TRUST MEETING WITH TG & GJ

TG on 12th September

Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust met City chairman TG (Dato’ Chan Tien Ghee) before he headed back to Malaysia following the Hull City game.

Present at the meeting were TG, Cardiff City Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins, Tim Hartley, Trust chair and board members Tracey Marsh and Phillip Nifield.

In a friendly, positive question and answer session, TG talked about his hopes for the Bluebirds, revealed that he did not take a penny as chairman and said that Malaysian investment in the club had now reached £11m.

Here is what TG had to say:

How did you become involved in Cardiff City?

TG: My son Nicholas wrote to football clubs in the UK for trials. He got a reply from West Ham United so he did a stint at Upton Park, then he got a reply from Stoke City and a few other clubs. Cardiff City was one.

I wanted to come and visit him when he was doing his stint and I visited him at West Ham where I met Gianfranco Zola and he played a closed match in the West Ham colours at Leyton Orient.

Then Cardiff invited Nicholas down for a trial. I came to Cardiff. This was my second time in the city because when I applied for university, Cardiff was one of my choices. I came to Cardiff Law School to look at it. I always remember that it was a beautiful country but I went to Warwick to read law.

You had no thoughts of investing when you came to Cardiff to see your son?


TG: Absolutely none. I remember watching my first game against Preston North End at Ninian Park. My first club contact was Alan Whitely (director) through another Welsh friend of mine. I watched the match and thought, wow! The second match I watched was at the new stadium.

We took a watching brief and I thought there was some basis for investment so I invited Peter Ridsdale and Alan Whitely out to Malaysia for talks. I realised this club needed help so Tan Sri Vincent Tanand I gave a loan of £2m – it is a lot of money to put into a club which we really didn’t understand at the time. For some reason, I felt some connection. I thought ‘let’s help this club’.

Then I saw that the club was heading towards the possibility of the play-offs and I met up with some of the players and Dave Jones. We needed to support this club to see if we could get through. The other alternative would be that the club would have gone down.

We decided to do it and decided to support this club and see how we go at Wembley. All of us were heartbroken but we kept to our word.

We subscribed to the shares five days after Wembley. In fact, a lot of people had thought, ‘Gosh, are we going to pull out’?

How does the Bellamy deal work?


GJ: Dave Jones came with a plan. We had two options. If you strip back on the playing side then all your other revenues will also slip away. You won’t get the season tickets, sponsorship etc. The alternative plan is to go for it while trying to get the business back on a sensible footing.

Cash flow is an issue going forward. TG and Vincent Tanhave come to the fore. Since the time of John Toshack, Cardiff has always sold its best players and sometimes at the most inopportune times. If we kept the starting 11 from last season and added to it we thought we could genuinely have a team that could compete.

This is a very competitive league. There is a better chance this year given the financial problems faced by two of the teams coming down from the Premiership – Portsmouth and Hull.

We have got fewer players than last year but we have better players and the budget is the same, except for Craig Bellamy, and we are pretty sure the deal will pay for itself.

We would not have sold out our home tickets for Doncaster or Hull if Craig had not come in. We have sold nearly 500 season tickets since Craig came and the replica shirts are selling well.


TG: After the Hull match we had to stop people coming into the shop because there were such queues. I went into the shop, went behind the counter, took off my jacket and started wrapping items for seven minutes before I was told that running the shop was not really my forte!

Does Cardiff City register in Malaysia?


TG: Yes, absolutely. Most people there still follow Premiership teams but we want to get there too and I am reserving the tour to Malaysia for the ‘second wave’ of our push for success.

My ultimate aim is to get this team as far as it can get. I would like to get Cardiff to the Premier League and to stay up in the Premier League and then at some stage we’ll begin to think of developing the team and club further to ensure more than just survival in the Premiership, but first our aim is to get up there and to stay there based on a sensible business plan.


We get players we can afford. We were lucky with Craig Bellamy where we were in that window and everything worked out. Ordinarily, when I walked into the shop after the Hull game I remarked that one month ago I could not have imagined shirts in Cardiff colours with Craig Bellamy’s name on them. But I must caution that we are still very much facing an uphill challenge. There are legacy issues and you can’t just extinguish the problems of the last five or six years of history. I find we have to do quite a lot of mending – to get back the confidence of the business community. It’s not just about getting a football team up, it’s about getting your integrity and dignity back. And that’s been a hard part of the job.

What about corporate sponsorship and support for the club?


GJ: We have to go out and engage with the city, the council, South Wales, with the public and businesses. When we have shown them we can handle ourselves properly and sensibly then we can ask them to engage with us. We have also got to reach out to bigger companies and, if that’s not in South Wales, we have to expand our horizons. We have moved the business onto a sensible commercial footing, doing the ticketing properly, the shop and the website, and we are giving all these areas of the business attention. We also need to get the venue used more frequently – for example even events like the Ricky Tomlinson night.

