What tomorrow means to me

Well here we are finally & tomorrow is the day that I have waited for for so many years so I’m going to try & put into words what it means to me when we kick off at Upton park tomorrow.
I was a 10 year old boy when i first walked onto the terraces at Ninian park City v Burnley the first game of the 1970 - 71 season I stood with my dad in front of the old grandstand & soaked in all the sights & sounds I was hooked.
Those early years were spent desperately trying to avoid relegation from the old 1st division & for the most part we did that, but eventually it was a downward spiral fragmented with sporadic moments to savior the Jimmy Andrews team with Alston, Evans & Anderson & Eddie May's championship winning team of 20 years ago. But for the most part following city meant going to school & then in later years to work to face constant ridicule from plastics about how crap Cardiff were it hurt but they were my club my Cardiff & i defended them to the hilt.
It meant standing on the bob bank in the pouring rain with 2,000 other die hard's watching my beloved city lose 6 - 1 at home to Darlington on a freezing Tuesday night in the old division four.
Then came Sam love him or loath him he breathed life back into my club & it was up, up & away & the good times followed million pound players were bought premier & league teams were beaten,
which brings me to Leeds never has a game of football encapsulated what in means to be a Cardiff fan the passion we showed that day i believe very few other clubs can match & will stay with me for the rest of my life.
So to the last ten years undoubtedly a new era but being Cardiff city full of drama that any TV soap would be proud of we have had financial meltdown, several promotion & cup final near misses & heartache plus the sad farewell to Ninian park our spiritual home for so many years & last but by no means least having to endure the colour change & re brand which still feels like a dagger to the heart.
Tomorrow with so many city fans sadly no longer with us the dream becomes a reality so on this day for me & my generation in one word what will it mean well it will mean EVERYTHING.

Well here we are finally & tomorrow is the day that I have waited for for so many years so I’m going to try & put into words what it means to me when we kick off at Upton park tomorrow.
I was a 10 year old boy when i first walked onto the terraces at Ninian park City v Burnley the first game of the 1970 - 71 season I stood with my dad in front of the old grandstand & soaked in all the sights & sounds I was hooked.
Those early years were spent desperately trying to avoid relegation from the old 1st division & for the most part we did that, but eventually it was a downward spiral fragmented with sporadic moments to savior the Jimmy Andrews team with Alston, Evans & Anderson & Eddie May's championship winning team of 20 years ago. But for the most part following city meant going to school & then in later years to work to face constant ridicule from plastics about how crap Cardiff were it hurt but they were my club my Cardiff & i defended them to the hilt.
It meant standing on the bob bank in the pouring rain with 2,000 other die hard's watching my beloved city lose 6 - 1 at home to Darlington on a freezing Tuesday night in the old division four.
Then came Sam love him or loath him he breathed life back into my club & it was up, up & away & the good times followed million pound players were bought premier & league teams were beaten,
which brings me to Leeds never has a game of football encapsulated what in means to be a Cardiff fan the passion we showed that day i believe very few other clubs can match & will stay with me for the rest of my life.
So to the last ten years undoubtedly a new era but being Cardiff city full of drama that any TV soap would be proud of we have had financial meltdown, several promotion & cup final near misses & heartache plus the sad farewell to Ninian park our spiritual home for so many years & last but by no means least having to endure the colour change & re brand which still feels like a dagger to the heart.
Tomorrow with so many city fans sadly no longer with us the dream becomes a reality so on this day for me & my generation in one word what will it mean well it will mean EVERYTHING.

Here, here! Written from the heart mate and you perfectly echo how I feel. I'm 6 years your junior in terms of time supporting my beloved Cardiff but that's brought me more highs and lows than most football fans will experience in a lifetime!
Tomorrow will see a tear in my eye as we kick-off the next chapter in our never-dull history.
Blue Army!

We're pretty much the same age. I was aged 7 in 1967 at my first game with my dad and I echo everything you say.

Nicely put, Bluebird 59. The words of a true fan. Despite everything that's happened/is happening, you're still looking forward to the season ahead, as we all should be.

Spot on - you've summed up the journey well and to me your final words are perfect - tomorrow means everything. I can't wait, I am 48 and I feel like a 6 year old on Christmas eve

excellent post

Same feeling. First City game in 1968 aged 8. Either stood behind the goal in the Grange End or in the Bob Bank but remember seeing a few fights there ! Still look back at the programmes that I have in my school handwriting which reminds me how long ago it was.

