Morrisey's 5 Minute Gig

Good ol' Morrisey - 22 seconds into his second song, This Charming Man, he gets hit on the head by a full plastic bottle so pulls the gig.

Several thousand punters paid £35 each ... but, hey, they were Scousers so fair does.

Another day, another load of Cardiff City rumours

Once again, the newspapers are speculating over imminent arrivals and departures at Cardiff City but leading the way is the Hull Daily Mail who report that Hull City are set to bid upto £10M for the Bluebirds duo of Ross McCormack and Joe Ledley and that the club expect to have two players for medicals on Wednesday.

Tigers boss Phil Brown directly named the players but was non-commital over whether they are in his sights saying, "Joe Ledley, Ross McCormack and Daryl Murphy are all names who have been bandied around but it is important that we do our business behind the scenes. "

Hull may find competition in the form of long-term Ledley admirers Everton and Stoke City, both understood to be ready to make their move ... according to the papers of course.

And if Ledley goes, The Daily Mirror have reported Dave Jones already has a replacement lined up in the shape of Liverpool's French 21 year old midfielder Damien Plessis. Cardiff are said to want him on a 1 year loan. He played 5 times for Liverpool last season - twice in the Champions League, twice in the Carlign Cup and 1 Premiership start.

Let's see what tomorrow brings

The Rumour Mill Rolls On while Player Movement Stalls

CARDIFF CITY fans get their first chance to see the team this season as the club play Chasetown at the Cardiff City stadium tomorrow night but with no new signings since last weekend.

The club, for differing reasons, would listen to offers for Joe Ledley as well as assist the transfers of Warren Feeney, Tony Capaldi, Paul Parry, Steve McPhail to name a few. I suspect until some of that log jam is cleared, new arrivals may wait as well.

Maros Klimpl continues to train with the club and other trialists are linking up but the rumours are getting more sensational and ridiculous with focus on midfielders and a forward. Jason Koumas gets linked forever and a day, Wayne Routledge returning is way too left-field, Dietar Hammam coming for a year from Liverpool before returning to his homeland seems to be madness but today's Echo reveals a more realistic target - Leyton Orient's Cypriot international Jason Demetriou. However we appear to be one of five or so clubs linked to him and Cardiff never win out in those situations ... assuming there is any merit to it in the first place.

The wait goes on.

CARDIFF CITY AGM REPORT

The AGM for the club was held at Ninian Park today and attended by many shareholders. Overall, it seems to have been reasonably upbeat.

This despite the ongoing Langston dispute and club debt, questions over the lack of investment in the team, some angst about Peter Ridsdale's 'fat cat' pay and, more starling in my view, City reporting a small profit only for 2007/08 despite above break-even crowd, the sales of three players for almost £8M, £400k from a Carling Cup last 16 match at Liverpool and, of course, that magical F.A. Cup run all the way to two appearences at Wembley and the final itself.

Dave Sugarman a.k.a. The Long Gunman posted his thoughts and report on the Cardiff City website which is reproduced below.

The top table at today's AGM, which took place in the Canton Suite at Ninian Park, consisted of chairman Peter Ridsdale, directors Alan Whiteley and Steve Borley, team manager Dave Jones, outgoing finance director Tony Brown, Keith Harris of Seymour Pierce Ltd and the club's auditor, Gareth Jones, from Chantrey Vellacott DFK LLP. Also present, although not sitting at the top table, were major shareholders Paul Guy and Mike Hall of PMG Ltd.


The chairman welcomed the shareholders to the meeting and introduced those at the top table. He announced that Keith Harris would be joining the Cardiff City board as a non-executive director directly following the AGM. In response to a question as to whether the new director holds shares in then club or not, Peter Ridsdale confirmed that his company, Seymour Pierce Ltd, already have a shareholding.Ridsdale also announced that a successor for departing finance director Tony Brown is currently being sought by the club, and when that person takes up their position they will also join the board.

