Bellamy coming home

Craig Bellamy has broken his silent over his future and not shut the door on Cardiff City. In an interview with BBC World Service he said he couldn’t see himself play for another English club or anywhere in Europe because of his family. He said, "Playing anywhere else in Europe would be too much of a strain on my family because they do live in Cardiff.

"So it really only limits me to maybe one place so that would probably be it."

What happens next is down to his present employers, Manchester City who have big plans to break into the top four of the Premier League and gain Champions League status next season. A host of club are waiting to see what happens with Tottenham Hotspur, Everton German club Wolfsburg in the queue and there are bound to be more will be watching the situation.

Manchester City paid West Ham £14 million for Bellamy in January 8th 2009 and gave him a four and a half year contract. He is on £90,000 a week at Manchester City way out of Cardiff reach so Cardiff City boss Dave Jones would hope to do a deal were Cardiff would pay a proportion of Bellamy’s wages. The Premiership club could probably commend a fee for the striker and recoup some of their money.

The Welsh international went on the say, "There's more than one or two people run that club [Man City] so if I get the vote of confidence off five or six people then I'll stay.

"But if it's a couple in other people's favour then it might be a little bit different because I do want to be wanted, like every player does.

"I've never once and I would never once sit back and pick up my money.

"I just couldn't do that to myself - it would be lying about who I am as a person so I'll probably look for that next challenge.

"But I'll be very shocked if it's another English club, I'd be very, very shocked.

"And playing anywhere else in Europe would be too much of a strain on my family because they do live in Cardiff so it really only limits me to maybe on place so that would probably be it."

With Dave Jones away on his holidays’ and Bellamy visiting his charity ‘the Craig Bellamy Foundation’ in Sierra Leone it will be awhile before this story gets a second wind. Bellamy will be 31 years-old in July and as well as being a fan of Cardiff City is family still live in the City and he has said before he would like to finish his playing career hometown club.

Feeney going over the bridge to Rovers

Feeney off to Rovers

There is another rumour in the South Wales this morning and for once it’s not Joe Ledley. Today’s rumour concerns Warren Feeney and Bristol Rovers.

Feeney was releast with a number other players over a week ago after his three years stay with the Bluebirds came to an end. During that time he spend more than half of it out on loan to Swansea, Dundee United and Sheffield Wednesday and he only played a hand full of game for Cardiff.

In the three years he has had chances to find a new club, at Swansea he looked to have done enough while on loan but an ankle injury put paid to that and the Swansea boss moved on. The season long loan to Dundee United was is next port of call however a groin injury ended his loan spell early. In the summer Dundee United boss Craig Levein said he would like to sign the Northern Ireland striker but couldn’t match his Cardiff wages.

That summer he near joined Leeds United the club where he started his career, but he failed the medical and the deal was called off. The beginning of the 2009/10 season saw him injured again but he was fit by December to go on a short loan to Sheffield Wednesday but it was a wasted trip he trained a bit and play just over 10 minutes. It looked like another loan deal was on the cards for January but with money troubles off the pitch and no new faces coming in Cardiff City boss decided to keep hold of him.

He played a part in the push for the play-offs if gave him a chance to break his duck and score a goal but I was not to be.

Along with Rovers, Plymouth and Bournemouth are also rumoured to be interested in the striker but the Echo is suggesting Rovers look favourites to sign him and it would also mean he would not have to move his family.

Ledley - Celtic and Roma

Roma calling

Another day and another club link with Joe Ledley and maybe someone else could be interested if the rumour is true.


First we Celtic who has been linked before could be re-staking their claim in the pack of chasing clubs. Ledley will soon be out of contract. It has been said before if he moves anywhere outside the English game the club we receive no compensation payment. Just a few season ago Cardiff could have cash him in to Stoke for £6 million, but it was feel by boss Dave Jones he was to important to team to sell.

In the Sunday Star they have Ledley off or wanted by Serie A club Roma last season they finish second in the league and managed by Claudio Ranieri. I’m not sure anything will come out of this rumour he (Ledley) has never been linked with a European team before.

It's been Ledley goal to make the step up to the Premiership for so time, but his options have widened to Scotland and now Italy. That would bring him Champions League football. Anyone securing his services would have a player who can bring transfer offer of £5 million + for a relatively small outlay for an English teams while a foreign team could sign him up for free.

The betting is on him to will walk, Cardiff has put in a new contract offer in front of him but not many City fan would expect to see him in a Bluebird shirt next season.

Jones raiding Wigan for Koumas

Koumas a Bluebirds again

Could Cardiff City boss Dave Jones get is man, from all account (well in the News of the World) Jones is desperate to lay his hands on Jason Koumas. The Wigan player has been told he can leave after is move from West Brom as staled some what.

Jones we are informed wants to rescue him from his Wigan nightmare that as seen him in the stands or warming the bench. In the near three years he has been with his present club he played and scored more goals when he was a season loan with the Bluebirds. After the end of his loan spell with Cardiff the fans wanted him and we believe the then chairman Sam Hammam wanted him as well.

It all turned into a of bit joke in the end as West Brom wanted £1.5 million for the player but someone somewhere smelt a bargain and attempted to negotiate a transfer fee down. Koumas had fallen out with his manager Bryan Robson and wanted the move to Cardiff but the stonewalling from Hammam and the Bluebirds saw the Midlands club stand firm.

Meanwhile Koumas was on strike and keeping is fitness training alone waiting on the Cardiff deal but it was not to come some with him out on a limb. He held talks with Bryan Robson and did a U-turn after the meeting and signed a new three year deal at the club. Here returned to first team football and after a strong season Wigan came in with a £5.3 million offer for him.

Dave Jones has try on a number of occasions one been while he was with West Brom but he had settled in and West Brom were doing fine and refused to sell. Last season Cardiff was interested in signing him on loan but Koumas wanted to stay in the Premiership.

Championship line up 2010/11 season

Our season is final over today with the knowledge with the final jigsaw in next season Championship make-up after the Division One play-off final.

The South Wales police will be shaking their heads with the news Millwall will be in the Championship next season and the fans will be treated to another ‘bubble’ game. Cardiff seem to get their fair share of these ‘bubble’ games fans were hoping they would decrease. Next season Bristol City and Swansea are expected to be bubble game. From the new intake Leeds and Millwall look likely to be bubble game.