Lets enjoy the Premier league after missing out with the sale of Toshack and recent campaigns.

Spot on, spot on.

42 years of ups and downs as well mate - the high's and low's of a blooobirds fan.

Like the bit about getting ridiculed by school / work mates - all the plastic Man u, Liverpool, Chelsea, etc from 1971 - 2012 - Same for me but we can stand tall knowing we were there in the best and worst of times - still singing, chanting. and we will be there still.

I honestly think we will shock the premier league big boys and commentators with our pride and passion and style of play.

I will admit I am a bit nervous about the coming season but "we are City, Cardiff City" - Come on Boy's

Blooobirds forever

Oh what a feeling it's going to be tomorrow, might even shed a tear.
Never thought I'd see it, always wished we would make it to the promised land.
Fighting my own battle with cancer at the moment but confident that I'll be there hopefully cheering on Cardiff City in what ever league we are playing in, in years to come.

Will be thinking of bluebirds we've lost over the last few months, who will be cheering us on wherever they maybe.
Rip hoppy.

ditto - year younger than you, my first game in 1968, I was 1 when we were last in Division 1. At the moment a part of me doesn't really care what happens tomorrow or any other day, it is so special to have finally arrived.

Obviously I want us to do well, and won't be happy if we fail, but one thing I am sure of from this team and manager (and owner) and that is the side will die trying and that is all we can ask.

I am not a fan of red in any respect, but it doesn't bother me in the same way it bothers some - what is most important to me is the club as a whole, and seeing my club in the top tier will be a surreal experience.

Up the City!

What an excellent post.

Something that thousands of us feel the same about.

I congratulate you on something written wirh such heartfelt emotion.

I would insert loads of smilies but using the phone so words will have to do. ))

44 years down the City for me. Big part of my life. My wife says I'm obsessed. I never admit it to her but I AM. Like the rest of you I've experienced the highs and lows....Blackpool at Wembley being the all time low.....a 0-0 draw with Charlton being an amazing high....didn't see that coming! Completely overcome with emotion that evening and not ashamed to admit it. How can 22 blokes kicking a ball around mess with your emotions so much? Can't wait for tomorrow and the rest of the season. I've got a good feeling that we will be ok...as long as Malky get another 2 or 3 quality players in. I'm going to enjoy the ride anyway.

I've had the same journey as most of the posters in this thread.
Woodruff,Bell, Clarke,Toshack,Scoular.Real Madrid.
Jimmy Andrews,Dwyer nearly dying on the pitch at Gillingham.
Leeds and Cold Blow Lane away.What larks!
Derry City.Liege.
Durban.Hibbit.Sam.Ridsdale.
The experiences of following CCFC home and away over the years could never be repeated.
Remember our past - our history - it can't be denied or brushed away-and let's look forward to what we all hope will be a successful first season in the pl and a positive future.

Only a young fan myself and I've been brought into supporting City at the best time, seeing our major successes coming quick and fast but I'm always glad to read the stories of long term fans who have been through a hell of a lot compared to what younger fans like myself have but I'm glad that throughout this season I'll be alongside long term fans who are finally seeing their hometown team back in the top flight.

I echo everything said in the original post im 49 years of age and been following city since i was seven... It wld av been six but i coudnt climb up the railway sleeper 2 get over the bobbank wall... ive seen plenty of downs and not many up in that time... i will be at west ham 2moro with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye come three oclock... and im convinced we will stay up this season... 3 points 2 moro would be a great start...

I'm just turned 52 and my old man took me down there for the 1st time in 68 when I was 6, only for the last 10 minutes (when they opened the doors to let people out early, that was our cue to go in).. It was a 2-0 win v Bury. For years I only saw the last 10-15 mins of the games, until I was big enough to ghost into the stadium unnoticed..

My memories are on a par with all of the above, mostly failure, peppered with a few seasons of relief, namely 75-76 (Alston, Evans), 82/83 (Bennett brothers, H-Bomb), 92/93 (Eddie May's barmy army, Nathan Blake he's black he's mean he robs the fruit machines, DOUBLE BLUEBIRD), and then Sam Hammam My Lord, Leo, Leeds '"riot"

But this is something else, something that I still can't exactly get my head round. The colour change has taken the gloss off, but we're still Cardiff City, the club I've been following for 45 years ( ), and no matter what other god awful 'ideas' Tan might have up his sleeve for us, I'll never be able to turn my back on us, (though god knows there have been many times I've wanted to over the years).

