Ninian Park's demolition continues

I passed the old ground and took a few more pics before it is no more.

Will the last person to leave Ninian Park put the lights out?

The demolition of Ninian Park continues unabated and produced more pain for Cardiff City fans as the landmark floodlights were brought down yesterday ... we'll never see their like again.

Here's a WalesOnline video of the Grange End/Grandstand pylon being brought down.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/videos-and-pics/videos/sport-videos/football-videos/2009/10/27/lights-go-out-at-ninian-park-91466-25028228/

Ninian Park - from dreams to rubble

Passed NP Towers today and although it's gone and we've moved on - and I know it's only bleedin' bricks and mortar - it's where I spent a huge chunk of my life so sad to see its demise. I want one of the floodlights!

Ninian's Grandstand comes crashing down

The demolition of Ninian Park took another huge visible step today as a controlled explosion brought down the Grandstand roof, the section of the stadium most best known to all passing pedestrians and motorists.

Redrow Homes started demolition less than a fortnight ago - it's a huge clearance job and then they will build 140 new homes of Cardiff City's historic old stadium, the first of them will incredibly be occupied within 6 months.

The Grandstand is where I spent my last few years watching the club and I was a season ticket holder in the ground for 40 years since 6 tyears of age. Life will never be the same! :>)

WALES v SCOTLAND friendly confirmed for CCS

Following on from weekend rumours, the FAW have now verified that Wales will play a friendly game against Scotland in Cardiff at the new Cardiff City Stadium on Staurday November 14th.



This is likely to be a trial run for the new stadium being used as the main international venue as Wales bid to move games away from Muillennium Stadium as completes a Scottish double as Glasgow giants Celtic officially opened the new stadium for club football in July.

Wales and Scotland last met 5 years ago when Robert Earnshaw at the peak of his powers smashed home a hat trick in a 4 - 0 Millennium Stadium demolition. The last time Cardiff City hosted a football international was 11 years ago when the Red Dragon beat Belarus 3 - 2 at Ninian Park.

Cardiff City Stadium set for first international

It would appear that WALES on the the verge of playing an imminent friendly international against SCOTLAND at the new Cardiff City Stadium as soon as Saturday November 14 as the FAW look set to try out the venue ahead of vacating Millennium Stadium and using the new ground as a regular venue.

The fixture is widely expected to be confirmed this coming midweek.

Chancellor holds court at Cardiff City Stadium

Quite bizarrely, Alistair Darling, the Chancellor of the Exchequer chose today to announce how his Labour party would reign in public spending to reduce the record deficit should - and that's a big should - they win the next General Election.


Of all places to do it, it turned out to be at Cardiff City's new stadium. Maybe Cardiff City's mountainous debts and the financial prudence of Peter Ridsdale were his inspiration points ... or maybe not!!


His speech commenced with words of praise for change in Wales and he added, "And this change is symbolised by this magnificent new stadium – and the early success in this first season here of Cardiff City. "

Scriptwriters eh? Bet he didn't have an effing clue!

Cardiff City Food Prices Go Up, Down, Flying Around

The biggest talking point from fans visiting the new CARDIFF CITY STADIUM at its opening events last weekend were not about the fantastic facilities, the improved seating, the brilliant views (minus any pillars), the acoustics or the wow factor ... although all got positive responses ... but the price of the catering.

Want a pint - that's £3.40 ... bargain!!

Punters were shocked to find beer prices higer than Man United or Liverpool and up 15% on Ninian Park prices but that was nothing. A hot dog for £4.50, a packet of crisps for £1 or a bottle of coke for £2 while a so-called meal deal if a pint and a pie cost £6 -saving just 30p. You don't even get charged those prices in London tourist haunts.

Clarks Pie - that costs £1 from the shop - £2.90 to you sir!!

In the current climate, the club were giving the best advert possible for punters to spend their time buying drinks in Canton and takeaway food from neighbouring shops. It's hard to understand how they put themselves in sitations like this - and shows the lack of comercialism and nous for what it is - especially when they desire fans to spend the whole matchday with them but it doesn't help that they sold catering rights to Compass - notorious for high pricing at events.

