural thing but he wants us in red and there was no big queue of investors willing to step in instead of Tan.
Hopefully we can return to Blue one day or certainly keep blue as the away kit for the time being, I hope so.


Fair enough we all have our own experiences of one event, i recieved a lot of texts, even reluctant reds who went and celebrated, that felt the day and their relationship with CCFC was marred with all this nonesense.

Does anyone here think our sale-ability as a ng concern has increased with promotion? I.E If we told Tan, he either reverts to blue or we boycott every other game. Could he still blackmail or would someone else now buy us?

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:54 pm

CardiffCityCulture wrote:That Reading game was Amazing :ayatollah: :ayatollah: :ayatollah:


Remember it well :laughing6: ,a load of city lads charged 100's of reading outside the ground who were protected by 2 fences. I seem the first fence go over & all the reading fans running like f**k.

But the funniest thing for me was Big Dave (annis mate) falling outside the ground :lol: :lol: Big Dave ,what a character :D

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:05 pm

There must have been a couple of hundred of us in the seats as well, happy days :ayatollah:

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:10 pm

corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.



Yes a great day Saturday at Burnley with all the above ingredients only unlike the desperation days some still crave for, we actually won something.


What ever happened saturday was tarnished massively by the fact that within the space of one season blue is seemingly our third kit. You won't find many that craved this.


Well all I seen was 1800 City fans many in Blue, some in red all having a fantastic time, going nuts like the old days...I honestly did not see or hear anyone at full time or during the celebrations say "this is spoilt because we are not playing in blue" Nobody craved for a red kit, nobody wanted it and very few like it but we have it and the bloke who pays the taxes, wages, etc and saved us from possible liquidation and definite administration has some strange fascination with a red kit and the fortune it brings...I do not know why, maybe its a cultural thing but he wants us in red and there was no big queue of investors willing to step in instead of Tan.
Hopefully we can return to Blue one day or certainly keep blue as the away kit for the time being, I hope so.


Really pisses me off when guys like you start talking like this Corky. You nor nobody else knows if any one else would have stepped in. If there was anyone else they would not have made their intentions clear while Tan was sniffing about unless it was someone like Bill Gates. That is how business works and that is why we did not others willing to step in.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:26 pm

Bakedalasker wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.



Yes a great day Saturday at Burnley with all the above ingredients only unlike the desperation days some still crave for, we actually won something.


What ever happened saturday was tarnished massively by the fact that within the space of one season blue is seemingly our third kit. You won't find many that craved this.


Well all I seen was 1800 City fans many in Blue, some in red all having a fantastic time, going nuts like the old days...I honestly did not see or hear anyone at full time or during the celebrations say "this is spoilt because we are not playing in blue" Nobody craved for a red kit, nobody wanted it and very few like it but we have it and the bloke who pays the taxes, wages, etc and saved us from possible liquidation and definite administration has some strange fascination with a red kit and the fortune it brings...I do not know why, maybe its a cultural thing but he wants us in red and there was no big queue of investors willing to step in instead of Tan.
Hopefully we can return to Blue one day or certainly keep blue as the away kit for the time being, I hope so.


Really pisses me off when guys like you start talking like this Corky. You nor nobody else knows if any one else would have stepped in. If there was anyone else they would not have made their intentions clear while Tan was sniffing about unless it was someone like Bill Gates. That is how business works and that is why we did not others willing to step in.


Agree with that, Why would a prospective buyer make himself known to Cardiff fans, Doesn't make sense.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:31 pm

Bakedalasker wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.



Yes a great day Saturday at Burnley with all the above ingredients only unlike the desperation days some still crave for, we actually won something.


What ever happened saturday was tarnished massively by the fact that within the space of one season blue is seemingly our third kit. You won't find many that craved this.


