' It Might Finally Happen for a Cardiff City Legend '
Fri Jun 10, 2016 10:38 am
Cardiff City legend Kevin McNaughton hopeful testimonial will be held early next season despite planning problems
Friday 10th June 2016
The hugely-popular defender spent nine years at the Welsh club, racking up nearly 300 appearances, before finally moving on in May last year
Cardiff City have said discussions remained on-going and they were fully committed to seeing the testimonial go ahead.
Cardiff City legend Kevin McNaughton admits there have been problems planning his Bluebirds’ testimonial game, but he is hopeful it may go ahead early next season.
The hugely-popular defender spent nine years at the Welsh club, racking up nearly 300 appearances, before finally moving on in May last year.
The club immediately agreed to host a benefit match, which is set to raise cash for a clutch of charities, to honour the man dubbed ‘Super Kev’ by the Cardiff-faithful.
But since then there has been pretty much silence on the subject, with fans wondering just when they can turn out to support their hero.
McNaughton said the game will still be going ahead, potentially in the first international break next season in early September, although he admitted those helping to arrange the match have encountered some difficulties liaising with the club.
Cardiff themselves meanwhile said discussions remained on-going and they were fully committed to seeing the testimonial go ahead.
McNaughton said a date had previously been set for the clash on Saturday, July 30, but this had to be cancelled when a pre-season friendly at Bournemouth was arranged.
Alternative dates have been suggested, but McNaughton said they were often given at too short notice or were on days when current Cardiff first-team players, who are keen play for their old friend, were not available.
Spanish club Villarreal had expressed an interest in being the opposition in the match but had to pull out when a date could not be finalised this summer. McNaughton himself is remaining hopeful his big testimonial will still go ahead at the Cardiff City Stadium sooner rather than later.
“It has taken a very long time I know, but we are hoping it might be during the first international break next season,” said McNaughton.
“We’ve not actually managed to speak to anyone at the club for a few weeks now, but that was the time we were last told. It has been difficult to be honest.
“From what I can gather, there’s been quite a few staff changes at the club and the responsibility to help arrange it seems to keep being past from one person and then to another so that we don’t know quite where we are.
“We thought it might be the last week in July, but then a friendly came up and other dates have been difficult because they have been at too short notice or on dates when none of the first-team players would be able to play.
“Things have been a bit of a nightmare, but we are really looking forward to the game going ahead.”
McNaughton has big things planned for the match when it does finally go ahead. He is hoping a clutch of current Bluebirds players will turn out, plus some former stars, with former striker Steve Thompson already pencilled in for the clash.
McNaughton admitted it was an occasion he was really looking forward to.
“It will be great to get back down to Cardiff and bring the family with me,” added McNaughton.
“I loved my time there, the fans are just totally fantastic, they always supported me, to be honest, forget that ‘first result I look for’ stuff, I am actually a Cardiff City fan myself now. Next season, if I can, I am going to try to get to some games for sure.”
The Bluebirds themselves said they remained fully committed to seeing the game go ahead as soon as possible and were in discussions with McNaughton to try to find a date that suited all concerned.
“Since the initial announcement of the proposed benefit match, Cardiff City have been in dialogue with Kevin and his representatives in order to arrange a suitable date in the football calendar when club, stadium and players are available,” a club spokesman said in a statement.
“A number of dates during pre-season were discussed including Saturday, July 30, but the first team were already committed to playing Bournemouth on this date and alternatives suggested by the club were not considered suitable. As things stand discussions continue to take place and the club is fully committed to hosting the fixture at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Friday 10th June 2016
The hugely-popular defender spent nine years at the Welsh club, racking up nearly 300 appearances, before finally moving on in May last year
Cardiff City have said discussions remained on-going and they were fully committed to seeing the testimonial go ahead.
Cardiff City legend Kevin McNaughton admits there have been problems planning his Bluebirds’ testimonial game, but he is hopeful it may go ahead early next season.
The hugely-popular defender spent nine years at the Welsh club, racking up nearly 300 appearances, before finally moving on in May last year.
The club immediately agreed to host a benefit match, which is set to raise cash for a clutch of charities, to honour the man dubbed ‘Super Kev’ by the Cardiff-faithful.
But since then there has been pretty much silence on the subject, with fans wondering just when they can turn out to support their hero.
McNaughton said the game will still be going ahead, potentially in the first international break next season in early September, although he admitted those helping to arrange the match have encountered some difficulties liaising with the club.
Cardiff themselves meanwhile said discussions remained on-going and they were fully committed to seeing the testimonial go ahead.
McNaughton said a date had previously been set for the clash on Saturday, July 30, but this had to be cancelled when a pre-season friendly at Bournemouth was arranged.
Alternative dates have been suggested, but McNaughton said they were often given at too short notice or were on days when current Cardiff first-team players, who are keen play for their old friend, were not available.
Spanish club Villarreal had expressed an interest in being the opposition in the match but had to pull out when a date could not be finalised this summer. McNaughton himself is remaining hopeful his big testimonial will still go ahead at the Cardiff City Stadium sooner rather than later.
