As we proudly celebrate our 125th anniversary, the Bluebirds will take part in 125 local community Engagements during the 2024/25 season.
Further strengthening ties with our passionate supporters, these special visits are our way of recognising local Bluebirds and celebrating the pillars of our communities throughout this historic campaign.
An overview of the engagements will be documented and shared, showcasing the strong bond between Cardiff City FC and our communities.
The Llanover Arms
Visit number 1 of 125 took place at The Llanover Arms in Pontypridd, a pub rich in history and with a connection to our Club. This beloved local establishment has been in the Richards family since 1899 - the very year Cardiff City FC was founded.
Evan James, who wrote the lyrics of the Welsh national anthem, was a regular at the pub in his time and even wrote a poem about the Llanover, which sits in the passageway today.
City defender Dimitrios Goutas had the pleasure of meeting the pub's landlord, John. His son, Dan, continues the legacy of running the Llanover Arms, passed down through the generations.
Over 70 & 75s World Cup
We made our second stop at a truly inspiring event—the Over 70 & 75s World Cup, held at the Cardiff City Academy pitches in Llanrumney.
This annual tournament brings together teams from around the globe, featuring players who once graced the professional and semi-professional football stages. It's a testament to the enduring love for the beautiful game, even well into the later years of life.
On the second day of the tournament, City's Cian Ashford and Matthew Turner joined the action, witnessing the remarkable skill and passion on display, catching up with ex-Bluebird Jimmy Mullen, who is involved in the tournament as the Assistant Manager of the Welsh team.
Both the Wales Over 70s and Over 75s teams had enjoyed a scorching hot start to the group stages, showing that age is no barrier to competitiveness and determination.
A special birthday visit
In the third part of our 125 Supporter Engagements in celebration of our 125th anniversary, we continued our journey by honouring one of our most dedicated fans—95-year-old Jeffrey James, who has been a lifelong supporter of the Bluebirds. On his birthday, Cardiff City’s Calum Chambers made a special visit to Jeffrey’s home in Cardiff to celebrate this incredible milestone and to personally thank him for his unwavering support throughout the decades.
Jeffrey’s connection to Cardiff City FC runs deep, having travelled home and away to support the Bluebirds since he was a young boy. His passion for the Club is a testament to the loyalty and dedication that make Cardiff City supporters so special. Now, his son Peter James carries on the family tradition, running coaches for fans to travel to away matches, ensuring that the next generation of City fans can continue to show their support on the road.
During the visit, Calum sat down with Jeffrey to reminisce about the many years Jeffrey has spent following Cardiff City. To mark the occasion, Calum presented Jeffrey with a signed shirt from the first team squad, a small token of appreciation for his lifetime of dedication.
Visiting Gladstone Primary School
We continued our series of Supporter Engagements with a memorable visit to Gladstone Primary School. Built in 1899—the same year Cardiff City FC was founded—Gladstone Primary shares a special connection with the Club, making this engagement a fitting tribute to mark the milestone.
Joining the students for the day were Kion Etete from our Men’s First Team, Will Spiers from the U21s squad, as well as Megan Bowen and Hollie Smith from our Women’s Team. The players spent time with the children, sharing insights into their football careers and the journeys that led them to Cardiff City. The kids had plenty of questions, and the players were more than happy to offer advice, answer queries, and talk about the dedication it takes to succeed in football.
A Heartfelt Visit to a Lifelong Supporter
Callum O'Dowda recently visited David Jackson, a lifelong Bluebirds fan, at his home in Llanrumney. David, who has just turned 87, has supported Cardiff City since he was a young boy, and his unwavering dedication to the Club is truly inspiring.
In recent times, David has faced immense personal hardship, having lost his wife, brother, and daughter to cancer. Understanding the difficult challenges David has endured, Callum took time out to celebrate David’s birthday and to personally thank him for his many years of loyal support.
During the visit, Callum and David sat down for a heartfelt conversation about their shared love for the Bluebirds. David reminisced about his decades of following Cardiff City, recounting memorable matches and moments that have shaped his lifelong connection to the Club. In return, Callum shared stories from his own footballing journey, offering a unique perspective from a player’s point of view.
Celebrating Cnect Wales, A Valued Community Partner
David Turnbull paid a special visit to Cnect Wales, a proud and dedicated Cardiff City Stadium box holder at every home game. This visit was a celebration of the longstanding partnership between Cnect Wales and the Bluebirds, and it was an opportunity to honour the impact Cnect Wales has made on the Welsh economy and community.
Sandra Busby, a lifelong Cardiff City fan, is the heart and driving force behind Cnect Wales. Her commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, as well as her dedication to people and customer service, has left a lasting mark on Welsh business. Under her leadership, Cnect Wales has managed two European Funded Welsh Graduate Programmes to develop future industry leaders and continues to contribute over £650 million annually to the Welsh economy.
During his visit, Turnbull took time to meet Sandra and the Cnect Wales team, recognising their years of support and dedication to Cardiff City FC. The visit was a wonderful reminder of the strong partnerships Cardiff City has fostered within the community and the contributions of businesses like Cnect Wales to the broader Welsh landscape.
A FUN-FILLED VISIT TO VICTORIA PRIMARY SCHOOL
We made our latest stop at Victoria Primary School in Penarth. Perry Ng and Anwar El Ghazi visited the school, bringing excitement and smiles to two Year 6 classes, each with 30 enthusiastic pupils. The visit began with a lively Q&A session, where the children eagerly asked questions about the players’ careers, life as professional footballers, and their favourite moments with the Bluebirds. Perry and Anwar shared their personal experiences and offered the young fans advice on the importance of hard work, perseverance, and following their dreams.
