“ Many Cardiff fans don’t realise “

Back in 2017-18, with Craig Bellamy as manager, Cardiff's under-18s won the Premier Development League. This was a rare title success at age-grade level for the Bluebirds.

Craig Bellamy told me that he had to revamp the whole of the Academy as it was a total mess and he cleared out the Under 23 team.

Bells then in 2017 brought through every kid he really believed had potential and we are today now swing this, yet Tan / Dalman in my opinion through Bells under a bus as soon as one kids family made a complaint.
None of them stuck by him and after the way he felt Malky had also be treated, Bells will Never return until this current Regime are all completely gone.

The Academy had not done well since the Sam Hammam days and had been virtually forgotten for years, thankfully people like Bells and Morison have done fantastic jobs in recent years


Wednesday 15th December 2021


They went on to play Sheffield Wednesday, who won their league, in a north v south final at Hillsborough.

The Cardiff team of teens that day included Sam Bowen as captain, Isaak Davies, Kieron Evans and Keenan Patten, each of whom have more recently been involved with the first team.

Young Rubin Colwill was a substitute, his sudden development surprised many, although his rich potential was always there.

Cardiff lost 3-2 to Sheff Wed, but Bellamy knew the Bluebirds had some gold-dust on their hands.






The run-ins with Warnock

Bellamy is a great believer in if you're good enough, you're old enough, having been given his own head as a teenager by Norwich.

We're told he implored Neil Warnock to pick some of the exciting Academy youngsters in his first team plans.

But that's not Warnock. He tends to believe in experience and there was disagreement between the two men about the way forward.

As such, the Cardiff youngsters had to wait until first Neil Harris, then Mick McCarthy and today Steve Morison became manager.

Whereas Warnock, Harris and McCarthy tended to be route one, behind the scenes these youngsters are always encouraged to play in a more modern pass and move fashion that Bellamy believed in - including in the under-23s under Steve Morison.

This style is built up over a number of years, from the moment they are spotted as young as seven or eight years of age on parks pitches by Cardiff scouts, through the various age-grade Bluebirds sides.

It made it somewhat perverse that the moment they made the first team, they had to play a different way. Credit Morison for bringing more consistency.

Let’s hope we don’t go backwards again as Steve Morison also said 18mths ago he had to revamp the U23’s and it had gone back in to a mess again.

A successful system is now being put in place and the Bluebirds hope a conveyor belt of talent will hopefully flood from it

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But when Morrison says the academy was a mess when he came in and has been fot a while, Bellers is not any part to blame? He's only responsible for the good stuff?

But when Morrison says the academy was a mess when he came in and has been fot a while, Bellers is not any part to blame? He's only responsible for the good stuff?

Correct Bells was still sorting it as takes many years,when they virtually dismissed him.
Bells had to revamp it from top to bottom and that takes time.

Jack, Bells was getting their and Morison has continued his good work

I would say real work started on finally realising what talent their is in South Wales from about 2017, many of the kids were their but were being forgotten from 2007-2017.

I just hope it continues since Morison moved up to be our manager

But when Morrison says the academy was a mess when he came in and has been fot a while, Bellers is not any part to blame? He's only responsible for the good stuff?

Correct Bells was still sorting it as takes many years,when they virtually dismissed him.
Bells had to revamp it from top to bottom and that takes time.

Jack, Bells was getting their and Morison has continued his good work

I would say real work started on finally realising what talent their is in South Wales from about 2017, many of the kids were their but were being forgotten from 2007-2017.

I just hope it continues since Morison moved up to be our manager

Fair enough, Annis.

I don't agree with the may they handled the "bullying" case. Just another example of snowflake kids and the parents that think they are gods gift in my opinion.

But when Morrison says the academy was a mess when he came in and has been fot a while, Bellers is not any part to blame? He's only responsible for the good stuff?

Correct Bells was still sorting it as takes many years,when they virtually dismissed him.
Bells had to revamp it from top to bottom and that takes time.

Jack, Bells was getting their and Morison has continued his good work

I would say real work started on finally realising what talent their is in South Wales from about 2017, many of the kids were their but were being forgotten from 2007-2017.

I just hope it continues since Morison moved up to be our manager

Fair enough, Annis.

I don't agree with the may they handled the "bullying" case. Just another example of snowflake kids and the parents that think they are gods gift in my opinion.

If you feel undervalued, unloved & not respected, you leave. It happens from time to time in everyone's life. Is that bullying? I don't know tbh

Not many of the kids get the option to jet off to the U.S.A after not making an impact in an academy. There has to be friction between some parents, players and coaches.

But when Morrison says the academy was a mess when he came in and has been fot a while, Bellers is not any part to blame? He's only responsible for the good stuff?

Correct Bells was still sorting it as takes many years,when they virtually dismissed him.
Bells had to revamp it from top to bottom and that takes time.

