After the ball: the anti-Tan demo at the South Wales derby

' After the ball: the anti-Tan demo at the South Wales derby '

Thursday November 7th 2013
by cardiffcolin

There’s been loads of coverage of the game so I won’t comment much on what happened on the pitch. Suffice it to say that the general feeling at half time was we were definitely second best but by the end we were deserved winners. And how good that felt.

But it was unfortunate in a way that the game, which inevitably had a huge fascination in itself, detracted from the possible reaction of City supporters to the bizarre off-field events of the previous few weeks. Clearly, there had been a massive shift in fans feelings away from a reluctant-red position to an anti-Tan stance. There was simply too much focus on the result and on the rivalry for any real chance of anti-Tan feeling to emerge. Sure, a “Tan Out” banner did appear (briefly) in the Canton stand early on.



I saw, sadly, just the one red scarf flung onto the pitch at one point during the game (perhaps not surprising, given that there were very few red scarves in evidence). I suppose it’s also true that there was far less red in evidence generally amongst the crowd ; blue was much more predominant, as of old, though the wet weather with attendant rain-gear lessened the impact of this. Also, there was a heartening burst of “We’ll always be Blue” echoing round the whole ground towards the end. To be fair, there was probably quite a bit more than this that went on, especially in the Canton end, but, like most, I was so intent on the game (the tension throughout was palpable) that I didn’t notice much, apart from the repeated and predictable attempts of Swansea fans to wind us up.

For me, it was only after the game and the celebrations that my revulsion against Tan re-surfaced. I kept looking towards the Canton end looking for the emergence of the promised protest sit-in but disappointingly not much appeared for quite a while. Sadly, most of the City fans had already left the stadium, all jubilant, by the time that a few banners began to appear and a smallish crowd began to gather round them. I made my over from the Ninian stand (no attempt by stewards to stop this) and soon found myself and about 200 others alongside 4 or 5 well-made banners. We sang and chanted with increasing gusto as our confidence grew, all heartened by the fact that we no longer felt alone. Our only audience by this time, paradoxically, were the remains of the Swansea fans (still corralled in the away section). But our songs grew louder as the acoustics of the empty stadium began to work in our favour. Stewards began to line up pitch-side in front of us but made no attempt at getting us out.



There was just one steward who clearly was furious, shouting and gesticulating at us as we insulted his paymaster. Hilariously, the stewards around him had to focus more on getting him away than on anything we might do. The head steward (I forget his name but City fans will know the silver-haired one I mean) tried to insinuate himself into our crowd and talk us into stopping but on we went. One wonderful chorus of “Keep Cardiff Blue” went on and on and on, like a Buddhist mantra. We were encouraged also by the fact that there were still a couple of cameras operational above the grandstand and there were lots of silhouettes in the posh bars staring out at us. Just as we were starting to wonder how long we’d stick it out, an indecipherable message came over the tannoy. It wasn’t Ali and I’ve no idea what he said but it only encouraged us.

Suddenly the stadium lights were switched off, plunging it into a beautiful blue underlit twilight. It looked really great and really BLUE and drew a huge cheer from us. About half an hour had by now gone by; the stewards were beginning to line up on all sides of us. Our numbers were beginning to dwindle; a few urged that we all sit tight and refuse to be moved but most were happy to leave en masse, singing loudly and with heads held high, proud that we’d really succeeded in making our point. Some even had to pause in the opening to the staircase for one friendly steward to take a souvenir snap of us. (I doubt if Tan will be employing him at the next game!)

Lessons to learn?

There is a point in doing this kind of thing: it got a lot of coverage in the media.

It won’t be quite so easy next time (and I really feel there should be a next time); the club officials will do some homework, study their CCTV and try to figure out a way to prevent a repeat. But with enough numbers there’s little they can do.
There will be more of us next time, now that a precedent has been set. And with bigger numbers we’ll make more of an impact and add to the growing tide of feeling that wants our club back in the hands of those who care about it, those who know something about football, those who respect our history and identity, those who are prepared to let the life-blood of the club – the fans – have a say in our future.