How long do you expect to be involved in Cardiff City


TG: I hope longer than my stint at the club shop! The guy at the counter was nervous because he knew I was watching him – so I said ‘sack me!’ And he did!

Tan Sri Vincent Tan and I have put in 11 million reasons for sticking around. We see things turning around - that’s for sure. At the end of the day we only have a certain percentage of the company but we do shoulder a lot of responsibility.

We went through the joy of getting to Wembley and the pain after that defeat. We have shared a lot of that and we feel a sense of belonging. Our decisions are based on sound business. We can’t just open a cheque book and sign. Every penny spent and every step moving forward is not taken for lightly. It is like being in the trenches. Every yard forward costs us a lot and we must be aware of what is happening around us.

If fans can see the light and support us in their own way by coming to watch matches or lining up to buy the jerseys and continuing to support the club, which I know they have been doing for a long time, then I can’t see why we can’t get there. But if we are taken for granted, I would be the first to say that it is untenable.

If decisions are made properly, and we move forward positively in terms of its business and serving the community, then I think we will stick around.

Dave Jones is central to our plans. On the other hand so is Gethin Jenkins, so is Doug Lee (finance director). He manages our funds as if they were his own! When Olofinjana scored I think Doug thought, ‘I hope it brings us more revenue’. We need someone like him to make sure that we are not spending silly money on silly things.

I have a manager who is now looking at getting us up there and I don’t want him thinking of anything else but that. Gethin is tackling the problems of the past and I will support him all the way because he is doing the right thing.

How much time do you plan to spend in Cardiff?


TG: I would love to spend as much time as possible here but it is not always possible. You know I need to work hard to earn some money. For key matches I’d like to be here. I still haven’t watched Craig Bellamy play.

I bring my wife every time I travel here. She loves Cardiff and Welsh cakes and is getting a supply to take home. As chairman I don’t take a penny from the club. Whenever I come here it is on my personal account. I try to put money back into the club whenever I can. I am not on £100,000, £200,000 or £300,000. I don’t have a wage.

My son Nicholas took a year off to play football and has just finished his A levels. He has offers from UK universities to study. He wants to do environmental sciences but has also applied to Australian universities because he is thinking of perhaps playing football in Melbourne. I don’t know what he will do. I have told him that ‘if you are harbouring a dream of playing for Cardiff you have to make your mark in your own right,’ and he would not expect anything else.

seems like a geniune guy, thanks TG

TG seems to be such a top Guy, i think i love him

We went through the joy of getting to Wembley and the pain after that defeat. We have shared a lot of that and we feel a sense of belonging. Our decisions are based on sound business. We can’t just open a cheque book and sign. Every penny spent and every step moving forward is not taken for lightly. It is like being in the trenches. Every yard forward costs us a lot and we must be aware of what is happening around us.

If fans can see the light and support us in their own way by coming to watch matches or lining up to buy the jerseys and continuing to support the club, which I know they have been doing for a long time, then I can’t see why we can’t get there. But if we are taken for granted, I would be the first to say that it is untenable.

Hats off to the Trust for this interview and hats off to TG for being very candid.

The above says everything for me in that the Malaysians have seen an oppotunity, they are investing in it, but expect us supporters to do the same and back them 100% taking nothing for granted.

Finally what a difference from the interviews Ridsdale used to give the Trust, where basically he would 'robustly' brainwash everyone and everything for his own personal gain.

The tide has now change so much I feel we are on the crest of something great and we are finally doing it the right way, a way that will become the blue print for other clubs to follow.

TG = Top Guy !!!!!

What a very positive interview. Makes me want to go down to the club shop and buy something just to support them.

yes get down there and buy somthing, lets all support TG!

I want to thank him personally and give him the freedom of cardiff

very interesting - thanks

TG do the

this story is in the echo today ,im sure they,ve printed it as there own story ...typical echo eh !!

I don't think it can get much more positive than that at the moment, do you??

A frank and candid interview with TG and indications that they are 'happy' with their on-going investments.

Interesting interview. Well done Cardiff City Supporters Trust

Have YOU joined yet??

"It's about getting your integrity and dignity back. And that's been a hard part of the job"

Talk about hitting the nail on the head!

Without any direct criticism TG has summed up the effect of the entire Ridsdale era.

So there you have it direct from TG.

He sees DJ and GJ as vital to his plans so instead of sniping get behind them!!

Oh and hsn't the bring bck Sam lot gone quiet?????

So there you have it direct from TG.

He sees DJ and GJ as vital to his plans so instead of sniping get behind them!!

Oh and hsn't the bring bck Sam lot gone quiet?????

Time will tell and football is football so expect CCFC to lose a few games and DJ will get flack , thats par for the course . DJ can only be judged on team performances and success and he knows that , GJ is fairly new as CEO here and Im sure mistakes will be made as part of his learning curve .

Ipswich 1 - 2 City

Great interview.

Well done the trust.

I agree, time to get behind all that is Cardiff City!!!!

So there you have it direct from TG.

He sees DJ and GJ as vital to his plans so instead of sniping get behind them!!

