90 YEARS - THE ROAD TO VICTORY

90 YEARS - THE ROAD TO VICTORY
By Sam Law


The Bluebirds reached Wembley the hard way in 1927...


Ninety years ago this Sunday, Fred Keenor and his gallant team-mates achieved the unthinkable by bringing the FA Cup out of England and back to the capital city of Wales.

It wasn’t an easy ride though, with the Bluebirds having some tough opponents en route to their defining triumph.

With Ninian Park hosting just two of the six FA Cup fixtures, City had win the prestigious trophy the hard way…


‘ONLY TWO AT HOME’

The Bluebirds’ Cup run began on January 8th 1927 as they defeated Eric Hughton’s Aston Villa 2-1 in front of 31,000 supporters at Ninian Park at the Third Round stage.

With Villa tipped as the favourites, Manager/Secretary Fred Stewart and his City side had a huge task ahead of them; however, they took the lack of expectation in their stride and found themselves two goals ahead.

Striker Len Davies and midfielder Ernie Curtis fired the Bluebirds into the Fourth Round despite a late own goal from goalkeeper Tom Farquharson. The ’27 heroes were on their way.


VICTORIES OVER DARLINGTON & BOLTON

Following that win over Villa, City were drawn to play on January 29th at Darlington (who now ply their trade in the Vanarama Conference North after being re-founded as Darlington 1883 following the original side’s liquidation in 2012). Ninety years ago though, the Quakers were in the old Second Division and had been in the competition since the first round stage.

It was another hard-fought 2-0 victory - City with two different goal scorers this time – Scottish forward pairing Hughie Ferguson and George McLachlan setting up a Fifth Round tie against Bolton Wanderers on February 19th.

Trotters manager Tom Mather would guide his Bolton side to a fourth place finish First Division finish in the 1926/27 season, though they would fall to the Bluebirds by two goals to nil at Burnden Park. Ferguson and Davies were again on hand to gift City the win and bring the famous side a step closer to lifting the famous ‘English Cup.’


THE LATTER STAGES

Chelsea were the side that stood in City’s way as they hunted a semi-final spot. A 0-0 first leg encounter against David Calderhead’s side on March 5th wouldn’t have been ideal for the 70,000 that paid to watch at Stamford Bridge; however, the return leg at Ninian Park four days later would more than make up for the Bluebirds who had travelled to West London.

Just over 47,000 were present to see Fred Stewart’s troops make the last four on Welsh soil. A completely different encounter to the first leg saw a five-goal thriller, with City taking a two-goal lead through Sam Irving and Davies. The Blues drew level four minutes after half time thanks to Bob Turnbull, but a late Ferguson penalty was enough to see City in the hat.

Reading, who had reached the FA Cup semi-final for the first time in their history, would be the side standing in the Bluebirds’ way of reaching their second Cup Final in three seasons.

The tie was held in front of just under 40,000 at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux on March 26th, with additional trains added for City fans to make the trip to the Midlands.

The Bluebirds were two goals to the good before half time through the prolific Ferguson and midfielder, Harry Wake. A second from Ferguson would cement Cardiff City’s place in the Final where they would come up against Herbert Chapman’s Arsenal.

Captain Fred Keenor led his team out onto the hallowed Wembley turf on 23rd April, 1927. With over 90,000 fans rammed into the famous North London stadium, Arsenal goalkeeper Dan Lewis made a critical error, which saw him spill Ferguson’s shot into his own net and give the Bluebirds’ the slenderest of advantages with sixteen minutes left to play.

We were allocated less than 4000 tickets for the final.
I guess you had to make sure you kept your Reading stub to have a chance of a ticket.

Was this before or after the wheel was invented?

Was this before or after the wheel was invented?

probably before but remind us when you played in fa cup final,?

Was this before or after the wheel was invented?

i think your allocation was 4k for the play off final against Northampton too ?
is it still the all time record .?

Was this before or after the wheel was invented?

Now, now!

Just remind us of when your guys won THE most prestigious club cup competition in the world rather than the one even your own fans mocked?


History will show for Cardiff City FC...

League Division Two Runners-up 1920-21
League Division One Runners-up 1923-24(that would be the Premier League right now)
FA Cup Runners-up 1924-25
FA Cup Winners 1926-27
FA Charity Shield Winner 1927
Division Three (South) Champions 1946-47
League Division Two Runners-up 1951-52
League Division Two Runners-up 1959-60
League Division Three Runners-up 1975-76
League Division Three Runners-up 1982-83
League Division Four Runners-up 1987-88
League Division 3 Champions 1992-93
League Division 3 Runners-up 2000-01
FA Cup Runners-up 2007-08
Football League Cup Runners-up 2011-12
League Championship Champions 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 1
FA Charity Shield Winners x 1
FA Cup Runners-up x 2
FA Cup Winners x 1
Football League Cup Runners-up x 1
League Championship Champions x 1
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League Division 3 Runners-up x 1
League Division Four Runners-up x 1
League Division One Runners-up x 1
League Division Three Runners-up x 2
League Division Two Runners-up x 3


Whilst 45 miles down the M4 (West)...

