Bob Bank Hero

If Only Wales Players Were So Committed....

Most of us would walk one legged for miles for a chance to pull on the red shirt of Wales.

But Bluebirds manager Dave Jones has suggested McCormack is perhaps too committed to his country and blamed his latest hamstring injury on a 14 hour round trip to Scotland.

McCormack travelled up to Scotland from Cardiff for just 37 minutes of a 4-0 defeat in Norway before being subbed for tactical reasons.

Dave Jones told the Cardiff official website:  "Part of the trouble was the lad's international commitments with Scotland. In one match he played half an hour or so before being subbed because one of the Scotland players had been sent off and the team had to be reshaped.

"But it turned out that Ross had driven to Scotland to join the party, a journey that takes six or seven hours, then he had driven back down here. He should have gone up and down by plane. Then he goes into a game cold and gets injured.

"Now he has his rehab to do before training - he has his own personal programme to do before he joins the rest on the training field."

Magennis joins Grimsby

City's Northern Ireland U21 international Josh Magennis has joined League Two Grimsby Town on a month's loan.

Dave Jones said: "Josh needs to be playing regularly and a move to Grimsby will give him that.
"With Ross McCormack and Warren Feeney on the way back, we have more forward options, so we can afford to let Josh go for a while."

Good luck Josh. Hope you bang a few goals in!

Bluebirds Fans Welcome Ticket Deals

Cardiff City fans have applauded the club's decision to offer cut-price ticket deals for the Bluebirds' forthcoming Championship fixtures against Crystal Palace and Coventry.

 
Adult supporters who buy tickets for both matches in advance will get a £10 discount, while concessions will receive a £5 reduction.
 
The club has also announced a special deal for fans in the Brace's Bread Family Stand, where two adults and two children can watch both games for a combined price of just £65.
 
Cardiff City Supporters' Trust spokesman Dave Sugarman said: "We are very pleased that the club is making an effort to fill the new stadium and believe these ticket prices are fair.
 
"Fans who attend both games will get a decent discount, while the two-match deal for supporters in the Family Stand is an excellent initiative." 
 
He added: "The Bluebirds were in spectacular form during their recent victories over Derby and Watford, so hopefully the players will get the support they deserve in the next two games."
 
The discounted prices are available from the Cardiff City Stadium ticket office until the close of business on Friday, October, 16th. Fans can telephone 0845 345 1400 for further details.
 

McPhail A Doubt For Palace Clash

Irish midfielder Steve McPhail may miss Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace after undergoing minor surgery.

In-form McPhail underwent minor surgery last week to remove a lump on his neck and will need time for stitches to heal.

It should mean a return for contract rebel Joe Ledley - if he recovers from his hip injury.

Meanwhile, striker Ross McCormack is in contention for the Palace game according to boss Dave Jones.

"Ross is fit and raring to go, Now it's a matter of building up his power and match-fitness," said Davey Jones.

McCormack will play in a friendly this week against Bristol Rovers as will fellow Scot Kevin McNaughton, who has not played this season due to ligament damage.

"Kevin is a fit lad - he doesn't carry a lot of weight," added Jones.

"The Rovers match will give Kevin and Ross another game for match practice. Then they will train with us later in the week."

Fingers crossed they both come through fit and well against Bristol. Having them both back will be two new signings.

Leave off Ledley

By Darren Griffiths

It makes me laugh when people have a go at Joe Ledley.

Here is a guy who has played for City more than 250 times. He’s consistently been one of our best players for seasons and suddenly he’s been turned into a villain.

From the outside looking in it can be so black and white. Why hasn’t he signed a new contract?

Why would he? Think of all his mates who have moved on to better things and bigger clubs than us.

Jerome, Ramsey, Earnie, Gabbs, Collins, Loovens, Roger. Even Gunter got a move to the Premiership. Okay so now he’s taken a step back but I bet he doesn’t regret leaving us for one minute. There is a culture of selling at our club and it must get him down.

