'CARDIFF GAVE ME PROUDEST MOMENT OF CAREER '

CARDIFF GAVE ME PROUDEST MOMENT OF CAREER

CRAIG BELLAMY:

"I wanted it to happen here in Cardiff, in front of our own fans, in front of friends, in the city where I grew up.

To be a part of it, to be a player that brought so much joy to the people of my city, well, I was just incredibly grateful that I was involved in that occasion on that night.

I felt a deep sense of professional satisfaction, too. It gave me a kind of fulfillment I hadn’t had before.

That’s part of the reason why I feel being promoted with Cardiff is my proudest moment in the game. I’ve never had a feeling like it. To be able to share that promotion with everyone was different because it tapped into my background and my history."

Cardiff, of course, were relegated, but Bellamy clearly feels the Bluebirds' unique standing in the game can drive them on to great things.

"I hope we can capitalise on the fact that our Welshness can give us an advantage. We are a city of 350,000 people, but it isn’t just the city. It’s the valleys as well. You add that up and we are a club of a million people round this region who are all connected with the club and adore Cardiff.

We can build on our regional identity in the same way Athletic Bilbao have placed themselves at the centre of Basque culture and Barcelona have become a focus for Catalunya.

This is our identity. It’s strong. It’s separate. This is who we are. Playing for this club is first and foremost. So many who have come from this region have never played for Cardiff.

Gareth Bale, Ryan Giggs. We have had players like Aaron Ramsey who have left too young. I only played for the club towards the end of my career.

We have to change that. We have to make the most of our area and our identity. We can produce the players but we have to be ‘more than a club’, as Barcelona say.

We have to be about a region and an idea. You have to have the idea that playing for Cardiff is everything.

We have got the fan-base, too. When you go and play for Wales, most of the fans are Cardiff fans. Swansea have done brilliantly and I have always been vocal about how much respect I have for them, but we are a bigger club by miles.

I want to see Cardiff become a power in the game."






HOW TO BUY BELLAMY'S BRILLIANT BOOK


Craig Bellamy's book is still available and makes a great read.

Online

Craig Bellamy Goodfella in ebook edition, published by Reach Sport, is only £1.99 on Kindle. https://amzn.to/39hDdax

There is also plenty of fascinating dressing room insight from his days as a Liverpool, Newcastle, Man City and West Ham player, plus of course lots, lots more on Wales and Cardiff City.

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

Proudest for him but the saddest for many of our core fans mate unfortunately

Was weird tbh was a hard season that year can remember going down against huddersfield first game it felt odd can remember a fan got interviewed on pitch after game in red shirt saying it been a long 5 years following club urghhh

Was weird tbh was a hard season that year can remember going down against huddersfield first game it felt odd can remember a fan got interviewed on pitch after game in red shirt saying it been a long 5 years following club urghhh

I didn't stop going completely but I wasn't even there the night we got promoted, even looking at him in that shirt absolutely destroys it for me.

This isn't an anti Tan post either as he is a fantastic owner but that whole period was horrific yet is Bells proudest in Football, as they say, its a funny old game

Fabulous post RV casual my sentiments exactly.

A very good read. Absolute bargain at £1.99 on kindle. Highly recommend