Cardiff City - Ninian Park

4th December 2007

Cardiff City 0-2 Charlton Athletic

Down in Cardiff on work business, I was pleasantly surprised to find Cardiff City had a home fixture during my visit.  Particularly so as Ninian Park’s days were numbered – it was due to close in 2009, once a replacement stadium was completed.  The ground holds a poignant place in the heart of most Scottish Football fans, being the place the late (very) great Jock Stein died in 1985.

Cardiff City, toiling near the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship had enticed Robbie Fowler and Jimmie Floyd Hasselbaink to the club – two forwards with prodigious reputations, but both well past their prime.  Fowler was injured for this match, as he seemed to be for most of his spell at Ninian Park.  Hasselbaink, playing in his final season before retiring, started on the bench.

But it was to be Charlton’s night with Matt Holland and Danny Mills, (both former international players), looking head and shoulders above Cardiff’s honest toilers.  HOLLAND opened the scoring the 34^th minute with a delightfully controlled volley, with Andy REID converting a penalty 11 minutes from time.



The main entrance to Ninian Park, looking one way.......



............then t'other.

A picture of the Bob Bank - so called because entrance to 
stand on the terrace used to cost one shilling. 



Half-time refreshments

Panorama of Ninian Park, Cardiff.