Cardiff City Shoot Themselves In The Foot - Again

If you want to know how to alienate people take a look at financially troubled Cardiff City Football Club.
Earlier this month manager Dave Jones banned the South Wales Echo because he didn't like a report written by one of its journalists - even though apparently there was nothing inaccurate about it.
And then yesterday chairman Peter Ridsdale, who could do with a few friends, banned the Echo from a Press conference because of the paper's coverage of the financial problems.
That really sums up Cardiff City. They can't take handle any negative publicity - even when it is accurate. The Echo would be failing in its duty to readers if it did not report on the club's financial troubles.
Cardiff City has had terrible PR for years - with both fans and the media. And even following the employment of a former News of the World journalist at a reported six figure salary - despite the club's financial crisis - it doesn't get any better. Pathetic really.
And petty sums up the decision by Cardiff City to remove books written by high profile and vocal City supporter Annis Abraham from the club's shops because he called for a vote of no confidence in Peter Ridsdale. Now, whatever you think of that call, the response by the club is truly small-minded.
Both matters will only serve to heighten criticism. What has the Echo got to lose if their reporters are banned from Press conferences - banned from the ground next perhaps? That shouldn't stop them but encourage them to dig up more material on the club. They may as well fire all barrels at Peter Ridsdale and the team at Cardiff City now.
And Annis Abraham will now doubt be at the forefront of future demonstrations against Peter Ridsdale. He's also got nothing to lose.
Someone really needs a few lessons at media relations and relations with your fans because at present the club reallys hasn't got a clue.

Cardiff City Must Tell Fans The Truth

Cardiff City Football Club are in a financial mess - but they are not yet prepared to spell out the truth to their customers - the fans.
Cardiff City Supporters Trust,which has 700-plus members, is now trying to gather enough support from shareholders to force an extraordinary meeting of the club's shareholders.
But they shouldn't have to. It should be called now - not in six or eight weeks.
The arrogant way the club's board has treated its fans is frankly appalling.
It seems that trading standards may also get involved after complaints from supporters over the club's failure to meet its pledge of bringing in new players - if fans bought their season tickets early.
Many fans would have bought the tickets early if the club explained its financial position - but instead it misled them.
Now Peter Ridsdale and his board hang on in at Cardiff City for one reason - to see if they can sell the club and pocket a nice pay-out as shareholders.
Let's hope the situation is sorted, including payment of the tax bill, so Cardiff do not end up in the same mess as Leeds United.

Peter Ridsdale betrays City fans - and should go now!

Betrayed, stitched up, conned - that's how Bluebirds fans will feel after the announcement by Cardiff City Football Club that it will not now use funds raised from season ticket sales to bring in new players.
Supporters were persuaded to cough up hard-earned cash early to help Dave Jones in his bid to bring the Bluebirds promotion to the top division after nearly 50 years. But, he like the fans, has been let down by Peter Ridsdale and his board of directors.
The club suggests that expected investment did not come through. Well, they should not promised fans funds would be spent on players until that funding was secure and one still appears a fair way away.
All fans have got from Peter Ridsdale and the rest of his board are false promises and certainly not the transparency they deserve.
Peter Ridsdale, the club says, has the full backing of both the Board and majority of shareholders and will continue to lead the club.
But if he was working for a major company and misled shareholders he would have been sacked and quite rightly so.
The fans have been misled, he has lost any goodwill and should now do the decent thing and resign - although I doubt he will.
Certainly those that want their money back should be given it, and perhaps staff working in the trading standards department at Cardiff council should examine whether the club has breached the Trades Descriptions Act by misleading customers - the fans!