Author: rhiannadavies8
Opinion Piece – Cardiff City: The Best Era
I began watching Cardiff City at the age of 5. Dave Jones was manager at the time. Since then I have seen 6 managers, including Jones, take over in the Welsh capital. Undoubtedly, some had more success than others. Taking into account each managerial era, one or two stood out more than others.
It is fair to say, when Dave Jones took charge of Cardiff City in 2005, the club were in a tough position. On the brink of administration, Jones had an uphill battle to climb. For many, Jones was not a fan favourite amongst City supporters. Despite this, I believe his legacy was one of, if not the, most prominent.
Jones brought life back to the club alongside a brand of football that had been a distant memory for many supporters. With the likes of Michael Chopra, Jay Bothroyd, Ross McCormack, Peter Whittingham and Stephen McPhail playing under Jones, the Bluebirds produced some of the best football I have seen as a City supporter.
Despite the glorious football on display, to many fans the Dave Jones era was unsuccessful as Cardiff failed to gain promotion to the Premier League during this time. Even though they appeared at Wembley on two occasions, the 2008 FA Cup Final and the 2010 Championship Play Off Final, many fans disliked Jones because of his lack of emotion on the touch line. However, I highly rated him.
Although I would agree that the best football was produced during the Jones era, the lack of success tarnishes the idea that this was the best period overall.
During the last 14 years, Cardiff City have had a taste of success. They reached the top-flight of English football twice. The first being under Malky Mackay and most recently with Neil Warnock. Despite their efforts, they were relegated after just one season in the Premier League on both occasions.
Some would suggest that the Malky Mackay era has been the most successful over this period because during his first season in charge Mackay led Cardiff to their first ever League Cup Final. The South Walian side narrowly lost on penalties to Liverpool. Under Warnock, Cardiff failed to impress in cup competitions.
However, for me Mackay’s second season at the club was the most notorious in his managerial era. He guided Cardiff to promotion to the Premier League in 2013 for the first time in the club’s history.
During their time in the topflight, it was thought that Mackay was in dispute with club owner Vincent Tan. In 2013 Mackay was sacked and Cardiff were relegated during a controversial time when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge.
Had Mackay still been in charge I believe Cardiff would have remained a Premier League side the following season. It is a shame that the problems off the field could be seen on the pitch. Granted his time at Cardiff is now overshadowed by the issues held off the field.
Personally, the Warnock era was the most exciting time as a Cardiff supporter. Many, including myself, would never have thought that we would witness a second season in the Premier League. His eighth promotion was a special one for both him and the fans due to the club’s underdog status.
The football on display was not by all means pretty and could not be compared to Dave Jones’ style or even Mackay’s. However, because Cardiff were the dark horse I felt as though it meant a lot more to both the manager and fans.
A connection that goes beyond words. Warnock shared a love for the club and fans which was highly reciprocated. Despite being relegated after just one season in the top-flight as well as a rocky start to life back in the Championship, fans adored Warnock. Despite my disappointment regarding his departure I felt as though it came at the right time.
Neil Warnock’s time at Cardiff will live on in the memory of Cardiff fans for many years to come. Their second stint in the Premier League was the total opposite to the first. I was able to enjoy watching them and they missed out on Premiership football the following season by a whisker. As a result, for me the Warnock era was the best era of Cardiff City.
News story
Player Profile – Rhys Abbruzzese
Name: Rhys Abbruzzese
Age: 21
Nationality: Welsh
Team: Barry Town United
Position: Left Back
Best sporting achievement? Playing football for Wales at under 21 level has got to be my best achievement. I represented my country a few times. My under 21 caps also include the times I represented Wales in under 21 European Championships. Scoring for my country is also up there as my best and biggest achievements.
Why your sport? Football is the best sport in the world. The fans and entertainment aspect is what makes it great. I started playing football at a young age and quickly realised my talent. I played football for local teams before joining Cardiff City academy when I was 8.
Who inspired you to get into sport and why? My father inspired me to get into sport. He also played football. He is my inspiration and is someone I look up to daily.
Outside of the sport you play, who are your heroes and why? My parents and family. I highly look up to them. They are the most important people in my life and are key to my success as a semi-professional footballer. They have been a huge support during my career so far.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given? I’ve received a lot of good advice over the years. However, the advice that has stuck with me throughout my career is to always do your best and never give up.
What do you love most about playing sport? I like the level of competition and being part of a team. I love winning. Success is what inspires me. The fans play a big part in my love for football too.
What would you play if you couldn’t play your sport? I’m a massive sports fan and would play any other competitive sport. Team or individual.
What impact has playing for Barry and Wales had on you? Playing football competitively has helped with my discipline and maturity. My social skills and sportsmanship have also improved due to playing with a team.
Blog
Life as a Sports Journalist Student
What I have learned from my first term as a student sports journalist.