“It has taken a very long time I know, but we are hoping it might be during the first international break next season,” said McNaughton.
“We’ve not actually managed to speak to anyone at the club for a few weeks now, but that was the time we were last told. It has been difficult to be honest.
“From what I can gather, there’s been quite a few staff changes at the club and the responsibility to help arrange it seems to keep being past from one person and then to another so that we don’t know quite where we are.
“We thought it might be the last week in July, but then a friendly came up and other dates have been difficult because they have been at too short notice or on dates when none of the first-team players would be able to play.
“Things have been a bit of a nightmare, but we are really looking forward to the game going ahead.”
McNaughton has big things planned for the match when it does finally go ahead. He is hoping a clutch of current Bluebirds players will turn out, plus some former stars, with former striker Steve Thompson already pencilled in for the clash.
McNaughton admitted it was an occasion he was really looking forward to.
“It will be great to get back down to Cardiff and bring the family with me,” added McNaughton.
“I loved my time there, the fans are just totally fantastic, they always supported me, to be honest, forget that ‘first result I look for’ stuff, I am actually a Cardiff City fan myself now. Next season, if I can, I am going to try to get to some games for sure.”
The Bluebirds themselves said they remained fully committed to seeing the game go ahead as soon as possible and were in discussions with McNaughton to try to find a date that suited all concerned.
“Since the initial announcement of the proposed benefit match, Cardiff City have been in dialogue with Kevin and his representatives in order to arrange a suitable date in the football calendar when club, stadium and players are available,” a club spokesman said in a statement.
“A number of dates during pre-season were discussed including Saturday, July 30, but the first team were already committed to playing Bournemouth on this date and alternatives suggested by the club were not considered suitable. As things stand discussions continue to take place and the club is fully committed to hosting the fixture at the earliest possible opportunity.”
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Re: ' It Might Finally Happen for a Cardiff City Legend '
Fri Jun 10, 2016 10:44 am
YAAAAAAAYYYYY!! 
About time! And I hope SuperKev gets the turnout he deserves should the event finally go ahead
A super servant to Cardiff City FC and never let anyone down on the field and I'd love it if was the biggest crowd of the season. He deserves it IMHO!
About time! And I hope SuperKev gets the turnout he deserves should the event finally go ahead
A super servant to Cardiff City FC and never let anyone down on the field and I'd love it if was the biggest crowd of the season. He deserves it IMHO!
Re: ' It Might Finally Happen for a Cardiff City Legend '
Fri Jun 10, 2016 10:45 am
Sven wrote:YAAAAAAAYYYYY!!
About time! And I hope SuperKev gets the turnout he deserves should the event finally go ahead
A super servant to Cardiff City FC and never let anyone down on the field and I'd love it if was the biggest crowd of the season. He deserves it IMHO!
Chris, I really hope so, He certainly deserves it
Re: ' It Might Finally Happen for a Cardiff City Legend '
Fri Jun 10, 2016 10:50 am
From Twitter
bluebirdtillidie @bluebird018
@AnnisAbraham Annis this is a bloody joke they had all season to sort it just shows club don't give a shit about a player who given so much
bluebirdtillidie @bluebird018
@AnnisAbraham Annis this is a bloody joke they had all season to sort it just shows club don't give a shit about a player who given so much
Re: ' It Might Finally Happen for a Cardiff City Legend '
Fri Jun 10, 2016 12:31 pm
Forever Blue wrote:From Twitter
bluebirdtillidie @bluebird018
@AnnisAbraham Annis this is a bloody joke they had all season to sort it just shows club don't give a shit about a player who given so much
He's a free agent. Can play right back or left back. Far better than Malone. Forget a testimonial give a 12 month contract followed by testimonial. Kevin McLaughton is one of a few modern day Ccfc legends.
Re: ' It Might Finally Happen for a Cardiff City Legend '
Fri Jun 10, 2016 12:50 pm
Gareth (Wilts) wrote:Forever Blue wrote:From Twitter
bluebirdtillidie @bluebird018
@AnnisAbraham Annis this is a bloody joke they had all season to sort it just shows club don't give a shit about a player who given so much
He's a free agent. Can play right back or left back. Far better than Malone. Forget a testimonial give a 12 month contract followed by testimonial. Kevin McLaughton is one of a few modern day Ccfc legends.
Not forgetting that he is a great character to have in dressing room and he's been involved in promotion battles before.
Re: ' It Might Finally Happen for a Cardiff City Legend '
Fri Jun 10, 2016 12:54 pm
Gareth (Wilts) wrote:Gareth (Wilts) wrote:Forever Blue wrote:From Twitter
bluebirdtillidie @bluebird018
@AnnisAbraham Annis this is a bloody joke they had all season to sort it just shows club don't give a shit about a player who given so much
He's a free agent. Can play right back or left back. Far better than Malone. Forget a testimonial give a 12 month contract followed by testimonial. Kevin McLaughton is one of a few modern day Ccfc legends.
Not forgetting that he is a great character to have in dressing room and he's been involved in promotion battles before.
Gareth, He certainly has many things that we are currently missing, but he just might be passed it now.