The Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust has announced that Paul Corkrey is to stand down from his position as Chairman with immediate effect as a result of medical advice.

A 51 year-old former coal miner from Treharris who lost his right leg in an accident at Taff Merthyr colliery in 1978, Paul has been advised by his consultant to minimize his involvement in the Trust following a recent deterioration in his physical condition.

Corky, as Paul is better-known, acted as Secretary of the Valley RAMS supporters’ club between 2001 and 2006 before founding the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust in 2007. A lifelong Bluebirds fanatic, he also serves as the Secretary of FSF Cymru, which is the Welsh branch of the national Football Supporters’ Federation.

CCST Vice-Chairman Tim Hartley led the tributes to Paul, saying: “On behalf of the board, I would like to place on record our sincere thanks for the incredible amount of work Corky has put into the Trust over the last couple of years.

“Paul was the man who got things started in November 2007 when he called the initial meeting aimed at setting up a trust for Cardiff City supporters, and since then he has been tireless in his efforts to help the organisation become properly established. He has done a wonderful job for the fans of our club throughout the last nine years, so hopefully he will now enjoy a well-deserved break.”

Membership Secretary Dave Sugarman added: “Corky is very disappointed at having to step down, but obviously his health must come first. He’s become a good friend to a great many Bluebirds fans over the years and his unique brand of leadership will be sorely missed by everyone involved in the Trust.

“Having said that, I know Paul is a very firm believer in the supporters’ trust movement and he’s rightly proud of what our trust has managed to achieve so far, so I’m sure he’ll be involved again in some capacity once he’s had a rest and regained his strength.”

VACANCY –  MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

The position of Membership Secretary was being temporarily filled however it is now time for this to be a stand alone role. Therefore Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust are seeking a volunteer who would be able to take this position on.

Please find below an outline of the role:

•  Collection of membership applications from the PO Box at Llanishen a minimum of once per week (ideally twice per week)
• Collation of online membership which is accessed via an e-mail account
• All other forms of membership – to be arranged
• Inputting of membership details into the online system
• Post membership packs (letter, badge and membership card) to members

 Please note that:

• Full training will be provided with continued support

If you are interested in applying for the role please send your details to Tracey Marsh at finances@ccfctrust.org or send your request by post to:

Cardiff City FC Supporters Trust
P.O. Box 4254, Cardiff, CF14 8FD

Thank you

Tracey Marsh

The board of the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust understands and shares the frustration that many Bluebirds fans are feeling as a result of the club’s current predicament. Our beloved football club appears to be in a precarious position with a High Court appearance scheduled for next week, various bills remaining unpaid and sources of future income seemingly already exhausted.

We are aware that some of our members will be taking part in Saturday’s planned protest march from Canton to the Cardiff City Stadium. Although the Supporters’ Trust has not been involved in the organisation of this event, we recognise the fans’ right to protest peacefully.

Meanwhile, the Trust’s board are requesting an urgent meeting with Bluebirds officials in order to discuss the current situation and seek assurances about the club’s financial stability in the short, medium and long term.

Paul Corkrey
Chairman

Representing Cardiff City Football Club (Holdings) Ltd at today’s Extraordinary General Meeting were Chairman Peter Ridsdale, Group Finance Director Alan Flitcroft, Company Secretary Alan Whiteley and board member Steve Borley. Apologies were given for the absence of missing board members Keith Harris and Dato Chan Tien Ghee.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 10am by giving the shareholders some background information regarding the House of Sport land sale proposal, which was the only official item on the agenda. While doing so, he confirmed the board would take questions from shareholders later in the meeting regarding the club’s current financial situation, and he then invited any questions specific to the land sale proposal.

A shareholder asked if the price of the land in respect of the proposed deals with Borley Engineering Services Ltd and PMG Developments PLC had been valued independently. Peter Ridsdale confirmed that it had and stated that the council were fully satisfied that the best value on the deals had been achieved.

Shareholder Mike Roderick asked if the deal regarding the House of Sport was in the best interests of the football club as it appeared to him that a valuable future income stream was being sold off in order to service current debts.

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