Bob Bank Hero

A Picture Paints A Thousand Words

Pic courtesy of Jon Candy - more pics here:

We Came, We Saw, We Conquered (ish)

Miners strike? Poll tax riots? Petrol blockades? It was nothing compared to the “Ridsdale Out!” protest outside the CCS.

Oh okay – maybe not – but hey it was a good effort and fans who took part should be proud of what was a peaceful, very well attended march from the Admiral Napier to the stadium.

Gwyn (Valley Rams) set the right tone right from the start, bellowing into the loudspeaker that anyone who misbehaved would be letting the club down.

Some daft sod gave Dai Hunt another loudspeaker although that was sensibly taken off him early on. Did he really need one? Really?

There were plenty of cameras about and plenty to film. Coffins, flags, banners – the highlight being “Transparent My Arse!”

Newspaper reports have suggested around 2,000 City faithful attended although I personally thought it was somewhere near the 1,200 mark.

Led by mounted cops, the march moved pretty quickly up to Sloper Road. The chants were kept mainly to the old classics “You are my Cardiff…..” “Blue Army” etc. For anti-Riddler ones there were “Where’s the money gone?” and “Sit down if you hate Ridsdale”.

There was absolutely no trouble which was a big relief. If there’d been any arrests our beloved chairman could’ve used it against us. He’d already threatened that in Friday’s press statement.

Since the protest it seems there’s been quite a fuss made about why the Trust didn’t officially endorse it.

I for one was slightly baffled and wrote to a CCFC Trust board member to ask why we hadn’t voted on it.

Here’s the reply I got:

The likelihood is that the Trust's board would discuss action such as
demonstrations, marches, etc, towards the end of the season.

As things stand, it seems unlikely that any such action will bring about
change at this current point in time. However, it is something that will
definitely be considered if things continue to deteriorate at the club. 


I do agree with the second sentence. I didn’t expect it to bring about change. All I wanted was to show this board that I’m not happy about the way the club is being run and I’m not happy about being lied to when I bought my season ticket.

I would’ve liked to have been able to have voted on it but at the end of the day would it really have affected anything? The fact of the matter is that if you wanted to protest you were entitled to do so. And that’s what I did.

As for those Trust members who have apparently resigned because the Trust didn’t endorse it – I think you are jumping the gun. The Trust is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I spoke to another board member after the protest who told me only two Trust members had actually contacted the board and suggested a vote. One of those was me. Sounds to me as if some people are causing trouble. If you felt that strongly about it you should’ve asked before.

The Trust has done a fantastic job. Price reductions on beer at the stadium and friendly prices were warmly received. And Dave Sugarman’s report on the latest EGM provided me with more information than any media report.

Come on guys – stick together. The real enemy are those people sucking our club dry. We’re in this together.

Time To Stand Up And Be Counted (Peacefully)

Peter Ridsdale has released the following statement on the official Cardiff City site.

What an absolute joke. That's made my mind up. See you all on the march tomorrow.

CARDIFF CITY STATEMENT
Fri 05 Mar 2010
Cardiff City Football Club Limited.

Adverts have been taken out by Annis Abraham in the local media asking for our supporters to march prior to this coming Saturday's home match against Middlesbrough. In this advert he is asking the Club to answer questions with regard to the Club's finances.

Annis has a small number of shares and attended last week's EGM. Following the EGM, a presentation was made which addressed each of those questions. Annis already has the answers.

Maybe the true reason that Annis wants our supporters to march is so that you can destabilise the Club. Then what? Are you prepared for the consequences?

We are currently seeking external investment. Will a march against the current management or the Club assist that? The answer is simple. No.

This Club has made tremendous progress over the last five years. A new stadium, an FA Cup Final appearance, the highest league finish since 1971 and positive net assets for the first time for many years.

We have short-term cash challenges like many football clubs. Over the last five years we have had to be self sufficient. We have not had external investment topping up the football club's financial needs. Now we have the new stadium and with positive net assets we have a chance to attract external investment. This will not be forthcoming if they see our supporters demonstrating in the streets, you will merely drive such investors away. Then what?

If anyone agitates for change they have to have an alternative. Annis has no alternative. If he has or if anyone else has, then let them come to put such proposals to us. My door is always open.

It is now time for all Cardiff City supporters to decide whether they want this Club to thrive and move forward or to throw away everything that has been achieved over the last five years. On many occasions Annis has made it clear to me personally that he never wanted to leave Ninian Park. Maybe we have a different vision for the future of this football club.

Anyone who wants to have constructive dialogue can meet with me or my colleagues at any time. We only have the best interests of Cardiff City at heart. I hope that this is a mutually shared objective.

Anyone thinking of joining this march should look themselves in the mirror and ask if they really care about Cardiff City Football Club and its future. If the answer is yes, then come straight to the ground, enjoy the match and support the Club. If the answer is NO, then join the march.

Peter Ridsdale, Chairman.

5th March 2010.