2 Eddie Newton
Eddie Newton arrived at Cardiff City just before Rick Wright's revolution really sparked off.
At the time, taking an unknown midfielder from the top flight (First Division then!) was celebrated rather than scoffed at, as it would be today.
Combative Eddie was clearly playing well below his level in the fourth division and had that ability to run a game that few could boast in a weak bottom division.
But, more importantly, the Londoner possessed that quality demanded from all City fans, a passion for the shirt and the supporters it represents.
Eddie's signing, at the same time as Gary Bellamy and Gerry Harrison sparked a fruitless race towards the play offs in 1992, despite Wright’s media bandwagon making endless promotion promises.
Memorable Newton performances came against Mansfield, on a foggy Friday night, and his swansong against fellow promotion hopefuls Barnet on a sunny Easter Monday, when he was carried off the pitch by his Ninian disciples.
For weeks after Newton returned to West London, chants of "We want Eddie back" rang around the Ninian terraces.
But he never returned to Cardiff and ended up making a name for himself at Stamford Bridge, becoming a relative regular and scoring an FA Cup final goal at Wembley in Chelsea’s 1997 destruction of Middlesbrough.
He later went on to coach at Chelsea and is currently plying his trade at West Bromwich Albion, where fellow Wembley goalscorer Roberto Di Matteo is boss.
Loan Rating 10/10