Ridsdale outlined the position at the club at the moment and painted a very positive picture of the direction in which the club is heading, thanks in particular to the new stadium development and the new training facilities.He spoke of the management team's financial strategy in terms of their attempts to compete in the Championship and gain promotion to the Premiership. That involves selling players each year in order to raise enough revenue to pay the club's annual wage bill, which he suggested needs to be almost twice the amount that can be covered by the current gate receipts and commercial revenues.

He stressed that the latest set of accounts, which show a loss of almost £5 million for 2006/07, do not include any player sales as Cameron Jerome was sold just before the relevant period began and Michael Chopra was sold weeks after it ended.Ridsdale said the accounts for the period covering June 2007 to May 2008 were in the process of being signed off and would show that the club made a profit of approximately £750,000 during that time.

He stressed that the sale of Aaron Ramsey and the revenue from a record 14,000 season ticket sales are not included in that figure as they will be covered by the following year's accounts (ie: June 2008 to May 2009).

The chairman mentioned the club's success in avoiding summary judgement in the Langston court case and he also confirmed that Langston's recent appeal had failed. He estimated that the court case had cost the club approximately £400,000 and stated that regular dialogue with Langston's representative, Sam Hammam, is now very much ongoing. He said he is extremely confident that this business will be sorted out once and for all in the very near future.

Ridsdale then threw the meeting open for questions from the floor. The first question concerned his wages and bonus payment during 2007, which it was suggested were far too big for a company of the football club's size. The chairman defended his right to his level of earnings by outlining the progress the club has made since he took over his position. He was backed up by Keith Harris, who claimed Ridsdale's basic wages are in line with chief executives at other Championship clubs. He said there are other chief executives in this division who earn far more and stated his belief that Ridsdale's bonus was well deserved given the situation the club was in when he first arrived.

The chairman was asked a question regarding a debt write-off of almost £2 million that was contained in the 2005 accounts. He explained that this money was written off in agreement with Rudgwick Ltd, a company owned and controlled by former chairman Sam Hammam, who were the club's parent company at the time. The figure largely related to management fees which had been charged to the club by Rudgwick in previous years but had never actually been drawn as the club could not afford to pay them. Tony Brown mentioned that this debt write-off was crucial in order for the council to pass the club's stadium project business plan.

A question was asked regarding a large loan, believed to be in the region of £1.5 million plus interest, which is due to be repaid to former vice-chairman Michael Issac fairly soon. The chairman reported that friendly talks with Isaac are underway in a bid to renegotiate the terms and repayment date of that loan.

In answer to a question about the size of the club's current players wage bill, Ridsdale stated there are ten to twelve teams in this division whose wage bills are in excess of £12 million pa, six to eight whose wage bills are between £7 million and £12 million and the rest whose wage bills are less than £7 million. He said City are in the second bracket with a players wage bill of approximately £8 million pa at this current point in time.

The chairman fielded a question about people who had apparently bought season tickets for the forthcoming campaign but had then attempted to cancel their payments following the FA Cup final. He said they number less than a dozen in total and that includes a couple of genuine cases where people have either unexpectedly moved due to work or have passed away. He said the situation is absolutely nothing to worry about.

Ridsdale spoke briefly and proudly about the club's Academy set-up. He stated the current crop of Under 16's are particularly promising and suggested the manager already has his eye on a couple of them with a view to involving them in the senior set-up in the not too distant future.

The chairman was asked about the fee involved when Aaron Ramsey moved to Arsenal. He stated that the agreement made with the Gunners stated that they should pay £2.5 million immediately and then a further £2.5 million one year later in what was effectively a straight cash deal and was not dependent upon appearances. However, he added that Arsenal have in fact reached a further agreement with City since whereby they have already paid a little over £4.8 million in one lump sum to complete the transaction early.

One shareholder complained that the fee for Ramsey was too small by today's standards. Ridsdale explained that Liverpool and Arsenal both initially offered £1 million up front with a further £2 million based on appearances. Manchester United then moved in with a bid of £4.5 million plus a further payment of £500,000 if he made a set number of appearances for City this season as a part of a loan-back agreement. Arsenal effectively topped that with a straight £5 million cash bid. Liverpool dropped out of the running at that stage. Everton then made a late entry into the market and said they were prepared to match the £5 million deals being offered by Arsenal and Man Utd. Agents working for Arsenal, Man Utd and Everton indicated they were not prepared to improve upon those bids, so Ramsey was given permission to speak to all three clubs, which he duly did.

