A Few Thoughts on Cardiff's Promotion

When I was at university I used to get along to the old Ninian Park to watch Cardiff City in the old fourth division. Although some of their fans were a little 'boistorous', we always had a great time watching the likes of Nathan Blake and, after I left south Wales, I would still look out for their results. The Bluebirds did a bit better after I left and have now been promoted to the Premier League. But at what cost?

Everyone knows the story of how the fans heard rumours of a kit change/rebranding at the end of last season and then were told they were just that - rumours. And how the new Malaysian owners went ahead with the changes anyway, virtually holding the club to ransom by holding back sorely needed investment if their wishes weren't met. The bluebird on the badge was relegated to very much second fiddle to the Welsh dragon - which co-incidentally is considered good luck in the far east. Red was also seen to be much more in keeping with promoting the Cardiff brand overseas so decades of tradition were discarded in the race for cash and glory.

When I first heard of these changes at the start of the season I thought that Cardiff fans would never accept this. That a group of supporters calling themselves BLUEbirds would never allow their club to be rebranded in such a way. There has been some protest and a number of fans have turned their backs on the club declaring that it was not theirs anymore. A few more saw the handing out of free red scarves at a recent home match against Brighton as the last straw (an important fact to note here is that there was no mention of the word 'City' on these freebies). But, by and large, the Cardiff fans have accepted the new look.

I congratulate the team and Malky Mackay for achieving promotion, especially after season after season of coming up just short. But what I feel more than anything else is disappointment. Disappointment in the fans of Cardiff City. Years of tradition have been thrown away for a chance to scrap around for 18th place in the greatest league in the world TM. Who knows what further rebranding will take place over the summer. Cardiff Dragons? FC Cardiff Malaysia?

Maybe if Cardiff get relegated next season more fans will feel the need to question the owners over their decisions and try to take back the club they used to support. One thing is for sure though, the clock cannot be turned back. Cardiff are not the Bluebirds anymore. It is questionable whether they are even the same club.