Club 'surive' winding up order then announce new director and a golden future - just a standard Cardiff City day!

If Cardiff City were a rollercoaster, Health and Safety would condemn it for being too dangerous and if they were a soap opera, the scripts would be rejected for being too outrageous and the writers would be taking drug tests. Nothing, however, is ever normal or straightforward at this club and they always leave us open-mouthed.


This time last week, after internet rumours with good reasoning, Peter Ridsdale denied that the club were on the verge of a major crisis although it had the usual cashflow problems, he was hopeful that Sam Hammam would agree and sign off a legal deal by the end of the week and then investement was just around the corner, we found out most of the answers today.

Out of the blue came an announcement that the club had fought off a HMRC tax office winding up order in the courts with a 70 day stay of execution to clear its debt of an undisclosed amount ... is it coincidence that ties in with the end of the January transfer window when City can sell its assets? I truly hope so.

Sam Hammam has been stalling, as usual, on the agreement but remains in consultation with the club.

Then, barely 1 hour after this, the club announced that Malaysian businessman Dato' Chan Tien Ghee (TG), after weeks (months even) of discussion as joined the Board of Directors of both Cardiff City Football Club (Holdings) Limited and also Cardiff City Football Club Limited as a Director. At this stage, it is unclear whether he has invested any funds at all but it would appear that he will attract further investment (oh we hope!) from the Far East.

(In fact, I have heard whispers of the name of a potential further Malaysian backer who has access to major resources - time will tell).


Is it only Cardiff City where one minute we hear they're close to collapse and then are being led to believe that the golden future is finally arriving? Incredible.


On the HRMC order, the club issued a statement:
It has been inaccurately reported that Cardiff City Football Club face a winding-up order from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, following a court hearing today, Wednesday, November 25.

Today's court action had the affect of withdrawing the threat of a winding-up order rather than imposing it.

For the avoidance of doubt, Cardiff City Football Club have a payment schedule in place with HMRC, and there is no prospect of the club being wound up. This payment schedule was agreed with HMRC some time ahead of today's court hearing.

Cardiff City Football Club have every confidence in their future financial stability and fully expect to be in a position to make further investment in its playing squad in the January transfer window.

On the appointment of TG, the club announced:

Dato' Chan Tien Ghee is Managing Director of Central Malaysian Properties Sdn Bhd, a major Malaysian Property Company currently managing the renowned Lido Boulevard Waterfront Development in Johor, Southern Malaysia.

Dato' Chan's appointment reflects the continuing confidence that we have in the opportunity that exists for Cardiff City Football Club within Asia which will see us extend youth development, attract further sponsorship, broaden our supporter base and through Dato' Chan, his contacts and his partners, provide investment directly within the Group.

Commenting on Dato' Chan Tien Ghee's (TG's) appointment, Cardiff City Football Club Chairman and Chief Executive Peter Ridsdale said: 'The fact that TG has accepted this appointment demonstrates the confidence that exists that Cardiff City Football Club can, with the right level of additional investment, whether directly or through the broader global commercial opportunities, become an established top-flight football club."

Commenting on his appointment, Dato' Chan Tien Ghee said: "I am very proud and privileged to be joining the Board of Cardiff City at this time. Now that the infrastructure is in place, I believe that together with the existing Board I can help to provide Cardiff City with the additional resources it requires to achieve the ambition of attaining Premier League Football and of making Cardiff City a recognised household name across the Asian continent."

Talking on the Cardiff City phone-in tonight, Peter showed why he is regarded as a master politician by being bullish about the future whilst dismissing the day in court.

As much as he would wish to disguise it, today was a highly embarrassing episode which showed a complete lack of financial and corporate management. I can only hope, as Ridsdale claims, that the club have made a payment and agreed a solution with HRMC but when I questionned him why the courts issued a 70 day extension if, as he claims, it all all resolved, he answered, "I don't know".

Do I think it's as simple as Ridsdale has tried to make out? Not for a single minute.


However let's end on a positive note, the arrival of T.G. may be a positive sign. Some City fans are already getting intoxicated believing it is the making of our club and all our problems will be over. Personally, I'll believe it when I see it. After all, if I had a pound every time I heard the likes of Hammam and Ridsdale make a comment that didn't stand up to scutiny or subsequent events and actions, I could have cleared all the club's debts myself!





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