" THANKS UNBELIEVABLE "
Mon Mar 27, 2017 7:00 am
Kevin McNaughton thanks "unbelievable" Cardiff City fans after finally getting to say a proper farewell to the Bluebirds supporters in testimonial game
Monday 27th March 2017
Kevin McNaughton hailed the "unbelievable" Cardiff City fans after finally being able to say farewell to the club's supporters in his testimonial match.
The Cardiff legend made nearly 300 appearances for the club but last played for the Bluebirds in a 1-0 win over Southampton on April 12, 2014 before joining Bolton on loan.
And after the end of the 2014/15 campaign - McNaughton made his move away from south Wales permanent as he joined Wigan.
It meant that 'Super Kev' never got the chance to say a proper farewell to the club he had helped secure promotion into the promised land of the Premier League and reach finals of both the FA and League Cups.
But after being awarded a testimonial match against a team selected by current Cardiff player development manager Craig Bellamy, McNaughton was finally able to bid a proper farewell to the club's supporters.
"It's unbelievable, it's just flashed by," said the Bluebirds icon.
"It was great to play with the lads again, to have a catchup and I look forward to having a beer with them all.
"It was brilliant because it was good for the boys aswell, guys like Earnie (Robert Earnshaw) who didn't get a chance to say goodbye aswell, there's guys out there who deserved that as much as I did aswell.
"It was unbelievable (his time with the club). From all the disappointments of nearly making it and things like that. I've had an unbelievable spell here, we've been to cup finals, I've been to Wembley four times and I didn't dream of that when I came down here."
A host of former stars featured in the match at Cardiff City Stadium as McNaughton's side secured a penalty shootout victory over Bellamy's Boys after an entertaining 5-5 draw.
McNaughton actually opened the scoring in the game, drilling across goal in the 19th minute in what was his first goal for the Bluebirds in almost nine years.
Current Bluebird Craig Noone levelled proceedings on the half hour mark before Darren Mackie gave Super Kev's XI a 2-1 lead at the half-time break.
Ex-Wales star Bellamy drilled in a stunning effort from 20-yards out before BBC presenter Jason Mohammad curled in a neat free-kick to give Bellamy's side the lead for the first time.
Damon Searle made it 4-2 before Michael Chopra pulled a goal back for McNaughton's side, although the comeback was short-lived as Tom Jenkins put Bellamy's men 5-3 up soon after.
But - having departed only 10 minutes earlier - McNaughton and his two sons came on for the final moments of the match, with his children scoring a goal apiece to clinch a 5-5 draw and send the match into penalties.
McNaughton rolled back the years with a coolly placed penalty into the top corner before Earnshaw's effort was saved to ensure Super Kev had the perfect end to his testimonial match.
And the Scot believes that Neil Warnock is the right man to lead Cardiff's promotion challenge next season, adding that he could be set for a career in coaching himself in the near future.
"I've been doing a bit of helping out at Inverness Under-20s," added McNaughton.
"I might look to go into that, it was something that I was just going to try and do this season, I've been enjoying it and it's something I could get into.
"Hopefully they'll bolster the squad in the summer and everything's pointing in the right direction. Fingers crossed they can kick on next season."
Kevin McNaughton celebrates his goal during his Cardiff City testimonial
Monday 27th March 2017
Kevin McNaughton hailed the "unbelievable" Cardiff City fans after finally being able to say farewell to the club's supporters in his testimonial match.
The Cardiff legend made nearly 300 appearances for the club but last played for the Bluebirds in a 1-0 win over Southampton on April 12, 2014 before joining Bolton on loan.
And after the end of the 2014/15 campaign - McNaughton made his move away from south Wales permanent as he joined Wigan.
It meant that 'Super Kev' never got the chance to say a proper farewell to the club he had helped secure promotion into the promised land of the Premier League and reach finals of both the FA and League Cups.
But after being awarded a testimonial match against a team selected by current Cardiff player development manager Craig Bellamy, McNaughton was finally able to bid a proper farewell to the club's supporters.
"It's unbelievable, it's just flashed by," said the Bluebirds icon.
"It was great to play with the lads again, to have a catchup and I look forward to having a beer with them all.
"It was brilliant because it was good for the boys aswell, guys like Earnie (Robert Earnshaw) who didn't get a chance to say goodbye aswell, there's guys out there who deserved that as much as I did aswell.
"It was unbelievable (his time with the club). From all the disappointments of nearly making it and things like that. I've had an unbelievable spell here, we've been to cup finals, I've been to Wembley four times and I didn't dream of that when I came down here."
A host of former stars featured in the match at Cardiff City Stadium as McNaughton's side secured a penalty shootout victory over Bellamy's Boys after an entertaining 5-5 draw.
McNaughton actually opened the scoring in the game, drilling across goal in the 19th minute in what was his first goal for the Bluebirds in almost nine years.
Current Bluebird Craig Noone levelled proceedings on the half hour mark before Darren Mackie gave Super Kev's XI a 2-1 lead at the half-time break.
Ex-Wales star Bellamy drilled in a stunning effort from 20-yards out before BBC presenter Jason Mohammad curled in a neat free-kick to give Bellamy's side the lead for the first time.
Damon Searle made it 4-2 before Michael Chopra pulled a goal back for McNaughton's side, although the comeback was short-lived as Tom Jenkins put Bellamy's men 5-3 up soon after.
But - having departed only 10 minutes earlier - McNaughton and his two sons came on for the final moments of the match, with his children scoring a goal apiece to clinch a 5-5 draw and send the match into penalties.
McNaughton rolled back the years with a coolly placed penalty into the top corner before Earnshaw's effort was saved to ensure Super Kev had the perfect end to his testimonial match.
And the Scot believes that Neil Warnock is the right man to lead Cardiff's promotion challenge next season, adding that he could be set for a career in coaching himself in the near future.
"I've been doing a bit of helping out at Inverness Under-20s," added McNaughton.
"I might look to go into that, it was something that I was just going to try and do this season, I've been enjoying it and it's something I could get into.
"Hopefully they'll bolster the squad in the summer and everything's pointing in the right direction. Fingers crossed they can kick on next season."
Kevin McNaughton celebrates his goal during his Cardiff City testimonial
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Re: " THANKS UNBELIEVABLE "
Mon Mar 27, 2017 7:10 am
Kevin McNaughton thanks "unbelievable" Cardiff City fans after finally getting to say a proper farewell to the Bluebirds supporters in testimonial game
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Re: " THANKS UNBELIEVABLE "
Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:58 am
Bellamy has an eye for talent - his back 4 were Andy Legg, Ricky Scimeca, Darren Purse [with hair] & Damon Searle and they all played the full game. Legg & Searle were bombing up and down the wings and Damon scored a cracker. Lets hope Warnock was watching - could save ourselves a fortune in the summer 
Re: " THANKS UNBELIEVABLE "
Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:55 pm
I couldn't make the game (although I bought a ticket in support of a Cardiff City stalwart) but I am pleased that Super Kev had a great send-off from City fans 
Sounds like a good day was had by all and the weather seems to have helped encourage a healthy crowd under the circumstances
Good luck for you future, Super Kev McNaughton and well done to those that helped make his day!
Sounds like a good day was had by all and the weather seems to have helped encourage a healthy crowd under the circumstances
Good luck for you future, Super Kev McNaughton and well done to those that helped make his day!