Jack, Bells was getting their and Morison has continued his good work

I would say real work started on finally realising what talent their is in South Wales from about 2017, many of the kids were their but were being forgotten from 2007-2017.

I just hope it continues since Morison moved up to be our manager

Fair enough, Annis.

I don't agree with the may they handled the "bullying" case. Just another example of snowflake kids and the parents that think they are gods gift in my opinion.

Totally agree with your , terrible on our behalf and Bells was very very hurt by us. I have spoken to him many many times .

As far as I know none of the youngsters who left whether for bullying reasons or anything else for that matter have achieved anything much anywhere else.

But when Morrison says the academy was a mess when he came in and has been fot a while, Bellers is not any part to blame? He's only responsible for the good stuff?

Correct Bells was still sorting it as takes many years,when they virtually dismissed him.
Bells had to revamp it from top to bottom and that takes time.

Jack, Bells was getting their and Morison has continued his good work

I would say real work started on finally realising what talent their is in South Wales from about 2017, many of the kids were their but were being forgotten from 2007-2017.

I just hope it continues since Morison moved up to be our manager

Fair enough, Annis.

I don't agree with the may they handled the "bullying" case. Just another example of snowflake kids and the parents that think they are gods gift in my opinion.

Totally agree with your , terrible on our behalf and Bells was very very hurt by us. I have spoken to him many many times .

I recall many on here (some with personal agendas awayvfrom football) had Craig hung, drawn and quartered as soon as the allegation was made; whilst others suggested it was better to 'wait and see' what developed, aa early suggestions pointed to an embittered parent looking to use his 'standing' as a former professional footballer as a tool for leverage

The seeming lack of initial support and/or the lack of any findings detrimental to Craig, suggest that he was wronged both by the club and the accuser

It's a crying shame and the downside is that Cardiff City FC have lost out on a very dynamic and committed individual no matter at what level he may have worked at

Definitely 'one for the future' for me; but seemingly not under this ownership, which is a crying shame

As far as I know none of the youngsters who left whether for bullying reasons or anything else for that matter have achieved anything much anywhere else.

They haven’t and that’s the truth.

The CCFC board should of stood by Bells instead they through under a bus, it felt like.

But when Morrison says the academy was a mess when he came in and has been fot a while, Bellers is not any part to blame? He's only responsible for the good stuff?

Correct Bells was still sorting it as takes many years,when they virtually dismissed him.
Bells had to revamp it from top to bottom and that takes time.

Jack, Bells was getting their and Morison has continued his good work

I would say real work started on finally realising what talent their is in South Wales from about 2017, many of the kids were their but were being forgotten from 2007-2017.

I just hope it continues since Morison moved up to be our manager

Fair enough, Annis.

I don't agree with the may they handled the "bullying" case. Just another example of snowflake kids and the parents that think they are gods gift in my opinion.

Totally agree with your , terrible on our behalf and Bells was very very hurt by us. I have spoken to him many many times .

I recall many on here (some with personal agendas awayvfrom football) had Craig hung, drawn and quartered as soon as the allegation was made; whilst others suggested it was better to 'wait and see' what developed, aa early suggestions pointed to an embittered parent looking to use his 'standing' as a former professional footballer as a tool for leverage

The seeming lack of initial support and/or the lack of any findings detrimental to Craig, suggest that he was wronged both by the club and the accuser

It's a crying shame and the downside is that Cardiff City FC have lost out on a very dynamic and committed individual no matter at what level he may have worked at

Definitely 'one for the future' for me; but seemingly not under this ownership, which is a crying shame

They did Chris and and many slated him.

Bells was 100% in the right and we lost Bells and the way we lost him does not reflect well on our club.

The few players that have finally made it are from Bells time at our club

Reply FB:

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Cian Ashford


Media Wales:


Man United eyeing Ashford

Manchester United are the latest high-profile side to take an interest in Cardiff City youngster Cian Ashford.

The young forward, who hails from Treorchy, has emerged as one of the brightest young talents within Cardiff's academy system, having signed his first professional contract with the club earlier this year.

When Craig chose to join us on loan after being frozen out by Citeh, it was obvious on his ambitions for us. He had multiple PL options but chose us and dropped down a division, which was huge. His positive impact was immediate, both on and off the pitch. Such an asset for all the right reasons.

I think the reasons for his exit via the academy farce was that he was a thorn in the management and boards side, as he spoke the uncomfortable truth at the time and I know for a fact it was a highly political environment back then and not based on merit. After he went, the club ven appointed a 'Head Of Safeguarding' as a PC move, a pointless position for another City gravytrainer.who moved in fast. Anorher waste of money.

And Craig made the start of the root and branch Academy restructure for no salary and basically worked full time as a football expert for free plus done a huge amount outside football too, all unrecognised.