The day got even better when it was time to head outside for some football games. The players each led a team, encouraging the children to get involved, show their skills, and work together. The games were filled with laughter, competitive spirit, and plenty of teamwork—a core value that both Perry and Anwar emphasised throughout the session.
MARK LEWIS' INSPIRING JOURNEY
We were honoured to celebrate the incredible achievements of lifelong Bluebirds fan Mark Lewis ahead of our match against Queens Park Rangers. Anwar El Ghazi spent time with Mark, sharing his inspiring story and posing for a special photo pitch side to mark the moment.
Mark, affectionately known as "Charlie," is from Merthyr Tydfil and has been a devoted Cardiff City supporter since attending his first match at Ninian Park during the 1982/83 season. Since then, he has remained a “true blue,” standing by the Club through thick and thin. Despite battling Stage 4 prostate cancer, Mark has shown remarkable courage, determination, and compassion by undertaking an incredible challenge to support others in need.
In October, Mark pledged to walk at least five kilometres every day with his beloved dog, Rosie, to raise funds for Prostate United, a campaign supporting those affected by prostate cancer. Originally setting a modest target of £500, Mark’s dedication and resilience inspired supporters far and wide, helping him surpass his goal and raise over £3,500—a truly outstanding achievement.
During their meeting, Anwar El Ghazi expressed his admiration for Mark’s incredible strength and commitment. Their conversation, held pitch side at Cardiff City Stadium, highlighted the profound connection between the Club and its fans, who continue to inspire us every day.
SPREADING FESTIVE CHEER WITH BLUEBIRDS CRIMBO 2024
This Christmas, Cardiff City players brought the festive spirit to life with their annual Bluebirds Crimbo campaign, surprising some of the club’s most passionate and loyal supporters across South Wales. From lifelong fans to families with generational ties to the club, this year’s campaign celebrated the heart and soul of Cardiff City.
Each surprise visit highlighted a unique and moving story of dedication to the Bluebirds. Whether it was stories of fans who’ve followed the team for over 70 years or families who’ve passed down their love for Cardiff City through four generations, the campaign demonstrated how football is about so much more than the game—it’s about community, connection, and cherished memories.
Highlights of the campaign included Ethan Horvath visiting Chris in Newport, whose decades-long passion for the Bluebirds defines his weekends, and Ollie Tanner meeting a father-daughter duo who’ve been sharing matchdays together since she was seven years old. For another fan, Rubin Colwill relived the magic of a historic European Cup Winners' Cup win against Real Madrid in 1971, a moment that still gives goosebumps decades later.
The campaign also celebrated the next generation of fans. Jesper Daland surprised a family whose young son Ryder, despite being severely visually impaired, never misses a match and celebrates every goal as passionately as anyone in the stadium. Meanwhile, Alex Robertson delighted Marcus and Theo Panayi, a father and son who both had the honour of being Cardiff City mascots, 37 years apart!
Stories of enduring support, even through life’s toughest challenges, were also honoured. Joe Ralls met Jonathan, who cherishes a poignant memory of celebrating a play-off win with his late father, while Aaron Ramsey surprised Raymond, a 90-year-old supporter who’s been attending Cardiff City matches for more than 80 years despite his health challenges.
The campaign also highlighted the camaraderie of the Cardiff City football family. Manolis Siopis visited Lee Webster, who found comfort and connection through his fellow supporters after the loss of his father. Chris Willock surprised Gwilym, whose first match in 1955 sparked a family tradition that now includes his sons and grandchildren, creating three generations of Bluebirds fans.
These personal stories, told through surprise visits from the players, encapsulate what it means to be part of the Cardiff City community.
AARON RAMSEY MEETS BELIEVE ORGAN DONOR SUPPORT FOUNDER ANNA BATES
Our next engagement brought Aaron Ramsey together with Anna Bates, founder of the Believe Organ Donor Support charity. The meeting took place at the Club’s training ground, where Aaron created a handprint for the charity’s memorial garden, symbolising the enduring impact of organ donation.
Anna’s connection to Cardiff City runs deep; her son’s middle name was Aaron, inspired by Ramsey. But Anna’s story is one of unimaginable tragedy transformed into a legacy of hope.
In December 2015, Anna’s life was changed forever when her husband Stuart and son Fraser were struck by a car while walking home from a school Christmas concert. Stuart died instantly, and Fraser was rushed to a specialist hospital in Bristol. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Fraser’s injuries were too severe for him to survive.
In the midst of profound grief, Anna was asked if she would donate Fraser’s organs—a decision she had to make quickly and under tremendous emotional strain. Without adequate support to guide her through the process, Anna made the courageous choice to donate Fraser’s organs, which went on to save the lives of four critically ill people.
Following this heartbreaking experience, Anna returned home with her three-year-old daughter to navigate a new reality without her husband and son. While she received no formal support from the healthcare system, friends, family, and the wider community rallied around her. It was this outpouring of kindness and solidarity that inspired Anna to channel her grief into founding the Believe Organ Donor Support charity, just one week after losing half her family.
The charity provides essential support for families affected by organ donation and raises awareness of the life-saving gift it represents. By sharing her story, Anna educates others on the importance of organ donation and creates a support network for those navigating similar journeys.
During their meeting, Aaron was moved by Anna’s story and her determination to make a positive impact despite the heartbreak she endured. By contributing his handprint to the Believe Organ Donor Support memorial garden, Aaron demonstrated his support for Anna’s mission and the lives transformed by her charity’s work.