Ridsdale and Dave Jones both stated the club wanted the player to stay here for another season and then go on to Man Utd, but he and his family eventually chose Arsenal and were very clear in that choice.

The chairman then moved on to the formalities of asking the shareholders to vote to accept the 2005, 2006 and 2007 accounts, and reappoint Chantrey Vellacott DFK Ltd as the club's auditors. All present with the exception of former chairman Tony Clemo voted to accept the 2005 accounts, the 2006 and 2007 accounts were accepted unanimously, and Chantrey Vellacott were reappointed with only one shareholder voting against.Overall, I felt the mood at the AGM was a very positive one.

Ridsdale's performance as chairman of this meeting was probably the finest I have witnessed from him since he arrived at the club. He dealt with all of the questions asked of him patiently and confidently and the answers he gave were generally plausible. Once again today he demonstrated just how good he is at public speaking and how comfortable he is with dealing with questions from supporters.

The permanent involvement in the club of Keith Harris can only be a good thing in my opinion. He is a real high-flyer within the British game and is certainly not known for backing losers, so his becoming a member of Cardiff City's board must be seen as a step forward for the club.

Dave Jones needed to say very little during the meeting itself but he spoke to a number of shareholders afterwards and seemed far more relaxed than he has done previously in public situations.

EURO'2008 GAMES 23 & 24: GROUP D - SPAIN 2 RUSSIA 1, RUSSIA 2 SWEDEN 0

People get ready, The Russians are coming! A sensational Swede-bashing performance sent the previous faltering Russians into the quarter-finals to play Holland with absolutely nothing to fear. The Swedes, meanwhile, becmae the third team to win their opening game yet still be knocked out after game 3.

The Russian attacking display was refreshing and compulsive viewing. The shot count probably around 30 to 5 in their favour with every player pouring forward, even at 2-0, and a telling factor was that both goals were assisted by both full-backs making the final pass after lung-bursting runs to get deep inside the penalty box.

The key difference was Arshavin, who ran Rangers ragged for Zenit St Petersburg in their recent winning UEFA Cup winning display, ruled this encounter from start to finish but the whole team display was so powerful and consuming, making Sweden - who only needed a draw to go through and knock Russia out - looked a one paced clueless outfit.

Goals came in each half through Pavlyuchenko and that man Arshavin with sweeping moves, both started by Arhsavin. They also hit the post twice, produced numerous saves from Isaksson, went close several more times whilst battering the Swedish defence and midfield and peppering shots on goal at every opportunity.

The Swedes were mauled and lucky to get away with 2-0 although that represented their biggest ever defeat in a Euros final. Larrsson and Ibrahimovich never linked up front although the former hit the bar with a clever header and a 2nd half shot hit the post but, truth is, they only had 1 decent 5 minute spell all night which came at the end of the first period. However one first half shot in the Innsbruck venue probably ended up in Switzerland which did link the co-hosts.

Dare I suggest it now puts Wales' World Cup qualifying group and hopes into sharp perspective?

Our kids are developing fast, we look more competitive and have picked up some good results, albeit in friendlies. It also encouraged that Germany and Russia have looked decidely dodgy in their early games which I liked too. But now reality dawns, we're facing two Euro quarter-finallists. I bet our will be the only group that will be able to 'boast' that. While they may not be the best German side ever, they're still quality and so organised. Russia, meanwhile, look a terrifying prospect in this mood. It'll be one hell of a job to be anywhere near them.

In the other fixture, Spain were already through and had won the group played defending Champions Greece who were already out and would finish bottom. The Spaniards made 10 changes yet still won 2-1. The Greeks opened the scoring with a terrific powered header by Christeas, the man who scored the Euro'2004 winner.