Championship school of 2010/2011

1. Barnsley
2. Bristol City
3. Burnley
4. Cardiff City
5. Coventry City
6. Crystal Palace
7. Derby County
8. Doncaster Rovers
9. Hull
10. Ipswich Town
11. Leeds Unitef
12. Leicester City
13. Middlesbrough
14. Millwall
15. Norwich City
16. Nottingham Forest
17. Portsmouth
18. Preston North End
19. Q.P.R.
20. Reading
21. Scunthorpe
22. Sheffield United
23. Swansea City
24. Watford

Looking at the make-up of the League it looking wide open no team is standing out. I expect the bookies will bang the favoured tag on Portsmouth that we will have to see, I expect them to struggle.

 The new season open its door on August 7th with the fixtures due to be announced on June 17th .

Stay with us Joe

Joe Ledley

The smell of a bargain is bringing out the bargain shoppers with the number of clubs waiting for the door to open growing day by the day.

Out of contract but with a tribunal to decide a what fee would have to be paid to pay Joe Ledley. There are eight clubs looking for his signature if you believe the press, Blackburn, Rangers, Stoke, Everton, Wigan, West Ham, Fulham and Newcastle while his present team Cardiff City would love for him resign for the Bluebirds. He was hand a new contract yesterday for him and his advisers to consider he will also have other offers to think over. Cardiff is offering him £20,000 a week and that would make him the highest paid player at the club.

The Rangers offer sucks out like a sore thumb to any City fan and the club if he was to join them Cardiff City would receive no compensation payment.

He has been a loyal servant of Cardiff City put more into his football then many players of his age. He made his debut at 17 years old in 2004 and to date has played over 239 league and cup games over the last six seasons. He was rarely on the bench only 16 times in his Cardiff City career while he was never the most prolific of goal scorers managing just 30 here is also captain the team he supported has a boy.

Not just at club level has the young midfielder excelled he has also been a Welsh international working his way from youth level to a full cap. He won his first senior Wales cap in an away World Cup qualifying match against Poland on September, 2005. That senior level he has played 32 times scoring twice and he has captained his country an impressive CV that his boss at Cardiff would hope turn the head of any tribunal if he does go.

Well one pre-season fixture is sorted

The Bukit Jalil National Stadium

Cardiff will be facing the Malaysian national team on their season trip to Malaysia the Echo is suggesting Thursday July 15 has a possible date. It was thought Cardiff would play two games in Malaysia but there was an idea of turning the trip into a min Far East tour with a game in Hong Kong or Singapore. However Cardiff City boss Dave Jones would prefer to stay in Malaysia and will go out sometime in June to check out the facilities.

The game will be played at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur with a capacity of 87,000 It will be unlike many Cardiff City will be making the trip. We will have to see if the link-up with the Malaysians will bring out some local support.

So far Cardiff has no other pre-season plans but have pencilled in a friendly for the last game of the pre-season normal against some European team or one of the bigger home nation team at home. No team has been mention.

The normal pre-season plan is Cardiff play a number of friendlies away from home but for the last game. Over the last few season the first game would be a double header with the squad split between last season it was Carmarthen Town and Merthyr Tydfil. Last season Cardiff needed to use the pre-season games to get the required safety certificate for the new ground and train the match day staff.

Cardiff City v Oxford United 1968-69

Highlights from BBC Grandstand the pitch as more sand on it then Barry Island crowd 16.387
Part one


Part Two

Solomon Taiwo off to Norfolk

Solomon Taiwo from a
Bluebird to a Canary

The South Wales Echo is reporting that Solomon Taiwo is joining Norwich City in a deal worth around £100.000.

He joined the Bluebirds on a three year deal just after the start of last season from Dagenham & Redbridge only a few weeks after Cardiff had played the Division Two team in the League Cup. The fee for the transfer was on a scale payment plan rising to £250,000 depending on appearances and promotion. Before Cardiff he had a very varied career around non-league football and a stint in American playing for Fort Wayne Fever a team based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

His career with the Bluebirds has never taken off he made his debut in the 2-0 away defeat to Doncaster coming on from Peter Whittingham. It was not until the QPR home game that he started a game but was subbed in the 54 minute, a game City lost 2-0. It was a case of bench warming for the midfielder for the rest of the season and bit parting off the bench from time to time. He did get one final start again Derby but he was subbed towards the end of the game.

In January he looked to be going to Colchester United on loan but the move was cancelled after Joe Ledley announced he need to go into hospital for two hip operation. With other ongoing midfield injuries the Cardiff City boss Dave Jones to keep him has cover.

The midfielder who has little chance at the Cardiff City Stadium was a player Jones describe as "a good prospect, a strong player, a good athlete and comfortable on the ball" There has been nothing official from both clubs so it could be just a rumour. There is a bit of chatter on one of the Norwich City message boards.

Something better than the play-offs

I have said it before and I will say it again I hate the play-off and I am not say that because of last Saturday, I have been saying it for years. There just has to be a better way of deciding relegation and promotion. this it fair on a team that like Nottingham Forest who accumulated 79 points over the season but it’s sixth place Blackpool who finish nine points behind Forest who win promotion.

It happens season after season throughout the Football League so it’s time to come up with something else. My idea is simple base on the relegation and promotion between the Premier League and the Championship the bottom three would play the top three from the championship in a one off game at Wembley. So this season it would have been,

Burnley v Nottingham Forest

Hull City v West Brom

Portsmouth v Newcastle

I don’t think the bottom three from the Premier League would have much of an advantage over the Championship team and I would predict all three would be promoted. The teams being relegated would have there parachute money the gate receipts could be shared between clubs who have no parachute in the Championship. If a team from the Championship is not promoted they would receive £1m out of the gate money.

Cardiff has profited from finishing sixth in the League and winning promotion via the play-offs but I still think its wrong.

Jones chasing Premeir League star

Bellamy come home?

Craig Bellamy a Bluebird can you see it yes I can - but money has to be right. I heard a quote £7 million add on is wages that price just to rich and I don’t think the new owners are in that kind of league. Other reports suggests Cardiff are interested in a loan deal highly unlike when his club could cash in on him. He maybe Cardiff born and a City fan but a move like this you don't want it to go the way of the Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink deals it could be one big waste of money.

A sourced said: “The player Dave has named is a huge, huge name. It is of Ryan Giggs-proportions, but obviously it is not Ryan himself.”

This could be just one of those internet rumour mill stories that grow and grow but it is not the first time the Manchester City played has been linked with the Bluebirds. Would he be willing to drop into the Championship? There are a number of Premier League clubs who would like to give him a home Everton are sitting in the wings watching developments.

The Premiership player has had first hand experience of the Cardiff City setup have spent time training with the Bluebirds. Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has allowed Bellamy to train with the Cardiff players to help build up his fitness for Wales game against Croatia has the play-offs game extended the training for the City players. It did not work out for him he did miss the game.

