' Criticism of Sam Hammam '

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

Really? No further forward?
Since 2003 we've been to our first FA Cup final in over 80 years, first League Cup final ever. In our 120+ year history we've been to 4 cup finals, 2 of which were in the last 13 years.
We've been promoted twice to the top flight which hasn't happened since the 60's.
Our crowds have doubled and we're playing in a stadium that's equipped to host European finals and International fixtures.

We may still be in the Championship same as 2003, yes. But in our first 5 seasons we didn't once make the playoffs now in the last 10 Championship seasons we've been in the playoffs 4 times and been promoted twice and never finished outside the top half.

It's the same league but I'd say the club as a whole is definitely further forward than 18 years ago.

What about his initial thoughts on merging Swansea and Cardiff into a Celtic Warriors/Wanderers et al fiasco? Does anyone here really know about this? All input greatly appreciated

What about his initial thoughts on merging Swansea and Cardiff into a Celtic Warriors/Wanderers et al fiasco? Does anyone here really know about this? All input greatly appreciated

Dam never ever actually said that

Sam actually said we would be their first team and Swansea would be our feeder team and I was actually there when he said it publicly

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

Really? No further forward?
Since 2003 we've been to our first FA Cup final in over 80 years, first League Cup final ever. In our 120+ year history we've been to 4 cup finals, 2 of which were in the last 13 years.
We've been promoted twice to the top flight which hasn't happened since the 60's.
Our crowds have doubled and we're playing in a stadium that's equipped to host European finals and International fixtures.

We may still be in the Championship same as 2003, yes. But in our first 5 seasons we didn't once make the playoffs now in the last 10 Championship seasons we've been in the playoffs 4 times and been promoted twice and never finished outside the top half.

It's the same league but I'd say the club as a whole is definitely further forward than 18 years ago.

Let’s just be straight we are ended up 8th in the Championship this season and were top of the Championship when Sam left , do No we 100% no further forward on the pitch .

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

you might not know but i think most do....we had become a 4th division club mate...

our average football league position over the 10 years immediately to Sam taking over was 75.4 , between 7th or 8th in div 4

:sad7:

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

Really? No further forward?
Since 2003 we've been to our first FA Cup final in over 80 years, first League Cup final ever. In our 120+ year history we've been to 4 cup finals, 2 of which were in the last 13 years.
We've been promoted twice to the top flight which hasn't happened since the 60's.
Our crowds have doubled and we're playing in a stadium that's equipped to host European finals and International fixtures.

We may still be in the Championship same as 2003, yes. But in our first 5 seasons we didn't once make the playoffs now in the last 10 Championship seasons we've been in the playoffs 4 times and been promoted twice and never finished outside the top half.

It's the same league but I'd say the club as a whole is definitely further forward than 18 years ago.

Let’s just be straight we are ended up 8th in the Championship this season and were top of the Championship when Sam left , do No we 100% no further forward on the pitch .

Can’t say that Annis when we have been promoted twice.

It’s difficult to talk in hypotheticals. The same people who said Malky would have kept us up as we hadn’t been in the bottom three said Harris would have taken us down despite never being bottom three.

The facts are plain as day.

Sam took us over in the bottom division. He left us in the championship. We had a squad of international players and outline planning permission for the stadium and retail park. The club was worth considerably more.

Not just that, he gave thousands of city fans memories that they will hold forever. Memories the previous generation had only fleetingly enjoyed. Sadly the football mind that was brilliant didn’t have the business strategy to pull off the dream mainly due to politics from those who wanted a quick buck.

However Tan has also improved us off the pitch and on it. Promotion to the premier league was on his watch. He has also increased the value of the club. He would never be worked over like Sam was but Tan does not have the football acumen Sam has.

They would be a dream team for us fans.

You might even come to like Tan.

:sad7:

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

Really? No further forward?
Since 2003 we've been to our first FA Cup final in over 80 years, first League Cup final ever. In our 120+ year history we've been to 4 cup finals, 2 of which were in the last 13 years.
We've been promoted twice to the top flight which hasn't happened since the 60's.
Our crowds have doubled and we're playing in a stadium that's equipped to host European finals and International fixtures.

We may still be in the Championship same as 2003, yes. But in our first 5 seasons we didn't once make the playoffs now in the last 10 Championship seasons we've been in the playoffs 4 times and been promoted twice and never finished outside the top half.

It's the same league but I'd say the club as a whole is definitely further forward than 18 years ago.

