BLUEBIRDS AND HAMMERS

Club News

A look at some links between the two clubs

Looking back over the years there has been plenty to link the two sides that meet at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday for a crucial Barclays Premier League encounter.

Most recently of course, was the arrival of former Bluebird Roger Johnson at Upton Park in the week after signing a season long loan deal from League One side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Johnson isn’t the first former City defender to head to East London of course. In July 2005 two of City’s major central defenders James Collins and Danny Gabbidon moved to West Ham United in a double switch to Upton Park.

Gabbidon has since moved on from The Hammers and is now at Crystal Palace after a spell with Queen’s Park Rangers. James, who is currently out of action through injury, is in his second spell with The Hammers after a period at Aston Villa.

Former Hammer Jack helped City up...

Looking further back, Jack Burton was a major player for Cardiff City between 1911 and 1914. Burton came to City from non-league Nelson in Lancashire and helped the Bluebirds win promotion from the Southern League’s Second Division in 1912/13. Before joining Nelson, he had played for West Ham who were then in the Southern League.

Ex-Hammer Billy Cup-Tied for 1927 success

When winger Billy Thirlaway joined us from Birmingham City in March 1927 City had just reached the semi-final of the FA. Cup. Having previously played in the competition with his former club Birmingham, Thirlaway was cup-tied for the Bluebirds and could not play in the semi-final of the Final. He had been with West Ham United from 1921 to 1924, making a number of appearances for them before moving on to Southend, Luton, South Shields and then Birmingham. He stayed at Ninian Park until the end of 1928/29.

Two Ex-Hammers City managers

Frank O’Farrell was a Republic of Ireland International with West Ham in the 1950s. His managerial career eventually brought him to Cardiff City in November 1973 and one of his first appointments was his former Hammers team-mate Jimmy Andrews as coach.

Frank, who will be at Cardiff City stadium for Saturday’s match against the Hammers, left to become Iran team-manager in April 1974, he was succeeded by Jimmy Andrews as Cardiff manager until November 1978.