Cardiff City 1963-1974

Hi Bluebirds ! I started going down the City from Llanrumney on the Bus 47 or 48 get off at Asteys - first decision WALK to the ground or go around to what used to be Bridge Street buy four pence of chips then walk down - Saturday regime was different to weekdays and evening games - I first went down as a boy just after Cardiff were relegated from old first division -George Swindin had just been fired and Jimmy Scoular took over - I saw John Charles Mel Charles Ivor Allchurch then gradually fade away new heroes Don Murray Gareth Williams Barry Hole Peter Rodrigues Graham Coldrick Gary Bell George Johnstone -Greg farrell Terry Harkin George Andrews Bobby Brown Dave Carver Malcom Clarke Mel Sutton Brian Harris Barrie Jones Les Lea Ronnie Bird Norman Dean Brian Clark John Toshack ! - I could go on and on - each one of those players evoke memories - Welsh Cup success led to ECWC success from Standard Liege my first European Night Sporting Lisbon NAC Breda Moscow Torpedo SV Hamburg Real Madrid - many more - I rarely if ever missed a match between 1963 -1975 - The Jimmy Scoular years were truly wonderful throughout my adolescence and I have always supported Cardiff City throughout my life - I hope this trip down memory lane may invigorate memories in others who were there throughout those years at Ninian Park and share thoughts on games players European Nights Promotion Pushes Relegation Battles - the most memorable night v Middlesbrough when we won 5-3 to stay up and Greg Farrell was like Jairzihno ! Dickie Rookes centre half scored a hat trick for them - Bobby Brown breaking his leg on Boxing Day - Bob Wilson error 2-3 against Hamburg - Toshack hat trick in last game before going to Liverpool replaced by Alan Warboys from Sheffield Wednesday and he scored FOUR ! - Look forward to your memories from that era before we all face the final curtain !

a lot of that was before my time.. but i enjoyed reading it....

I started in 1965 so i remember most of that. One of the early ones was I remember was against Orient. Tosh came on as a sub for his debut and scored. My gramp turned round to me and said "mark my words son, he will be worth 40,000 pounds in years to come" Bale earns that before lunch these days!
And Swansea in the Welsh Cup. 3-0 up with about twenty minutes left and Don Murray flattens one of their players-Mcgloughin? with a punch Mike Tyson would be proud of. Sent off and we lose 5-3.

Basically my memories too. I was lucky to attend one match in the old First Division, the season we got relegated and me and my mate were visiting family in Rhiwbina and remember catching the train to NP Halt. It was a wet day and we stood at the front of the Grange End and watched a 0-0 draw against Man C with Bert Trautman in goal BT played a stormer and I remember the penalty area being a mud bath. Anyway, that was a one off and my best memories were as yours in the sixties and I agree the Greg Farrell match was one to remember. I suppose matched by the Warboys debut and him scoring four goals - didn't he go off at half time as well? Have had season tickets at various times over the years but have lost a lot of interest/passion in recent years and now quite happy to watch local lads in Merthyr.

i started watching Cardiff at the end of that era. It was the season we missed out on promotion to the 1st division but beat Real Madrid in the CWC. The following season we avoided relegation and sold John Toskack to Liverpool. Don Murray had an awful season but Brian Clark scored his 100th Cardiff goal. He scored that goal against Preston aftern after 45 seconds but he had to apologise to Jimmy Scoular after becuase the manager had bought a Golden ticket for the first goal to be scored in 30 seconds.

Brilliant era mate , i went down first time in 1965 and was hooked for me 1967to 70 were the best years i saw some brilliant players so many to mention , my personal favourite was the one and only knees up Brian Clarke is goal at Leicester in the opening of the 1970/71 season was one of the best goals i ever saw and against Peter Shilton too lol
great times mate i live now in Cwmbran we used to get a bus to Newport for 2/6p train to Cardiff 3s return 2/6 to get in the ground 5p a programme and chips and pie on walk back to the station 2s a great day out all well in the budget of 10BOB

Great memories from the 60s guys.
Started watching in 65/66 season with my mates from high school, went to every home game collected programs for years.
Still have the CWC programs they were special nights playing top teams from Europe.
The modern game is so different better stadiums pitches without sand I thought we had yellow grass in them days.
Hard times but will always remember the days which hooked me for life as a City Fan.

