THE GRANGETOWN BRAZILIAN MISSIONARY CITY FAN!

Yep, another story of an overseas fan at F.A. Cup Final time!

Brazil missionary prays for a winBBC News

THE RIDSDALE REVIVAL

BBC takes a look at the impacts of Dave Jones and Peter Ridsdale in reviving the fortunes of Cardiff City.

Cardiff savioursBBC Sport

EARNIE TO FOREST??

After last night's strong rumour in this Blog that Robert Earnshaw was set to switch to Premiership new boys Stoke City - and it may still happen - news emerged today that Derby have accepted an offer of £2.5M from Championship new boys Nottingham Forest.

Clearly, that is a price beyond City's reach at present while despite losing £1.1M if the sale goes ahead, it is still a high price for a player who really hasn't produced in the last couple of years.

It remains to be seen whether Earnie wants to drop to the Championship having shown little interest in doing that for Cardiff, even for a short-term loan.

But the boy needs regular football now. both for himself and for Wales' best interests.

DAVE JONES - 'THIS ONE'S FOR YOU DAD'

It's only natural that Dave Jones, a proud man, will think of his lows ansd his family as he leads the side out for the F.A. Cup Final this weekend.

It's something he'll have in common with thousands of City fans who will all think of past friends, loved one and family as the community singing, anthems and sight of Cardiff City marching out at Wembley occurs. It's still so hard to take in.

Emotional time for Cardiff boss Jones as Wembley beckons
ic Wales

RAMSEY THE RED DEVIL - A DONE DEAL???

This is either football's biggest non-secret or the most elaborate bluff but newspapers are now into their second month or AARON RAMSEY to Manchester United rumours with today's Daily Mirror and others besides awash with stories that a deal was struck between United and CARDIFF CITY for Rambo to join the Premiership Giants next season.

If there's a more talked about teen than Rambo in this country, I haven't a clue who he is but United apparently see him as the perfect replacement for Paul Scholes and it is easy to understand why.

The stories started emerging a while before Peter Ridsdale, Dave Jones and Alex Ferguson all met in Barcelona before the Manc's Champions League semi-final 1st leg and it's rarely cooled since.

Talk is that the deal will be confirmed next week once the F.A Cup Final is out of the way. Whether it is the reported £10M package with Rambo staying at City next season on loan and accompanied by one or tow other United men, Ryan Giggs having been rumoured in some parts, remains to be seen.

Got to be honest, I'm getting to the stage where, for once, I believe what the papers are telling us.

CITY GET INTO EUROPE WITHOUT WINNING THE F.A. CUP, ALGARVE CUP 'ERE WE COME

For a glamourous pre-season touranment to compliment the equally glamourous pre-season trips to Chasetown and Merthyr Tydfil.

It is a coup of Cardiff City as they've been invited to play in a four team mini tournament in the Algarve along with Celtic and, most likely, Middlesbrough and Porto. Illustrious company indeed.

No wonder Dave Jones, for once, made his excitement known. Very unlike him but I do like his outburst and The Bluebirds - "We've gone Global!".

THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS PUB ROCK MEETS PUNK!

Could only be a muso who could come up with a claim like that and the man in question is a former Melody Maker (remember it?) editor but I like his assertions and was surprised to realise the Championship crowds have not just improved for three successive years but also exceed the aggregate for Italy's Serie A. The things you learn eh?

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/05/12/stadium_rock_of_top_flight_loo.html

CITY'S HI-TECH VESTS READY FOR WEMBLEY

Thin skins driving City towards Wembley gloryic Wales

NEIL ALEXANDER TALKS ABOUT CITY AND HIS AMAZING SEASON

Our fondly remembered keeper talks in today's Western Mail

Former Bluebird Alexander spot on for Euro delight
ic Wales

FORDE SET FOR SCOTLAND

CARDIFF CITY goalkeeper DAVID FORDE is set for a potential good move to sign for SPL side Aberdeen and decline an offer from ex-Jacks boss Kenny Jackett at League One side Millwall according to Sarf London talk.

Forde had a hapless time with City but enjoyed more success in loan spells at Luton Town and AFC Bournemouth this season. With Cardiff looking to bring in two new goalkeepers for next season, Forde's time with the Bluebirds is truly up but Aberdeen represents a good opportunity for him.

CITY LOSE £1/2 MILLION AS BIRMINGHAM GO DOWN

Nice guy or not, I can't get too upset by Cameron Jerome bagging a double for Birmingham City but still seeing his club relegated.

Only because after leaving City, he seemed arrogant talking up his Premiership life and even trying to entice Joe Ledley away from Ninian Park. He's atoned for that, however, by popping along to see City play away.

However their relegation has cost City who stood to gain £500,000 bonus, part of the transfer deal, had the Brummies survived.

Ah well, we'll just have to win the F.A. Cup to make up for it.