Well all I seen was 1800 City fans many in Blue, some in red all having a fantastic time, going nuts like the old days...I honestly did not see or hear anyone at full time or during the celebrations say "this is spoilt because we are not playing in blue" Nobody craved for a red kit, nobody wanted it and very few like it but we have it and the bloke who pays the taxes, wages, etc and saved us from possible liquidation and definite administration has some strange fascination with a red kit and the fortune it brings...I do not know why, maybe its a cultural thing but he wants us in red and there was no big queue of investors
willing to step in
instead of Tan.
Hopefully we can return to Blue one day or certainly keep blue as the away kit for the time being, I hope so.


Really pisses me off when guys like you start talking like this Corky. You nor nobody else knows if any one else would have stepped in. If there was anyone else they would not have made their intentions clear while Tan was sniffing about unless it was someone like Bill Gates. That is how business works and that is why we did not others willing to step in.

If anybody else was waiting in the wings, they had enough time to come forward, as we've been in the shit for years!

Where were they during our umpteen HMRC winding up court appearances? :?

You can speculate all you like about whether there was anybody else waiting in the wings, but most people will believe that there wasn't anybody with any financial clout to drag us out of our impending demise!

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:31 pm

Really pisses me off when guys like you start talking like this Corky. You nor nobody else knows if any one else would have stepped in. If there was anyone else they would not have made their intentions clear while Tan was sniffing about unless it was someone like Bill Gates. That is how business works and that is why we did not others willing to step in.

Nothing pisses me off more than people living in cloud cuckoo land.

Where are these imaginary people you talk about that were willing to step in? Remember the fact that that person would have to take on the huge debts we were in at the time and pay the tax man and the wages just to keep the club going...TG came along and steadied the ship, there was no one else...there never has been anyone else in all the years that I have followed the club who have had real financial clout to take the club forward especially during the last few years when money became king...we were falling further and further behind, the Jacks leapfrogged us and

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:41 pm

Overthemoon wrote:
Bakedalasker wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.



Yes a great day Saturday at Burnley with all the above ingredients only unlike the desperation days some still crave for, we actually won something.


What ever happened saturday was tarnished massively by the fact that within the space of one season blue is seemingly our third kit. You won't find many that craved this.


Well all I seen was 1800 City fans many in Blue, some in red all having a fantastic time, going nuts like the old days...I honestly did not see or hear anyone at full time or during the celebrations say "this is spoilt because we are not playing in blue" Nobody craved for a red kit, nobody wanted it and very few like it but we have it and the bloke who pays the taxes, wages, etc and saved us from possible liquidation and definite administration has some strange fascination with a red kit and the fortune it brings...I do not know why, maybe its a cultural thing but he wants us in red and there was no big queue of investors
willing to step in
instead of Tan.
Hopefully we can return to Blue one day or certainly keep blue as the away kit for the time being, I hope so.


Really pisses me off when guys like you start talking like this Corky. You nor nobody else knows if any one else would have stepped in. If there was anyone else they would not have made their intentions clear while Tan was sniffing about unless it was someone like Bill Gates. That is how business works and that is why we did not others willing to step in.

If anybody else was waiting in the wings, they had enough time to come forward, as we've been in the shit for years!

Where were they during our umpteen HMRC winding up court appearances? :?

You can speculate all you like about whether there was anybody else waiting in the wings, but most people will believe that there wasn't anybody with any financial clout to drag us out of our impending demise!


Nobody knows what 'most' people will believe. Or where we'd be if Tan bailed. The fact that clubs of our size never fold is something for you to think about before hoping aboard Tans gravy train.

Using the Jacks as a motive isn't right, we need to get our own house in order before worrying about them.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:47 pm

I don't want to argue with fellow fans and wish you all well and a very happy summer looking forward to the fixtures, its only my informed opinion that leads me to think we were in danger of administration or worse and not an absolute statement of fact.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:51 pm

corky wrote:I don't want to argue with fellow fans and wish you all well and a very happy summer looking forward to the fixtures, its only my informed opinion that leads me to think we were in danger of administration or worse and not an absolute statement of fact.


