Cardiff New Stadium Cash Boost

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Just to add to something in today's paper. . . .

Peter Ridsdale has revealed Cardiff's income will almost double thanks to their new stadium.
But the club will have to wait five years before making any cash from their new Premier Club plan.

Cardiff launched their Premier Club initiative this week, with the new home of the Bluebirds boasting exclusive seats and hospitality for 2,250 corporate fans.

It follows an extremely successful model at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium and is expected to generate huge sales.

That will come as an added boost to new revenue that chairman Peter Ridsdale predicts could hit as much as 45 per cent.

But the club won't see any of the cash generated from the Premier Club until 2014 as it has already been earmarked to repay investment made by PMG.

Ridsdale said: "The club had to put down 30 per cent of the cost of the project and when I came we had no cash.

"So what we have essentially seen done is PMG put in cash and we are paying them back with the first five years of Premier Seats.

"So our income for the first five years will come from other corporate hospitality, the income from the Blues, the added sponsosrhip opportunities, and our own crowds.

"We can't quantify the increase yet because we haven't fixed the prices of seats but our business plan given to the council shows revenue growing from 35 - 45 per cent - but I think it will be more."

Ridsdale also revealed he is in dialogue with four companies over naming rights for the new stadium - monies from which are scheduled to pay back some of the Langston debt.

Wise After the Event . . .

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There's been quite a bit made about the news Robbie Fowler could be out for the rest of the season.

Cardiff aren't confirming that yet - but the fact he's on crutches for at least the next two months suggests he'd have a job fitting any football before the campaign end in May.

And with that in mind there's been some calls for Cardiff to boot the striker out of Ninian Park.

Now Fowler hasn't been anywhere near the hit many were tipping when he signed on a free in June.

And at reported £20,000 a week, it was never going to be a cheap crack at getting Fowler firing.

But let's be honest - there wasn't many not in agreement that it was a deal worth doing at the time.

There's no point being smug now - and how on earth can a club, especially with the financial uncertainty of Cardiff, be in a position to write off contracts like that willy-nilly. I mean, what would potential new recruits think of the prospect of being told to leave if they pick up a lengthy injury?

But what is a surprise is there is already talk of Fowler staying for a second year and that doesn't seem sensible on any level.

It's not about cutting your losses, but it might be a case of learning from mistakes.

Hats Off to Swansea . . . and Cardiff

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You had to feel for Luton last Saturday - and fair play to Swansea, they obviously did.

Luton's fans had turned up having seen two of their best players sold - including Wales international David Edwards - just two days before the game.

And 24 hours prior to kick-off they were left reeling from the news Kevin Blackwell had resigned and would be leaving on February 9, effectively giving a one month's notice.

Supporters and media alike were even more confused when Lewis Emanuel was named as a sub even though he was supposed to have joined Lincoln on loan.

But the Hatters fans were defiant and gave a lengthy chant declaring "Luton Town will never die" against the backdrop of the 3-1 defeat and the financial worries.

If any set of supporters knows what it's like to see your club go through the mill it's Swansea's, and in a break of play they turned and applauded the home fans and their efforts.

In return, the whole of Kenilworth Road then applauded Swansea's gesture. In a sport that often gets a bit murky and underhand, it was a refreshing sight.

So hats off to Swansea, but also to Cardiff who are on a resilient run of form at the moment.

Just a couple of points off the play-offs and a world away from the troubles of just a few weeks ago.

It's amazing how worries (Langston have not gone away, remember) are easily forgotten when the team are picking up results.

There's still work for Jones to do, of course. The ever-changing Championship league table can see teams slide down as quickly as they can spring up.

The criticism of Jones and his side back in December was right, though, even though he has changed things around.

But the calls for his head were always premature - and I think I went on record for saying that.

Still, now's not the time for feeling smug, Dave. There's plenty of work still to do with plenty of time to do it in.

Back with a Bang. . .

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It's been a while - but trust the FA Cup to get the blogging blood stirring again.

Havant & Waterlooville didn't quite land the knock-out blow to Swansea on Saturday, even if they did have a guy called Rocky playing up front.

But looking at this picture, thanks to the excellent www.scfc.co.uk (scroll down about half way to the ninth image), you can see they had a good try of flooring Darryl Duffy by other measures.

Now I'm up for the cup as any man, but you don't want to see this kind of thing on park pitches let alone Semi-pro or the Football Leagues.

No wonder Roberto Martinez was a bit annoyed after the final whistle, claiming the part-timers were out to rough the Swans up.

Looks like the replay is going to have a bit of edge about it - and that's before the possibility of Liverpool in the next round came about.

There's a good chance the game at Westleigh Park will be televised, with every neutral in the country behind the Conference South side.

It's all adding up to another test of Roberto Martinez's managerial skills - the majority of which the rookie has passed with flying colours so far.