Is that the 7th Cavalry come to the rescue....... No, it is the Malaysians

THE Malaysian have completed the takeover of Cardiff City after this morning shareholders meeting and we can now look forward to get the taxman off the clubs back. I would like to welcome them to Cardiff City and give them one piece of advice - Cardiff City is not easy.

New Cardiff City chairman
Dato Chan Tien Ghee

The make-up of the new board

• Chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee (TG)
• CEO Gethin Jenkins -
• Finance Director Doug Lee

Cardiff City Board members -

• Steve Borley
• Alan Whitely
• Paul Guy
• U-Jiun Tan (son of Vincent Tan)
• Michael Isaacs

Chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee has been overwhelmed with the welcome he has received from the ordinary fans and is determined to take the club forward. He believes the future of Cardiff City next season is to target a top two finish so to miss out on the lottery of the play-offs. I total agree with the new chairman the target must be the automatic promotion spots getting to the play-offs is no guarantee of success.

He said: “Believe me, it’s going to be quite a journey yet again.

“Cardiff City has advanced, each year we are closer and I would like very much not to do any more of these play-offs!

“This is a Welsh institution and we have one team but two nations.

“We want to go out there and get us promoted, I think we want to stick to focusing on a top two position.”

He might have to far with the two nation’s thing most of Wales don’t care about Cardiff City or Cardiff the capital has a whole. Has for his own country it is red Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are the three biggest supported teams in Malaysia.

During the meeting of the shareholders which lasted around 15 minutes he told them not forget that Cardiff City is a business and needs to be operating within sensible financial guidelines. Dato Chan Tien Ghee what’s to remind in the background I hope he stays there because sticking your head above the parapet can be dangerous.

It will be interesting to see how they plan to run the City the first job is to start on Dave Jones list of player he would like to sign. Fee’s and wage will have to fall with their budget they is all so lot of work to be do on contracts of players who only have a year on existing contracts.

Will we still be a selling club when it comes to players, Joe Ledley has be offer a chance to sign a new contract has the new owners and manager want him to stay.

Feeney - I never saw him score

A rare picture of Warren Feeney
in a Cardiff shirt

Warren Feeney could be the only Cardiff City striker never to have scored a first team goal in three years with the club. He joined the Bluebirds on loan for the end of the 2006/07 season he had played against Cardiff with his then Luton Town a few weeks earlier. City boss Dave Jones must have seen something to bring him in on loan.

He join the City on a free that summer and was given a three contract and line-up in the first game of the season against Stoke the game ended 1-0 to the visitors and Feeney was subbed after 62 minutes. The next game was a League Cup game which Brighton and he was subbed again in the 68 minute. For the next game he was on the bench coming on for a few minutes at the end of the game.

He went off to play for Northern Ireland and on his return was on the bench for the visit of Coventry getting the last ten minutes of the game. It was off again for the European Championships international football with trips to Latvia and Iceland.

On his return Dave Jones agreed to allow a loan deal down the road to Swansea until January with a view to a permanent deal. Surprise yes he had only been given a three contract a few months earlier. The Swansea the goals were go it and it looked like the move was on then his pick-up an injury and return back to Cardiff. The Cardiff fans were in a bit of heighted state on his return there was a rumour he had kissed the Swansea badge after scoring while still a Cardiff City player. The player denied it on his return to Ninian Park and was play one more game for the City that season playing the final 45 minutes against West Brom.

The start of the new season 2008/09 he was in Scotland on a season long loan deal with Dundee United and join Cardiff Willo Flood who was about to start his second season loan with the Scottish club. Flood was to move on to Celtic later in the season and groin injury ended his loan spell early. Dundee United was interest in sign Feeney but is wages at Cardiff scared off.

Last season he had a short loan to Sheffield Wednesday but it was not really that beneficial to him and returned to Cardiff. He was on the Bench a bit coming on from time to time and a part in some game. Has well has never scoring a goal for the City he also never played a full 90 minutes either.

In the days South Wales Echo he said, “It’s been hard sitting on the subs bench.

“I want to go out and enjoy my football, earn my money and put a smile back on my face.”

A number of club are knocking at his door and he plans on to rush in jsut for the job, it must be right. One of his old clubs Bournemouth are keen and so are Plymouth Argyle are in the market for an experienced forward.

“I’m not sure it’s the right time to be going back.” he said.

“I’m not sure at the moment. I’m looking into a few other things and have got some bits and pieces to consider. I wouldn’t rule it out in the future – but only if they still wanted me!”

Whittingham £6m rumour

Whittingham a wanted man

We have had rumours about all the players for the City last season today it is the turn of the Championship top scorer Peter Whittingham.

Whittingham goal scoring feet of last season was a total surprise to fans and the player himself who would have thought his tally would be 25, of those 22 were league goals. What is incredible since his first senior game in May 2003 until the start of last season he had scored only 9 goals?

Everton boss David Moyes is reported to be interested and is ready to offer a sizeable sum of around £6m on the players head. If can believe to rumour it would mean a massive profit for the club who only paid £350,000 to Aston Villa over three years ago.

For sure Cardiff City boss will not would to lose his player, but has said before every player has a price on there head could it change with the new owners? Doubt it. Moyes has also been linked with Cardiff's Joe Ledley but the hot rumour is he is off to Rangers.

Aston Villa nosing around Matthews

Adam Matthews

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill this looking to muscle in on Manchester United and Arsenal interest in 18 year old right back Adam Matthews.

The Swansea born defender joined the Bluebirds after he was turn away upon returning from injury to the Swansea City youth system because it was full. He turn up for a Cardiff City trial and was snapped up straight away signing on academy terms at the age of 8 and has been with Cardiff ever since.

Both have had an interest in the young City right-back with a rumoured fee around £4 million being talked of in the press. Villa are looking for a replacement for Luke Young who after falling out O’Neill is looking to move with West Ham a likely new home for a £4 million pounds fee.

O’Neill will launch a reported £2 million pound bid which below the clubs valuation of the player who has run out some fine performance since breaking into the first team.

Dave Jones lightens his squad

There was no surprise in the names of players Dave Jones wants to let go. Goalkeeper Peter Enckelman first came here on loan and impressed enough to win a deal with the Bluebirds. He joined from Blackburn and was soon playing second fiddle here in early two seasons at Cardiff played just over 20 games.

Young defender Aaron Morris played just over eight minutes in the first squad and was loaned out to Newport County for a while last season. Both Tony Capaldi and Warren Feeney were always expected to be going striker Feeney never scored a goal for Cardiff after three years with the club. He did well out on loan and spent a season in the Scottish Premier League. Capaldi looked to be on is way to Leeds United after join them The young strike Josh Magennis has also been released by the club which is a bit of a surprise he started the season making some appearances got his debut goal but then broke his leg and his season lost momentum.

