A light hearted look at Cardiff terrace culture & fashion history
by David Rogers
1899 - 1910
Shirts and neck-ties worn under striped blazers and long over coats, with bowler hats, straw boaters and chocolate & amber hooped m.c.c. style cricket caps were what Bartley Wilson's mob were sporting around Sophia Gardens in the early days of CCFC or Riverside as we were then known.
1910 - 1920
Fashion takes some great strides following Cardiff being awarded city status in 1906 as quality men's out-fitters spring up all over town. Burberry & Aquascutum ¾ length Macs are seen for the first time on the terraces of the brand new, state-of-the-art Ninian Park towards the end of the decade, with many aspiring casuals influenced on trips to Europe during "The Great War".
1920 – 1930
A golden period on the pitch for the Bluebirds as they enjoy the clubs most successful period. The lads at this time deciding to turn their backs on the roaring 20s jazz scene look, instead plumping for the more classic styled, black, three piece suit & tie, worn with hob nailed, miners boots topped off with a baggy cloth cap for their many trips to Wembley at this time.
1930 – 1940
Tough times all-round. On the pitch City plummet through the leagues whilst off the pitch The Great Depression took a grip making it a dire period for the innovative terrace dandies down at NP. The main look of the era taking on a rather more dressed down approach with the "out of work miner/ docker movement" being the order of the day.
1940 – 1950
Due to the outbreak of WW2, the khaki army fatigue image was a massive influence on football fans & players alike up and down the country at the slightly depleted war time fixture schedule available.
1950 – 1960
Exciting times as youth culture explodes in south Wales following the post war period as "Teddy Boys" or "Teds" made it acceptable for young men to care about how they looked. Instead of seeing a choice of either work clothes or Sunday best worn to the games the Bob Bank & Grange were awash with Teds resplendent in their drape coats, slim-Jim ties & blue suede brothel creepers topped off with quiffs & ducks-arse hair cuts.
Early to mid 60's
Youth culture continues to grow from strength to strength in the 60's as the mod scene erupts. Seen by many as day dot for the terrace casual. Saturday afternoons at Ninian Park will never be the same again as the immaculate dandy look will continue to influence football fashion to the present day with the clean, sharp lines, polo shirts and parker jackets.
The famous City bar scarf worn around the neck and outside the parker completes the look whilst Lambrettas and Vespas are seen as the only credible mode of transport to get to games.
Late 60's to 70's
Towards the end of the 60’s mod gives way to skinhead. Though some of the fashion stays the same as Ben Sherman shirts and Fred Perry polos remain, it's the addition of skin tight, stone washed levis, braces, Dr martins boots, Crombie & Harington jackets with the hair shaved to the roots that define the look.
Ninian Park really begins to earn its reputation in earnest as one of the most intimidating grounds to visit (if the songs of period are to be believed).
