So what do you get if you do "Google" Ben Steele??

In the words of Edwin Starr's War ... Absolutely Nothing!

Don't believe me? Try it for yourself.
http://www.google.co.uk/

However the would be investor/new owner told the South Wales Echo, "“Anybody who Googles my name can see what I am about." Oh yeah??? Where???

Steele was apparently in Cardiff yesterday for a day of talks with Peter Ridsdale and may be at the Leciester City F.A. Cup game later.

However he continued his unusual theme of doing his talkiing through the newspapers upset by internet questions about his motives, whether he has the wealth and his ability.

Got to confess, I don't like the way he has conducted himself, my gut feeling is that he is a chancer (sorry, can't help thinking that) and the only thing we really do know about him is that he made a rather bizarre, farcical some would say, attempt to take on Southampton last year and flew out almost quicker than he arrived. Southampton fans and their Trust were left deeply unimpressed and this is bound to resonate.

However it is fair to say that there are plenty of City fans understandably willing to wait and see what happens next and how this develops, reserving all judgements until then.

Fact is however, if Steele had not run to the papers talking about himself and kept it all confidential, then nobody would be talking about him.

He was in a feisty mood responding to internet and messageboard criticisms, some of which have come from me so my neck and gut feel is on the block! ;>)

“I seem to be getting abuse from a few Cardiff City fans. Why? They don’t know me and don’t know much about me. They ask do I have the money? If I have, where did I get the money? And there are detrimental comments from people who don’t know what’s going on."

“That disappoints me. I was angered by some of the comments made by people who simply don’t know me and don’t seem to want to give me a chance. I have sold an awful lot of cars over many years and I am into property investment and development. It’s not a secret, but I did get a bit wound up after looking on the internet.”

Steele repeated he has the money to buy the club but, for the first time, suggested he will not rush into any deal.

Meantime, Cardiff City claim to still be talking to Malaysians and Amercians, the transfer window shuts firm in 9 days (Peter's parade of new players seems as far away as ever) and the tax winding up order is due to be heard in 18 days.

There's a ticking time bomb and the fuse is getting shorter!!

Craziest Penalty Ever?

Cartwheel mania ... nice technique though

Oh No, it's More DEVO!

No apologies for the quantity of curerent DEVO videos - it;'s my blog and I'm enjoying them.

Here's one from their latest show last night in San Francisco.

Water Sight

How cool does this burst water pipe look in California today?

Where did those 31 years go???

On this day in 1978, DEVO performed coast to coast in the US for the first time on cult programme Saturday Night Live.

In 3 days time, the Spuds begin a coast to coast tour across the US.


Here is that first performance

Link:

Eddie Johnson wants Fulham exit to get to World Cup

Eddie Johnson, in a truly awful season on loan at Cardiff City where he became loved as a comedy figure rather than football finess depite improvement and a couple of goals, showed he wasn't really up to Championship football.


It's therefore no major surprise that now back at Fulham, he's managed just 22 minutes of Premiership football this term in 2 substitute outings.


However with America set for World Cup 2010 in South Africa, Eddie has that in in sights telling reprters that, "Every player wants to play for their country in the World Cup, and I haven't been a part of the US team as much as I used to be before I came here. I've been out of the set-up for a while - my last cap was seven months ago. There's a lot of players ahead of me in the pecking order, but I just need to keep working hard."

"The US manager already knows what I can do, it's just a matter of me playing regular, first-team football. I want to be playing week in, week out, because it's going to help my confidence. If it means going on loan or getting some game time here, then so be it."

That's fine Eddie but please don't come back to Cardiff!

Oi Referee!!!

President Obhama Turns Killer

And I thought he was a man of peace

Ridsdale's a Yanker ... (I think that's what they said anyway)

Although local press seem to have been caught up in the sideshow that Cardiff City Chairman Peter Ridsdale is to visit New York Mets baseball club to see how they market a new stadium, the real reason - as Ridders himself acknowledges - is that he is visiting US banks to seek to restructure club finances.