Let’s just be straight we are ended up 8th in the Championship this season and were top of the Championship when Sam left , do No we 100% no further forward on the pitch .

Yes we're 8th in the Championship this season but basing how we've progressed since Sam left on this season's position alone is disingenuous. We've been to 2 cup finals and promoted twice. The last decade has been arguably our best era since the 1950's/60's.

Surely you can agree that we're closer to being a promotion winning side/Premier League team now compared to 15 years ago.

:sad7:

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

Really? No further forward?
Since 2003 we've been to our first FA Cup final in over 80 years, first League Cup final ever. In our 120+ year history we've been to 4 cup finals, 2 of which were in the last 13 years.
We've been promoted twice to the top flight which hasn't happened since the 60's.
Our crowds have doubled and we're playing in a stadium that's equipped to host European finals and International fixtures.

We may still be in the Championship same as 2003, yes. But in our first 5 seasons we didn't once make the playoffs now in the last 10 Championship seasons we've been in the playoffs 4 times and been promoted twice and never finished outside the top half.

It's the same league but I'd say the club as a whole is definitely further forward than 18 years ago.

Let’s just be straight we are ended up 8th in the Championship this season and were top of the Championship when Sam left , do No we 100% no further forward on the pitch .

Yes we're 8th in the Championship this season but basing how we've progressed since Sam left on this season's position alone is disingenuous. We've been to 2 cup finals and promoted twice. The last decade has been arguably our best era since the 1950's/60's.

Surely you can agree that we're closer to being a promotion winning side/Premier League team now compared to 15 years ago.

Your posts are always very sensible.

Where are you West Coast of out of interest? USA?

:sad7:

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

Really? No further forward?
Since 2003 we've been to our first FA Cup final in over 80 years, first League Cup final ever. In our 120+ year history we've been to 4 cup finals, 2 of which were in the last 13 years.
We've been promoted twice to the top flight which hasn't happened since the 60's.
Our crowds have doubled and we're playing in a stadium that's equipped to host European finals and International fixtures.

We may still be in the Championship same as 2003, yes. But in our first 5 seasons we didn't once make the playoffs now in the last 10 Championship seasons we've been in the playoffs 4 times and been promoted twice and never finished outside the top half.

It's the same league but I'd say the club as a whole is definitely further forward than 18 years ago.

Let’s just be straight we are ended up 8th in the Championship this season and were top of the Championship when Sam left , do No we 100% no further forward on the pitch .

Yes we're 8th in the Championship this season but basing how we've progressed since Sam left on this season's position alone is disingenuous. We've been to 2 cup finals and promoted twice. The last decade has been arguably our best era since the 1950's/60's.

Surely you can agree that we're closer to being a promotion winning side/Premier League team now compared to 15 years ago.

Your posts are always very sensible.

Where are you West Coast of out of interest? USA?

Not quite. West coast of Wales, sorry to disappoint

:sad7:

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

Really? No further forward?
Since 2003 we've been to our first FA Cup final in over 80 years, first League Cup final ever. In our 120+ year history we've been to 4 cup finals, 2 of which were in the last 13 years.
We've been promoted twice to the top flight which hasn't happened since the 60's.
Our crowds have doubled and we're playing in a stadium that's equipped to host European finals and International fixtures.

We may still be in the Championship same as 2003, yes. But in our first 5 seasons we didn't once make the playoffs now in the last 10 Championship seasons we've been in the playoffs 4 times and been promoted twice and never finished outside the top half.

It's the same league but I'd say the club as a whole is definitely further forward than 18 years ago.

Let’s just be straight we are ended up 8th in the Championship this season and were top of the Championship when Sam left , do No we 100% no further forward on the pitch .

Yes we're 8th in the Championship this season but basing how we've progressed since Sam left on this season's position alone is disingenuous. We've been to 2 cup finals and promoted twice. The last decade has been arguably our best era since the 1950's/60's.

Surely you can agree that we're closer to being a promotion winning side/Premier League team now compared to 15 years ago.

Your posts are always very sensible.

Where are you West Coast of out of interest? USA?

Not quite. West coast of Wales, sorry to disappoint

I take it all back.

You Jack b*stard!!!!

:sad7:

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

Really? No further forward?
Since 2003 we've been to our first FA Cup final in over 80 years, first League Cup final ever. In our 120+ year history we've been to 4 cup finals, 2 of which were in the last 13 years.
We've been promoted twice to the top flight which hasn't happened since the 60's.
Our crowds have doubled and we're playing in a stadium that's equipped to host European finals and International fixtures.