EARNIE NO RAM & NO VALLEYS RAM BUT A STOKIE?

Derby County have confirmed that they have accepted an offer for Robert Earnshaw but while they have not named the club and media hints are that Noriwch and Nottingham Forest have been making enquiries, this blog understand he'll be joining long term admirer and City fan Tony Pulis at Premiership newbies, Stoke City.

Cardiff have enquired themselves about Earnshaw and tried to land him on loan this season but you wonder how serious it was as we never seemed to have the finances for such a deal.

Earnie will be relieved to be moving having clearly been out of favour and unable to get a look-in at Derby despite being their record signing at £3.5M and the club being the worst so far in the Premiership. His record of just 1 goal and 7 starts in the Premiership says it all. It has also cost him his place in the Wales squad.

Can only hope it works for Earnie whose career seems to be frittering away with no mark Premiership clubs and not really developed or been as effective leaving City as he was with us. Stoke City, a physical long ball side, doesn't seem the sort to get the best out of him either.

HASSELBAINK - SHOULD HE STAY OR SHOULD HE GO?

JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK today contradicted numerous newspaper reports that he will either be retiring or leaving Cardiff City by commenting that he still expects to be with City for next season.

It may tie in with some rumours that Jimmy could be a coach and support player but it would surely be too fanciful for Cardiff to still have both Fowler and Hasselbaink but we will have towait and see. Clearly, Jimmy is not ready to give it up just yet.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink wants to stay at Cardiff City

BBC News

ANOTHER LONG DISTANCE TRAVELLING CITY FAN

They're flying in from everywhere it seems - Australia, Europe, Ireland, USA and now the Cayman Isalnds.

Where are they when we're away at Colchester eh??? ;>)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/7376544.stm

One of the better aspects of Cardiff City reaching the F.A. Cup Final are stories in the media of how it was when they last made the there in 1927 or stories of the players and personalities back then.

This is a worthwhile nostalgic read from BBC published this evening.

So how did Cardiff City and their fans prepare for their big day ...
BBC News

WAS ALMOST A TV STAR TONIGHT ... ok, not really

Was in town early this evening and found rush hour near Park Place dirupted by pavements closed for filming outside the New Theatre for the latest Dr. Who spin-off, The Sarah Jane Adventures, for BBC children's tv.

In buoyant mood after seeing every shop, lampost and standard in Queen Street adorned with GOOD LUCK CITY banners, I couldn't resist it.

After "ACTION" was shouted and extras were filmed walking near The New Theatre, I just had to do it and a myserious shout of "BLOOOOOOOOOOBIRDS" came out across the road ... extremely close to my vocal chords.

"CUT" shouted the director staring across towards me ... not sure if he was stopping the action or I misheard what he was calling me!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sja/

TERRIBLE DAY at the OFFICE

If Friday was bad news and ominous, today brought my worst fears to fruition.

It is inappropriate at this stage to go into detail but it is now public knowledge that there will be 85 job losses - well over half the remaining workforce - at my workplace. My job, without a shadow of doubt, is likely to be one of them and I'm naturally worried and devastated.

Having worked there from the very start and several months before it commenced trading to the time it became established and highly successful, it almost defies belief that it has reached this stage but it is the victim of the current economic, money and housing climate that is the credit crunch.

How ironic that the bad week of my entire lifetime supporting Cardiff City coincides with the worst ever working week. Life's a bastard sometimes!

Picture Financial to shed half its workforce
ic Wales

TONIGHT'S CARDIFF CITY PHONE-IN

Here's the link to tonight's show on GTFM.

Listen or download, it's your choice.

http://www.mediafire.com/?f4ds2liblvj

PORTSMOUTH STUMBLE TO F.A CUP FINAL IN NO FORM AT ALL

When Pompey won their F.A Cup semi-final in early April, on the verge of grabbing 5th place in the Premiership for a European spot and facing THE MIGHTY MIGHTY CARDIFF CITY in the F.A Cup Final, life could not have been sweeter.

It's a different story now.

Somehow they lost their last game of the season 1-0 at home to doomed Fulham allowing the Londoners the greatest of escpaes from relegation and consigning Birmingham and Reading - both of whom won today - to the Championship to play City next season.

For Pompey, players injured, others out of form, 1 point out of 15, no goal for almost 6 hours and sections of their own support booing them if far from ideal ahead of the Wembley date with destiny.

Maybe it'll mean nothing come the big day but you do wonder if Pompey will have fagile confidence if City start and play well, heaven forbid if we score first.

It's certainly not mission impossible and Portsmouth suddenly look a lot more vulnerable than they did.

TONY ADAMS TALKS RAMBO AND ROGER

This article regarding Pompey's assistant boss Tony Adams expressing his appreciation of Aaron Ramsey and his past relationship problems with Roger Johnson are a worthwhile read.

Adams puts Pompey on Ramsey alertic Wales