Ridsdale explains that he wishes to sever all ties with the uber-myseterious Swiss-based Sam Hammam represented Langston Corporation, the club's biggest creditor. He believes it is more feasible with the new stadium ready to go.


The question is - are club finances, always a concern, now a real worry??


With the recession meaning the club have been unable to secure stadium sponsors, the budgeted incomes such as Premier Club seating falling way short of expectations, the latest published accounts showing that despite a 25% uplift in revenue, the club are still making losses and Peter Ridsdale's consultancy, set up as a vehicle for his Cardiff City payments and bonuses, going into liquidation which, whether planned or not, has embarrassingly left hundreds of thousands of pounds owed by Ridsdale himself to creditors, essentially tax authorities, there is reason for questions.


Restructuring is difficult if not impossible in the hardened times in the financial markets and even if successful, is likely to result in the club itself increasing its burden although they would rid themselves of L;angston ties.


It's a passing story at present but, personally, there's a nagging doubt in my mind that it could easily become a bigger one in the near future. Time will will.

Cardiff City's Statto John Heyda Arrives at Mecca

Cardiff City.com users will be very familiar with John Heyda in Ohio, a Cardiff City statistician extraordinaire who fell in love with The Bluebirds for overseas despite no connections.

His information and research is painstaking and astounding.

I met John a few years ago when he was in Wales at a time the national team played but last weekend he was back to witness Ninian Park's last ever league game. Last Saturday night, he met fellow American Eddie Johnson whom he presented with CardiffCity.comn's Magic Moment Award - the two struck up a frinedship and swapped e-mail addresses.

Met John in The Romilly pub and tonight he was featured in various media including this Wales Online clip.

The game was pants but I'm sure John won't ever forget his visit.



http://www.walesonline.co.uk/videos-and-pics/videos/2009/04/27/john-heyda-makes-his-ninian-park-pilgrimage-91466-23484761/

Yanks Very Much - Americans to bid for Cardiff City

The Sunday Times are reporting rumours that an American bank are expecting to commence takeover talks for Cardiff City within weeks.

The investor is believed to have several options including a full £35M takeover of the club to taking on the £15M Langstone debt – the mysterious Swiss company whose only representative appears to be Sam Hammam. Hammam spoke with Ridsdale last week, I wonder if that was a forerunner. City, of course, have been seeking investment for over a year and have taken Football’s Mr Fixit, Keith Harris, as a non-executive director to help broker a deal.

In these times of recession, risk and responsible tightened lending, you have to wonder if a bank want to be involved with a football club. On the other hand, with the club struggling to get major sponsorship for the new stadium including aiming rights which they aimed to sell for £9M to part-repay Langstone, it makes sense City will be looking for new finance or refinance.

More as further news emerges.

The Half Million Dollar Wind Up - hilarious

Funny as ... watch this mug think he's won a fortune with a blind folded shot but was set up.

DEVO hit the right spot at SXSW

A favourable review - as they always are when The Spuds play live.

http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/music/entries/2009/03/21/sxsw_review_devo.html

America bows to the Cardiff E=Factor

Cardiff City Cu*t (yes that’s cult!) Eddie Johnson has receivd worldwide acknowledgment for his recent CardiffCity goal and stirring displays be being recalled for USA for imminent World Cup Qualifiers.

He joins Ledley, Rae, McCormack ingetting national recognition but, perhaps, was the most unexpected. Keep it up Eddie!!

More news here:

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1679/us-national-team/2009/03/20/1166430/bradley-announces-us-roster-for-el-salvador-trinidad

DEVO ready for SXSW assault

Right about now, DEVO should be a central feature of the now essential SXSW music festival in Texas. It does for music what Edinburgh Festival does for comedy and 1,400 groups or singers will be perfrming in Texas, many of them will propel into the public psyche after being 'discovered' at SXSW.

However it is new wave pioneers DEVO who are headliners. That takes place tomorrow and they will also unveil 3 new songs but tonight, they give a keynote presentation which should stir attention as DE-Evolution, as they always preached, is very real.