Division Three (South) Champions 1924-25
Division Three (South) Champions 1948-49
Football League Trophy Winners 1993-94
League Division 3 Champions 1999-2000
Football League Trophy Winners 2005-06 (Really?)
League One Champions 2007-08
Football League Cup Winners 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 2
Football League Cup Winners x 1
Football League Trophy Winners x 2
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League One Champions x 1


For some reason 'Play-off' finals aren't counted as trophies, although we are pretty even on that score and I've not taken into account the Welsh Cup stats either (which, for the record, are 22 wins and 10 runners-up for the Bluebirds and 10 wins and 8 runners-up for the Swans)

Just thought I'd mention it, seeing as we're in jocular mood!

Was this before or after the wheel was invented?

Now, now!

Just remind us of when your guys won THE most prestigious club cup competition in the world rather than the one even your own fans mocked?


History will show for Cardiff City FC...

League Division Two Runners-up 1920-21
League Division One Runners-up 1923-24(that would be the Premier League right now)
FA Cup Runners-up 1924-25
FA Cup Winners 1926-27
FA Charity Shield Winner 1927
Division Three (South) Champions 1946-47
League Division Two Runners-up 1951-52
League Division Two Runners-up 1959-60
League Division Three Runners-up 1975-76
League Division Three Runners-up 1982-83
League Division Four Runners-up 1987-88
League Division 3 Champions 1992-93
League Division 3 Runners-up 2000-01
FA Cup Runners-up 2007-08
Football League Cup Runners-up 2011-12
League Championship Champions 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 1
FA Charity Shield Winners x 1
FA Cup Runners-up x 2
FA Cup Winners x 1
Football League Cup Runners-up x 1
League Championship Champions x 1
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League Division 3 Runners-up x 1
League Division Four Runners-up x 1
League Division One Runners-up x 1
League Division Three Runners-up x 2
League Division Two Runners-up x 3


Whilst 45 miles down the M4 (West)...

Division Three (South) Champions 1924-25
Division Three (South) Champions 1948-49
Football League Trophy Winners 1993-94
League Division 3 Champions 1999-2000
Football League Trophy Winners 2005-06 (Really?)
League One Champions 2007-08
Football League Cup Winners 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 2
Football League Cup Winners x 1
Football League Trophy Winners x 2
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League One Champions x 1


For some reason 'Play-off' finals aren't counted as trophies, although we are pretty even on that score and I've not taken into account the Welsh Cup stats either (which, for the record, are 22 wins and 10 runners-up for the Bluebirds and 10 wins and 8 runners-up for the Swans)

Just thought I'd mention it, seeing as we're in jocular mood!

Calm down ffs Sven! Anyway, you missed out your greatest achievement when you lost to Real Madrid. Though for some reason, most of you believe you beat them 1-0!

Was this before or after the wheel was invented?

Now, now!

Just remind us of when your guys won THE most prestigious club cup competition in the world rather than the one even your own fans mocked?


History will show for Cardiff City FC...

League Division Two Runners-up 1920-21
League Division One Runners-up 1923-24(that would be the Premier League right now)
FA Cup Runners-up 1924-25
FA Cup Winners 1926-27
FA Charity Shield Winner 1927
Division Three (South) Champions 1946-47
League Division Two Runners-up 1951-52
League Division Two Runners-up 1959-60
League Division Three Runners-up 1975-76
League Division Three Runners-up 1982-83
League Division Four Runners-up 1987-88
League Division 3 Champions 1992-93
League Division 3 Runners-up 2000-01
FA Cup Runners-up 2007-08
Football League Cup Runners-up 2011-12
League Championship Champions 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 1
FA Charity Shield Winners x 1
FA Cup Runners-up x 2
FA Cup Winners x 1
Football League Cup Runners-up x 1
League Championship Champions x 1
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League Division 3 Runners-up x 1
League Division Four Runners-up x 1
League Division One Runners-up x 1
League Division Three Runners-up x 2
League Division Two Runners-up x 3


Whilst 45 miles down the M4 (West)...

Division Three (South) Champions 1924-25
Division Three (South) Champions 1948-49
Football League Trophy Winners 1993-94
League Division 3 Champions 1999-2000
Football League Trophy Winners 2005-06 (Really?)
League One Champions 2007-08
Football League Cup Winners 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 2
Football League Cup Winners x 1
Football League Trophy Winners x 2
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League One Champions x 1


For some reason 'Play-off' finals aren't counted as trophies, although we are pretty even on that score and I've not taken into account the Welsh Cup stats either (which, for the record, are 22 wins and 10 runners-up for the Bluebirds and 10 wins and 8 runners-up for the Swans)

Just thought I'd mention it, seeing as we're in jocular mood!

