Chelsea 4 CARDIFF CITY 1 -- in pictures

Case Dismissed Against City

It was a shock last month when news emerged that Cardiff City were taken to court by the tax man to face a winding up order. The club were given 70 days to clear an undisclosed debt.


Chairman Peter Ridsdale, although annoyed that news in the public domain has got into the public domain (!!), was quick to assure supporters agreement had already been reached with HMRC but it created an air of suspicion and also came as a surprise to the potential Malaysian investors.


Late last night, there were more worried fans as Cardiff City were listed in the London High Court this morning to face another winding up order ... however, it turned out to be great news as the hearing was to dismiss the previous order.

In a short statement this afternoon, the club confirmed, "that the High Court today formally dismissed the winding up order that had previously been brought by HMRC. This was as a result of amicable discussions between the Club and HMRC. We are grateful for their co-operation and support".


Reasons to be cheerful then

Eddie Johnson scores twice ... against Cardiff City!

He scored some ... but against us!

Hapless American striker Eddie Johnson who was a figure of fun at Cardiff City before earning some respect scored tiwce against The Bluebirds today as Fulham beat City 3-0 in a friendly in London.

Johnson joined Fulham in January'08 for £3M but struggled so spent last season on loan at Cardiff ... where he also struggled. However he did improve and work hard at his game - and scored two goals (and an own goal) in 7 starts and 26 sub outings for The Bluebirds which cost City heavily in wages.

Cardiff sent a mixed side to Fulham but it included the likes of Enckelman, Rae, Scimeca and Ross McCormack and Paul Quinn along with youth players but Fulham had experience on the field too.

The Cottagers took an early lead and then Eddie entered the scene scoring weither side of half-time, grazing the bar and forcing Peter Enckleman into a good stop to prevent his hat-trick.

Afterwards the likeable American told the official City website, www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk;

"I'm sure sorry about scoring those goals - Cardiff City is like family for me. That's where I learned how to play in Europe after coming over from America. The staff there, Dave Jones, Terry Burton, and Paul Wilkinson, taught me so much and got me used to the different training methods. I came back to Fulham a better player." before adding how he hopes City continue to fire this season and how he aims to pay a visit soon.

Now That's What I Call a Party Trick

An amazing Chinese juggling lady with bowls on a unicycle thrilled crowds in London watching a NBA basketball game last night ... watch this unelieveable climax.

DEVO photoset from London Forum gig 6th May, 2009

They're a touch grainy and I've not edited any - raw, just like the awesome and powerfil gig itself!

Thorpe Park visit

Visited Thorpe Park today under shadows of Heathrow Airport in picturesque Surrey and enjoyed it. It's not as expansive or with as many rides as other theme parks but has more than its fair share or thrill and big rides.

The new ride is saw, very similar externally, to Speed at Oakwood but with some indoor dips and tricks too. One top if you go - do it first as there's no Fattrack available for it as queues were 3 hour long during the day - not worth it for a ride that lasts less than 90 seconds. Fortunately, we had to wait only 40 minutes.

Other rides were great - Stealth with its 0-80mph in 2.3 seconds followed by an outrageous vertical hairpin on the outside of the structure, Rush - an air compressed super fast swing, Collosss with its 10 loop the loops and the wettest water chutes and log flumes on those shores amongst many others.

Ot even had its own man made beach, pool and slides - didn't swim but enjoyed the rest there.

Photos attached:

Videos of the Week - DEVO Uncontrollable Urge (twice) and Whip It

With news that DEVO are heading back to these shores are are going to play their enitre debut album live - can't wait to hear Satsifaction, Jocko Homo, Sloppy, Praying Hands, Mongoloid, Space Junk and co - but another stand out moment from that album and a song that stands time as a good rock anthem is Uncontrollable Urge which always comes complete with a DEVO quirky robotic routine.

This performance is from 1980's movie, "Urgh! A Music War!", showcasing new wave acts of that time. The audience shots are corny but the performance capture is fantastic.

(I'll keep it a secret that this is a song about masturbation!)



And here they are performing on Fridays, a cult American comedy/sketch/music show in 1980 at the time of their New Traditionalist era. No songs were played from that album as they reverted to their major US hit, Whip It, and a performance of Uncontrollable Urge after taking part in a surreal skit.

DEVO to play the classic Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo album live in London

Over 30 tears after its release - just where has that time gone? - DEVO today confirmed that their London Forum gig on May 6th will see them perform their milestone and classic debut album “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo” in its entirety for the very first time.

24 HR TICKET HOTLINE: 0871 220 0260
www.atpfestival.com, www.seetickets.com

It will be a world premiere live performance of their legendary 1977 Brian Eno produced album.

Wow - I'm now very excited but I hope there's a lot more to the gig than this. After all, as befits pun/new wave albums of that time, it weighed in at a slimline 32 minutes - that could be one short gig!

DEVO London gig confirmed

After taking absence from visiting UK for 17 years, DEVO are back in May for their 2nd set of gigs inside 3 years.

The boys have long been confirmed for a Festival-style appearence headlining at All Tomorrow's Parties at Butlins Minehead for May 6th but at a cost of £300 for 2 for that weekend and a rest of bill that, for myself, was of passing interest only, it wasn't for me even if it's just 1 hour from my home.

However, best hopes realised, The Spud Boys have now added a date at Kentish Town Fourm, now known as HMV Forum, in London for Wednesday May 6th. Fantastic ... got my tickets ... I'm there.