We may still be in the Championship same as 2003, yes. But in our first 5 seasons we didn't once make the playoffs now in the last 10 Championship seasons we've been in the playoffs 4 times and been promoted twice and never finished outside the top half.

It's the same league but I'd say the club as a whole is definitely further forward than 18 years ago.

Let’s just be straight we are ended up 8th in the Championship this season and were top of the Championship when Sam left , do No we 100% no further forward on the pitch .

Yes we're 8th in the Championship this season but basing how we've progressed since Sam left on this season's position alone is disingenuous. We've been to 2 cup finals and promoted twice. The last decade has been arguably our best era since the 1950's/60's.

Surely you can agree that we're closer to being a promotion winning side/Premier League team now compared to 15 years ago.

Your posts are always very sensible.

Where are you West Coast of out of interest? USA?

Fishguard..he used to do the news segment in Barry Welsh...https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=hu ... ORM=VDRVRV

:sad7:

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

Really? No further forward?
Since 2003 we've been to our first FA Cup final in over 80 years, first League Cup final ever. In our 120+ year history we've been to 4 cup finals, 2 of which were in the last 13 years.
We've been promoted twice to the top flight which hasn't happened since the 60's.
Our crowds have doubled and we're playing in a stadium that's equipped to host European finals and International fixtures.

We may still be in the Championship same as 2003, yes. But in our first 5 seasons we didn't once make the playoffs now in the last 10 Championship seasons we've been in the playoffs 4 times and been promoted twice and never finished outside the top half.

It's the same league but I'd say the club as a whole is definitely further forward than 18 years ago.

Let’s just be straight we are ended up 8th in the Championship this season and were top of the Championship when Sam left , do No we 100% no further forward on the pitch .

Yes we're 8th in the Championship this season but basing how we've progressed since Sam left on this season's position alone is disingenuous. We've been to 2 cup finals and promoted twice. The last decade has been arguably our best era since the 1950's/60's.

Surely you can agree that we're closer to being a promotion winning side/Premier League team now compared to 15 years ago.

Your posts are always very sensible.

Where are you West Coast of out of interest? USA?

Fishguard..he used to do the news segment in Barry Welsh...https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=hu ... ORM=VDRVRV

:sad7:

Sam definitely re ignited the club which was virtually dead for 20 years. But nobody knows if someone else would have come and established us in the top flight and put trophies in the cabinet.As it stands we are no further forward than 2003 when were were promoted to this level.just deeper in debt.

Really? No further forward?
Since 2003 we've been to our first FA Cup final in over 80 years, first League Cup final ever. In our 120+ year history we've been to 4 cup finals, 2 of which were in the last 13 years.
We've been promoted twice to the top flight which hasn't happened since the 60's.
Our crowds have doubled and we're playing in a stadium that's equipped to host European finals and International fixtures.

We may still be in the Championship same as 2003, yes. But in our first 5 seasons we didn't once make the playoffs now in the last 10 Championship seasons we've been in the playoffs 4 times and been promoted twice and never finished outside the top half.

It's the same league but I'd say the club as a whole is definitely further forward than 18 years ago.

Let’s just be straight we are ended up 8th in the Championship this season and were top of the Championship when Sam left , do No we 100% no further forward on the pitch .

Yes we're 8th in the Championship this season but basing how we've progressed since Sam left on this season's position alone is disingenuous. We've been to 2 cup finals and promoted twice. The last decade has been arguably our best era since the 1950's/60's.

Surely you can agree that we're closer to being a promotion winning side/Premier League team now compared to 15 years ago.

Yes we’ve been up to the Prem twice and had two relegations , we were the whipping boys in one of them , we never progressed or learnt from the first time.
Behind the scenes not professional at all.

Academy might just have finally gone forward??

Bigger debt than years ago.

Plus let’s be honest , No I don’t feel we are nearer going back to the Prem this season , we might of been 8th but we were actually way of the the play offs in pts, let’s be really honest we never challenged and next season at this current moment I fear for us .

We also have three big court cases once again next season.

As I asked earlier in this thread, why is Sam trying to harm the City by suing them for £10m just because he hasn’t been elected Life President? This can’t be right can it, even for Sam supporters?