Oh and hsn't the bring bck Sam lot gone quiet?????

An excellent meeting by TG
Actually Ive never gone Quite I will Always Voice My Opinion whether you like it or not.
The interview infact Reminds me exactly how Sam spoke when he first came here.
I am also entitled to My Opinion on DJ, at least I dont change it depending on the result.

i dont know about everyone else but reading that interview was so refreshing.

even jumping behind the counter at the club shop!!! seems we have the right people for us now, with ambition & drive but without the gambling if that makes sense.

defo good times right now

It inspired so much I joined the Trust there and then online!

Easy to do if you have a Paypal account or by old fashioned snail mail.

You know it makes sense!

And he's taking nothing by way of payment. How refreshing and what a change from " I'm worth every penny of my salary" that we heard from Ridsdale.

In just a few short months TG and VT have really shown Riddler to be the self serving chancer that we always knew he was.

Peter - look and learn at the way a club with the potential of Cardiff City CAN be run properly by people with the right expertise and morals.

So there you have it direct from TG.

He sees DJ and GJ as vital to his plans so instead of sniping get behind them!!

Oh and hsn't the bring bck Sam lot gone quiet?????

On a day when we are given the details of an excellent trust meeting with TG who has given us his VERY POSITIVE outlook for our club why do you have to post a sarcastic snipe. TG wants us all to get behind him and VT to take this club forward, I didn't see him mention anything about Sam so why is he so important to you, Get a life.

Well done the Trust and TG you have brightened up my day.

So there you have it direct from TG.

He sees DJ and GJ as vital to his plans so instead of sniping get behind them!!

Oh and hsn't the bring bck Sam lot gone quiet?????

On a day when we are given the details of an excellent trust meeting with TG who has given us his VERY POSITIVE outlook for our club why do you have to post a sarcastic snipe. TG wants us all to get behind him and VT to take this club forward, I didn't see him mention anything about Sam so why is he so important to you, Get a life.

Well done the Trust and TG you have brightened up my day.

Totally agree, I thought We had No Snipers left on this Forum, Just because I am not a DJ Fan, Surely I am entitled to My Opinion and it should be Respected either way, at least I dont run with the hair and the Hounds

very refreshing to read.

in saying that the riddler would have helped out behind the counter - but would have stolen the till.

So there you have it direct from TG.

He sees DJ and GJ as vital to his plans so instead of sniping get behind them!!

Oh and hsn't the bring bck Sam lot gone quiet?????

On a day when we are given the details of an excellent trust meeting with TG who has given us his VERY POSITIVE outlook for our club why do you have to post a sarcastic snipe. TG wants us all to get behind him and VT to take this club forward, I didn't see him mention anything about Sam so why is he so important to you, Get a life.

Well done the Trust and TG you have brightened up my day.

Totally agree, I thought We had No Snipers left on this Forum, Just because I am not a DJ Fan, Surely I am entitled to My Opinion and it should be Respected either way, at least I dont run with the hair and the Hounds

I take it you won't be sniping at GJ any more then?

It inspired so much I joined the Trust there and then online!

Easy to do if you have a Paypal account or by old fashioned snail mail.

You know it makes sense!

I still have not joined the trust but have looked to do it so many times. I dont have a Paypal account.

If you could just do a simple bank transfer that would be a lot easier.

I note that the WM&E have done their usual in-depth research and copied the CCST statement word-for-word on their web-site.

I hope they got permission to use someone else's work (again)....but at least it'll be factual for a change!!

Great work by the CCST (and defo not WM&E)



"We'll be debt-free with old TG!!"

It inspired so much I joined the Trust there and then online!

Easy to do if you have a Paypal account or by old fashioned snail mail.

You know it makes sense!

I still have not joined the trust but have looked to do it so many times. I dont have a Paypal account.

If you could just do a simple bank transfer that would be a lot easier.

You can do, mate. Check out the site at www.ccfctrust.org

We should ALL sign up to show support. They do a lot of work behind the scenes....

Im in love

NJ 73, I tell the Truth about Gethin Jenkins and for what its worth, TG is going to say a couple of good things about gj when he is sat infront off him,
But it was an excellent meeting like I said.

Paul Guy must feel like a right tw*t. Everyone knows that he was the
man behind Ridsdale. TG has very eloquently drop kicked both Ridsdale and
PMG right between the posts.

Imagine that! We now have a finance director who doesnt want to see money
wasted

Ridsdale would be turning in his grave

(oh shit, he's still alive )

I note that the WM&E have done their usual in-depth research and copied the CCST statement word-for-word on their web-site.

I hope they got permission to use someone else's work (again)....but at least it'll be factual for a change!!

Great work by the CCST (and defo not WM&E)



"We'll be debt-free with old TG!!"

Apart from Paypal you can join the Trust for £12 a year with cheque, through standing order (forms on the Trust website) or even cash at the Trust stand between Canton and Ninian stands up to 15 minutes before kick-off.