Trust News

Trust Magazine / Peter Ridsdale

The publication of our new Trust magazine, Moving to a Different Beat, has been delayed slightly due to one or two minor design problems. However, the magazine should be ready for collection at the Derby County home game on Tuesday 29th September. I will send out a confirmation of that nearer the time.

Bluebirds Chairman Peter Ridsdale has kindly agreed to be interviewed for the first issue of our magazine, and I will be conducting the interview at the new stadium tomorrow afternoon.

As you have probably read in the press or on the internet, Peter was up in Merthyr early last week talking to supporters about all manner of things connected to the club. Therefore, I will be trying to avoid asking him any of the questions that were put to him on that occasion.

My questions for the Chairman are likely to be of a more general nature. However, if you have any specific questions you would like me to ask him, then please e-mail them to this address before midday on Tuesday.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Dave Sugarman
Membership Secretary

Trust To Launch Magazine For Bluebirds Fans

Moving to a Different Beat is the name of the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust official magazine which we launch next month.

The magazine’s name – which came out of a suggestion by Trust member Jon Lovibond of Sheffield – follows comments made by Jonathan Owen in his excellent, short film about being a Bluebirds fan, screened before City’s 2008 FA Cup final appearance.

The 36-page magazine will be published in full colour in  A5 size and should be available from the middle of September.

Trust board member Dave Sugarman, who is leading the project, said:

“The main function of the magazine will be to keep the membership updated on the work of the Trust. We are also hoping to attract plenty of new members once City fans have read the magazine and discovered what the Trust is about.

“We are aiming to produce three issues a year. Every member over the age of sixteen will get a free copy, while non-members will be able to buy copies at just £1 each.

“Issue One, which we are intending to have ready in time for the QPR home game in mid-September, will include features on Fred Keenor, Ninian Park and the history of the Trust so far. We are also hoping to include an exclusive interview with a senior member of the club’s staff.”

Three Sculptors Invited To Tender For Fred Keenor Statue

THREE accomplished Welsh-based sculptors have been invited by the Trust to tender for the job of creating a statue in honour of Fred Keenor, Cardiff City’s 1927 FA Cup Final winning skipper. 

Roger Andrews, James Done and Michael Field have been asked by Trust to put forward their ideas and produce a maquette of the proposed tribute to the Cardiff-born footballer, who was also a Welsh international. 

Roger, who hails from Llantwit Major, has been commissioned to produce the statue of Sir Tasker Watkins, which will be erected outside the Millennium Stadium. 

Cardiff-based James created the tributes to comedian Tommy Cooper in Caerphilly and the full-size bronze statue of Merthyr Tydfil’s boxing legend, Johnny Owen. 

Michael, who also lives in Cardiff, produced the statue of footballer Ivor Allchurch, which stands outside the Liberty Stadium in Swansea. 

Once information has been gathered regarding the costs and a decision made on which sculptor wins the contract, the Trust will approachCardiff council for financial support. The Welsh Assembly Government and local businesses will also be asked for their backing, and a public fundraising appeal will be launched. 

The location for the statue has yet to be finalised but the most likely site remains at the Cardiff City Stadium, where land is available. 

Around 8,000 fans have already signed paper and online petitions aimed at winning public support for the tribute, which is supported by theSouth Wales Echo. 

Mike Inker, a member of the Trust’s Fred Keenor Memorial Committee, said: “The three sculptors we have asked to present their proposals have a track record of producing quality work, and we are sure that the end product will be something every Cardiff City, and indeed Wales fan, can be proud of.

“A group from the committee has met all the sculptors and have been very impressed by their enthusiasm for this project. We look forward to receiving their proposals in due course. 

“Fred Keenor and the 1927 team haven’t had the recognition their efforts justify and we’re determined to put that right. There remains a lot of work to do, including raising the necessary funds, but with City fans and the people of Cardiff and Wales behind us, we are very confident of raising the funds required,” added Mike. 

The Trust has recently received permission from the Football Association to use the image of the FA Cup as part of the statue. 

Trust board member David Craig is acting as project manager for the work.

Trust Target Local Community To Boost Support For Bluebirds

FAMILIES and individuals living around Cardiff City’s Leckwith stadium are being targeted in a major survey to find out why many of them do not go to football matches.

Hundreds of people living in the Riverside, Grangetown, Leckwith, Canton and Butetown areas are being asked to take part in the questionnaire organised by Cardiff City Supporters Trust.

People have already been interviewed outside the Gol centre and Asda store in Leckwith while forms have also been distributed to community facilities in local areas.

They are being asked for their views on what would encourage them to attend a Cardiff City match, why they do not go to games or, for existing supporters, what they most enjoy about watching Cardiff City. The survey also asks people to say whether they currently play or watch football.

Trust board member Tracey Marsh, who has organised the survey and a special community event next month, said: “We have a fantastic new stadium at Leckwith and as fans we want to see it packed to the rafters for every game.

“The Trust has organised the survey because we feel it is important to find out from the local community their views on supporting the Bluebirds and, if they don’t at present, the reasons why.

“There are many City supporters living close to the ground but we want to encourage more people of all ages to come along. We also believe there is a fantastic opportunity to tap into the wonderfully diverse ethnic community in this area and, hopefully, some of them and their families will come along to support their local team.”

Cardiff City has also agreed to provide the Supporters’ Trust with batches of free tickets for a number of forthcoming league fixtures. With the help of local community leaders, the tickets will be distributed to groups of people who would not ordinarily attend football matches.

Trust representatives will talk to those attending games to gauge their reactions and experiences, which will then be reported back to the club.

The results of the survey will be unveiled at the special community event which takes place at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, September 24th, (6:30pm).

Guests will also be given a tour of the stadium and will have the opportunity to engage in a questions and answers session with Trust representatives and senior club officials.

Membership Cards And Badges

Firstly, I would like to issue a very warm welcome to the 58 new members who have signed up to join the Trust since the end of last season. Your support is very much appreciated.

Since taking over the job of Membership Secretary a couple of months ago, it has come to my attention that a small number of Trust members who joined between January and May have not yet received their membership cards and badges.

If you fall into that category, get in touch and I will endeavour to get your cards and badges out to you as quickly as possible. Please drop me a line at:

members@ccfctrust.org

Also, if you have changed your home address or your e-mail address since signing up for the Trust and you haven’t previously informed us, please let me know and I will amend your details on our membership system.

Many thanks for your continued and valued support.