“ JOE RALLS I NEEDED TIME “

The Joe Ralls interview


Joe Ralls:

Joe Ralls: “I needed a year to process Cardiff City exit, now I'm ready to talk.”




One of the nicest men in the game and a true Cardiff City legend.

This was a year in the making, but he needed time to process it all. Leaving Cardiff last year after 15 seasons was sad. Now he can look back and reflect on it with huge pride

Promotion to the Premier League


Sixth-highest appearance-maker in club's history (409)


Club captain for three seasons





After a decade and a half at the club, there was no fanfare or opportunity for supporters to thank him in person.


One meeting in the summer of 2025 proved to be the last time Ralls walked into Cardiff City Stadium as a player.




An all-round Bluebirds legend

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Joe Ralls: I needed a year to process Cardiff City exit, now l'm ready to talk


Joe Ralls opens up on his painful Cardiff City exit, his biggest career regret and why he hopes to return to the club he still calls home


This chat has been a year in the making.


Countless calls, WhatsApps, requests and pleas. But Joe Ralls needed time.


"I think I needed a bit of time after leaving because it had been such a huge part of my life," he said , reflecting on his 15 years at Cardiff City. "It took a bit of time to come around to that and understand that you're not there anymore."


His departure left a sour taste for many Bluebirds supporters. Most could perhaps accept the footballing or financial reasons, but not how it was done.

One meeting in the summer of 2025 proved to be the last time Ralls walked into Cardiff City Stadium as a player.

He spoke eloquently about his departure in a statement at the time, after meeting new manager Brian Barry-Murphy.


Reflecting more than a year on, though, he reveals just how difficult that conversation
was.


"There were a lot of emotions," he says.


"I'd spoken to him a day or two before and he called and asked if I could come in for a
meeting.


"If I'm being totally honest, I didn't really know how the meeting was going to go. I had no inkling at all. I went in a bit blind, I guess, but I ended up having a good chat with him.”


"He basically said he didn't know if I was going to be part of his plans."

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Got a lot of respect for Joe Ralls, was at the club for such a long time after joining from Aldershot and always gave 100%.

I do think it was the right decision for him to leave because unfortunately the injuries were becoming more frequent, but I'm pretty sure everyone connected to the club has a lot of respect for him.

After Cardiff's relegation to League One.


Barry-Murphy had only just arrived and, with several midfielders already under contract, the decision was not straightforward.

Joe Ralls:

“What I took from that was that he had five or six midfielders contracted at the club, players who were already there and whom he had to work with. He had the opportunity to see all of them, whereas I wasn't contracted and it would be his
decision to bring me in.”

"I could understand that. It probably goes back to a little bit of naivety from me, putting myself in that position of waiting for a new manager."

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Ralls could have tried to engineer a new deal for himself, but that's not his style. "I love football.”

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Got a lot of respect for Joe Ralls, was at the club for such a long time after joining from Aldershot and always gave 100%.

I do think it was the right decision for him to leave because unfortunately the injuries were becoming more frequent, but I'm pretty sure everyone connected to the club has a lot of respect for him.

I have nothing but Respect for him.

But your right it was the right time to leave.

Would be nice to have him back at some capacity, our game has changed alot but his stability in MF would be great for City, great for encouraging youngsters.

100% Cardiff City legend!!!!!

A great club man who was totally loyal to our club. Good luck in your future Joe where ever it takes you.

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Joe Ralls:


Joe Ralls: “I needed a year to process Cardiff City exit, now I'm ready to talk.”

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Joe Ralls :

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Joe Ralls:

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Joe Ralls:

“I don’t want to feel a stranger at the club, I love.”

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Time waits for no man Joe.

Thanks for all you did whilst you were here.

All the best for the future.