OLYMPICS-Final preparations for the torch parade and party

Well it seems like it’s been a long time coming but the Olympics 2012 is just around the corner and you can feel the anticipation and excitement building across the whole of the Country. (Well if you watch the BBC maybe…)
Here in Cardiff the council have erected many banners and flags along the streets currently lining the torch route that it will take via the City Centre (with many more to go up in the next few weeks!)

CCFC-Bluebirds to change to red kit?

After Cardiff City’s 2011-2012 Championship season had come to an end with them losing out on a playoff final place to Westham – rumours about a kit colour change began circulating on the internet with this initial post over at the Cardiff City Message Board:-

Cardiff City-Pitch invader at Cardiff v Westham

Well it wasn’t the most rivetting of games and we were lucky to escape only 2-0 down but one ‘supporter’ thought he needed to get onto the pitch and make his views of the game known?

Well he got onto the pitch and didn’t really do anything at all….no protest…no streaking… it was all quite pointless really. He then scarpered back into the crowd with 87 stewards chasing after him before eventually catching him and then frogmarched him out! (Was reminiscent of a Benny Hill chase!)

Did give us something else to moan about though!

WALES-Six Nations Grand slam Winners

1908, 1909, 1911, 1950, 1952, 1971, 1976, 1978, 2005, 2008 and now 2012 – eleven Grand Slams for Wales.

Estimates of around a quarter of a million people packed pubs and clubs in Cardiff with more opting to watch at a screen set up near Cardiff City Hall.

A short sharp shower prior to kick-off didn’t dampen any spirits with everyone eager for the Six Nations Grand Slam decider between Wales and France to kick off!

FOOTBALL-The Malkytollah picture at Wembley

Whilst Cardiff City were taking on Liverpool in the Carling Cup final at Wembley it seems Malky Mackay was taking on Rafa Benitez in other ways!

One Cardiff City fan decided to proudly display a framed picture of the Cardiff City Manager and take it around Wembley and surrounding area before the important game kicked off.

A Facebook group called ‘The Passion of The Malky’ was set up where people submitted their photos and stories for everyone to enjoy with some of the best appearing below.

FOOTBALL-Cardiff City v Liverpool Match photos

What a day, what a game, what a mix of emotions, what a journey but overall what a great day of football. I don’t really think I need to write much here at all that hasn’t already been said but will let the pictures sum up what was a fantastic day regardless which side you ended up supporting!
I still can’t watch that Gerrard penalty without thinking that there still is a chance that it may still go in! Oh the agony!

It all began with Cardiff City football team leaving The Cardiff City Stadium on Friday with fans arriving in London throughout the weekend with most making the journey early on Sunday morning getting there in loads of time for the big game.

Proceedings began with nearly 90,000 football packing the new Wembley stadium ready for the Carling Cup final between Championship side Cardiff City (regulars at the new Wembley) and Premiership side Liverpool (first trip in years to Wembley and their first to the new Wembley stadium!)

Both teams took to the pitch to raptures of applause, pumping music and ceremony complete with big banners and flags being paraded around the pitch and stadium. Players shook hands before kicking off one of the most memorable Carling Cup final in years infront of a very vocal and eager crowd.

FOOTBALL-Trip to Wembley for Carling Cup Final

Not that anyone has slept much for the last few days but it was an early 7am rise to make our way through a deserted Canton to leave Cardiff ready for the Carling Cup Final 2012.

Leaving a really sunny and bright Cardiff for a much more cloudier England and also one passenger behind who had failed to get to the pick-up pint on time! Ok he was still in bed totally leathered and slept through his alarm so it was time to begin our journey to Wembley – still loads of time ready for the 4 o’clock kickoff.

RUGBY-Six nations England v Wales

A massive weekend of sport awaits us in Cardiff with Nathan Cleverly fighting at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff City taking on Liverpool tomorrow in the Carling Cup final at Wembley but first it’s the best battle of the Six Nations campaign – England v Wales at Twickenham.

Here’s a little video that I made of my favourite Wales v England game made even more so sweet by wiping that smile off Jeremy Guscott’s face!. For some reason there are certain phrases that Eddie Butler says that still sends shivers down my spine now! Enjoy!

Let’s hope Wales can kick start the winning weekend by bringing the Triple Crown home!