However the Spanish were the superior side throughout with Liverpool's Alonso so close three times with a shot from the halfway line that missed by inches and sent the Greek keeper clattering into his own post, a 25 yard free-kick that almost whistled past the post and a 30 yard screamer that hit the inside of a post and rolled across goal but victory came with goals by the spendidly named De la Red's shot just past the hour and Guiza's guided header with two minutes left.

Greece, 2004 Winners, were therefore sent packing as the only team in the tournament to lose all three games while Spain equalled their international best record of 9 successive wins. When they last achieved it, they played Italy who stopped that sequence continuing and, yes, their quarter-final opponents just happen to be Italy!


Video highlights of these games and every Euro'2008 match plus stats and other info can all be found on this excellent BBC page
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/schedule_and_statistics/default.stm

EURO'2008 GAME 15: GROUP D SWEDEN 1 SPAIN 2

The Spaniards are through to the quarter-finals with a game to spare but never matched the hieghts of their opening performance and needed a dramatic 92nd minute winner that nobody could see coming to dispose of Sweden.

The game was no classic and, later winner appart, all the key moments were in the opning period.

The contest started well and Spain grabbed the opener with just 15 minutes on the clock with Liverpool's Torres finishing a quality move in the same style. The Swedes, however, showed they are a useful side, even if limited up front, and grabbed an equaliser on 34 with Ibrhahim netting his second of the tournament after no Swedish goal for two and a half year. His goal against Greece was spectacular, this was a scrappy stab home.

It looked game on but apart from Spain being denied what looked a clear penalty, there was no other action of note. Spain showed glimpses but never when it mattered until the 2nd of 3 added minutes at the end, a ball pumped downfield, Villa got behind the defender with a deft touch and suddenly found his way to goal unbarred and his finish was cool.

Video Highlights
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7455067.stm

EURO'2008 GAME 14: GROUP C HOLLAND 4 FRANCE 1

After beating current World Cup holders Italy 3-0 in their first game, the Dutch were equally emphatic in pasting runners-up France.

The French had Thierry Henry available after injury and he scored a smart goal too with the deftest of touches with less than 20 minutes remaining. That gave the French hope and it reduced the deficit to 1-2 but the Dutch scored within a minute to oput it beyond doubt.

Holland again had those lucky(?) powder blue socks and gave out lessons in counter-attacking and smart movement. France, like Italy, had more and maybe better chances but the Dutch absorbed and hit back with interest.

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt put the Dutch ahead inside 10 minutes and it stayed that way until almost the hour although Henry missed a couple of prime chances of the type he would have buried eyes closed a year or two. He was made to pay as a blistering three man counter-attack was finshed by Arsenal's Van Persie just 2 minutes after appearing as sub.

When Henry scored, it looked game on again but Robben spectacularly finished from an angle and Sneiders wrapped it up in added time.

The Dutch are through while France, like Italy, may not be in the quarter-finals at all.

RAMSEY - WHY DID CITY STICK AND NOT TWIST??

It's the question every Cardiff City fan has been asking and has either got confused or angry about.

£5M for a teenager with barely 20 games behind him is a fantastic deal but then you recall the fees well in excess of £10M that Southampton got for fellow Welshman Gareth Bale and also Theo Walcott which, right or wrong, seems to be a yardstick to use.

City had at least 6 Premiership clubs chasing Ramsey and bids were flying in so why, when that oprocess was hot and active, did they just agree to sell at £5M when there was every indication that bids would go higher again?

The fact that the moment City first accepted Manchester United's bid of £5M, three more clubs in Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton matched in within 24 hours shows that he was undervalued and sold too cheaply.

Ridsdale doesn't come out of this looking good - three of the big four clubs were at the table and we showed them our full hand. I hope he explains why he did this as, maybe there are reasons. Right now however, City fans will feel let down.

Of course, there's also the small matter of any fee only being worthwhile if it's significantly reinvested in the team and there's been scant evidence of that in recent years.

The Race to sign Ramsey - Two becomes Four, it may yet be more

What a crazy 5 months in the life of Aaron Ramsey, not quite yet 17 and a half.