As I asked earlier in this thread, why is Sam trying to harm the City by suing them for £10m just because he hasn’t been elected Life President? This can’t be right can it, even for Sam supporters?

Do you really know what its about?

Whats in it?

I personally do.

It sounds so simple, but its by no means.

Not at all Vincent Tan has personally signed a contract with Sam Hammam not that long ago after coming to an agreement, with some unbelievable agreements which for reasons I am not allowed to say. Tan has gone back on the contract and totally broken it like he does with the majority agreements, so yes its gone to court.

I would say its virtually 100% once again Tan will lose costing our club £10mill plus costs, just like with the Riddler, DJ, Ole, Langston, Tan lost all of them costing City £millions.

If you do an agreement and personally sign it, then you have stick to it.
When you once again see the outcome you will see Tan has wasted money big time once again.

City have lost £millions upon £millions in court cases under Tan, even £1million trying to prove Mallky was corrupt and found nothing, more money wasted by Tan.


I personally can not believe what Tan signed, madness and costly.

Cant argue with most of that, but one question, apart fom the colour fiasco, what other glaring mistakes has tan made?
It seems to me the very fans who seem to hate tan, are the ones who loved sam,so if sam can be forgiven imho so tan deserves the same? I will never forget whst he did, but have forgiven him, after all it has been reversed.the badge? Well both have been guilty of changing that.
Would I have sam back? Yeah, but not as sole owner,as I dont think he has the same clout financially as our current owner,but have to say, im happy for tan to remain here for the time being too.

If memory serves, Sam wanted to change us from Blue to Green!!

As I asked earlier in this thread, why is Sam trying to harm the City by suing them for £10m just because he hasn’t been elected Life President? This can’t be right can it, even for Sam supporters?

just because ??????? .......its £10 million so must be more to it surely ..
i do think this whole episode should be in the past...agreements keep being made followed by announcements followed by it all starting up again...

Cant argue with most of that, but one question, apart fom the colour fiasco, what other glaring mistakes has tan made?
It seems to me the very fans who seem to hate tan, are the ones who loved sam,so if sam can be forgiven imho so tan deserves the same? I will never forget whst he did, but have forgiven him, after all it has been reversed.the badge? Well both have been guilty of changing that.
Would I have sam back? Yeah, but not as sole owner,as I dont think he has the same clout financially as our current owner,but have to say, im happy for tan to remain here for the time being too.

If memory serves, Sam wanted to change us from Blue to Green!!

No Sam made a joke and never even took it one second further, as I have said before to many believe the media when we all know 80% of it is made up or guessed.


Sam talked a thousand plans and stories and the media lapped it up and all he did was talk , when he actually did things that’s the truth not his fun, mad, chats with 25-400 fans every week.

Reading media hype is the best you can dig at Sam.


Sam made the Accademy, Sam got us two promotions, Sam got outline planning for the a new 60,000 stadium, found the site, repaired Ninian Park, got a squad full of talent , took us top of the Championship, never ever been relegated.

Took over a club with No assets just debts and been in the lower leagues for 16 years.


Then stabbed in the back by the Riddler, Guy and Hall who made £millions.

Cant argue with most of that, but one question, apart fom the colour fiasco, what other glaring mistakes has tan made?
It seems to me the very fans who seem to hate tan, are the ones who loved sam,so if sam can be forgiven imho so tan deserves the same? I will never forget whst he did, but have forgiven him, after all it has been reversed.the badge? Well both have been guilty of changing that.
Would I have sam back? Yeah, but not as sole owner,as I dont think he has the same clout financially as our current owner,but have to say, im happy for tan to remain here for the time being too.

If memory serves, Sam wanted to change us from Blue to Green!!

and how many other things did he suggest ? he was always full of ideas some worked, some didnt , some were clearly unpopular and dropped quickly....there is a huge difference between suggesting and wanting .
people having ideas that are short lived and never come to be any more than ideas all the time , happens in every business and even home in the country ....
bottom lone...it didnt happen...and wasnt pushed on the back of a dangling carrot...

18 years ago today
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dwqPF5v3M ... arSpeakers

He gets a lot unfair criticism, I agree.

Met him a couple of times and have to say he is exceptionally knowledgeable about football.

Cant argue with most of that, but one question, apart fom the colour fiasco, what other glaring mistakes has tan made?
It seems to me the very fans who seem to hate tan, are the ones who loved sam,so if sam can be forgiven imho so tan deserves the same? I will never forget whst he did, but have forgiven him, after all it has been reversed.the badge? Well both have been guilty of changing that.
Would I have sam back? Yeah, but not as sole owner,as I dont think he has the same clout financially as our current owner,but have to say, im happy for tan to remain here for the time being too.