:thumbright:

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 6:20 pm

Investors waiting to come in :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ridsdale was pinning everything on joking millionaires from Guernsey, he even went begging to a City fan who had just become an opera singer in Scotland and said he'd love to buy the club, and the lad's father came on here saying something along the lines of "buy the club, I'm still sending him pocket money" Ridsdale was seriously trying to get in touch with him.

There were no others, I don't make out I'm in the know, but I do speak regularly to many people some ex owners some still directors and some more or less running the club, if these invisible investors were keep it hidden from the fans, they must have also been keeping it quiet from those at the club actively searching for them. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

In my humble opinion, we would have at best gone into admin, at worse liquidated, either way we would not be anywhere near the position we are now and at best still being able to field a team but possibly in the Screwfix south west league or similar. :old:

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 6:42 pm

Blue_Always wrote:Nobody knows what 'most' people will believe. Or where we'd be if Tan bailed. The fact that clubs of our size never fold is something for you to think about before hoping aboard Tans gravy train.

Using the Jacks as a motive isn't right, we need to get our own house in order before worrying about them.

Not sure what you are driving at here as Glasgow Rangers are/were bigger than us and they folded!
Don't know what you're going on about with regard to the Jacks either, as I never mentioned them and you need to research the term "gravy train."

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 6:46 pm

BigGwynram wrote:Investors waiting to come in :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ridsdale was pinning everything on joking millionaires from Guernsey, he even went begging to a City fan who had just become an opera singer in Scotland and said he'd love to buy the club, and the lad's father came on here saying something along the lines of "buy the club, I'm still sending him pocket money" Ridsdale was seriously trying to get in touch with him.

There were no others, I don't make out I'm in the know, but I do speak regularly to many people some ex owners some still directors and some more or less running the club, if these invisible investors were keep it hidden from the fans, they must have also been keeping it quiet from those at the club actively searching for them. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

In my humble opinion, we would have at best gone into admin, at worse liquidated, either way we would not be anywhere near the position we are now and at best still being able to field a team but possibly in the Screwfix south west league or similar. :old:


You might laugh Gwyn but you are no different to anyone else and that is none of us knew if anyone else was waiting to pounce.

Its alright to say we had massive debts but we were not a team about to fall out of the league but a club pretty close to going up to the premier. There is a damn good reason for some other entrepreneur to have a look at us.

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:00 pm

Bakedalasker wrote:
BigGwynram wrote:Investors waiting to come in :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ridsdale was pinning everything on joking millionaires from Guernsey, he even went begging to a City fan who had just become an opera singer in Scotland and said he'd love to buy the club, and the lad's father came on here saying something along the lines of "buy the club, I'm still sending him pocket money" Ridsdale was seriously trying to get in touch with him.

There were no others, I don't make out I'm in the know, but I do speak regularly to many people some ex owners some still directors and some more or less running the club, if these invisible investors were keep it hidden from the fans, they must have also been keeping it quiet from those at the club actively searching for them. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

In my humble opinion, we would have at best gone into admin, at worse liquidated, either way we would not be anywhere near the position we are now and at best still being able to field a team but possibly in the Screwfix south west league or similar. :old:


You might laugh Gwyn but you are no different to anyone else and that is none of us knew if anyone else was waiting to pounce.

Its alright to say we had massive debts but we were not a team about to fall out of the league but a club pretty close to going up to the premier. There is a damn good reason for some other entrepreneur to have a look at us.



Yeh ok :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:27 pm

BigGwynram wrote:Investors waiting to come in :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Ridsdale was pinning everything on joking millionaires from Guernsey, he even went begging to a City fan who had just become an opera singer in Scotland and said he'd love to buy the club, and the lad's father came on here saying something along the lines of "buy the club, I'm still sending him pocket money" Ridsdale was seriously trying to get in touch with him.

