Trust News

The following question was raised this week at First Minister’s Question Time by Chris Franks, the Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central, whose regional seat includes Cardiff. Chris Franks is Cardiff-born.

He asked: “As you are probably aware, a grass-roots fundraising campaign has been launched by fans of Cardiff City Football Club to erect a statue in honour of Fred Keenor and the FA Cup-winning team in 1927—the only time that the FA Cup has been taken out of England. Fred captained the Cardiff City side, but also played for Wales on over 30 occasions during a period when many fewer internationals were played and despite being injured in the Somme. Fred, who was Cardiff born, is a true Welsh hero, who played at a time when footballers were not well paid. Will you give your support to this worthy fundraising campaign, which is organised by volunteers led by the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust?”

First Minister Carwyn Jones gave a disappointing response: “I can certainly give moral support. I am aware of what happened in 1927, although, clearly, I was not there. It is something that is writ large not only in the history of Cardiff City, but in the history of the city of Cardiff itself.

“With regard to financial support, criteria are used by the Minister for Heritage in deciding whether or not such a statue would get support, because it is important to understand that we cannot support everything. However, I certainly wish the proponents of the statue well in looking to turn this into reality.”

The result of elections to the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust Board were due to be officially declared at the annual meeting in the Duke of Clarence pub in Canton on Monday night (May 17th). However, as they have become public knowledge we are announcing them ahead of that meeting.

The number of votes received by each candidate was:

1.    Phil Nifield                     147

2.    Anthony Wedlake          137

3.    Mike Roderick               114

4.    Gareth Jones                  83

5.    Brian Mertens                 77

6.    Anthony Williams            53

7.    David Hunt                      08

So Phil, Anthony, Mike and Gareth were elected to represent the membership for the next  two years. We wish to congratulate them on their new roles within the board and thank everyone that took part in the election and Trust members that voted.

The bucket collection at the Cardiff City-Leicester match organised in support of the Fred Keenor Statue Fund raised £2,523.44.
 
Organiser David Craig, a board member of the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust which supported the fundraiser, said: “We’d like to thank those wonderful fans who supported Bring a Pound to the Ground – and More! for their generosity.
 
“Supporters really got behind our campaign and we were particularly pleased at the backing of so many families as well as individual fans. Some young children even gave their pocket money as a donation which is fantastic.
 
“The fundraising committee would like to thank the group of volunteers who gave up their time to collect, the staff at Cardiff City Football Club for their excellent support for this collection and for our fundraising efforts and also St John Ambulance, who were really helpful at the match.
 
“The club has promised that we can organise another bucket collection next season which we all hope will be at a game in the Premier League. We feel the campaign has gained a good momentum which will increase with a series of fundraisers planned during the rest of 2010. This includes an auction, sale of figurines, badges, proceeds from a record and the Supporters’ Club will be donating all proceeds from their annual September run to the Fund.”
 
·         Donations to the appeal fund can be made through the Co-operative Bank:
Account name: –   Fred Keenor Statue Fund or FKSF
Account no    65392368
Sort Code     08-92-99
 
Cheques can also be sent c/o CCST to PO Box 4254, Cardiff, CF14 8FD. Please add the words “Fred Keenor Appeal” on the top of the envelope.

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Fans behind the Fred Keenor Statue Fund Appeal are holding a bucket collection at the Cardiff City Stadium before the home leg of the Semi-Final Play-Off game on Wednesday, May 12th.
 
The Bring a Pound to the Ground – And More! collection is viewed as an important fundraiser by members of the statue fundraising committee, set up to honour the captain and members of Cardiff City’s 1927 FA Cup winning team.
 
A total of 14 collectors will be based inside the stadium near the turnstiles from 90 minutes before the vital Play-Off clash with Leicester City.
 
David Craig of the Fred Keenor fundraising committee, said: “We know that money is tight because of the very difficult economic situation. But we hope supporters attending this crucial game for Cardiff City will give generously – at least £1 from every adult attending would be great, but more if you can afford it.
 
“With the backing of fans we aim to raise a tidy sum for the fund and at the same time, hopefully, celebrate an appearance in the Play-Off Final at Wembley.
 
“The fundraising appeal has got off to a good start but we need to maintain the momentum so we hope fans will chip in to support this collection, which is being supported by Cardiff City Football Club who have been extremely helpful. Fred was a true legend and we intend to ensure that Fred and the 1927 team are properly recognised.”
 
·         Donations to the appeal fund can be made through the Co-operative Bank:
Account name: –   Fred Keenor Statue Fund or FKSF
Account no    65392368
Sort Code     08-92-99
 
Cheques can also be sent c/o CCST to PO Box 4254, Cardiff, CF14 8FD. Please add the words “Fred Keenor Appeal” on the top of the envelope.