The fan had complained to the club about recent results
A Cardiff City fan has unearthed a letter sent to his family by the club’s former manager – 41 years after it was first sent.
Posting on Twitter, Bluebirds fan Greg Edwards revealed the letter was sent in response to his late father. His dad had written to the club in 1980 as a 19-year-old, deeply dissatisfied with the club’s run of form.
The year is 1980 and, age 19, dad wrote to the @CardiffCityFC manager of the time, Richie Morgan, questioning the efforts of the team.
41 years later to the day (🤯), after losing dad..we’ve just found the letter & the 4 page response from Mr Morgan. @CardiffCityLive pic.twitter.com/nQCTmuDYfW
— Greg Edwards (@MrGPEdwards) January 25, 2021
After a 2-0 defeat to fourth-tier local rivals Newport County in the Welsh Cup, Edwards’ father wrote to the Cardiff manager at the time, Richie Morgan.
The letter began: “I am writing this as a result of Cardiff City’s abysmal performance against Newport County last night.
“In all my years of watching Cardiff City, I have never before seen such a pathetic display from a side ‘supposed’ to be ‘the best in Wales’.
“It is no wonder that the crowds are slowly going away from Ninian Park, when City are totally out-played, out-challenged and out-thought by a Fourth Division side.”
The letter went on to make comparisons with the plight of Swansea City. Cardiff’s arch rivals were also in the-then Second Division (now the Championship) and were on the rise through the divisions under the tutelage of former Cardiff man John Toshack.
“I think it is about time that Cardiff City thought of the vast amount of loyal supporters … who are being dragged away to see Swansea City.
“Swansea City talk about the First Division (now Premier League) and Cardiff have far better facilities and potential, support wise, than any team in Wales.”
No one could have blamed the Cardiff manager Richie Morgan if he cast the letter aside.
But he didn’t do that. He replied. Edwards’ family have only just discovered the response, however.
Morgan’s reply is honest and considerate of the fan’s complaints.
“I fully agree with your comments regarding the disgraceful display against Newport,” he said.
“It was without doubt the worst Cardiff City display I have had to witness since we took over.
“I appreciate more than most the fans’ frustrations, year after year you turn up in your thousands.”
Credit: @MrGPEdwardsThe frustration expressed by the fan in this letter is not too dissimilar to the situation at Cardiff currently. After finishing last season strongly, resulting in a play-off semi final defeat to Fulham, the Bluebirds were expected to mount a serious challenge for promotion this season.
It is fair to say that it hasn’t quite panned out like that.
Finding themselves languishing in 15th place, Cardiff recently sacked manager Neil Harris. After a humbling defeat to rivals Swansea in the South Wales Derby, a run of five consecutive losses saw the former Millwall man promptly relieved of his duties.
He has since been replaced by former Ireland, Wolves and Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy – which hasn’t exactly inspired fans of the club.