Footage will doubtless be available soon and I, for one, look forward to it.

DEVO performing JOCKO HOMO in Texas tonight

Not the best camera work but superb audip by a punter at Devo's Dallas gig this evening.

Check the video behind them and laugh at how it segues into The Fast Food Rockers throwaway pop pap!

Jones has high praise for Eddie

Cardiff City boss Dave Jones has also been caught up in the jovial euphoria surrounding the performances of previously hapless striker Eddie Johnson after his fantastic efforts this week were crowned by a richly deserved - and quality - debut first goal in Britain crowning City's 3-0 demolition of Doncaster Rovers yesterday.

Talking to assorted media, Jonesy joked how Eddie could soon become the first Prime Minister for South Wales if he carries on like this and that he's sure City fans are already printing their "I was there" t-shirt after seeing Eddie score yesterday. He's not wrong either!


Jones added, "his goal was well deserved as he has been superb, he works his socks off and everyone is delighted for him as he was superb for us on Tuesday and when he replaced Jay Bothroyd for us against Doncaster, he carried on that form."


Eddie has set himself the highest standards for this week and, finally - at long bloody last - is being talked about for the quality of his football rather than what were previously comedic attempts at it in the eyes of seasoned Cardiff observers.


Many - myself included to be honest - had written him off and regarded him as a disastrous expensive flop but he's now answering critics in the best possible way and long may it continue.


Last word to Dave Jones, "He is an honest lad and works hard. He has shown his quality in front of goal plenty of times in training and now we're pleased he has done it on the pitch. I was glad he did it in front of our own fans as they appreciate hard-workers and the applause he got couldn't be more deserved."

EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE!!!

Eddie Johnson - the turnip's becoming a Swede?

It's being reported that Cardiff City loan misfit EDDIE JOHNSON may be about to jump ship for Scandinavia and join Swedish club Malmo on loan.

Johnson failed to score after joining Premiership Fulham from Kansas City Wizards this time last year and found his way to Ninian Park for a season's loan last August. The loan has proved a huge talking point and failure for City as they were duty bound to have him all season and paid his wages, reported between £15k to £18k weekly, in full.

While being arguably the best paid player at the club, Johnson has been the worst performer. Seemingly a nice guy and a trier, he has been woefully short of expectations and instead become a figure of fun amongst the City faithful who chant his name in humour rather than adoration. Some call him a cult ... at least that's what it sounds like they're saying!

EJ has had 3 starts for City and 14, usually very brief, sub outings but as 2 new strikers have now arrived in the shape of Quincy and Michael Chopra, it's looking highly doubtful that Eddie will even get a seat on the sub's bench so a move has to be in his best interests ... and those of Cardiff's accountants as well!

Malmo are playing coy but Eddie's agent, Richard Motzkin, has confirmed that he has travelled to Sweden and had talks. Malmo are also the former club of Roy Hodgson, now Fulham boss who brought Eddie to these shores last year.

An imminent deal is expected ... Cardiff fans hold their breath!

Eddie Johnson tells US about a tough time at Cardiff City

Turn Left for Splott, Eddie !

This article was published prior to the Arsenal game but I've only just come across it.



Johnson seems a likeable guy and desparate to succeed but The Echo's comment a couple of months ago about him looking out of place which is stated within the article (link below) could have been written any time since he's been here really.



Amercian flags have been spotted when Eddie plays for Cardiff? I haven't noticed them.



Johnson Still Finding His Feet At CardiffSoccer America

A Major Day in World History (but not the signing!)

Not only was today my wife's 40th but it was also President Barack Obahma's inauguration in the US. Over 2 millions people stood outside the White House (that would never happen for a PM here) and 100's of millions more gazed worldwide.

A momentous day then but the 'highlight' for me was Aretha Franklin - one of the greatest singers of all time - singing worse than most people's aunties after a bottle of sherry! Butchering a tune that was God Save The Queen seemed fair enough though!! :>)


Just watch & wince, especially the first line.