He must think “when is it my turn?” “When will I get my chance in the Premiership?”

I’m sure he would dearly love to do it with us, but let’s be honest- that’s not going to happen anytime soon.

Fans moan about recent lacklustre performances but as far as I’m concerned form is temporary, class is permanent.

He’s played left back, left-mid, centre-mid and even been used as a makeshift striker on occasions. He has scored some great goals, made some fantastic tackles, sprayed some wonderful passes and always given 100 per cent.

I’m not saying he’s the most talented City player ever. Hell, in terms of technical ability he most probably isn’t even the best in the team now, but he is a fantastic player.

As far as I am concerned he has put in one hell of a shift at Cardiff.

Just because it looks like he will move on does not mean he doesn’t love the club.

If he leaves at the end of the season or earlier then good luck to him.  He deserves his move.

We WILL get money for him whatever. It won’t be £6million but it won’t be tuppance either. 

For the first time most probably since he made his debut, Joe has found himself on the bench because other players have played so well in his absence.

Jones said it was an easy decision to make because of a hip injury -  but would he have played Joe and dropped one of the midfielders who were all outstanding against Derby?

I don’t think so.

But I know this – when Ledley get his chance he will take it. He always responds to a challenge.

We need to back Joe. You can hear the murmurs of discontent around the CCS about him not signing a contract.

It is up to him. All we can do is encourage him to play well in every game until he goes….because if there’s one thing that’s for sure about Cardiff City it’s that there is no one player bigger than the club.

McPhail Must Go?

By Chris James

I wrote this a few weeks ago. Since then Macca has put in two very strong performances fot City. Has it changed my mind about his future role for City? I'm really not sure - but I'm definitely glad he's here at the moment. Keep it up Macca!

 

When Macca joined City back in the Summer of 2006 from Barnsley I was quietly optimistic.

Here was a boy who has Champions League experience, a quality left foot and didn’t cost us a penny.

He was already a semi-popular figure with City fans after being instrumental in a Barnsley side that beat Swansea in a play-of final to deny them a place in the Championship.

Okay so he was carrying a bit of weight around his waste and didn’t seem particularly fast but most agreed he was a talented pro.

Originally, he slotted in well in City's midfield alongside Riccy Scimeca and fans got used to him sweeping the ball out wide, creating space for others and pulling the strings when City were on top.

But as time went by, more and more games seemed to pass him by. Teams latched on to the fact that if you close him down fast you could shut him down. His right foot was non-existent, he was too timid to shoot, and he didn’t have the pace to skip past players.

He also had this peculiar habit of pirouetting like a ballet dancer, usually in a vulnerable position in front of defence, and leaving poor old Darren Purse with no protection whatsoever.

With Jones’ trusted 4-4-2 formation, City have always needed midfielders who can break past strikers and support – Macca can’t do that.

After his second successive Welsh derby red card last year, he was rightfully dropped and didn’t really regain his place until the end of the season when Ledley got injured.

Those months where he was out of the side were our best of the season. Okay Gavin Rae isn't as technically gifted as McPhail but does the donkey work and links up well with Ledley.

With Rae sitting, it also gives Ledley the licence to roam and do some damage further up the field.

In the matchday programme against Scunthorpe on the opening day of this season, Jones wrote that he allowed Paul Parry to move to Preston because he thought the player would benefit from a change of scenery.

If that is the case with Parry, then surely the same can be said of McPhail. For me he is stale and too often slows play down when the team plays best at a high intensity.

If he does stay this season I won’t be gutted as I do think he has something to offer – especially against the poorer sides in the division who give midfielders too much space.

I certainly would never boo him and will continue to support him whenever he pulls on a Bluebird shirt. But for me it is time for him to move on. He is someone who disappoints and frustrates.

When City fans turn on a player the writing is on the wall. As far as I'm concerned that ink is well and truly dried.