FOOTBALL-Cardiff City leave for Wembley

With just 48 hours to go until Cardiff City take on Premiership side Liverpool in the Carling Cup Final 2012 at Wembley – fans were given a chance to cheer the lads off in style from the Cardiff City Stadium.

From about 12:20 on Friday 24th February the players dribbled out of the Cardiff City Stadium to rounds of applause and cheering before getting on the coach that will take them on their fourth trip to Wembley in the last four years!

RUGBY-Wales training session

The Millennium Stadium threw open it’s doors again for another free Wales training session on 15th February, 2012. Thousands queued from around midday and were allowed access from 2pm ready for the main event kicking-off at 3pm.
Fans were promised an exclusive glimpse of the squad being put through their paces and normal training preparations in front of a 13,000 strong crowd.

Everyone had to register on the WRU website initially so they could staff the event properly and make sure the whole event went smoothly (which it did!)

QUESTION-Vicious sticker outside Cardiff Arms Park

Just spotted this horrendous sticker at one of the entrances to the Cardiff Arms Park rugby stadium on Westgate Street.
I was initially drawn to the Cardiff Blues sign to see if any further details were on display concerning the amount of Cardiff Blues games now to be held at the site. But instead I found this quite offensive sticker!

 
It appears to illustrate a dark shadow/silhoutte attempting to cut someone’s throat! Is that supposed to be an activist in the hat complete with megaphone in his hand? Does anyone recognise this sticker or the artist involved?

RUGBY-Ireland v Wales

The Six Nations 2012 tournament kicked off on Saturday with a few warm-up games before the main event of the weekend – Ireland v Wales at the new Aviva Stadium in Dublin. All the pundits and experts seemed to have Ireland down as favourites to win but this game was to be anything but predictable!

What an absolute stormer of a game with both sides giving us all an amazing match full of skill and excitement in every twist and turn. In the first half Wales were the stronger side and had the lions share of possession and territory but this wasn’t reflected in the score! Rhys Preistland is a great player but his kicking wasn’t upto standard and dropped us some vital points.

After the interval both teams took the game up a gear with much more pace and tempo but it was marred by two dodgy tackles – one definatly a RED card whereas the other was at most a yellow. Leigh Halfpenny took over kicking duties for Wales and managed to score the vital winner in the dying seconds to get Wales a 23 – 21 victory and possibly setting up Wales to get another Grand Slam?

It's the right result achieved the wrong way.—
Nathan Hamer (@njhamer) February 05, 2012

Boys were class !!!!!!—
Dan Lydiate (@dan_lydiate) February 05, 2012

Just fell over my sofa but do I care? No. I FACKING LOVE YOU WALES.—
Nathan Walker (@NathanWalkerr) February 05, 2012

FOOTBALL-Cardiff City v Crystal Palace

Another year in the life of Cardiff City football club and another big tournament final – their first ever time reaching the final of the Carling Cup. Cardiff City saw off Premiership opposition Blackburn in late November and then Crystal Palace were drawn for them to play next in the semi-finals.

FOOTBALL-Cardiff City v Blackburn

At the end of November it was time for Cardiff City to take on some Premiership challengers in the quarter finals of the Carling Cup – this time Blackburn Rovers at home.
19,436 fans packed the Cardiff City Stadium where there was an outpouring of grief for the late Wales Manager Gary Speed.
First there was a minutes applause – then a minute’s silence. A Welsh flag was then laid on the pitch with both managers laying wreaths paying their own respects and then the game was off!

FOOTBALL-Tributes to Gary Speed

Wales football manager Gary Speed died at his home in Chester early on Sunday 27th November, 2011. The news began to filter through to the media around midday with a total shock and disbelief surrounding it.
Unfortunately it was all true and the 42 year old was found hanged hours after his last appearance on the BBC football programme ‘Football Focus’

I was totally immersed in the rolling news coverage and couldn’t believe how affected I was by this story even though I’ve never met him or knew much about him. The whole story was totally hard to comprehend.

It was even worse trying to watch professional football players and commentators try and bring us this news which was also hugely affecting them aswell.
 
Robbie Savage was reeled out into the BBC News studios and Sky Sports News reporter Bryn Law was live at Elland Road – both of the emotional videos are below.