If memory serves, Sam wanted to change us from Blue to Green!!

and how many other things did he suggest ? he was always full of ideas some worked, some didnt , some were clearly unpopular and dropped quickly....there is a huge difference between suggesting and wanting .
people having ideas that are short lived and never come to be any more than ideas all the time , happens in every business and even home in the country ....
bottom lone...it didnt happen...and wasnt pushed on the back of a dangling carrot...

I remember Sam, early 90's while in charge at Wimbledon FC, suggesting relocation of WFC to either Cardiff or Dublin,,,, now that certainly aroused some interest in South Wales at the time, if I remember correctly.

Another Idea he had with City, not long after taking over, was to give a discount on a City replica shirt, providing you bring in an old shirt of another club. All these old shirts were then to be burned on a bonfire,,,, presumably with City fans in attendance....
I thought this was a pretty good marketing ploy at the time.

I think in the 21 years since the takeover someone else would have gambled on investing in this club, or we would have found a managerial gem who would have done a Martinez with us. No way we would still be League Two now. Huge potential and still is in CCFC.

i thought that for the best part of 30 years..... but the reality is we kept dropping and im not sure we had hit the bottom.....

I think in the 21 years since the takeover someone else would have gambled on investing in this club, or we would have found a managerial gem who would have done a Martinez with us. No way we would still be League Two now. Huge potential and still is in CCFC.

What happened between 1984-2000, 16 years in lower league? where were the investors then? Kumar brothers your having a gifare, mate no one with money or heart came in for us, and were not in 2000 as stadium was falling to pieces, hooliganism big with us, shite on the pitch and 4,000 home crowds.

I applaud Sam

The football world is very different 2000-2021 than it was 1984-2000. How many new owners with money came in during each period? Many more in last two decades. No doubt a big city club like ourselves would have found an owner. No guarantee they would have been any better than Sam Hammam or Vincent Tan though.

There will always be hate eitherway once money is wanted back by a previous owner. Tan will be on the end of the pitch fork treatment on here in the masses when he bails at some point and wants everything back. It's part of it all. Love them when spending galore then hate when the time comes, nothing new. Although we are still waiting for this debt free promise which seems to have got worse somehow before covid and much worse now during it if what dalman said the other week is correct. Eitherway we wouldn't be where we are without Sam or tan that's the bottom line.

I think in the 21 years since the takeover someone else would have gambled on investing in this club, or we would have found a managerial gem who would have done a Martinez with us. No way we would still be League Two now. Huge potential and still is in CCFC.

i thought that for the best part of 30 years..... but the reality is we kept dropping and im not sure we had hit the bottom.....

I think in the 21 years since the takeover someone else would have gambled on investing in this club, or we would have found a managerial gem who would have done a Martinez with us. No way we would still be League Two now. Huge potential and still is in CCFC.

What happened between 1984-2000, 16 years in lower league? where were the investors then? Kumar brothers your having a gifare, mate no one with money or heart came in for us, and were not in 2000 as stadium was falling to pieces, hooliganism big with us, shite on the pitch and 4,000 home crowds.

I applaud Sam

The football world is very different 2000-2021 than it was 1984-2000. How many new owners with money came in during each period? Many more in last two decades. No doubt a big city club like ourselves would have found an owner. No guarantee they would have been any better than Sam Hammam or Vincent Tan though.

Well there was NO one else offering Steve Borley any money for our club and willing to take on a run down stadium, league 4 and we had been for sale for over 16 years .
Three and a half million City received them to clear debts etc, a lot of money for in them days a club going No where.
Say we were a big City club, at the time we were a very low supported club quite embarrassing.
That’s a fact not one offer.




Tan took us over after we were a settled Championship club and with a modern new stadium and paid £4mill for us that was a bargain and just before we played Blackpool in the Play Off Final to go to the Premier League.

I think in the 21 years since the takeover someone else would have gambled on investing in this club, or we would have found a managerial gem who would have done a Martinez with us. No way we would still be League Two now. Huge potential and still is in CCFC.

i thought that for the best part of 30 years..... but the reality is we kept dropping and im not sure we had hit the bottom.....

