Simon Lim: History is great, but stop harping on!

CARDIFF CITY fans have been warned not to expect Malaysian backer Vincent Tan to become the Bluebirds’ Roman Abramovich.

Owner Tan has already handed manager Malky Mackay funds to boost his forward line for the club’s historic first season in the Premier League, giving the green light to a record £8.5m deal for Danish striker Andreas Cornelius.

And a second big-money move is on the cards if Mackay can agree personal terms with England Under-21 winger Tom Ince after Blackpool accepted an £8m bid.

There has also been offers lodged for Victor Wanyama and Benjamin Mendy, although the latter, a France Under-19 full-back, is said to be close to a move to Marseille.

But, in a revealing interview given in Malaysia, Cardiff acting chief executive and chairman Simon Lim has insisted Tan will not bust the £25m transfer budget he set in the immediate aftermath of promotion in April.

And, citing the example of Stamford Bridge supremo Roman Abramovich, who has spent £713m in 10 years, Lim insisted that Cardiff are not about to follow suit.



“We are not going to spend silly money,” Lim said.

“He (Tan) mentioned £25m; we may spend £25m, but we’re not going to spend £25m for the sake of it.

“If we can spend £10m we will make do with £10m.

“We’re not going to break the bank – we are not Chelsea.”



Lim moved into the role of acting chairman in February following the sudden departure of Dato Chan Thien Gee – the man who had first forged Malaysian links to Cardiff and brought Tan to the table.

He formed part of a three-way decision-making team at the very top of the club alongside Tan and Mackay.

And although Lim admits the details and responsibilities at a football club so integral to its community is unlike any other venture, Tan’s key is to keep treating it like business.

“In terms of culture, I am very used to working with British people and in Malaysia I worked with multi-nationals,” Lim said.

“But football is another culture – totally different to everything else I’ve ever done.

“Tan Sri told me to treat it as any other business – you still have overheads, revenues etc.

“But the difference is we’re in the spotlight. That’s what makes it very different.

“Everything we do is under the microscope. And also the fans – in most businesses you have a few hundred customers; here we have 22,000 customers and 80,000 on our database.

“Fans feel it’s their club and that it’s a community. It’s very hard for them to detach themselves. Clubs used to be run like communities.

“Only since Sky came in has it become different. But fans should be able to separate the two. But it’s up to us to decide what’s best for the club moving forward. History is great but you can’t harp on it too long.”

But, despite the Premier League opportunities around the corner, talk of history does remind Lim of the divisive decision to rebrand under Tan that came back into focus earlier this year following suggestions he would be ready to change the club’s proud name.

“It was an interview Tan Sri did with the BBC and all hell broke loose,” Lim said after Tan first sparked the angry worry with his comments right at the peak of the side’s promotion charge. It was supposed to be aired in the evening and they gave it a write-up on the website and chose to highlight a very controversial issue – changing the name.

“All Tan Sri had said was that you never say never. And they ran that we were thinking of changing the name!

“We reckon they wanted to boost their ratings. Cyberspace was going crazy and we had to nip it in the bud, so we issued a statement to say we wouldn’t change the name – or the badge. It calmed down.”

Well well, some comments here that will cause some controversy this morning I think!

Mains points to address, forget a spending spree, and some rather choice comments directed at BU I feel.

Forget the spending spree? yeh! right, just wait and see, remember the media all over the country will see this interview, so he is not going to say we will spend over the £25m budget

Well well, some comments here that will cause some controversy this morning I think!

Mains points to address, forget a spending spree, and some rather choice comments directed at BU I feel.

Lets hope they realise that he's entitled to an opinion too though I'm expecting the usual drivel.

Mr Borley and Sian Branson had a bit of a crossing of swords last night on Twitter it seems, no doubt the above quotes will add fuel to the fire, lets hope we see Ince holding up a City shirt asap to get topics back to football on the pitch.

Well well, some comments here that will cause some controversy this morning I think!