It was a surprise that defender Miguel Comminges has been given a short six month contract to prove his fitness after injury but is fair to give him a chance. New deals have been offered to midfielder Jonathan Meads and goalkeeper Jordan Santiago.

Jones is a Bluebird....... Still

The official Cardiff City website has confirm the manager for next season will be (drum roll) David (Dave) Robert Jones.

It is no surprise to many Jones would keep his job last season was near perfect has he played and used his small club to their best. The new Malaysian owners have built a good relationship with the City boss but some fans tonight will not happy.

This will be his six season in charge of the Bluebirds is record has been impressive not so at the start but it did pick up in the latter years.

Our new manager is our old manager

2005/06 – His first season in charge of the Bluebirds was mediocre a league finish of 11th and the highlight to the fans would be the FA Cup trip to Arsenal and a 2-1 defeat.

2006/07 – The first half of the season saw the Bluebirds top the league for most of it but then the form just fell away to finish the season at a lowly 13th place. There was another FA Cup game against Premiership opposition Tottenham. Cardiff held them to a 0-0 draw at Ninian Park before getting wallop 4-0 for the replay.

2007/08 – After the poor finish to the previous season fans were calling for this head but Peter Ridsdale decided to stick with him. It was another poor league season (12th finish) with fans baying for his blood but by the end of the season fans would be singing a different tune. It was the Cup that gave the Bluebirds fans something to sing about. The League Cup saw a bit of a run ending with a trip to Liverpool were a hard fought game saw the City lose 2-1, on would to the FA Cup.

I would dare anyone to have predicted Cardiff would have reach the FA Cup final in this season not even Dave Jones would have put that date it in his diary. Portsmouth won the FA Cup but it gave the fans and the club a big boost.

2008/09 – Even after the trip to Wembley there were still calls for Jones to go at the start of the new season. The south Wales derby was back on with Swansea winning promotion the previous season. Jones laid back attitude to the game infuriated some fans with his ‘just another game’ approach. It was a much better season in the league with Cardiff in a play-off place for most of the season. Cardiff looked a shoe-in for a play-off place and was in the running for automatic in the end missing out on promotion by one goal. The Cup competition were low key this season a draw with Arsenal in Ninian Park an defeat 4-0 in the replay.

2009/10 - Dawn of a year era, bye Ninian Park hello Cardiff City stadium. Jones was glad of the move to the new stadium but off the field problems were to have a major say this season. Jones brought in Kelvin Etuhu on a season long loan deal from Manchester City and that with it the only new face the fans would see. Lack of money and a transfer embargo Jones was left with a make do policy.

The League Cup and FA Cup brought Dave Jones a chance to pit his wits against Premier League managers. The League Cup it was trip to Martin O'Neill and his Aston Villa side and was a close game with only a goal in it, 1-0 at the end. In the FA Cup City drew the plum tie of the 5th round with a visit to Chelsea and Carlo Ancelotti but a 4-1 defeat left the fans a bit deflated.

Jones with is small squad did one better than the 2008/09 season and took the Bluebirds in the play-off and forward into the final with thousand of happy Cardiff fans and then there was Blackpool.

With talk of transfer rumours involving Joe Ledley the official website one of Dave Jones priorities is to resign Joe Ledley. On Ledley the official website said, "During these meetings Dave reiterated his ongoing commitment to the club, and the club to him," read an official club statement.

"Dave also presented proposals to club representatives which were accepted by all.

"As a result dealings will now take place with the aim of producing a squad that will see Cardiff City Football Club again challenge for promotion next season."

So new owners all but in place, manager sorted so next up lets see what they can put together. Roll on season 2010/11.

Interest in Chopra

There is some striker news/rumour involving Michael Chopra and some interest from a Championship club.

There are reports of a £3 million bid for Michael Chopra from Ipswich. My first thought is why? Why would he want to go to another Championship he might as well stay where he is? Ipswich boss Roy Keane is linked again with the Cardiff striker the same striker he said he couldn’t afford last season.

It was Keane who took him away from Cardiff the first time for £5 million to Sunderland when he was manager and if he was to sign him again the Ipswich boss would have put £8 million into the coffers of Cardiff City. However it did cost the club £4 million to buy him back from Sunderland.

The report in the Daily Mail is suggesting Cardiff need to sell after they failed to reach the Premier League. Chopra as a year left on his contract and the club will be having talks with the striker about a new one. Dave Jones has probably made clear in the meeting he would like to keep Chopra.

Quiet from the meeting and more Ledley rumours

Ledley off to
 Rangers?

The meeting happened yesterday night and we the fans have to wait a tad longer for some crumbs of information or until the infamous insider/source leaks to the press. They could be keeping any news and plans until the board meeting on Thursday.

Joe Ledley is making the news today with rumours about where he will be playing next season it is looking high likely it will not be with Cardiff. A host of clubs are reported to be ready to offer the player a berth.

In main rumour today is coming out of Scottish suggesting in the Scottish Sun Rangers are ready to up there bid for the Welsh international. If Ledley was to go north it would be a disaster for the Bluebirds as moving to anywhere but in the Premiership or Football League has he can walk away with the club receiving not a penny.

That gives Rangers something of an advantage when it comes to a signing on fee, the English club would have to factor in some kind of a fee which is decided transfer tribunal Cardiff, who will be entitled to a compensation fee because he is under 24.

The Rangers boss is reported to make Ledley one of his highest earners but would that be enough to make him interested. He said he wants’ Premiership football not being to disrespect the top league in Scotland, but it’s no Premiership. I would put it on a par with the Championship in quality and that is being generous to some of the teams in lower end of the league.

He could stay with the Bluebirds by signing a new contract the Malaysian are keen to keep him and if reports are true make him one of the highest paid players at the club.

Jones as a lot to think over

What's on his mind

Bluebirds boss Dave Jones will sit down with the club’s new Malaysian backers today and look to the future and next season. The Cardiff boss had two plans to move City forward one for promotion and the other, well we all know that one.

He will be working from plan B after missing out on a promotion windfall but will be looking to bring in 10 new players to add to the players from the present squad he wants’ to retain.

Until he knows what cash is on the table we will not know the size of the squad he is planning? The Malaysians will bung £4 million into to pot but nearly £2 million is earmarked for the payment to the taxman which will then lift the transfer embargo. The remaining £2million plus other income if has not be spent the sale of season tickets in the run up to the Wembley trip. Also the there are the gate receipts from Wembley plus TV monies could see £4 to £5 million in the kitty to start with.