Calm down ffs Sven! Anyway, you missed out your greatest achievement when you lost to Real Madrid. Though for some reason, most of you believe you beat them 1-0!

LOL

I don't recall a trophy for the Real Madrid game but it was certainly 'special' as City beat the best team in the world 1-0 at Parc Ninian, only to lose the tie overall when they lost 2-0 away

I guess we can look forward to playing the World's second best team over two legs next season when the self-styled Swansealona come back into the fold. Interesting times ahead!

Was this before or after the wheel was invented?

Now, now!

Just remind us of when your guys won THE most prestigious club cup competition in the world rather than the one even your own fans mocked?


History will show for Cardiff City FC...

League Division Two Runners-up 1920-21
League Division One Runners-up 1923-24(that would be the Premier League right now)
FA Cup Runners-up 1924-25
FA Cup Winners 1926-27
FA Charity Shield Winner 1927
Division Three (South) Champions 1946-47
League Division Two Runners-up 1951-52
League Division Two Runners-up 1959-60
League Division Three Runners-up 1975-76
League Division Three Runners-up 1982-83
League Division Four Runners-up 1987-88
League Division 3 Champions 1992-93
League Division 3 Runners-up 2000-01
FA Cup Runners-up 2007-08
Football League Cup Runners-up 2011-12
League Championship Champions 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 1
FA Charity Shield Winners x 1
FA Cup Runners-up x 2
FA Cup Winners x 1
Football League Cup Runners-up x 1
League Championship Champions x 1
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League Division 3 Runners-up x 1
League Division Four Runners-up x 1
League Division One Runners-up x 1
League Division Three Runners-up x 2
League Division Two Runners-up x 3


Whilst 45 miles down the M4 (West)...

Division Three (South) Champions 1924-25
Division Three (South) Champions 1948-49
Football League Trophy Winners 1993-94
League Division 3 Champions 1999-2000
Football League Trophy Winners 2005-06 (Really?)
League One Champions 2007-08
Football League Cup Winners 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 2
Football League Cup Winners x 1
Football League Trophy Winners x 2
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League One Champions x 1


For some reason 'Play-off' finals aren't counted as trophies, although we are pretty even on that score and I've not taken into account the Welsh Cup stats either (which, for the record, are 22 wins and 10 runners-up for the Bluebirds and 10 wins and 8 runners-up for the Swans)

Just thought I'd mention it, seeing as we're in jocular mood!

Calm down ffs Sven! Anyway, you missed out your greatest achievement when you lost to Real Madrid. Though for some reason, most of you believe you beat them

ahhh but as div 2 team we actually won the game 1-0. may have lost tie overall but cannot erase fact we did beat them in a game

Was this before or after the wheel was invented?

Now, now!

Just remind us of when your guys won THE most prestigious club cup competition in the world rather than the one even your own fans mocked?


History will show for Cardiff City FC...

League Division Two Runners-up 1920-21
League Division One Runners-up 1923-24(that would be the Premier League right now)
FA Cup Runners-up 1924-25
FA Cup Winners 1926-27
FA Charity Shield Winner 1927
Division Three (South) Champions 1946-47
League Division Two Runners-up 1951-52
League Division Two Runners-up 1959-60
League Division Three Runners-up 1975-76
League Division Three Runners-up 1982-83
League Division Four Runners-up 1987-88
League Division 3 Champions 1992-93
League Division 3 Runners-up 2000-01
FA Cup Runners-up 2007-08
Football League Cup Runners-up 2011-12
League Championship Champions 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 1
FA Charity Shield Winners x 1
FA Cup Runners-up x 2
FA Cup Winners x 1
Football League Cup Runners-up x 1
League Championship Champions x 1
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League Division 3 Runners-up x 1
League Division Four Runners-up x 1
League Division One Runners-up x 1
League Division Three Runners-up x 2
League Division Two Runners-up x 3


Whilst 45 miles down the M4 (West)...

Division Three (South) Champions 1924-25
Division Three (South) Champions 1948-49
Football League Trophy Winners 1993-94
League Division 3 Champions 1999-2000
Football League Trophy Winners 2005-06 (Really?)
League One Champions 2007-08
Football League Cup Winners 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 2
Football League Cup Winners x 1
Football League Trophy Winners x 2
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League One Champions x 1


For some reason 'Play-off' finals aren't counted as trophies, although we are pretty even on that score and I've not taken into account the Welsh Cup stats either (which, for the record, are 22 wins and 10 runners-up for the Bluebirds and 10 wins and 8 runners-up for the Swans)

Just thought I'd mention it, seeing as we're in jocular mood!