Mains points to address, forget a spending spree, and some rather choice comments directed at BU I feel.

Lets hope they realise that he's entitled to an opinion too though I'm expecting the usual drivel.

He's deffo entitled to an opinion, but I do feel that Lim has done well not to alienate himself from sections of the fanbase up until now, maybe he's done that today with certain quotes from this article though??

Surely there's a word missing here and that is: 'he has experience of working with British 'business' people' then that is only a small section of British society so you can't compare that to thousands of football clubs who have a huge difference in backgrounds.

Mr Borley and Sian Branson had a bit of a crossing of swords last night on Twitter it seems, no doubt the above quotes will add fuel to the fire, lets hope we see Ince holding up a City shirt asap to get topics back to football on the pitch.

It wasnt a crossing of swords. It was a very amicable conversation.

Well well, some comments here that will cause some controversy this morning I think!

Mains points to address, forget a spending spree, and some rather choice comments directed at BU I feel.

Lets hope they realise that he's entitled to an opinion too though I'm expecting the usual drivel.

He's deffo entitled to an opinion, but I do feel that Lim has done well not to alienate himself from sections of the fanbase up until now, maybe he's done that today with certain quotes from this article though??

I agree,but its the type of response this statement may illicit will be interesting.An inflamatory response from the BU and the like may just shoot themselves in the foot.

1001290_4889154116781_1742801674_n[1].jpg

ccfc%20kelly[1].jpg

CCFC

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

STOP GOING ON ABOUT THE TRADITIONS OF CARDIFF CITY, WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY HERE!!!

STOP GOING ON ABOUT THE TRADITIONS OF CARDIFF CITY, WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY HERE!!!

True but lim is just saying how it is in 2013 at ccfc

STOP GOING ON ABOUT THE TRADITIONS OF CARDIFF CITY, WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY HERE!!!

True but lim is just saying how it is in 2013 at ccfc

Shit isn't it.

STOP GOING ON ABOUT THE TRADITIONS OF CARDIFF CITY, WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY HERE!!!

True but lim is just saying how it is in 2013 at ccfc

Shit isn't it.

Very but this is modern football.

STOP GOING ON ABOUT THE TRADITIONS OF CARDIFF CITY, WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY HERE!!!

True but lim is just saying how it is in 2013 at ccfc

Shit isn't it.

Very but this is modern football.

only at cardiff has modern football included a change of home colours for a bizarre reason.

A statement saying they wouldn't change our name or the badge? They had already changed the badge against our will, but Simon Lim honestly thinks releasing a statement saying they wouldn't change our new horrendous badge was to reassure the fans? How pathetic!

I've no doubt these comments are aimed at BU. in a way, this makes me happy. The club are aware of BUs existence & feel they need to comment again.

These comments are unecessary & hurtful to those who value our identity. Shame on you Lim.

STOP GOING ON ABOUT THE TRADITIONS OF CARDIFF CITY, WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY HERE!!!

Forget your culture and identity lickle welshmen we're moving football on

The more they talk the worse it looks for them and the Malaysian apologists on here

I don't normally comment on these threads, but...

“We reckon they wanted to boost their ratings. Cyberspace was going crazy and we had to nip it in the bud, so we issued a statement to say we wouldn’t change the name – or the badge. It calmed down.”

They did change your badge? Or were they going to change it again?

“Fans feel it’s their club and that it’s a community. It’s very hard for them to detach themselves. Clubs used to be run like communities."

No, not at all! But, football clubs are a massive part of the community, the city, and day to day life for a lot of people, and until your owners realise that, I think you are going to be at loggerheads for many years to come. Surely with all the money and experience these folks have in business, they could get someone working there that understands football, and the tribal culture that comes with it?

Sadly Scotsjack

It has been so easy for this to happen to a success starved team whos main rivals are recieving plaudits in the big league.