I'll be at Upton Park tomorrow, and no doubt shedding the odd tear, but not for long, I've been waiting a long time for this, and I never thought I'd see it, so I'm going to make damned sure I enjoy it, no matter what happens.

I'm just turned 52 and my old man took me down there for the 1st time in 68 when I was 6, only for the last 10 minutes (when they opened the doors to let people out early, that was our cue to go in).. It was a 2-0 win v Bury. For years I only saw the last 10-15 mins of the games, until I was big enough to ghost into the stadium unnoticed..

My memories are on a par with all of the above, mostly failure, peppered with a few seasons of relief, namely 75-76 (Alston, Evans), 82/83 (Bennett brothers, H-Bomb), 92/93 (Eddie May's barmy army, Nathan Blake he's black he's mean he robs the fruit machines, DOUBLE BLUEBIRD), and then Sam Hammam My Lord, Leo, Leeds '"riot"

But this is something else, something that I still can't exactly get my head round. The colour change has taken the gloss off, but we're still Cardiff City, the club I've been following for 45 years ( ), and no matter what other god awful 'ideas' Tan might have up his sleeve for us, I'll never be able to turn my back on us, (though god knows there have been many times I've wanted to over the years).

I'll be at Upton Park tomorrow, and no doubt shedding the odd tear, but not for long, I've been waiting a long time for this, and I never thought I'd see it, so I'm going to make damned sure I enjoy it, no matter what happens.

you missed out 'i met my pain in the arse wife at the city and therefore regret ever going' loves yah!

Fuckin hell mate i was buzzin enough as it is but this has got me right up for tomorrow!

Me and my best mate are talking about it right now. 30 years or so ago when we started our life as City fans we never dreamt of what tomorrow will mean.

We used to fantasise about watching City play at Wembley but never imagined it would happen. Now we've been 4 times in just a few years, what next?

First of all, make sure we don't oversleep and miss the bus tomorrow! Then get a result coz we need early points. But then what can we realistically achieve?

Win the FA Cup (which in our younger days was almost better than the league)? That's now more than realistic.

Prem? Who knows but we couldn't dream of this when we watched us lose 3 v 1 against Hartlepool on a Friday with a third of the pitch covered in snow coz we couldn't afford not to play.

Excited doesn't come close.

Brilliant post. Same as you m8 first game. V hull 1970 me and my dad. As you said it means everything. Bluebirds.

Well here we are finally & tomorrow is the day that I have waited for for so many years so I’m going to try & put into words what it means to me when we kick off at Upton park tomorrow.
I was a 10 year old boy when i first walked onto the terraces at Ninian park City v Burnley the first game of the 1970 - 71 season I stood with my dad in front of the old grandstand & soaked in all the sights & sounds I was hooked.
Those early years were spent desperately trying to avoid relegation from the old 1st division & for the most part we did that, but eventually it was a downward spiral fragmented with sporadic moments to savior the Jimmy Andrews team with Alston, Evans & Anderson & Eddie May's championship winning team of 20 years ago. But for the most part following city meant going to school & then in later years to work to face constant ridicule from plastics about how crap Cardiff were it hurt but they were my club my Cardiff & i defended them to the hilt.
It meant standing on the bob bank in the pouring rain with 2,000 other die hard's watching my beloved city lose 6 - 1 at home to Darlington on a freezing Tuesday night in the old division four.
Then came Sam love him or loath him he breathed life back into my club & it was up, up & away & the good times followed million pound players were bought premier & league teams were beaten,
which brings me to Leeds never has a game of football encapsulated what in means to be a Cardiff fan the passion we showed that day i believe very few other clubs can match & will stay with me for the rest of my life.
So to the last ten years undoubtedly a new era but being Cardiff city full of drama that any TV soap would be proud of we have had financial meltdown, several promotion & cup final near misses & heartache plus the sad farewell to Ninian park our spiritual home for so many years & last but by no means least having to endure the colour change & re brand which still feels like a dagger to the heart.
Tomorrow with so many city fans sadly no longer with us the dream becomes a reality so on this day for me & my generation in one word what will it mean well it will mean EVERYTHING.

A great post 1971 was my first season as well.