Not the first Welsh team we’ve ever met, but we’d still say Cardiff City have long been the Principality’s principal club side. Now, this will obviously be a contentious mic to drop to make if you’re a Swansea City fan, for example. Newport County less so. Yet, we have rationale – that being the fact the Bluebirds are older and are the only team from outside England to have won the FA Cup. The question of Welsh teams in the English football pyramid is not up for discussion here, by the way. So, yeah – we’ve climbed a hill and maybe we’re prepared to die on it.
Right, let’s move on. We need to talk about how and why our paths never crossed for so long – followed by the reason why they did eventually. Truth is, the Bluebirds have a long track record of being in the top two tiers of the pyramid. Of course, we’re not saying they’ve never faltered. But they were up in that bracket since 2003; enjoying two spells in the Premier League. A takeover in 2010 that saw Malaysian owners take charge created more than a few ripples in the time that followed. And it all culminated with a humilating relegation to League One in 2025.
Cardiff City: The Facts
Cardiff City Stadium
Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ
Formed in 1899, the first name the Bluebirds went by was Riverside AFC; taking their name from Riverside Cricket Club and basically keeping them busy during the winter. The name Cardiff City didn’t come about until 1908… and even then it was a delayed adoption. So goes the story that an application was made in 1905 to become known as what we call them today when Cardiff was granted city status. But their local FA said no because they were tinpot. So, they joined the South Wales League in 1907 and got their name change a year later.
A lack of a proper ground meant the Bluebirds had to turn down a place in the Southern League, with Ninian Park not opening until 1910. After that, things started to pick up pace. Into the Southern League they went and had an alright time of things. So, the time came in 1920 to chance their arm at a higher level and into the Football League (Division Two) they went. The Roaring Twenties are arguably the ‘Diff’s stand-out time; gaining promotion to, and then finishing second in, the top flight. Oh, and there was also FA Cup silverware in 1927.
The 1930s saw them fall from such heights, but that didn’t put an end to their appearances in the top division. On two occasions in the 1950s and 1960s you’d see them in with the elite. But then came a huge period of “meh” that only really ended in 2013 when the Welsh side were promoted to the Premier League. It ended a half-century wait for a return to the top flight. And, when it came about, it was short-lived; going straight back down in 2014. It was a trick then repeated in 2018-9, although they did fare a little better; falling short of survival by just two points.
Why do we know Cardiff City?
The Bluebirds had two decent campaigns when back in the Championship; ending the Covid-hit 2019-20 season in fifth. Yet, fortunes were reversed and they found themselves slogging it out at the wrong end of the Championship table. After flirting with relegation in the 2022-3 season, it looked as if they may have sorted things out; finishing the next season in mid-table. Alas, no. The 2024-5 campaign was a disaster and, as the scrap intensified at the bottom, the Bluebirds couldn’t find anything to save themselves. It was a return to the third tier for the first time since 2003.
How to get to Cardiff City – Travel Information – Distance: 173 miles
By Road
For the most part, this is a pretty simple road trip. It’s only when you reach the Welsh capital that things get a little more detailed. To start with, however, all you need to worry about is getting yourself onto the westbound M4. That stretch between Reading and Bristol is as dull as anything the M1 has to offer. But, once you’re on that bridge over the Severn and into Wales, it gets a little more interesting. Even if we hear the speed limits are daft or something.
Right, when in Wales, look out for Junction 33. This feels as if you’ve passed a couple of junctions that take you to Cardiff already. But there is a method to this because the stadium is technically on the western side of the city. Go south on the A4232 towards Penarth and stick with it for six miles. This will bring you to the B4267 junction, where you need to come off. And basically that’s it. The stadium is in there behind the lovely Asda Leckwith superstore.
Based on what their official site says, there is parking at the stadium on matchdays – which is open until 30 minutes before the advertised start time. It’ll set you back a tenner (cash) and spaces are there on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive late, you may be disappointed. The official site also explains the car park can close up to an hour before kick-off. So, we’ll have to play that one by ear.
We’re going to guess that parking at the nearby Asda, Costco, or Booker could be frowned upon. The same may be said for local residential streets. Pay attention to any notices if you want to avoid any enforcement charges.
By Rail
Station: CARDIFF CENTRAL
Services to: LONDON PADDINGTON
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