My first term as a student sports journalist has been a big learning curve. Not only have I learnt things about the industry but also about myself. I hope these will carry me through the rest of the year but also across the three-year course and life itself. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at university so far and have also overcome personal challenges.
Before starting the course, I only had a rough idea on what would be in store. Despite the obvious such as reporting and photography, I didn’t expect to learn so much about the industry itself. Law and ethics stands out as a module that didn’t even cross my mind at the beginning of term. Now looking back, it seems like such an obvious thing to learn about.
I would say as an addition to practical work, the law and ethics module is where I have learnt the most. There are so many things you can and can’t do as a journalist, which blew my mind whilst learning. As a journalist you must think differently to as you would in your day to day life. This was a real eyeopener for me. During my time learning about the law and ethical side of journalism I have learnt a lot about myself. In some cases, my morals overpower, and I don’t think like a journalist. There are things that a journalist can and would do that I would never consider doing. During my time at university I hope to develop the skill of thinking like a journalist.
Looking at the practical side of the course I have learnt so much. From the photography, to reporting, to podcasting. Despite having an A level in photography, stepping into the photography lecture was like a whole new world for me. Sports photography is very difficult. However, I have learnt so much regarding the technical side. I now know about the aperture, shutter speed and the depth of field.
On this course I am essentially learning on the job. We are fortunate to have several opportunities to practice what we learn in lectures. This will be a big factor to my success as a sports journalist. Every week I have the opportunity to report on BUCS games at the USW Sports Park. Not only does this develop my writing skills but also helps my confidence. I have learnt that I can write match reports despite thinking I wouldn’t be able to. Seeing my work be published on Expo has helped significantly with my confidence.
The same could be said when considering podcasts. I knew this element would be the most challenging for me. I knew confidence would be my biggest enemy during university. The thought of being on the radio or on a podcast terrified me. To my surprise, making a podcast was one of my favourite things this term. I hope to continue creating podcasts. Next term I hope to continue to learn more skills and enhance on what I have learnt in this first term. I am determined to take up more opportunities to develop my reporting skills by going to matches outside of the BUCS games.
Gallery
Welcome to the gallery where I will showcase my own photographs taken at BUCS University games at the USW Sport Park as well as numerous sport matches outside of university games.
My teams
My teams
Wales
Wales
Cardiff City
Cardiff City
Lacrosse
USW Women’s 1sts 10 – 6 Royal Agricultural 1sts – 27/11/19
In a thrilling game at the Sports Park, University of South Wales 1st came out on top with a 10-6 victory over Royal Agricultural 1st.
The visitors started off brightly with number 11, Talis Humphries, opening the scoring after 22 seconds. Their lead was short lived after USW’s number 15, Tessa Hepburn, scored the equaliser in the 4th minute.
In the 6th minute RAU’s Milly Drewett had a shot saved after a lovely run passed the defence. A minute later Humphries had a penalty saved by the USW keeper. Despite her disappointment, she redeemed herself within seconds by putting her side 2-1 up.
With a quick break from the back, USW were soon back level in the 8th minute with captain Viki Szirtes scoring the equaliser. After the restart, USW showcased more positive play and hit the post just before the first quarter whistle. The quarter ended 2-2.
After a quick start following the break captain, Szirtes, put her team in front in the 11th minute. Despite being 3-2 down, both Humphries and RAU captain Bella Boulton continued to impress with quick attacking. Humphries saw her shot in the 14th minute go just wide and two minutes later Boulton saw her shot saved after a lovely stop by the home sides goalkeeper.
Their pressure and good skill were soon rewarded when Humphries scored her hattrick and RAU’s equaliser in the 17th minute to make it 3-3. However, a minute later Holly Shepard put the home side in front once again. At the end of the second quarter RAU hit the post and the first half ended 4-3 to USW.
USW came out the blocks quickest again after half time. Hepburn, who was the standout, produced some lovely play in the 22nd minute but saw her shot go straight at the keeper. Just a minute later she scored her second of the afternoon and USW’S fifth.
Boulton, the visitors captain, scored in the 25th minute to make it a one goal difference once again. This didn’t last long when Hepburn showed her talent once more in the 26th min after producing impressive skill. USW began dominating play at the end of the third quarter with several shots coming from both Hepburn and number 13 Maria Beatriz. The quarter ended 6-4 with the visitors trailing.
It was all to play for in the final quarter with both teams looking for the victory. USW took control scoring two goals in two minutes to stretch the lead to 8-4. Hepburn secured her hattrick with Tal Moreb also getting on the scoresheet.
After good individual play, Eleanor Fairey secured her place on the scoresheet scoring for the visitors. A minute later, Beatriz finally got her goal in the 39th minute after numerous shots throughout the game to make it 9-5. USW got their tenth goal in the last minute as Szirtes clinched her hattrick after picking up the ball on the halfway line. RAU finished the game with a goal in the last second, but USW were too strong overall. It finished 10-6 to the home side despite the good effort from the visitors.
RhiannaDavies Sports 