CARDIFF CITY IN CRISIS AS NEW KIT IS NOT COMING

CARDIFF CITY have been sensationally rocked with news that the new season's kit - which City's official website revealed was "signed" this weekend - has jilted the club and is now in talks with Telford Town leaving a vexed Peter Ridsdale, but not the shirt, on the floor.

Fowler and this shirt have one thing in common -

neither want to be with City after saying that they did.

A dreadful summer has, so far, seen the club fail to deliver on its promise to build on FA Cup Final and income success. Instead, it's been a tale of woe with Marcus Bent and Fowler both agreeing to sign but walking instead, a furore with Ridsdale's "we shook hands - honest, on my life" farce with Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink while Ridsdale himself appears to be doing very nicely thank you whatever happens. This latest embarrassment may prove too much for some.

Clearly in despair, Peter Ridsdale confirmed, "Yes it is true. We have been in talks all summer with our new shirt who has told us all along he wanted to sign for City. They haven't been easy negotiations - our shirt made some outrageous demands which we conceded but I don't let our fans down as they know".

Those demands are believed to have come from the shirt's agent who didn't like City's latest badge and demanded a return to the old style as well as adding "The end of an era" inscription as the shirt's agent retires next summer.

While every other club announced its new kit, Cardiff were in protracted negotiations. Another sticking point was believed to have arisen as Ridsdale promised the shirt a glamorous sponsor but was told it would have to put up with Vans Direct.

However, breakthrough came as Ridsdale reached verbal agreement that the kit was coming to South Wales but it has now asked its manufacturer to speak to Telford instead.

"I've spoken to the shirt and it said a move to the Midlands would suit it better - why didn't it tell us this before?" said PR - the man whose initials have proved to be inappropriate this summer.

Ridsdale blasted the shirt and agent adding, "It confirmed a deal and personal terms last Thursday, all that remained was a medical and material quality control. The kit told me it just couldn't wait to be "in the box" for City and then I found out it's changed its mind. You don't expect it to as good as look you in the face, give every indication everything is fine and then say no."

Dave Jones is not worried despite City having to use emergency Joma shirts for the Portuguese pre-season tour. "I have promised two new signings - a home kit and away kit - before the season starts and the search will continue. We will go worldwide if necessary but I expect them to be here before we play Southampton on August 9.

The Bluebirds declined to comment on speculation they are in discussions with local Sunday league side Lazarou Bros for their shirts on loan.