It remains to be seen whether other dates will be added, here's hoping.

They still produce a live show most groups cannot touch, some try to imitate but nobody betters. D-E-V-O!

ROUTLEDGE - HAVE A PIZZA THAT!!!

Today's News of the World has published what initially will strike Cardiff City supporters as a ludicrous story.

They claim that "a mix of Cardiff City and Brighton" supporters got involved in a scuffle with QPR players on the M1 near Watford Gap Services. The allegations continue that Cardiff fans took exception to spotting Wayne Routledge - who jilted City after indicating he wanted to stay in favour of Rangers - and abused him while another player Dexter Blackstock was hit by flying pizza!!

What makes the story even more ludicrous, if it did happen, is the wonderment why Cardiff City fans were their weekend game at Charlton was postponed the day before and why they'd be in North London at all.

Sounds like standard bizarre crap to me in a newspaper noted for its sensationalism and lack of accuracy at the best of times but read it for yourself.

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/177035/QPR-IN-PIZZA-BRAWL.html

Was Charlton Postponed Prematurely??

I'm really peed off today's scheduled Charlton Athletic vs Cardiff City game was postponed more than 24 hours before kick-off and am wondering if it was playable this afternoon?

No game fell foul of the overnight weather, temperatures were 5 to 7 degrees this afternoon, there was no travel problems. Games were played in the London area including Brentford FFS.

As a Prem club until 2 yrs ago, surely Charlton have undersoil heating anyway?

I'd love to have seen what The Valley pitch was like at 3pm today. I got a funny feeling it was neither icy or flooded as it was yesterday morning!

Charlton vs City is OFF

With the freezing tempertaures and snow affecting most of the country this week, wasn't it just sod's law that the first game of the weekend programme to be postponed - almost 28 hours before kick-off time - was Charlton Athletic vs Cardiff City.

These Londoners are softies, I tell you. After Arsenal cancelling playing us this week, Premiership ref Andy D'Urso ruled The Valley playing surface unplayable.

I was looking forward to a day in The Smoke but it'll have to wait for another time.

More seriously, it puts City's league programme into problem. They are set to be 4 games behind schedule due to postponements and face playing Saturday or Tuesday (Wednesday) for the rest of the season, international breaks apart and it may be worse if we progress in the F.A Cup.

Hope not but got a funny feeling this will impact on the club.

City hit by bug, kids on standby

A mystery illness has hit Cardiff City on the eve of tomorrow's West London clash with QPR as three unnamed players have been stuck by a bug and stopped from travelling with the squad to reduce the chances of others being affected too.

While it remains unclear whether the players will travel tomorrow or who they are, youngsters Darren Dennehy and Jon Brown have been added at the last minute. Dennehy is suggested to be in line for a possible debut which would suggest that Darren Purse or Roger Johnson (or both!) are on the sick list. Brown was due to fly to Turkey today with Wales Under 19's for an international but has now linked with the first team squad instead.

It is the second successive weekend that City's pre-game preparations have been hit by illness as last week's game against Wolves saw a couple of players affected by flu but they recovered sufficiently to play.

MY WEMBLEY WEEKEND PHOTOS

FRIDAY NIGHT in CHINATOWN

http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/ap/myAlbums.do?includeReceivedAlbums=true&albumId=34396.1588.1211262286638.3

CUP FINAL MORNING IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE & LEICESTER SQUARE

http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/ap/myAlbums.do?includeReceivedAlbums=true&albumId=34396.1590.1211262393926.3

F.A. CUP FINAL PICS

http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/ap/myAlbums.do?includeReceivedAlbums=true&albumId=34396.1591.1211262462206.3

POST-FINAL PICS

http://aolpictures.aol.co.uk/ap/myAlbums.do?includeReceivedAlbums=true&albumId=34396.1592.1211262502507.3

SO THIS IS IT .... I'M OFF TO WEMBLEY

As I write this entry, it's still 1,948 minutes to kick-off of the F.A. Cup Final (yes, I am counting them all ... well maybe not) but it's time for me to get moving and up to London.

I'm staying there overnight in readiness for the big game to soak it all up and enjoy the occasion that just won't happen again in my lifetime. Aiming to be at hotel by late morning and into West End lunchtime and back there tonight just to see what's happening and mingle with other fans who will be around.

The team are apparently doing something they also did in 1927, heading to London by train at lunchtime today, no word yet on whether they're taking a black cat with them (know your 1927 history!).

The game will be tough but I truly believe in City and our team on their day, especially facing big opposition, will perform and not let us down. I can picture City bringing the Cup back even if we are underdogs - I'm sure going to enjoy a couple of bets with the prices they're offering on 1st scorer, scoreline etc which could fund the whole weekend if City pull it off - and have me crying like a baby.

Whatever happens, win or lose, I don't think I'll ever be more proud of Cardiff City than this weekend singing Abie With Me or the National Anthem. I've watched every F.A. Cup Final since I was 5 or 6 -I've even attended two before (albeit replays with Man U stuffing Brighton 4-0 and the classic Ricky Villa inspired Spurs 3-2 win over Man City) but it's always other clubs these happen to, not Cardiff City. Success to us, before this season, was getting to the 5th Round and that came once in a blue moon,

BLOODY HELL, WE'RE ONLY IN THE F.A. CUP FINAL!

There will be no blog updates until I'm back ... and sober. If we win, that could be a while then!

C'MON THE CITY!!!!