6 Years to build - 3 Years to destroy......

Looking back I think those words are so powerful you could write a book about it - ("annis?")

For 6 years, between 2000-2006, our club was run by one person. A person who had a genuine passion for the club and succeeded in transforming the club from one that narrowly missed a visit to the conference to one that was knocking on the doors of the Premiership.

Sadly, in my opinion, he left - with the club having debts of £24m.

Since that date the club was effectively controlled by a group of individuals with varying, and sometimes opposing, interests who ultimately had the decision making power to reduce that debt and improve the clubs financial position.

Their decisions saw £20.8m worth of transfers out of the club - Figures compliments of Wikipedia

Cameron Jerome to Birmingham for £3m
Steve McLean to Plymouth for £500k
Michael Chopra to Sunderland for £5m
Glenn Loovens to Celtic for £2.5m
Aaron Ramsey to Arsenal for £4.8m
Roger Johnson to Birmingham for £5m

At a time when the reported break even crowd was 13,000 you would be forgiven for thinking that the club would now be back on an even keel. However, despite this considerable sum of money, the club now finds itself owing some £40m with regular visits to the courts.

For those that say "Blame Sam" I simply say look at the evidence. For the last 3 years the clubs present management have made every decision and it is those decisions alone, despite the above transfers, that have brought the clubs debt to £40m.

I hope when this book is finished we are not talking about what could have been........


Paul Keevil

very good post paul. and i must agree with you 100%

I agree with what you say Paul, personally I think the 'SAM YEARS' were the most exciting in my 45 years of supporting cardiff city fc.
I dont think sam stood much of a chance with the council, please correct me if im wrong but there seemed to be cancelled meetings and always little flaws in the building plans etc while all the time the interest on the debt was raising. I know sam was no angel, but his insistance on a football only stadium was not part of Mr Bermans agenda IMHO
I hope all the facts will come out one day and i wont be suprised if there is scullduggery that it goes deeper than first thought.
Its now begining to concern me where my season ticket money is going and wont be taken for a mug. (although I guess I already have been)
Bluebirds forever in my heart.

I
I hope all the facts will come out one day and i wont be suprised if there is scullduggery that it goes deeper than first thought.
Its now begining to concern me where my season ticket money is going and wont be taken for a mug. (although I guess I already have been)

TBH I surprised this hasn't been started as a thread and stretched to a 4 pager.

I think about it 5 year price freeze, rebate on promotion, cash spent on players all on the back of a 'famous thank-you' to the fans.

What is the old saying "if it looks too good to be true then it probably is" If ever that saying applied to anything at our club then it was that Golden Ticket Scheme.

Since September/October time it has been clear to the Borad of Directors that this club wouldn't see the season out. Whilst chasing the Malaysians has been a sought of plan B, plan A has most certainly been to strip every asset for themselves and that included the season ticket money.

I'm beginning to fear that cash has gone down the plug hole (aka the PMG plug hole) a cynical rip off of CCFC supporters by some of the most evil minded people ever to set foot in Cardiff.

Certainly I think the Sam years were the most enjoyable. Anyone who could be "bothered" to watch the Academy week in week out must have more than a financial interest in the club. They must love the club and be passionate about its success.

I would be interested to know whether PR or PMG etc watch the Academy. Since moving up North I have not been able to go to the games myself. Perhaps someone could let me know.

Sam had his faults but his heart was in the right place. I gather he often talks about being stabbed in the back and I wonder how many of us loyal supporters now feel as if we were stabbed in the back by those very same people.

Lets not forget one very important stat. In 2006 we were £24m in debt. £20.8m worth of transfers would have given us a theoretical debt of £3.2m. Less the £10m that Langston "Wrote Off" would have essentially put us £6.8m in credit.

Dont forget we had a break even of 13,000 supporters per week - so would have been gaining on that as well.

So to be £40m in debt we must have accrued in the region of £50m worth of expense - since Sam left.....

How and where has this gone?