Originally Posted by
The Lone Gunman
My father took me to my first Cardiff City game in March 1975 on the day before my eighth birthday. A trip to Ninian Park was his idea of a special treat. Sheffield Wednesday were Cardiff’s opponents on that glorious occasion. The Owls were rock bottom of the Second Division table, while the Bluebirds were one place above them. Predictably, the match ended in a goalless draw. The crowd jeered, slow hand clapped and chanted ‘what a load of rubbish’ at regular intervals throughout the ninety minutes. Midfielder George Smith ripped off his shirt and threw it at manager Jimmy Andrews after being substituted. His replacement, Johnny Vincent, missed a late penalty, and City were booed off the field following the final whistle. Both teams were relegated to the Third Division a month later.
I was fascinated by the last few games of the 1974/75 season. Peter Sayer scored the winner in my second game - a 1-0 victory over Portsmouth. However, it was the following season that sealed the deal. My father bought me a season ticket next to him and a couple of my uncles in Block C of the Grandstand. The team in 1975/76 was Adrian Alston, Tony Evans, Willie Anderson, John Buchanan, Phil Dwyer, Clive Charles, Mike England, Doug Livermore, etc. A 35,500 crowd against Hereford. Promotion to Division Two. Fantastic stuff.