A Handy Guide to Cardiff City FC

What can you say about Cardiff City.?
They sprang from obscurity at the turn of this century, they have been 'there or thereabouts' in the Championship for the past 8 years but consistantly fall to pieces at the final hurdle. They've received investment from Malaysia, had a brand new stadium built and even had homegrown yob, Craig Belamy playing for them last season.

I have scanned the internet to find out more about this Welsh Club that plays in the English Football League, as they face the prospect of playing the mighty Derby County at Pride Park this coming Wednesday.

Established 15 years after the birth of footballing greatness in Derby, Riverside AFC, as they were known, started off life in 1899 as a group of cricketers who wanted to stay fit during the winter, so decided to start up a football club playing at Sophia Gardens Rec.
Cardiff City as they were named in 1908, have won the FA Cup 3 times, but have never won the Football League Championship. They have never appeared in the Premier League, but have won the Welsh Cup an extraordinary 22 times. Not as difficult as it sounds though when you consider that only 4 teams compete in the 'competition'.
Now, as has often been the case, Cardiff live in the shadow of their only real rivals, namely the bigger, more successful, Swansea City. You can't really count Newport can you.
Famous supporters of Cardiff City are allegedly, Charlotte Church ( who is now sadly, damaged goods, but a few years ago everyone would have loved a go on her ) Ryan 'The Hairy' Giggs, This Ole House, Lipstick Powder & Paint eighties heart throb, Shakin Stevens and current centre forward, Robert 'the backflipping miniture alcoholic' Earnshaw.

Earnshaw of course, once had the privilege of playing for Derby County and was bought from Norwich City for £3.5 million quid. Sadly, he turned out to be utter garbage and was sold to neighbouring Nottingham Florist in exchange for a bag of potatoes.

Cardiff are nicknamed the 'Bluebirds'. Now I don't know about you, but this conjures up visions of those awful chocolate wafer type biscuits from the 80's and those vile Nissan cars from the same era that fell apart when you changed gear.

It is well documented that Cardiff City fans have a tendency for violence and they have an appaling record of discipline when visiting English grounds.
Most of them see it as an English v's The Welsh thing and are of the opinion that all the English hate the Welsh. This is not the case, mearly 95% can't stand the phlem gurgling, harmonious singing, bearded idiots.

That's all I can find out about our mid-week opponents, but if you care to add and facinating facts or humerous footnotes to the above, I'd love to read them.
There's lovely, isn't it.