I've supported for 30 years, my attraction when I started was not Div 1 football, it was curiosity to go and see them as my local accessable side.
Got hooked on the buzz and the atmosphere and it went from there.
We have nearly gone out of business 3 times and had the piss taken out of us by many a director and owner

This summer, I am really uncomfortable as a fan when it should be a tremendous time.
Our fans roll over with promise of money, when really we will not spend nearly as much as you jacks.
Our rivals are snapping up players and we are still on tenterhooks with a couple of youngsters signing.

Now these billionaire butcher businessmen are coming clean I hope that fans click to what is really happening.
Just look at coventry and pompey to see what can happen when people have no interest in the club/community - just the dreaded dollar.
Our fans argue with each other and our Director argues with some too!!

I know most jacks love it - but I know some who understand too.

We are still in ever growing debt (tan claiming the interest) and they are just gambling like any other aquisition, leverage, asset strip, sale or merger.

I'm not a modern sky football fan -but its here - ive given myself one more season (like I have the last 3 years!) but I genuinely down about football -hope its a phase........

Well well, some comments here that will cause some controversy this morning I think!

Mains points to address, forget a spending spree, and some rather choice comments directed at BU I feel.

Lets hope they realise that he's entitled to an opinion too though I'm expecting the usual drivel.

You were right, fella. The drivel started immediately and no shock as to one or two that were involved

Most interesting statement for me was: “Only since Sky came in has it become different. But fans should be able to separate the two. But it’s up to us to decide what’s best for the club moving forward. History is great but you can’t harp on it too long.”

Unfortunately, football has moved on and in ways that don't sit comfortable with the more mature amongst our support, including me. I understand that but I have a choice; I either want my club to be successful in the modern era or I am happy to watch my club stagnate in the lower divisions as I have done since I was a lad

For me it's a no-brainer. I always dreamed of seeing Cardiff City FC in the elite league and almost surreally that is just about to come true. If I have to accept a change of colour for that to happen (as everyone who stayed did last season whether they admit it or not ) then I say "c'est la vie"

I'll know enjoy it unreservedly. So should everyone else. If not, what point in going, eh??

You were right, fella. The drivel started immediately and no shock as to one or two that were involved

Are those who thinks Lim was wrong to say this not entitled to post our views?

I could roll my eyes at all the Tan apologists on here, but whilst I don't agree with them, they are entitled to air that view.

Sadly Scotsjack

It has been so easy for this to happen to a success starved team whos main rivals are recieving plaudits in the big league.

I've supported for 30 years, my attraction when I started was not Div 1 football, it was curiosity to go and see them as my local accessable side.
Got hooked on the buzz and the atmosphere and it went from there.
We have nearly gone out of business 3 times and had the piss taken out of us by many a director and owner

This summer, I am really uncomfortable as a fan when it should be a tremendous time.
Our fans roll over with promise of money, when really we will not spend nearly as much as you jacks.
Our rivals are snapping up players and we are still on tenterhooks with a couple of youngsters signing.

Now these billionaire butcher businessmen are coming clean I hope that fans click to what is really happening.
Just look at coventry and pompey to see what can happen when people have no interest in the club/community - just the dreaded dollar.
Our fans argue with each other and our Director argues with some too!!

I know most jacks love it - but I know some who understand too.

We are still in ever growing debt (tan claiming the interest) and they are just gambling like any other aquisition, leverage, asset strip, sale or merger.

I'm not a modern sky football fan -but its here - ive given myself one more season (like I have the last 3 years!) but I genuinely down about football -hope its a phase........

Fans haven't 'rolled over' fella. They have simply accepted things how they are and in the absence of anyone else coming in to rescue the club at the end of the Ridsdale era I think supporters (and I know MOST are) should be a little more contrite in their thoughts towards Vincent Tan.

I think the bigger issue is with the few on here who continually 'bang on' about all things bad with Tan (which realistically amount to the colour change) yet are happy enough to turn up for the season opener against the team that were Premier League Champions not much more than a year ago.