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

Very good read


I was one of the rain-gear crew for the Swans game, although my coat is navy

The Villa game is going to be sensational and hopefully alot more of our fans will join the protest. Before anyone has a go at that sentence, I am not forcing anyone to protest, I am purely stating that I hope more fans will protest at Villa. Obviously all of our games are going to be shown on some random links so I'm sure that whether we protest at home or away, VT will be watching

[quote="Latest News"]'

blue was much more predominant, as of old, though the wet weather with attendant rain-gear lessened the impact of this

Very good read


I was one of the rain-gear crew for the Swans game, although my coat is navy

The Villa game is going to be sensational and hopefully alot more of our fans will join the protest. Before anyone has a go at that sentence, I am not forcing anyone to protest, I am purely stating that I hope more fans will protest at Villa. Obviously all of our games are going to be shown on some random links so I'm sure that whether we protest at home or away, VT will be watching

'

blue was much more predominant, as of old, though the wet weather with attendant rain-gear lessened the impact of this

God, I'm shite at that quote thingymajiggy

most of us would love our blue back...................i do wish more had been done at the time to show him just how much it meant............red or f*cking dead..........did Tan push this..or was it just idiots?.......we had a right to not want it..and show we didnt.................anyway//its here and now..........i wish the message was BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE..........WE WANT OUR COLOUR BACK...................Tan out..against modern football, we want Malky to stay..or whatever just muddle it up......
the less issues you have..the less divides..............

Stick to Keep Cardiff Blue campaign.. A hell of alot more what to go back to blue than wanting Tan out

Stick to Keep Cardiff Blue campaign.. A hell of alot more what to go back to blue than wanting Tan out

I wouldnt put your life savings on that.

Stick to Keep Cardiff Blue campaign.. A hell of alot more what to go back to blue than wanting Tan out

I wouldnt put your life savings on that.

ok

Sad that after great win (by the team playing in red) that's all you can bleat on about is tan out, you should be careful what you wish for ( my opinion)

Hopefully the weather is alright for the United game. More protesting and more blue

didn't realise it was happenning, few of us would've joined in if we did

What's the big plan if we do in fact get Tan out? Who is going to subsidise the club?

What's the big plan if we do in fact get Tan out? Who is going to subsidise the club?

I bet some haven't thought that far ahead yet.

good read understand wholly the cause

a few question why write so much about stewards? why target them? they are only doing their job! were you surprised you were surrounded by stewards? why write so much joy about one steward taking a photo a joking saying he/she may not work anymore? is that your aim?

if your going to protest target Tan not stewards you wont gain anything and look very stupid.

Stick to Keep Cardiff Blue campaign.. A hell of alot more what to go back to blue than wanting Tan out

I wouldnt put your life savings on that.

you are kidding?............thats the problem...........some are unable to split the 2 things.........and Tan out aint gonna happen......he owns the club.................so the best way to get him to do a U turn on the colour..is to have stupid Tan out banners.............yeah thats going to work......all it does is stop the huge majority of sensible fans joining in these demos.........

It was all great until people were chanting Tan Out, that was when I left - lights went out just as I was walking to the exit.

I'm glad it made the national press. At last, this is what we need.

Hopefully the weather is alright for the United game. More protesting and more blue

I had my Blue shirt on V Swansea, did not realise it would be thought as a protest.

I'll but my red one on V Man U though it will look the same as them.

Can't take more of this BU shit.

well done to all those who protested...

None of the antagonists have answered my question. What happens if Tan leaves?

None of the antagonists have answered my question. What happens if Tan leaves?

Neil, Our club is now a very viable club, big stadium, big support and future owners now know we are potentially a massive club with 260,000 fans now on our database. Listen the quicker he goes the better, we can once again be a proud club and yes our fans have never always agreed, but never divided like we are nowadays.

Neil, there is always a buyer out there some where and that is a true, Ive seen us at deaths door on at least 5 occasions over the 40 odd years Ive supported City and sometimes with an hour to go and that was when we were not a viable club.

None of the antagonists have answered my question. What happens if Tan leaves?

And that is an answer in itself.And the truth is none of them got a scooby do.

pretty simple: some other buyer will take over when Tan leaves, we have been through this over and over and over and over and over and over again...
Tan isnt the only guy in the world owning the majority at a football club

None of the antagonists have answered my question. What happens if Tan leaves?

