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Former Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has accepted an invitation to become an honorary life member of the Trust.

In a letter responding to the invitation from Trust chair Tim Hartley, Malky said: “It was an absolute pleasure to receive your letter. I was touched by its kindness and really appreciate the sentiment.

“I absolutely loved my job and loved living in Cardiff. In truth I’m gutted that I’m not still there.

“As far as the Cardiff fans are concerned, my memory will live long of their passion , commitment and welcome that myself and my staff were given in our time at the club. It would be an honour to be made a life member and, of course, I would accept such a thing.

“I thought you spoke with passion, thoughtfulness and clarity at the meeting in the board room. Please don’t give up on trying to do the right things for the club. Once again, Tim thanks for the memories and the support. I wish you the very best of luck and health.”

Tim Hartley said: “Malky Mackay made a huge contribution during his time at Cardiff City, culminating in promotion to the Premier League.

“He had a fantastic rapport with Bluebirds fans and was undoubtedly one of the most popular managers in the club’s history. So we thought it was appropriate that Malky should be invited to become an honorary member of the Trust. We’re delighted that Malky has accepted that invitation.”

The following Press release was  issued by Mick Antoniw, the Assembly Member for Pontypridd

Mick Antoniw, Assembly Member for Pontypridd has gained Welsh Government involvement in his aim to help Supporters Direct Cymru get off the ground in Wales.

Mick Antoniw, who chairs the All Party Group on Co-operatives and Mutuals, recently hosted an event at the Assembly to identify how community ownership of sport can be extended and made more accessible.

The event was addressed by representatives from Supporters Direct, who already work in Wales by virtue of supporters’ trusts established by clubs in the English football pyramid, and have already spent time with groups involved in Llanelli AFC and Pontypridd, and have met with the WRU and Sports Wales.

Supporters Direct’s successes, such as their role in helping to rescue Merthyr Town FC, convinced Mick Antoniw of the merit of setting up Supporters Direct establishing themselves independently in Wales.  He raised the issue with Culture and Sport Minister John Griffiths, who readily agreed to get involved.

“I’m really pleased to have had such an enthusiastic response from the Minister,” Mick Antoniw said.  “It shows the Welsh Government is serious about promoting sport in Wales and has the confidence in people on the ground to take a leading role in the clubs and sports facilities that are often at the centre of their community.”

“There’s been a growing interest across Wales in community ownership generally and I firmly believe that establishing Supporters Direct Cymru will help put sport back at the heart of our communities.”

Head of England and Wales for Supporters Direct, Daniel Rose, said, “Political backing is extremely important in moving this sort of ambitious project forward.  I am hugely encouraged by the Welsh Government’s willingness to get involved.  My colleagues and I are looking forward to meeting with the Minister very soon.”

Tim Hartley, chair of Cardiff City  Supporters Trust said, “This is a really exciting development.  Wales has been an enthusiastic proponent of supporters’ trusts already, but we currently have no way of extending that into other areas that need it. A Supporters Direct Cymru will help us to reach more communities, more effectively.”

David Craig and Keith Morgan, are pictured (centre and right) presenting a cheque for £500 to Richard Moremon, Ty Hafan Head of Strategic Relationships.

The Trust has presented a £500 cheque to children’s charity, Ty Hafan following the sale of T-shirts.

The fund raising idea came from board member Jon Day, who worked on the design and production of the T-shirts with a friend.

The T-shirts were sold for £7 with £3 of this donated to Ty Hafan and most were sold from the Trust Office at the stadium.  The success of the fund raising project would not have been possible without the generosity and support of Bluebirds fans.

Following the cheque presentation, Trust vice-chair David Craig and fellow board member Keith Morgan were given a tour of the facilities at Ty Hafan by Diane Stringer, Strategic Relationships  Co-ordinator.

David  said: “Both Keith and I were so impressed by what we heard about the level of care provided by staff; by the range and quality of the care facilities, both for children, young people and families and knowing that the £500 will help towards the continuation of such a unique facility.

“We also heard about the wonderful long-term support given to Ty Hafan by our club.  On the visitor palm-print wall in one of the corridors our attention was drawn in particular to those of Graham Kavanagh, Anthony Gerrard and Malky Mackay.”

David Craig and Keith Morgan, are pictured (centre and right) presenting a cheque for £500 to Richard Moremon, Ty Hafan Head of Strategic Relationships.

Do any ‘Bluebirds’ fans out there want to take us down memory lane with stories from your days at Ninian Park? Author Lloyd Thompson (lloyd.thompson@blueyonder.co.uk) is publishing a book and your views may be published in it.

This is what Lloyd wrote to the Trust:

How did you feel when your team ‘upped-sticks’ and left your old ground? Were you upset, frustrated or annoyed at your Club relocating or was it the best thing that ever happened? I know how strongly I felt when my team Bolton Wanderers left Burnden Park and moved out of town to the Reebok.

Having watched The Wanderers at Burnden for almost 30 years of my life I felt so devastated that I felt compelled to write an article which was published in just about every fanzine and magazine at the time.

Since then dozens of clubs up and down the country have moved home and I am looking for fans who want to tell their stories in a new book that I am releasing.

I am already a published author and being a massive football fan I want to write a book about football by the people who know best, THE FANS! I would really like to feature your contributions about how real fans feel when the team they love leaves its ‘spiritual home’.

So, if you are interested in having your say then please email me your stories and feeling, this is your moment to have your say! By contributing you could very well be published!

Please note no payments will be made for any contributions but the opportunity to feature in what I know will be the book of the century, you will live on forever – payment enough!!!

The Trust Board wants to build up a fighting fund to enable it to meet any challenges that might arise and generally improve the Trust’s finances.

This will also cover the organisation of appeals, undertaking work to raise funds to donate to particular charities and to assist other groups raise funds through advice, guidance, the sharing of experience and encouraging our members to attend events.

To this end the Board wants to set up a Trust fundraising group and would like the wider membership to become involved.  So, if you are interested and want to know more please contact Board member David Craig @ fundraising@ccfctrust.org. David will then be able to provide you with details of what is planned.

We had great success with the Fred Keenor Statue Appeal and would like to use the experience we gained from that and, on behalf of good causes, benefit from the generosity, goodwill and enthusiasm of all Cardiff City’s supporters and their relatives and friends.