I think in the 21 years since the takeover someone else would have gambled on investing in this club, or we would have found a managerial gem who would have done a Martinez with us. No way we would still be League Two now. Huge potential and still is in CCFC.

What happened between 1984-2000, 16 years in lower league? where were the investors then? Kumar brothers your having a gifare, mate no one with money or heart came in for us, and were not in 2000 as stadium was falling to pieces, hooliganism big with us, shite on the pitch and 4,000 home crowds.

I applaud Sam

The football world is very different 2000-2021 than it was 1984-2000. How many new owners with money came in during each period? Many more in last two decades. No doubt a big city club like ourselves would have found an owner. No guarantee they would have been any better than Sam Hammam or Vincent Tan though.

as i said earlier.... spent best part of 30 years waiting for someone to do what Sam did.... yes a club of our size, capital city , big catchment area blah blah somebody somewhere must be interested.... heard it and thought it myself on a weekly basis.... never happened..... oh and bankrolling clubs has always happened... the owners might be wealthier now and amounts more . but some owners putting in 100 times more than other owners has the same effect whether its thousands or 10s of millions

I can see arguments on both sides with this one.

Many say that the day we turned red was their worst day as a supporter and I get that.

However, for me Black Friday was my worst day in 50 years of being a supporter. Getting messages all week/day of the next player being bombed out (including our talisman of a captain) was so upsetting that you actually wondered whether we would have a club left at the end of it.

I agree that Sam was the catalyst that the club needed but he adopted a “crash and burn” approach that had no longevity. Change was necessary and, to me, that change has taken us to a new level of financial stability that most clubs dream about.

Not only did we have the fire sale but many won’t know that there were multiple (10s, 100s) of unpaid judgments where many small, local firms suffered as a result of that regime.

We criticise the Jacks for getting away with not paying their debts by taking administration but we did virtually the same thing !

So I will always criticise Sam on that score and would never want him to have even a 1% stake in my club ever again. But, I will also recognise that without him our progress might not have ever happened or at least not as quickly.

A final point. Just because there are court cases going on doesn’t mean they will be lost by the club or even get to trial. Tan and Hammam are both stubborn characters and ultimately if it takes a judge to sort it out then so be it. I don’t know the ins and outs of the cases but the headline descriptions seem pretty light on the clubs stance so let’s see who come out on top.

Finally there appears to be some criticism of the legal fees that the club is paying out. The club didn’t issue court proceedings Hammam did, are we seriously expecting our club just to pay the full amount and not try to defend/mitigate their position !!?? Hammam has started this, let’s see who finishes it.

Have to say in fairness, that third paragraph I also remember well, even saying to the mrs "we will have no team to play, at this rate!" And felt a ball in my stomach, for weeks I really thought we were done!
But I try to live life without grudges,or hatred towards another,meaning I detested sam and what was happening to our club, but we survived,just.so in time I forgave him, pretty much the same when tan turned us red, in time I've forgiven him too.
Imho both have taken this club,up off its knees(regardless of why we were in that position) and taken our club forward,to a position of relative safety, with possibilities still.for that, both deserve praise, as well as both can be criticised for their mistake/s.

For the poster who says tan will leave us in a mess (cant remember username) I truly believe his words,when he said many many years back, that IF and WHEN he leaves, we will be in a better place than when he arrived, the Malaysian way,is one of honour, and deep down I believe its part of the reason he hasn't "walked away " or even accepted whats been described as a "decent offer" to date, he has his word to keep, and I think he will stay, either until we are "debt free" or he gets an offer he sees as good, not just for himself, but for CCFC.

I can see arguments on both sides with this one.

Many say that the day we turned red was their worst day as a supporter and I get that.

However, for me Black Friday was my worst day in 50 years of being a supporter. Getting messages all week/day of the next player being bombed out (including our talisman of a captain) was so upsetting that you actually wondered whether we would have a club left at the end of it.

I agree that Sam was the catalyst that the club needed but he adopted a “crash and burn” approach that had no longevity. Change was necessary and, to me, that change has taken us to a new level of financial stability that most clubs dream about.

Not only did we have the fire sale but many won’t know that there were multiple (10s, 100s) of unpaid judgments where many small, local firms suffered as a result of that regime.

We criticise the Jacks for getting away with not paying their debts by taking administration but we did virtually the same thing !

So I will always criticise Sam on that score and would never want him to have even a 1% stake in my club ever again. But, I will also recognise that without him our progress might not have ever happened or at least not as quickly.