Zois Is A Legend

Let's be honest -we've had our fair share of dodgy keepers since the start of the nineties. For good ones you could say Gavin Ward, Neil Alexander, Kasper Schmeichel and (although the jury is still out) David Marshall.

Sadly, this small list is outnumbered by some real stinkers (mainly signed by Dave Jones it has to be said.

Here BBH's top five goalkeeper errors to have a giggle at.

PS if anyone finds videos send them on to us at editor@bobbankhero.com

PPS I know Peter Zois was most probably the worst but I honestly can't remember if any of those goals against Rotherham wer ehis fault. I just remember a comedy of errors.

5 Tony Warner Cardiff City 2 - 3 Lazio. Tuesday August 3 2004

There were a few eyebrows raised when we signed the former Millwall goalkeeper after he had previously thrown a coin back into the Grange End when playing against the Bluebirds at Ninian Park.

Making his debut in a friendly against Lazio he managed to scuff his kick out for a throw in.

Lazio took it quickly and Roberto Mussi smashed in a 35 yard effort catching Warner by surprise. The 6ft 3in keeper managed to embarrassingly drop the ball into his own net. Unfortunately, his time at Ninian was plagued by errors like this one.

4 Dimi Konstantopoulos against Norwich 0-2 Tuesday March 10 2009

Tony Capaldi failed to deal with a long ball from a Norwich defender,

Ex-Swan Konstantopoulos comes forward indecisively only to see Mooney beat him to the ball to score.

Even DJ admitted it was an absolute stinker.

After the game he said: "It was a nothing through ball that should have been dealt with but Dimi hesitated when he should have put his boot through it and their player nipped in to score."

3 Mark Howard 0-2 Barnet Tuesday August 22 2006

There was a quiet optimism when we signed Howard form Arsenal. Surely from training with the likes of defensive legends Seaman, Adams and Keown would've rubbed off?

Sadly not – it was another case of "dodgy keeperitis" from Davey Jones. His most memorable blooper was against Barnet on a cold and miserable Tuesday night in the league cup.

City fielded a team consisting mainly of kids but Howard didn't really do anything to steady their nerves.

There had already been a few close shaves from the ex-gunner’s kicking before he sliced his backpass straight to Trevor Kandol who duefully lobbed the ball into an open net.

Howard was released at the end of that year and ended up playing for St Mirren in Scotland.

2 Peter Enckleman  0 -1 Portsmouth FA Cup Final Saturday May 17 2008

If there was one game you didn't want a goalkeeping error it was this one. To be fair to the guy he wasn't given much help by left-back Tony Capaldi who should've stopped a cross coming in from the right wing.

Encks managed to fumble the ball into the path of Kanu who gleefully knocked it into the net. Absolutely gutted.

1 Dimi Konstantopoulos  Wolves 2-2 Saturday February 21 2009

 

Another Dimi classic that only just pipped his Norwich blooper.

With a priceless three points beckoning with City 2-1 up at Molineux against eventual champions Wolves, Dimi managed to somehow dropped Kyle Reid's left-wing cross over his own line.

You could say it cost us a place in the playoffs but then you could just as easily say the same about Eddie’s own goal, or Mark Kennedy’s own goal, or just the fact that we let in six against Preston…..

Quiffs & Bowler Hats Part Two

David Rogers takes us through the modern era of football fashion.

The 70's

The popular look on Sloper Road during the 70's was all about the flares, tank tops, platform boots & denim jackets all topped off with the feather cut. The aforementioned blue, white & yellow bar scarf migrating from the neck to wrist. In addition to this look was the Clockwork Orange inspired white butchers coat with the other 70's must-have-item being the scarf of the opposition worn as a badge of honour gained defending the Grange End.