However, such was the outcry, Cardiff City were forced to listen and today issued a statement saying prices would be reduced after consultation and feedback from supporters. Quite what that means remains to be seen although they've announced a pint will cost a still hefty £3 but that was the same as Ninian Park prices.

Personally, I don't buy food in stadiums, drink in local hosteleries and only indulge in a half-time bevvy so this means little to me but, reading messageboards, clearly a lot to many.

New Cardiff City Stadium Open Day

CARDIFF CITY conducted their second ramp event leading to full stadium opening day with the second event in less than 24 hours - an open training session following yesterday's 'legends' match.

Photos of today and a video of yesterday is available at his Walesonline link

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2009/07/05/cardiff-city-players-hold-open-day-at-new-stadium-91466-24079763/

New Stadium Opening Game Today

At 3pm today, the first public event will be underway at the new Cardiff City stadium which is required to hold a number of ramped up events to test the facilities and resources at the new ground ahead of the league opener against Scunthorpe United on August 8.

The game - a "Legends Match" featuring former players led by former managers Eddie Eddie Eddie May and Lennie Lawrence has an 11,000 capacity set and not all facilities will be open and available. To date, ticket sales have been sluggish with less than 4,000 sold. The club are hoping the walk up crowd will take it beyond 7,000 which is more than healthy for what it is.

Tickets are available - £10 for adults, £5 for kids/oaps on 0845 - 345 1400 or by visiting the ticket office at the new stadium.

The next event is tomorrow when Cardiff City will conduct a public training session at 11am. That is a free event.

I won't be there myself - saving myself for when it matters and I've seen the stadium already - but will update the blog with news this evening.

Changing Rooms ... ... Cardiff City style

Not sure why WalesOnline popped this in their egg chasing section but here's a video of the completed Cardiff City dressing rooms at the new stadium fitted out by fans and sponsors.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/2009/06/24/cardiff-city-stadium-changing-rooms-91466-23969626//

Ninian Park Stadium Sale is an online action success

GOING GOING GONE - BLESS YOU ALL

It has emerged that the the Ninian Park online auction received 97,000 website hits and over 500 active bidders for items of memorabilia from Cardiff City Football Club’s Ninian Park.

The funds rasied have yet to be revealed but several items weren't sold, others were taken by fans at the last games so had to be withdrawn and many went for fees below expected prices so it perhaps wasn't the raging success once envisaged.

Ninian Park is falling down

The day had to come but after 99 years and my spiritual home since I was a kid, still a sad sight to see.

Ninian Park - closed for good today (BBC photoset)

Ninian Park shut its office doors for the final time. The last remianing function at the ground closed for bsiness and will re-open at the new Cartdiff City Stadium next Tuesday.

The club shop remains open for a further week but is a separate building from the stadium itself.


It's probably coincidence but BBC website published a Ninian Park photoset today which is worth a look.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/8010144.stm

RIP Ninian Park

Behind The Scenes at New Cardiff City Stadium

Last Wednesday, I was kindly invited by Wayne Nash, Cardiff City Stadium Manager, to visit the new ground and was taken on a top to tail tour with others.

I left very impressed, far more impressed by the interior than exterior, even if I remain unsure the place could ever have the same atmosphere as Ninian Park. In terms of facilities and view however, it is light years ahead. There is a big fitting out job reamining however but the club are very confident it will be ready for the big kick-off next month.

Here's my photos of the occasion.

Cardiff City to cross swords with Daggers

The draw for the Carling Cup First Round, which is regionalised, was made this morning and given The Bluebirds a home time and first ever fixture against League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge.

Subject to tv wanting the game (as if!), the clash will be at the new Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 11^th August, kick off 7.45pm and unless City get a home league game to start the Championship when the fixture list is revealed tomorrow, this will be the first competitive fixture at the new ground.

The Essex opponents are about to start their third season in league football and have adjusted well. Despite crowds of 1,500 most home games, they finished 8th last term missing the play-offs only due to a last day home defeat.

Unless there are any changes to the schedule, we will the match at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 11^th August, kick off 7.45pm.