Neil, Our club is now a very viable club, big stadium, big support and future owners now know we are potentially a massive club with 260,000 fans now on our database. Listen the quicker he goes the better, we can once again be a proud club and yes our fans have never always agreed, but never divided like we are nowadays.

Neil, there is always a buyer out there some where and that is a true, Ive seen us at deaths door on at least 5 occasions over the 40 odd years Ive supported City and sometimes with an hour to go and that was when we were not a viable club.

It was Tan's investment that made us viable. With all the players we signed are we still losing money monthly? Who will take that on and be prepared to invest more to keep us in the premiership? I've seen Clemo, rick wright, kumar, cadman, Sullivan, pmg, hamamm and riddler in charge and we have never had the investment we have had that we have now.

None of the antagonists have answered my question. What happens if Tan leaves?

Neil, Our club is now a very viable club, big stadium, big support and future owners now know we are potentially a massive club with 260,000 fans now on our database. Listen the quicker he goes the better, we can once again be a proud club and yes our fans have never always agreed, but never divided like we are nowadays.

Neil, there is always a buyer out there some where and that is a true, Ive seen us at deaths door on at least 5 occasions over the 40 odd years Ive supported City and sometimes with an hour to go and that was when we were not a viable club.

It was Tan's investment that made us viable. With all the players we signed are we still losing money monthly? Who will take that on and be prepared to invest more to keep us in the premiership? I've seen Clemo, rick wright, kumar, cadman, Sullivan, pmg, hamamm and riddler in charge and we have never had the investment we have had that we have now.

Which only goes to prove that money isnt the whole answer.

Think people were keen to celebrate a premier league win against our rivals without constant chipping on about this.

Cardiff city is in the premier league and after years and years of supporting its fantastic to see. Seriously in the scheme of things we have to realise how lucky we are. Yes this nonsense with Malky is unsettling but it will blow over if people let it. The protesters and media are the only people keeping this lingering on IMO. I don't want Malky to go of course not, but equally I don't want Tan to go. Yes some things have to be sorted internally of course they do, but getting him to leave at the highest stage of our football career is ridiculous in my opinion. The guy has invested heavily in this club and took it where it needs to go.

Let the internal matters sort themselves out, which they will, without forcing somebody's hand that could be catastrophic. Nobody really knows exactly what is being said etc so lets let them sort it out without making a song and dance of it

Think people were keen to celebrate a premier league win against our rivals without constant chipping on about this.

Cardiff city is in the premier league and after years and years of supporting its fantastic to see. Seriously in the scheme of things we have to realise how lucky we are. Yes this nonsense with Malky is unsettling but it will blow over if people let it. The protesters and media are the only people keeping this lingering on IMO. I don't want Malky to go of course not, but equally I don't want Tan to go. Yes some things have to be sorted internally of course they do, but getting him to leave at the highest stage of our football career is ridiculous in my opinion. The guy has invested heavily in this club and took it where it needs to go.

Let the internal matters sort themselves out, which they will, without forcing somebody's hand that could be catastrophic. Nobody really knows exactly what is being said etc so lets let them sort it out without making a song and dance of it

That's the way I see thing too... I for one am loving cardiff city as I always have and it doesn't bother playing in red or having Tan as our owner, just enjoying every minute of success after 40 years of ups & downs...

If tan goes... Who knows? We may do a southhampton which wouldnt be so bad, or we may do a portsmouth, which would. Either way i want the blue back. When he changed our colours we were a lower leagues team. Now we are a prem team known around the world and we dont have to stand for it! All the red lovers know this

Hopefully the weather is alright for the United game. More protesting and more blue

I had my Blue shirt on V Swansea, did not realise it would be thought as a protest.

I'll but my red one on V Man U though it will look the same as them.

Can't take more of this BU shit.

Just to clarify, will you be wearing your red MU kit, or your red Dragons kit?

Hopefully the weather is alright for the United game. More protesting and more blue

I had my Blue shirt on V Swansea, did not realise it would be thought as a protest.

I'll but my red one on V Man U though it will look the same as them.

Can't take more of this BU shit.

Ridiculous.

None of the antagonists have answered my question. What happens if Tan leaves?

And that is an answer in itself.And the truth is none of them got a scooby do.

Yet none of you arse lickers have a "scooby do" what will happen if Tan leaves either. Scaremongering is the call here.