How much the Malaysians are thing of putting into the pot above the £6 million is the big question? Will they sell players to generate cash like outgoing Chairman Peter Ridsdale was forced to do and Hammam before him we have become a selling club but will that change.

One player who will be going unless he still see’ his future with Cardiff City is Joe Ledley out of contract within days but will be likely to be offered a new one. He as a number of club linked all premiership club hope to get a bargain via the transfer compensation panel. The club would hope for a fair payday with a £4.5 million fee while most fans they will be lucky to get £2 million. There has also been interest in Adam Matthews along with Jay Bothroyd, Peter Whittingham and Chris Burke and according to the rumours around £9 million could be raised.

Dave Jones said today “I’m meeting the new board today.

“I hope I’m still Cardiff City manager at the start of next season. I’ve not been told anything different by the board. Everything we have spoken about has always been about the future.”

Dave Jones is off on his holiday to Dubai and the players are taking their summer breaks Jones is believe to be working in tandem with board member Steve Borley with any upcoming transfer dealings.

We need to know the next step forward

That is it last season is consigned to history it’s time to move forward and look to next season and hopefully with the aim of automatic promotion no more play-offs.

Hopefully after the shareholders meeting on Thursday we will find out the Malaysian consortiums plans for the club. All most fans are eager to know is what the limit of their support beyond the initial £6 million. Talking after the Dato Chan Tien Ghee who is expected to be chairman by the end of the week urged fans to "keep the faith" and he his fully committed to the club. “The moment I stepped into this club I’ve been committed.
“We’ve struggled so hard to get where we are so this was still a great day. It was not as great as we wanted it to be because the result went against us.
“But for me there were two winners because we have done so well just to get here with all the financial struggles we have had – and believe me they were hard.
“Nobody wants to be in this position of losing but we will do everything necessary to get to the Premier League.
“A new season is coming up and we can see where we have gone wrong.”

They have confirmed their support for manager Dave Jones and their willingness to work with the City boss to build for next season. Cardiff boss also hopes he will be here next season, saying “I hope I’m still Cardiff City manager at the start of next season.
“I’ve not been told anything different by the board.
“Everything we have spoken about has always been about the future.
“I’m going over to Malaysia to help plan our pre-season tour and you don’t do things like that if they don’t want you.
“I’m going to see them tomorrow and everything is fine as far as I’m concerned. I’ve already had discussions with them.”

There could be job offers heading Jones’ way during the summer there is always a team looking for a new manager but he said yesterday he still had a job to finish here.

On the player front I expect a few changes has the rebuild starts soon as the transfer embargo’s is lifted once the taxman is paid. Cardiff have eight players out of contract this summer allow Mark Kennedy with rumoured to have been offer a new one year contract which he as excepted according to the press. Of the other Joe Ledley will be shopping for a Premiership and it is hope the transfer tribunal will come close to the clubs valuation of £4.5 million.

The final six out of contract Aaron Morris, Josh Magennis, Miguel Comminges, Warren Feeney, Tony Capaldi and Peter Enckelman will have to sweat it out. There was a rumour the young striker Magennis as only ready been let go and of the rest Comminges, Feeney, Capaldi are expected to be looking for new clubs. The goalkeeper Peter Enckelman are Aaron Morris could find themselves walking down Sloper Road it all depends on the manager budget for new players.

Another nine players only have a year left on their contracts and there are some big-hitters among them. Adam Matthews who is reported to be in talks with the club about a new deal but could a decent bid for the young defender change all that. He has been link with Manchester United and Arsenal. New deals for players Dave Jones wants to keep must to get underway soon the club don’t want to see another situation like the Ledley running his contract down. Both Jay Bothroyd and Peter Whittingham need to discuss their futures and new contracts there has been interest in both players from other clubs.

Stephen McPhail, Chris Burke, Kevin McNaughton and Gavin Rae could be offered an extra year long with Darcy Blake. To but honest I thought Blake was a certainly to end his Cardiff career when he came back from loan at Plymouth. However he took advantage of some injuries and forced himself into Dave Jones plans and put in some quality performances and could have done more than enough to get a contract offer.

The only other City player with a year left on his contract is Darren Dennehy who will be give a free transfer out and loan out again. I hope Dave Jones sort out his release list soon and gets out of the way.

Championship football for Cardiff next season

Dave Jones and his team failed to win the £90 million prize and enter the crazy world of the Premiership. In a sun drenched Wembley the Bluebirds were found wanting against a vibrant Blackpool. Ian Holloway won the battle of the managers and is now a Premiership manager who will be rubbing shoulders with Alex Ferguson and the like next season.

On the day Blackpool were better team and deserved the 3-2 win I cannot deny them. Cardiff played most of the game like they were half asleep but for the goals and the odd break. With Bothroyd off injured most of the forward ball was pushed in the direction of Chopra who could have had a hatrick if it wasn’t for the post and bar.

It was a case of what if, what if the shots from Chopra had gone in instead of hitting the post and bar or Ledley’s header hit the back of the net who knows.
Blackpool look like they wanted it more, they chased every ball, hustled the City players and mugged them off the ball at every opportunity. A lot could be made of losing Bothroyd so early into the game but he was one player who you just did want to be without. I could write about how bad we were and who on the pitch were away with the daisies but I will leave it for the more qualified than me.

Personally I am still trying to come to terms with what happened today and it will take awhile. Maybe until the Championship fixtures are out for next season and it all starts again. However a play-off place next season is unacceptable – Mr Jones and the new owners automatic promotion is what we need.

Blackpool fans and their many new supporters party away look forward to Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool home and away but one thing I can tell you – spend the money well and enjoy your season in the sun, it will be only one season.

The night before

Am I nervous, yes I am, can we do it, yes we can and am I that confident oh yes I am.

I want to wish the team and everyone involved with the club the best of luck tomorrow at Wembley.

No matter what happens I will still be a Cardiff City fan until I die.

COME on Cardiff its your time

This game is turning into a Cardiff City v England has the whole country jump on the Blackpool band wagon including the anti-Cardiff lobby in Wales who are queuing up to see the Bluebirds fail.

I woke up early this morning only to see GMTV all over Blackpool ‘the biggest game it football’ £90 million up for grabs. Blackpool fans down that the airport decked out in Blackpool colours waving flag and down at the zoo two lifelong Blackpool fans Gina and Anya the seals are clapping like crazy for a Blackpool win – with a short footnote that they are playing Cardiff City. While a cross that BBC Breakfast they missed the altogether in favour of some manager stepping down from Portsmouth. Only BBC Wales were plugging away with support for the Bluebirds.