Fantastic memories I got hooked on city in 1967-68 when next door neighbours son had the chicken pox and I got to go and saw peter king score then only goal against Preston. Can someone confirm if I am mistaken that we hammered Sunderland either just before or just after they won the FA cup against Leeds. I remember Farrington played a blinder in one of his few games for the City.

I beleive we played them on the monday night after they had won the cup, sunderland players hungover
I also think we stuffed them the following season 4_1 at home which may be the farrington game

What a great nostalgia trip. It was also my era starting to watch City. My favourite players at that time were Gareth Williams and Greg Farrell. I seem to remember we were unbeaten at home from Christmas to the end of the season and that form saved us from the drop. If memory serves, we had a good Easter, drawing at home to Pompey and then beating Plymouth 4-1 and a rare away win on Easter Monday when we won 2-1 at Pompey. It was the year Coventry went up and we had a good 1-1 draw with them at home towards the end of the season as well as beating Preston and Birmingham.
They only seemed to have 3 records in Radio Ninian at the time, I remember On a carousel by the Hollies, Ha ha said the clown by Manfred Man, and a Cilla Black song. They were magical times for a youngster at the time, the smell of Bovril and pipe tobbacco, and during night games looking across to the Canton stand and seeing lights flickering all over where people were lighting their pipes and fags. Nothing will come close to matching that first season supporting City, even though I'm still a season ticket holder, and still nothing like seeing the ball hit the back of the net, for City of course.

Yes, some great memories for me too Tosh - the 47 or 48 from Llanrumney to bus station and walk down Tudor road/street but me from 1969. But, did get to see Tosh at his best and all them ECWC matches.

First match was with my Dad (RIP). We always sat in the the old wooden creosoted Canton Stand Behind the Goal at Ninian.
Always wore my rosette and blue & White Bobble hat and the smell of creosote and cigar/pipe smoke and Bovril brings back memories.

I,m Not a season Ticket Holder but was until 1977 in Canton Stand , Then I Joined the Navy and caught a few matches when home on Leave. 1969 - 1977 regular - Tosh, Clarke, Gibson, Buchannan, Evans, Alston, etc etc - so many to mention.

Moved away to Mid Wales after leaving Navy but go whenever I can. Son is now a City Fan although Navy boy now as well.

Llanrumney was a great place to Grow up in the 60/70's full of characters but those were more innocent times.

Hoping as usual for a great season.

I was 11in 1963 and was from Llanrumney and in my opinion it was a great place to live.Also used to catch the 47 or 48 bus to town centre and then either catch the football bus to minivan or walk from city centre.Such good memories

“His name is Jimmy Scoular he’s the leader of the blues We never get beat at Ninian Park we never ever lose He’ll take us back to Division 1 back where we belong so if you see the boys in blue you know you can’t go wrong-Tra la la la la la la la”

“Ronnie Ronnie Bird Ronnie Ronnie Bird “

Great responses lads read em all - Welsh Cup Don Murray sent off Toshack debut I was there - Buchanan Alston great lads - Peter King what a pro ! Norman Dean in ECWC 1968 was incredible scoring important goals signed from Bury - Brian Clark was ineligible

“Ronnie Ronnie Bird Ronnie Ronnie Bird “

We don't carry razors, we don't carry lead, we only carry hatchets, to bury in your head. We are all supporters, fanatics every one, we all hate the Villa, Millwall and the Brum.

Bertie Mee says to Bill Shankly, have you heard of the north bank Highbury, Shanks says no I don't think so but I heard of the Cardiff aggro.
Great lyrics lol.

“Ronnie Ronnie Bird Ronnie Ronnie Bird “

We don't carry razors, we don't carry lead, we only carry hatchets, to bury in your head. We are all supporters, fanatics every one, we all hate the Villa, Millwall and the Brum.

Bertie Mee says to Bill Shankly, have you heard of the north bank Highbury, Shanks says no I don't think so but I heard of the Cardiff aggro.
Great lyrics lol.

there was never any mention of Swansea in these oldies... and it killed them..