The draw for Round 1 of the 2009/10 Carling Cup:

Accrington Stanley v Walsall
Huddersfield Town v Stockport County
Rotherham United v Derby County
Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby Town
Sheffield Wednesday v Rochdale
Bury v West Bromwich Albion
Notts County v Doncaster Rovers
Lincoln City v Barnsley
Scunthorpe United v Chesterfield
Coventry City v Hartlepool United
Darlington v Leeds United
Preston North End v Morecambe
Crewe Alexandra v Blackpool
Carlisle United v Oldham Athletic
Nottingham Forest v Bradford City
Macclesfield Town v Leicester City
Sheffield United v Port Vale
Cardiff City v Dagenham & Redbridge
Wycombe Wanderers v Peterborough United
Southampton v Northampton Town
Barnet v Watford
Hereford United v Charlton Athletic
Bristol Rovers v Aldershot Town
Millwall v AFC Bournemouth
Gillingham v Plymouth Argyle
Colchester United v Leyton Orient
Reading v Burton Albion
Exeter City v Queens Park Rangers
Cheltenham Town v Southend United
Brentford v Bristol City
Yeovil Town v Norwich City
Crystal Palace v Torquay United
Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon Town
Swansea City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town

CARDIFF CITY yesterday confirmed opening events to open/test the new stadium ahead of league and cup life beginning at the ground in August.

With opening capacity set at 26,828, the pre-season events are: Saturday July 4th - Legends game Former Cardiff City players will play a Legends game kicking off at 3:00pm, tickets costing £5 (and £2.50 for concessions) with 50% capacity and Ambassadors/season ticket holders able to try their new seats. Sunday July 5th - Training session Dave Jones and the Cardiff City squad will leave their Vale Hotel camp and hold an open session in the stadium where all Ambasadors, season ticket holders and a new category of Stadium Card Holders are welcome to attend. Friday 10th July. Cardiff City v Chasetown The first match involving the first team at the new ground who have struuck up a relationship with the Staffordshire club after the FA Cup draw with them in 2008 that started City's journey to Wembley. Kick off is 7:45pm, capacity is set at 70% with tickets at £5/£2.50. Saturday 18th July. Cardiff Blues open day Cardiff Blues Egg Chasers hold an own open day - ... that should keep their 5 fans happy! Wednesday 22nd July. Cardiff City v Celtic The real launch as City go head to head with the Glasgow ginats they beat in pre-season action last summer. Capacity is 90% but ticket prices are extreme ... they're charging us normal matchday prices ... poor, poor, poor! Saturday 1st August. Cardiff City v Valencia The stadium will be open to full capacity ... not that it will be full for sure. 7 days before the Championsship restarts, it'll cost us £20/£10/£5 for adults/oaps/kids. Full info available at www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk

City at a loss with a Sign of the Times

Got to admit I smiled when I read a dozen items from teh CCFC auction were withdrawn from sale at the last minute as fans had already pinched them from Ninian Park.

Most of us have handed the club money hand over fist for most of our lives ... they should be giving it to us anyway!

Items in Bluebirds auction stolen
BBC News

Strange SightsToday @ New Cardiff City Stadium

Funny thing is, I was just about to go up in the balloon when the wind picked up.

The balloon shifted side to side with people inside it before wrapping itself around a lamppost and pulling so hard, the lamppost was bending.

The people inside didn’t find it funny, I found it hilarious!!

Monopoly Cardiff Announced (but haven't we been here before?)

YEP, MONOPOLY CARDIFF
last time around!!!

Parker games, makers of Monopoly, have captured the headlines by announcing it is to launch a Kairdiff version of the game later this year and inviting suggestions for places to includes as well as voting on what represents Mayfair, the most exclusive square in the game.

It's already been announced Caroline Street (Chip Alley) and Cardiff City's new stadium will be included (Ninian Park wasn't before) as well as City Hall, Millennium Stadium, Welsh Assembly and a Tardis with Dr. Who filmed there.

However, it seems everyone has forgotten ther Cardiff Monopoly was luanched about 5 years ago (asee picture above), it's just being re-packaged and updated ... I haven't told you though ok?