Article after article in the press are bleating on how it is a big opportunity for Blackpool and then there is the love-in surrounding Ian Holloway and the media. Pundits are falling over themselves to wish him into the Premiership because it would be nice. In the national papers you would find it hard to see who there were playing. TV news reports start with pluck old Blackpool could be a premiership club tomorrow. Listening to the radio phone-ins soon as the subject of the final and the Premiership is mentioned up pops some bright spark with the, ‘How could a Welsh team play in our English Premier League’ normally followed by ‘why don’t they play in the Welsh Premier League’ bored now.

Where the media backs off the whole should Cardiff City play in the Premiership the fans around the country have plenty to say but this English is funny. The only thing English about the Premier League is that it’s played in England (until tomorrow then way) the rest is pure foreign.

Just one look at the teams most of them have foreign owners and a majority of these English patriots would love a rich Arab or Russia to buy their teams. The managers are the same since the beginning of the league only one English manager has win Manager of the year, Harry Redknapp last season and no English manager has won the Premier League. Then you the players a haven for players from around the world at is even started to leak throughout the Football League.

It happens both ways, Cardiff fans chant about hating England when our new owners the Malaysians take control they will probably be scratching the heads on why . The manager is English and most of our players are non-Welsh. The game is Cardiff City v Blackpool and shouldn’t be anything but that - and with 40,000+ Cardiff City singing them into the Premiership.

Snippits of news

In the Daily Star today there was a small story suggesting Cardiff City and Blackpool were to share the gate receipts from Saturday's game reported to be in the region of £3 million. However, by convention the two finalists sometimes agree that the loser will keep all the gate receipts from the game, so as to slightly soften the financial blow of missing out.

Newly promoted Newcastle is reported to be the latest club to be interested in Joe Ledley who is out of contract in June. No fee is mention when these clubs are linked with the Cardiff City player owing to any fee will be decided by a transfer tribunal. Cardiff recently made it know they were looking to receive at least £4.5 million.

Cardiff City ticket has of early today were down to the last few hundred ticket and expect to sell out in the next few days now the mad rush has quieten down. The remaining tickets are open to fans on the Cardiff database.

Where is Cardiff City manager Dave Jones? The last two days the South Wales Echo might as well the called the Ian Holloway Echo. There have been three stories linked to the Blackpool manager over the last two days in the local Cardiff paper has Dave Jones continues his boycott of the paper. This is the biggest game in Cardiff history and we need to hear for the manager. It is not like Holloway need the extra publicise he is spread over the rest.

It’s not the first time Ian Holloway has face the Bluebirds in a play-off final once before back in 2003 when an Andy Campbell goal condemned him and his team (QPR) to another season in Division One. Campbell who was the hero of that day saw his career go downhill ever since into Scottish football to non-league football and today is on the books at Whitby Town.

Recently talking about the game at a sunny afternoon Millennium Stadium, “Building up to the final was frustrating. In the days before the final I had been having problems with my hernia so in order to play some part in the final I decided to have an operation which I hoped would help me be fit in time. It was still touch and go up until kick off but thank god I was ok to play. Just to be involved in a game as big as that was amazing. Ernie deserved his starting berth due to him great scoring form, and was just glad to play my part and do my job. After it went in I went straight over to my family and celebrated it with them, as they are the ones who struck by me through difficult times.”

With all to take about the Wembley pitch you would think Cardiff boss Dave Jones would be dying to get his players on it to size it up. However Dave Jones as turned down the offer for a pre-match training session He declared: “We can’t do anything about the pitch, so we will just have to get on with it. We won’t blame the surface.
“We each want to play at Wembley, no matter what the surface is like.

“We will have a look at the pitch but if it is a mess what are we going to do? We have just got to get on with it.”

With the weatherman predicting a sweltering weekend for Cardiff it you plan to watch the game at home there could be no better place to watch the game then down Cardiff Bay. The City council will be putting a big screen at Roald Dahl Plass for seven thousand people. The screen will be showing live coverage of all the big match build-up from 2pm, staying on air until half an hour after the game ends.

Gerrard and Whittingham ready for Saturday

Cardiff will have centre-back Anthony Gerrard back in the mix for the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Saturday. Gerrard is fit again and will give manager Dave Jones something to think about with his central defensive.

Before being side line with a calf problem he formed a solid partnership with Darcy Blake in the heart of the City’s defence. He was all so instrumental in helping Cardiff to an unbeaten run of ten games.

He missed the last three games and while out Mark Hudson as come in alongside Darcy Blake to pull in some creditable performances. Will he change the lined up who knows fans have their opinions but Jones will have to final say.

Jones is how waiting on top score Peter Whittingham who is also on the treatment table with a groin strain he picked up in the semi-final second-leg game against Leicester City. The player himself is confident he will be ready for the final on Saturday and is hoping to add to his 25-goal tally for this season.

Whittingham said: "I'm confident I'll be fit for the final. The physios are brilliant and I'm sure I'll be fine."

Dave Jones as no other injury worry’s has he and his team lay down their plans for Saturday.

Jones link with West Ham again

A rumour has hit the rumour mill that West Ham would like permission to interview Cardiff City boss Dave Jones for their new manager. There is nothing official from ether club the story broke on Sky Sports News.

This rumour is not the first time Jones has been link with West Ham and last time he said he was flattered to be link with the job. This kind of speculation is the last thing he need to the build-up to the biggest game in his Cardiff career.

It is well documented that Avram Grant the Portsmouth manager is favourite for the job if he decides to leave the relegated club. Jones is 90 minutes away from reaching the Premiership himself and another name being link Sam Allardyce is unlikely to get permission from the Blackburn Rovers board to talk to the East Enders.

Feyenoord chase Cardiff for £750,000

Feyenoord are asking the FIFA to take action against Cardiff City over money they are owed from the Glenn Loovens move to Celtic. The Dutch defender signed for the City on a season loan in 2005/06 and was soon a hit with the management and the fans and before the start of the 2006/07 season he signed a permanent deal for a reported £250.000 fee.

By the summer 2008 he was a firm fixture in the heart of the Cardiff defence and teams started to show an interest in him. But it was the old firm two that were left to fight it out for is signature. Rangers were first to make a bid but it was turned down Celtic moved in quickly with a £2.5 million which was accepted.

Now Feyenoord are claiming there are owed £750,000 and club lawyer Joris van Benthem said: "We have compiled a dossier and begun legal action because Cardiff City have defaulted on their payments.
"FIFA has a good judicial mechanism to take action against clubs who do not pay their transfer fees.
"A deduction of 10 points is one of a number of possibilities open to them.
"Feyenoord have only just now asked FIFA to take action. We have pointed out to them that Cardiff could be promoted.
"If it is down to us their eventual promotion to the Premier League would not be allowed to go through.
"Feyenoord are going to sink their teeth into this case. And we are not going to let go until Cardiff pay up."