There were no others, I don't make out I'm in the know, but I do speak regularly to many people some ex owners some still directors and some more or less running the club, if these invisible investors were keep it hidden from the fans, they must have also been keeping it quiet from those at the club actively searching for them. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

In my humble opinion, we would have at best gone into admin, at worse liquidated, either way we would not be anywhere near the position we are now and at best still being able to field a team but possibly in the Screwfix south west league or similar. :old:


:laughing6: Antonio was the opera singer. :)

Re: ' The bad old days...read the reports '

Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:29 pm

Great read , first started watching regular in 98 and as an 18 year old loved the madness . First away game was that brentford game ! A great eye opener . Hooked ever since

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:38 pm

Bakedalasker wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.



Yes a great day Saturday at Burnley with all the above ingredients only unlike the desperation days some still crave for, we actually won something.


What ever happened saturday was tarnished massively by the fact that within the space of one season blue is seemingly our third kit. You won't find many that craved this.


Well all I seen was 1800 City fans many in Blue, some in red all having a fantastic time, going nuts like the old days...I honestly did not see or hear anyone at full time or during the celebrations say "this is spoilt because we are not playing in blue" Nobody craved for a red kit, nobody wanted it and very few like it but we have it and the bloke who pays the taxes, wages, etc and saved us from possible liquidation and definite administration has some strange fascination with a red kit and the fortune it brings...I do not know why, maybe its a cultural thing but he wants us in red and there was no big queue of investors willing to step in instead of Tan.
Hopefully we can return to Blue one day or certainly keep blue as the away kit for the time being, I hope so.


Really pisses me off when guys like you start talking like this Corky. You nor nobody else knows if any one else would have stepped in. If there was anyone else they would not have made their intentions clear while Tan was sniffing about unless it was someone like Bill Gates. That is how business works and that is why we did not others willing to step in.


Fair play this is funny. I can remember when people were talking about trying get Tom Jones to invest in the club. David Sullivan was also mentioned - after all he is from Penarth! Finally, we have someone with the financial resources and business nous to really invest in the club - and the result is evident with the promotion. Bill Gates? We'd have half this board moaning about him calling football "soccer," and ruing the club's traditions with his Fancy Dan yankee ways!!

Re: The bad old days...read the reports

Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:41 pm

Bakedalasker wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:
corky wrote:
Blue_Always wrote:Great days, unique fans, real identity. Proper football culture.



Yes a great day Saturday at Burnley with all the above ingredients only unlike the desperation days some still crave for, we actually won something.


What ever happened saturday was tarnished massively by the fact that within the space of one season blue is seemingly our third kit. You won't find many that craved this.


Well all I seen was 1800 City fans many in Blue, some in red all having a fantastic time, going nuts like the old days...I honestly did not see or hear anyone at full time or during the celebrations say "this is spoilt because we are not playing in blue" Nobody craved for a red kit, nobody wanted it and very few like it but we have it and the bloke who pays the taxes, wages, etc and saved us from possible liquidation and definite administration has some strange fascination with a red kit and the fortune it brings...I do not know why, maybe its a cultural thing but he wants us in red and there was no big queue of investors willing to step in instead of Tan.
Hopefully we can return to Blue one day or certainly keep blue as the away kit for the time being, I hope so.


Really pisses me off when guys like you start talking like this Corky. You nor nobody else knows if any one else would have stepped in. If there was anyone else they would not have made their intentions clear while Tan was sniffing about unless it was someone like Bill Gates. That is how business works and that is why we did not others willing to step in.


Believe what you want. I agree with Corky, only Ridsdale's smoke and mirrors in the courts and promises of payment kept us from admin. A new investor had had years to come in Tan was our last chance. I reckon 90% of people see it the same and anyone who thinks otherwise is being unrealistic. The first thing tan had to do was chuck the best part of £6m in to get us through the summer, then pay off the stadium creditors, and then work on others. A new investor would have needed £15m minimum just to get us through the first season, and that was if they could offload players etc.. Not many of those around.

Whatever anyone's views on the rebrand are- and trust me nobody wanted it - the one that doesn't stack up is 'someone else would have saved us'.