Contradictory? Or simply two-faced? I'll let you decide...

So many martyrs but none prepared to make the sacrifice of giving up watching city!

So many martyrs but none prepared to make the sacrifice of giving up watching city!

There are plenty that have sacrificed their support. They have then been called "fair weather fans" etc.

For me, why should I give up my support of the club I follow because I disagree with the choices made at the club?

Allan. Were you against the Ridsdale ticket scam? If so, why didn't you stop supporting? Going by your theory, you should have stopped if you were against it.

Well well, some comments here that will cause some controversy this morning I think!

Mains points to address, forget a spending spree, and some rather choice comments directed at BU I feel.

Lets hope they realise that he's entitled to an opinion too though I'm expecting the usual drivel.

You were right, fella. The drivel started immediately and no shock as to one or two that were involved

Most interesting statement for me was: “Only since Sky came in has it become different. But fans should be able to separate the two. But it’s up to us to decide what’s best for the club moving forward. History is great but you can’t harp on it too long.”

Unfortunately, football has moved on and in ways that don't sit comfortable with the more mature amongst our support, including me. I understand that but I have a choice; I either want my club to be successful in the modern era or I am happy to watch my club stagnate in the lower divisions as I have done since I was a lad

For me it's a no-brainer. I always dreamed of seeing Cardiff City FC in the elite league and almost surreally that is just about to come true. If I have to accept a change of colour for that to happen (as everyone who stayed did last season whether they admit it or not ) then I say "c'est la vie"

I'll know enjoy it unreservedly. So should everyone else. If not, what point in going, eh??

Respect your honesty sven, With No mention or allusion to 'red or dead' in your post, i presume you've put things like tradition, history, culture & community on the back burner for success?

I boycotted last season but i don't regard everybody who attended as supporting the rebrand. It's reached a point now where i agree with Annis when asserting that our fight for identity is most affectively done while still attending games . Unless ofcoarse a mass boycott is planned at half time during a game. Out of interest What you take part in such a protest sven?

So many martyrs but none prepared to make the sacrifice of giving up watching city!

how many have given up? Just asking as i've always wondered the official figure.

You were right, fella. The drivel started immediately and no shock as to one or two that were involved

Are those who thinks Lim was wrong to say this not entitled to post our views?

I could roll my eyes at all the Tan apologists on here, but whilst I don't agree with them, they are entitled to air that view.

Alex, not sure where you are coming from on this one. Calling people 'Tan apologists' is rather a strong term to use. It is all simply a matter of opinion as to whether individuals like where Tan has taken us or not and I would never dispute that

I was simply pointing out that the usual suspects (not including you) seized on the opportunity to have a pop at Tan and/or his plans to make Cardiff City FC a successful club in the biggest league in the world

People are now at the point of either accepting the change of colour or walking away. They cannot have it both ways

Fair enough. I don't agree with that, as I feel that there will be more people this year who will be disgruntled about the colour. There will also be organised "celebrations" of blue.

It may be strongly worded, but there are several Tan apologists on this thread. It's a shame as up until the rebrand & since the rebrand - he has proved as a very successful owner of this club (so far..) yet, since his ghastly rebrand, I cannot respect the man.

So many martyrs but none prepared to make the sacrifice of giving up watching city!

There are plenty that have sacrificed their support. They have then been called "fair weather fans" etc.

For me, why should I give up my support of the club I follow because I disagree with the choices made at the club?

Allan. Were you against the Ridsdale ticket scam? If so, why didn't you stop supporting? Going by your theory, you should have stopped if you were against it.

Alex, the Ridsdale ticket thing wasn't a 'scam' and those close to the club will tell you that. Things changed very quickly in a very short period over that summer and the club had a simple choice; use the money to pay off a single pressing debt or go into Administration. It really was 'life or death' of the club and is what amazes me most about the people who were around at the time forgetting (or conveniently ignoring) the realities of where we were at that point