Nearly a sell-out

Since Thursday morning when the Play-off final tickets were put on sale the club have sold by the close of business today a massive 32,200 ticket for Saturday’s final. That leaves just 4,800 tickets that will go on sale tomorrow 9am to away travel members and stadium card holder. If there are any left after that they will go on general sale to anyone on the club's database from 9am on Wednesday.

Wembley was jumping when the City played Portsmouth two seasons ago in the FA Cup Final and the official allocation was only 25,000. So with 37,500 Bluebird fans heading for Wembley the atmosphere is going to be red hot. With their full allocation expected to sell-out within days Cardiff has made inquires to see if there are anymore available.

Has of this afternoon Blackpool has sold 29,000 tickets.

Pitch and the ref will have a say on Saturday

As well as the price of the food and drink at Wembley on Saturday the other major taking point will be the pitch. It was slated yesterday before and after the FA Cup final and it would have been hard for ever the grounds man to defend.

John Terry among many led the way with the criticism saying that the Football Association must decide if the pitch is a football pitch or an events stadium. The pitch has little time to recover for yesterday’s game before today the Conference play-off final is being played on it today between Oxford United and York City. They will then just have around five days before the Bluebirds grace the pitch.

The state of the pitch shouldn’t worry both Cardiff and Blackpool whose pitch are on the best but you would think the national stadium would have a decent pitch.

The referee for the Championship play-off final has been name it will be André Marriner in the middle and it will be his first major final game. Over the last few season he has moved on to Premier League refs list and it have been some time since he officiated in a Cardiff league game. It was way back in 2006/07 season against Derby at Ninian Park and it was a clean game, no cards. In the FA Cup he was referee in the 4-1 defeat at Chelsea.

The other officials are David Bryan and Adam Watts assisting, while Mike Jones has who is the fourth official for the game last ref a City game last season the 2-1 defeat at home from Birmingham.

'Fat Controller' puts Cardiff back on rails

From the Independent By Andrew Warshaw


Within hours of that epic victory over Leicester City to take their place in next Saturday's Championship play-off final, Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale's mobile phone was clogged up with 48 texts.

Ridsdale fully expected an immediate reaction from fans and friends celebrating the euphoric occasion and the prospect of a first top-flight appearance for the Bluebirds in half a century. What surprised him was that all of the messages were polite and not one of them slagged him off. >>>>> Follow Link to rest of the interview

Billionaire flying in for Play-Off Final

The real big money for the Malaysian consortium will be flying in for the play-off final, volcanic ash permitting, billionaire Vincent Tan. He has yet to sink money into the club but his business partner Dato Chan Tien Ghee ‘TG’ is hoping to convince him to invest in the Bluebirds who are at the door of the greatest and riches league in the world.

The billionaire’s son was at the Leicester game and by all accounts enjoyed his visit to the Cardiff City stadium, fingers cross his excitement rubs off on his Dad.

An inside told the News of the World, “This shows Vincent Tan is very keen to invest in the club.
“If we win promotion and he comes on board then we’ll have a real chance of staying in the Premier League.
“TG caught the bug by watching Cardiff and seeing the passion of our fans and we hope it’ll be the same with Vincent Tan.”

It is planned to meet the players and boss Dave Jones in London next week.

It's Cardiff City v Blackpool not Wales v England

With next to no support Blackpool fans have turned to the internet to whip-up anti Welsh feeling. Instead of a game between two league clubs some are trying to turn it into the old English/Welsh rivalry thing which is sad as both clubs have fought hard all season to be in this position.

The Premiership has no problem with Cardiff being a Welsh team knocking on their league and in the past have stated the fact they would be welcome. They have also said if Cardiff were to fall into a European place they would see no problem in taking the place subject to UEFA/FIFA approval.

I do find it funny that these fans shouting about English this and English that when about the only thing English about the Premier League is they play in England. Most of the players are foreign all the top managers are foreign and the owners are going along that line to. Why are fans all of a sudden supporting a team they have never given a second thought of before? Reading the papers no one is talking about Blackpool or its fans reaching the Premier League, but wouldn’t it be nice for Ian Holloway to be in the Premiership.

It swings both ways Cardiff fans talking of ‘good for Wales’ most Welsh footy fans could not careless, all you have to do is just look at their message boards, plenty of anti Cardiff post. The game Saturday is about Cardiff City and its fans and anyone who would like to a line themselves with the club.

When Cardiff reach the final of the FA Cup Final a few years back it was made known that if they were to win Cardiff could take up the European place on offer. Cardiff has been part of the league for donkey’s years and did win the English Cup but since then it has been known has the FA Cup. Was anyone complaining when the City were slugging it out in the bottom tier of the league or when Cardiff win the play-off final against QPR and gained promotion to the Championship, the protest were nowhere to be heard.

Transfer rumour linking Bellamy to City

The Manchester Evening News is suggesting that if Manchester City were to let Craig Bellamy go Cardiff City would be in the market to enquire about the Welsh striker.

Of course if Cardiff City boss Dave Jones was interested it would only happen if Cardiff City were to gain promoted. The Manchester newspaper mention that he and a number of players have question marks hanging over their heads as their boss Mancini looks to the transfer market ahead of next season. It’s hasn’t been a bed of roses for the manager and his player they have fallen out since the Italain became manager and clashed over the handle his long-standing knee problems. Bellamy is reported not pleased with Mancini’s training sessions and the style of football that he employs.

Bellamy was at the Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday night for the Leicester game to watch his hometown club a club he has expressed an interest in playing for some time ago. If Manchester City do let him go a host of clubs would be chasing him already Tottenham and Everton would be will to add him to their squads.

The Welsh striker has had a chequered career on the field and off it. Since making a his debut for Norwich in 1996 he has player for eight clubs Coventry City, Newcastle United, Celtic (loan), Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool, West Ham United and Manchester City.

Wembley not a cheap trip

Tickets were flowing out of the Cardiff City ticket office yesterday with around 12,000 of the 37,000 allocation sold for the play-off final a week Saturday. Meanwhile opponents Blackpool have sold close to 15,000 but the tickets seem to be on general release.

**Update Cardiff City ticket office reporting on Real Radio Sports Phone in that close 30,000 tickets now sold**

The major reason for the rush is to snap the cheap tickets have a trip to Wembley can be an expensive trip once you add travel, parking, food and drink. The food and drink prices are notorious at Wembley stadium and often a source of complains among visiting fans. The price range is from £4 for a hot dog, fish and chips for £8 while drinks prices range from £2.50 for a soft drinks and £4 for a pint of Carlsberg £2.50 and crisp and confectionary start from £1.