Calm down ffs Sven! Anyway, you missed out your greatest achievement when you lost to Real Madrid. Though for some reason, most of you believe you beat them 1-0!

LOL

I don't recall a trophy for the Real Madrid game but it was certainly 'special' as City beat the best team in the world 1-0 at Parc Ninian, only to lose the tie overall when they lost 2-0 away

I guess we can look forward to playing the World's second best team over two legs next season when the self-styled Swansealona come back into the fold. Interesting times ahead!

Best team in the world? Behave.

They finished joint on points with 6th the year they beat you and 4th the year after. They weren't even in the top 3 best teams in Spain let alone the world. Although we did actually beat the reigning European Champions over 2 legs without conceding a goal on the way to winning our trophy.

I've never understood why there are jacks on a Cardiff City forum.........

No mention of the Algarve Cup?

No mention of the Algarve Cup?

Don't forget the prestigious Osnabruck Tournament winners in 2016

I've never understood why there are jacks on a Cardiff City forum.........

Same here. I have never posted on a Swansea board simply because to do so I would have to register my email as having an interest in them. That is a blue line which I would never cross.

However, for the Jacks posting on here the draw of bring attention to themselves has outweighed their loyalty to their club and that is so sad but very predictable.

I've never understood why there are jacks on a Cardiff City forum.........

Same here. I have never posted on a Swansea board simply because to do so I would have to register my email as having an interest in them. That is a blue line which I would never cross.

However, for the Jacks posting on here the draw of bring attention to themselves has outweighed their loyalty to their club and that is so sad but very predictable.

You shouldn't let that from preventing you to join up, we have several good Cardiff fans posting on our site. The fact of the matter is there are often far more football related Swansea subjects on here than on our own forums. And it always fun to be around to add a sense of reality to proceedings.

Was this before or after the wheel was invented?

Now, now!

Just remind us of when your guys won THE most prestigious club cup competition in the world rather than the one even your own fans mocked?


History will show for Cardiff City FC...

League Division Two Runners-up 1920-21
League Division One Runners-up 1923-24(that would be the Premier League right now)
FA Cup Runners-up 1924-25
FA Cup Winners 1926-27
FA Charity Shield Winner 1927
Division Three (South) Champions 1946-47
League Division Two Runners-up 1951-52
League Division Two Runners-up 1959-60
League Division Three Runners-up 1975-76
League Division Three Runners-up 1982-83
League Division Four Runners-up 1987-88
League Division 3 Champions 1992-93
League Division 3 Runners-up 2000-01
FA Cup Runners-up 2007-08
Football League Cup Runners-up 2011-12
League Championship Champions 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 1
FA Charity Shield Winners x 1
FA Cup Runners-up x 2
FA Cup Winners x 1
Football League Cup Runners-up x 1
League Championship Champions x 1
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League Division 3 Runners-up x 1
League Division Four Runners-up x 1
League Division One Runners-up x 1
League Division Three Runners-up x 2
League Division Two Runners-up x 3


Whilst 45 miles down the M4 (West)...

Division Three (South) Champions 1924-25
Division Three (South) Champions 1948-49
Football League Trophy Winners 1993-94
League Division 3 Champions 1999-2000
Football League Trophy Winners 2005-06 (Really?)
League One Champions 2007-08
Football League Cup Winners 2012-13


In essence:

Division Three (South) Champions x 2
Football League Cup Winners x 1
Football League Trophy Winners x 2
League Division 3 Champions x 1
League One Champions x 1


For some reason 'Play-off' finals aren't counted as trophies, although we are pretty even on that score and I've not taken into account the Welsh Cup stats either (which, for the record, are 22 wins and 10 runners-up for the Bluebirds and 10 wins and 8 runners-up for the Swans)

Just thought I'd mention it, seeing as we're in jocular mood!

Calm down ffs Sven! Anyway, you missed out your greatest achievement when you lost to Real Madrid. Though for some reason, most of you believe you beat them

ahhh but as div 2 team we actually won the game 1-0. may have lost tie overall but cannot erase fact we did beat them in a game

Ok All, I'll see your 1-0 1st leg victory, and raise you with my Real Madrid 0-3 Swansea Town in 1926/27. The year you won the FA cup! You can't have it all ways now can you eh?

I've never understood why there are jacks on a Cardiff City forum.........

Same here. I have never posted on a Swansea board simply because to do so I would have to register my email as having an interest in them. That is a blue line which I would never cross.

However, for the Jacks posting on here the draw of bring attention to themselves has outweighed their loyalty to their club and that is so sad but very predictable.

Chill out Tone yeah? It's just internet mun!