The Ninian Park tealeaf and a pint with England stars (a Ninian memory)

http://www.lenashurst.com/CardiffCity.html

Just saw Len Ashurst's website promoting his autobiography (link above) and a brief comment as a taster on his time at City recalling how he narrowed the pich (by 7.5 yards on either side, wasn't it?) for a F.A. Cup tie v QPR while the match taking for that game were stolen.


Think we all suspected it was Tony Clemo as City left the takings in the ground all weekend in a safe all weekend while the alarms were turned off.


However, in true Scooby Doo fashion, it turned out to be a called called Tony(?) who was the wild manner janitor ... sorry barman who used to run the bar at Block E/F of the Grandsstand.


City had the safe in a office by reception and the key to the safe hanging on a nail behind reception desk!


I rememember this game well as Paul Parker - later of England and Man U was with QPR - was/is a friend. My brother and myself had a drink with Ray Wilkins and himself after the game, Wilkins wanted to try a pint of S.A. and loved it.


So much so, he left us £30 to buy a cask of S.A. from the Brains shop in St Mary St the following week and send it on a train to London where he had someone meet it at the other end!!


That's how the game has changed - somehow, I can't imagine Steven Gerrard doing that!! :>)