Anyone looking for a coach to hire on the 22nd May could have a struggle has Cardiff City Supporters Club have book up to 50 coaches plus there are a number of independent coaches making the trip you would be lucky to hire a bike. The cost of travelling with the Supporters Club is - Adults £25, Over 60's £20, Under 17's £15 see the Supporters Club Website for details.

Ticket Pricing for Wembley
CAT 1- Adults £98 Concessions £49
CAT 2- Adults £76 Concessions £38
CAT 3- Adults £64 Concessions £32
CAT 4- Adults £52 Concessions £26
CAT 5- Adults £36 Concessions £18

Tickets going fast

The tickets are flying out of the door at the Cardiff City Stadium ticket office has fans queue for their tickets for the Play-Off Final. >>>>> TICKET DETAILS

In nine days Cardiff will be facing Blackpool at Wembley for the right to kick off next season in the Premiership. Both team have an allocation of 37,000 for the game far and away exceeds the number Cardiff received for the FA Cup games.

They should be more than enough tickets to cover the demand of Cardiff fan if you can’t or not going to the game into will be live of Sky Sports. As an extra treat for fan heading for the pub to watch the game, according to Sky 3D there will be showing the game to pubs around the country. >>>>> SKY 3D PUB FINDER

Can you feel it ......... The Premiership it's so close

We are not quite there yet there is just the case of Blackpool, 90 minutes, maybe extra time, possibility of penalties, please not penalties again I don’t think I could take it.
It's as been a massive job to put Cardiff City into this position, done with the same squad of players that kicked off the season way back in August. City boss Dave Jones as had to done it without any new blood and as been forced to play patched up teams because of injuries and suspensions. Players have taken to the pitch not fully fit and when youngest have been given the call they have stepped up to show their metal.

The only disappointment on the night we lost the game but we won the prize. The rest of the night was electric the fans where great backing the team just like the Dave Jones called off. We could have done without the odd anti-jack chanting, I can’t see what it does to lift the players it is best left for when we play them.

Cardiff were in total control for most of the first half and Chopra’s goal looked like the night was going to be ours. Then total against the run off play Leicester pull one back with some Cardiff fans still celebrating the City goal. The ground when silent except for one corner of the stadium housing the Leicester fans.

The goal seemed to take the edge off the City players has Leicester began to come into the game a lot more. Then from a free kick on the half way line the ball was pumped into the Cardiff goal area where a lame hander from a Leicester player just hit Cardiff defender Hudson on the head and when in own goal, 2-1 to the visitors. That squared the two games on aggregate, could a Stoke be on the cards.

It was in at half time all level with just 45 minutes to sort it out hopefully Dave Jones was giving the players a bollixing for the second half.

Cardiff came out strong for the second half but it was the visitors again who silence the home crowd when from a corner Leicester scored. They were now winning 3-1 but more importantly 3-2 up on aggregate and looking at a Wembley trip. It was begin to look and feel like Stoke all over again and the crowd were starting to feel it has Leicester fan were now more upbeat. But while in about ten minute the Cardiff fans where back in full voice has Chopra was brought down in the penalty area and the ref pointed to the spot.

Up stepped League top scorer who just pushed the ball past the Leicester keeper 3-2 now but all square on aggregate, the game was back on. For the next 20 minutes there were a number of chances at both ends and the final whistle for extra time came as a bit of a relief. Compared with the rest of the game the extra time period was somewhat subdued. Kelvin Etuhu on for Burke had a good shot saved Leicester had a few off target attempts but it was all looking like it would be going down to penalties.

The both team match each other for the first three pens but then up stepped Leicester’s Yann Kermorgant, has a Cardiff fan it must be ha, ha However as a Leicester fan what the f**k. In such a important game to try some fancy chip was just about has crazy has it gets, what was going through his mind nobody knows is team mates looked like thunder has he walked back to the halfway line. Cardiff defender Mark Kennedy fired home City fourth so if Leicester miss this one Cardiff would have a trip to Wembley to face Blackpool. It was Waghorn's who was to take the vital fifth penalty but City keeper Marshall made a fine save and start a mass celebrations of Cardiff fans.

You have to feel sorry for Waghorn on missing his pen he fall to the floor in a heap and was inconsolable after the City players jump over him to celebrate with Marshall in front of his goal. Mark Kennedy stop to try a console the player has his team rush to help him off the pitch.

It took penalties be we are off to the play-off final...

What can I say ................ not much has I am still unwinding for the tension of the night. I hate these kinds of games, outside finishing in the top four of the Premiership the Championship play-offs must be the most nerve racking of the rest.

We have it all to do again when we face Blackpool a week Saturday - those 90 minutes will be the most important in the history of the club.

What the managers said ...

Dave Jones said, "We heard them (the fans), we saw them," Jones told Sky Sports.
"This football club gets knocked from pillar to post and today everybody came together.
"We had a peek behind the door (last season) and today we closed it. Now we get ready for another tough one.
"It's a fantastic achievement for everybody at the football club: the players, the fans, (chairman) Peter Ridsdale and the old board, and the new board coming in - what a time to come into a football club.
"Everybody wants to ply their trade at the top level.
"We knew this would be a long-term not short-term plan, and the first two years the plan was to stay within it (the Championship).
"The last three years we've been knocking on the door and now we've gone one better than what we did last year.
"One minute you're out, then you're back in it.
"I've nothing but admiration for my players and I thought it was a superb game.
"There was great character and a lot of bottle out there today, from both sets of players.
"Sometimes you feel for your mates, and (Leicester manager) Nigel Pearson and all his staff are a great bunch. But we're through and for this football club it's fantastic. It was unbelievable."
"I thought some of the football we played was absolutely scintillating.
"We missed two or three glorious chances.
"But they have a strength and we didn't deal with it as we should have until late in the game.
"We weren't playing badly. It was just a case of cutting out the mistakes, believe and keep the ball moving.
"I felt we stopped that for a certain spell but after that we really dug deep and we got our momentum back."


Leicester boss Nigel Pearson said after the game, "It's tough on the players. Our performance epitomises their commitment, desire and application.
"There are a lot of disappointed players in there but we have achieved a lot in our first season in the Championship.
"I'm going to leave them with their own thoughts; it is a difficult thing for the players to deal with. It is a difficult way to go out.
"Once you get to these play-offs you have got to make sure you give yourself the best chance of getting through.
"There is no doubt that over the two hours of football the players have been exceptionally good and the commitment and application has been excellent.
"When you hear them celebrating it is a case of what could have been and that is difficult to get over at this time.
"They were better than us in the penalty shoot-out. May the best team win in the final."