A final point. Just because there are court cases going on doesn’t mean they will be lost by the club or even get to trial. Tan and Hammam are both stubborn characters and ultimately if it takes a judge to sort it out then so be it. I don’t know the ins and outs of the cases but the headline descriptions seem pretty light on the clubs stance so let’s see who come out on top.

Finally there appears to be some criticism of the legal fees that the club is paying out. The club didn’t issue court proceedings Hammam did, are we seriously expecting our club just to pay the full amount and not try to defend/mitigate their position !!?? Hammam has started this, let’s see who finishes it.

You say Black Friday was your worst day ever.


Pradeep answer


What assists did we have before Sam arrived?

Where were we?

How were our finances before Sam arrived?

Where were all the so called Cardiff fans before Sam arrived?

If everyone cared so much why did they not turn up and support our club before Sam arrived as perhaps we would of not been a 4th division club ?

I can ask dozens more questions as the truth is we had barely any fans and 99% of those moaning were not even attending in the those days before Sam arrived and that’s the truth.



As to court cases Tan has lost everyone of them and that’s a fact v many many people

As to Sam taking Tan to court if your owed money and the other person signs to that and originally agrees, I would take them to court as so would you if you were owed money be honest.


Over 11 years later Tan is still in court cases now with three different people.

I don’t know any other owner who is constantly involved in court cases and lost everyone.

We have 3 more court cases and I will state now Tan will win one and rightly so and lose two others costing our club £30million plus.

I can see arguments on both sides with this one.

Many say that the day we turned red was their worst day as a supporter and I get that.

However, for me Black Friday was my worst day in 50 years of being a supporter. Getting messages all week/day of the next player being bombed out (including our talisman of a captain) was so upsetting that you actually wondered whether we would have a club left at the end of it.

I agree that Sam was the catalyst that the club needed but he adopted a “crash and burn” approach that had no longevity. Change was necessary and, to me, that change has taken us to a new level of financial stability that most clubs dream about.

Not only did we have the fire sale but many won’t know that there were multiple (10s, 100s) of unpaid judgments where many small, local firms suffered as a result of that regime.

We criticise the Jacks for getting away with not paying their debts by taking administration but we did virtually the same thing !

So I will always criticise Sam on that score and would never want him to have even a 1% stake in my club ever again. But, I will also recognise that without him our progress might not have ever happened or at least not as quickly.

A final point. Just because there are court cases going on doesn’t mean they will be lost by the club or even get to trial. Tan and Hammam are both stubborn characters and ultimately if it takes a judge to sort it out then so be it. I don’t know the ins and outs of the cases but the headline descriptions seem pretty light on the clubs stance so let’s see who come out on top.

Finally there appears to be some criticism of the legal fees that the club is paying out. The club didn’t issue court proceedings Hammam did, are we seriously expecting our club just to pay the full amount and not try to defend/mitigate their position !!?? Hammam has started this, let’s see who finishes it.

You say Black Friday was your worst day ever.


Pradeep answer


What assists did we have before Sam arrived?

Where were we?

How were our finances before Sam arrived?

Where were all the so called Cardiff fans before Sam arrived?

If everyone cared so much why did they not turn up and support our club before Sam arrived as perhaps we would of not been a 4th division club ?

I can ask dozens more questions as the truth is we had barely any fans and 99% of those moaning were not even attending in the those days before Sam arrived and that’s the truth.



As to court cases Tan has lost everyone of them and that’s a fact v many many people

As to Sam taking Tan to court if your owed money and the other person signs to that and originally agrees, I would take them to court as so would you if you were owed money be honest.


Over 11 years later Tan is still in court cases now with three different people.

I don’t know any other owner who is constantly involved in court cases and lost everyone.

We have 3 more court cases and I will state now Tan will win one and rightly so and lose two others costing our club £30million plus.

Court cases v individuals are a lot better than court cases v HMRC.

Our crowds fluctuated a lot 90s and 00s. Up and down like Barnet Blue’s Mrs’ knickers.

But Sam kept those bums in seats and away followings were massive too. It saddens me that we didn’t ride that momentum into the premier league. Had we done I think we would have a statue of Sam outside the ground now and a stand named after him.

Statue wouldn’t even cost that much as he’s such a short arse.

Dave Jones improved the squad so much and made this club a lot of money. But the infrastructure for signings in the DJ area was laid by Sam so he certainly has to share the credit. Also an academy that produced a fair few Wales players.