Late 70's to early 80's

During this time City fans had a bit of an identity crisis as many different styles vied for supremacy in the Ninian fashion sakes. The birth of punk had an impact along with the skinhead and mod revival movements. This meant it all depended on which tribe you pledged allegiance to define the look of the individual with more bile aimed at members of other tribes than even supporters of other teams.

The 80's

During the 80's  one look ruled the Ninian terraces alone and that was the look of the terrace casual. The casual scene was the first football diven youth movement in the uk and really took a hold at Cardiff as it coincided with a low point on the pitch as the team was in free-fall through the leagues.

The look of the casual was all about the labels with styles changing regularly, many of the crowd at the time would only turned up to show off their new trainers and get one up man ship over their fellow casuals. Must have labels of the time were Fila, Tacchini, Adidas, Lacoste, Burberry, Aquascutum, Lyle & Scott and Pringle.

1988 – 1991

As the 80's drew to a close the rave & mad-chester scenes were taking a grip and the City fans were not immune to the draw of the "second summer of love." The cloths to be seen in on the Bob Bank (1 of only 2 stands open at the time) were Barker parallel flares, kicker boots, ponchos and ponytails.

1992 – 1994

As the Rick Wright band wagon rolled in to Cardiff coinciding with the dawn of the premiership the prevailing terrace fashion must have was the Echo sponsored City top as it was finally available in the club shop. Another big look at the time was the middle eastern inspired robe and Arab headdress look topped off with false beard.

1995 – 2002

House check and Stone island were without question the prevailing look around this time with the Burberry factory in Treorchy supplying at least 80% of any Ninian crowd with 1 or more items of clothing.

2002 – Present

The advent of Chav culture (?) rendering all check especially baseball caps un-wearable and subsequently causing the the Burberry factory in Treorchy to close for good, meaning the more discerning City fan has turned to less flamboyant looking lables of late to strut their stuff at the footie. Today’s labels of choice include CP company, Paul & Shark, Prada & Armani jeans with old school Adidas trainers.

Quiffs & Bowler Hats

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).

Trust Magazine For City Fans Kicks Off

 
Moving to a Different Beat, Cardiff City Supporters' Trust official magazine, makes its debut at next Tuesday's Derby County game.
 
The superb, 36-page full colour magazine includes an exclusive five-page interview with Peter Ridsdale, the first part of the Fred Keenor Story, a facts and figures feature on Ninian Park, a Welsh language page written by Trust vice chairman Tim Hartley and updates on the Trust's work over the last 12 months.
 
Trust board member Dave Sugarman said: "The main aim of this magazine is to keep our existing members up to date with the Trust's activities. But we are also hoping that non-members who buy a copy will learn more about the organisation and will then be tempted to sign up and become a part of it. After all, the more people who get involved in the Trust and the bigger its membership becomes, the more work we will be able do for our fans, our football club and our local communities.

"The name of the magazine came from a suggestion by Trust member Jon Lovibond, who lives in Sheffield. It’s a reference to Jonathan Owen’s short film about being a Cardiff City supporter screened before the 2008 FA Cup Final appearance.

In his film, Jonathan said:  "If you began watching football in the late-Seventies or early-Eighties, your life was transformed from that point onwards. You were making a statement, particularly in South Wales, where you were considered a bit of a freak. To choose football meant you weren’t just choosing a sport. You were choosing a lifestyle. You wore different clothe; you listened to different music; you went to different places; you even walked differently. Basically, you moved to a different beat." Hence the name of the magazine.

The Trust is aiming to produce at least three magazines each season, so if you fancy making a contribution to our next issue, then please contact us. We are looking for articles, photographs, rare programmes, artwork –anything that you reckon may be of interest to your fellow Bluebirds. Also, if you would like to place an advertisement in future issues, or if you simply wish to sponsor a page, then please get in touch.
 
Issue One was designed and edited by Dave Sugarman and Tracey Marsh. Trust members can pick up a free copy from the Trust base in the stadium, and it’s just £1 to non-members.