He identified talent that could be transitioned to the first team but that was stonewalled whilst incumbent managers and the board just crisis managed, fire fighting with no vision and linked philosophy for the long term future. SMs.appoitment is to a degree now aligning that but only as a result of of the constant fire fighting and the perfect storm of having no other valid options as a result of it. And of course, seemingly no money as we spunked the PL revenues due to consistely bad board decions.

He's is own man and wouldn't return under the current regime and for me the disgusting way he's been treated,

When the time is right, I really hope he returns in a senor calacjty as he simply brings so much to the table on every level.

When Craig chose to join us on loan after being frozen out by Citeh, it was obvious on his ambitions for us. He had multiple PL options but chose us and dropped down a division, which was huge. His positive impact was immediate, both on and off the pitch. Such an asset for all the right reasons.

I think the reasons for his exit via the academy farce was that he was a thorn in the management and boards side, as he spoke the uncomfortable truth at the time and I know for a fact it was a highly political environment back then and not based on merit. After he went, the club ven appointed a 'Head Of Safeguarding' as a PC move, a pointless position for another City gravytrainer.who moved in fast. Anorher waste of money.

And Craig made the start of the root and branch Academy restructure for no salary and basically worked full time as a football expert for free plus done a huge amount outside football too, all unrecognised.

He identified talent that could be transitioned to the first team but that was stonewalled whilst incumbent managers and the board just crisis managed, fire fighting with no vision and linked philosophy for the long term future. SMs.appoitment is to a degree now aligning that but only as a result of of the constant fire fighting and the perfect storm of having no other valid options as a result of it. And of course, seemingly no money as we spunked the PL revenues due to consistely bad board decions.

He's is own man and wouldn't return under the current regime and for me the disgusting way he's been treated,

When the time is right, I really hope he returns in a senor calacjty as he simply brings so much to the table on every level.

Great post, Paul; and uncomfortable reading for the club 'spies' who report back on all things written on this Forum

Cian Ashford


Media Wales:


Man United eyeing Ashford

Manchester United are the latest high-profile side to take an interest in Cardiff City youngster Cian Ashford.

The young forward, who hails from Treorchy, has emerged as one of the brightest young talents within Cardiff's academy system, having signed his first professional contract with the club earlier this year.

They will have had a phone call from Dalman to get it out , so other clubs might offer

They put what ever he tells them out.

Sadly now we never know what is really the truth.

I asked and we have received NO bids.

When Craig chose to join us on loan after being frozen out by Citeh, it was obvious on his ambitions for us. He had multiple PL options but chose us and dropped down a division, which was huge. His positive impact was immediate, both on and off the pitch. Such an asset for all the right reasons.

I think the reasons for his exit via the academy farce was that he was a thorn in the management and boards side, as he spoke the uncomfortable truth at the time and I know for a fact it was a highly political environment back then and not based on merit. After he went, the club ven appointed a 'Head Of Safeguarding' as a PC move, a pointless position for another City gravytrainer.who moved in fast. Anorher waste of money.

And Craig made the start of the root and branch Academy restructure for no salary and basically worked full time as a football expert for free plus done a huge amount outside football too, all unrecognised.

He identified talent that could be transitioned to the first team but that was stonewalled whilst incumbent managers and the board just crisis managed, fire fighting with no vision and linked philosophy for the long term future. SMs.appoitment is to a degree now aligning that but only as a result of of the constant fire fighting and the perfect storm of having no other valid options as a result of it. And of course, seemingly no money as we spunked the PL revenues due to consistely bad board decions.

He's is own man and wouldn't return under the current regime and for me the disgusting way he's been treated,

When the time is right, I really hope he returns in a senor calacjty as he simply brings so much to the table on every level.

Paul,

You are so spot on

I really hope the club can heal the wounds and bring Bellers back into the fold. We have lost such an asset who loved the club so much who worked for free for cycling out loud.

That would mean important people admitting they were wrong though - so I'm not holding my breath.

I can well imagine Bellers not being every academies players favourite. Once the owners saw what he was like then he would have made them uncomfortable. With this woke culture we have and knowing how the Far East cultures work well a Bellemy character is going to struggle.

I think what Bellamy fails to understand (or maybe he does understand but cant accept it) is that you can only have one No 1 - and in each case - the No 1 wasn't Craig Bellamy.

Warnock was the first team manager and ultimately only he decides who plays - he got us from relegation to promotion in a season and a half.

Tan owns the club pays the rent and salaries of the players and staff. Tan is the one that decides on the direction of the club - not Craig Bellamy, unless Craig fancies buying him out ? - that would be a roller coaster ....

Ive no doubt whatsoever that he has a lot to give - he also has a lot to learn. SO he may say he will never have anything to do with the club whilst Tan etc are in charge - that's fine. I would expect if another owner comes in - he will say the same again. Some people are destined to work on their own and for themselves as they cant handle being told what to do - Im one of them.

Craig needs to get management experience somewhere before potentially us...league 1 or 2