Since getting his Cardiff City full debut in January, he's had 20 games for City, been the youngest ever Welsh Under 21, called into the senior squad and been in a F.A. Cup Final and now has every big club in the land rushing to want to hand over multi-millions to Cardiff City to sign the lad. Talk about having the world at your feet.

Yesterday it was revealed that Manchester United and Arsenal had agreed a fee with Cardiff City. United were quick to jump the gun making an announcement that the player was on his way to Old T. Today, they've announced they've agreed terms with the player. Ramsey and his family are believed to be Manchester United fans and it still seems certain he'll sign for the Premiership and European Champions who were the first to show interest and would look after him well.

However Rambo will speak at Arsenal too before committing and now will be adding the Mersey duo of Liverpool and Everton to his list as both today agreed the same fee with City, thought to be between £5M and £6M as a package. Spurs may yet do the same.

This could drag on for another week or more but it's only right Ramsey speaks to all and takes his time making a life changing decision. Not quite the choices I had at his age!

RAMBO in the News

The Western Mail reports with this morning's reaction to the Ramsey probable transfer from Cardiff City to Manchester United ... or Liverpool ... or Arsenal ... or Spurs!
Premier big guns in battle for Ramsey
It’s up to the kid now, says Jones


Other Reports
Big guns gather to swoop for Aaron RamseyTimes Online

United agree fee for Cardiff starlet RamseyAFP

Man United reaches agreement with CardiffThe Canadian Press

RAMBO SOLD ... but fianl destinatination and date to be decided by the player

It's been several weeks in the making and it has always been obvious it was simply when rather than if but today came confirmation that Cardiff City have agreed to sell prodigy Aaron Ramsey.

What remains to be confirmed is where Rambo will eventually go as The Bluebirds have announced that they have accepted two bids for the player who is free to talk to both and decide what he wishes.

Manchester United have possibly jumped the gun by announcing on their official website that they have agreed a deal with City and are talking terms with Rambo and undergoing a full medical with the Caerphilly born 17 yr old who has just 22 games under his belt. They remain red hot favourites and are City's preferred choice of sale since their package deal - thought to be worth upto £6 Million - includes allowing Ramsey to stay with City for 2008/09 as a loan player. For that reason, most City fans will be hoping this move goes ahead too.

It is, however, far from concluded since the other club who have had a bid accepted are believed to be Arsenal so Ramsey and his representatives will see them too. The Gunners believe he would get first team exposure next season so would not loan him to City. And City are bracing themselves for Liverpool and Spurs are matching the accepted bids which may yet turn it into a four team tug-of-war.

It's good business for City who are continuing what now seems to be custom of selling its biggest star for substantial sums every summer with the sequence being Earnshaw, Jerome, Chopra, Ramsey. It doesn't feel right that we lose our best produced talents like Gunter and Ramsey at such an early age and, in both cases, after barely 20 games for the club but that's how it is.

Whether it's good business for the team all depends on whether Dave Jones is now given money to spend and that's been painfully absentafter other recent big money sales.

To have the biggest clubs fighting over Ramsey is testimony to his impact and potential and it's hard to argue it represents great business for City even if some believe the package should be far higher bearing in mind the fees agreed for Walcott and Bale in recent times.

BBC announcement
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7433277.stm

Cardiff City official website announcement
http://www.cardiffcityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~1322884,00.html

Manchester United official website announcement

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={B4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70}&newsid=6610831

HANDS UP IF YOU DON'T WANT AARON RAMSEY

Aarrgh, nobody's hands are down on what is fast becoming the biggest auction away from EBay and Sotheby's.

The list of Premiership suitors seems to be growing by the day which can only be good news if he really must go as it'll ensure the best possible price for the club.

Manchester United remain favourites and it would seem he'll only go somewhere else if they don't move but following Arsenal getting involved before the weekend and Liverpool remaining in the background somewhere, the weekend firstly brought Chelsea onto the scene and now it's the turn of Aston Villa.

How long before we hear the name of Accrington Stanley I hear you cry. Yes indeed.