Cardiff City's New Stadium Clears Final Hurdle

In May 2000, the Chief Executive of Cardiff County Council, Byron Davies, wrote to the Chairman of Cardiff City Football Club confirming the Council's willingness to assist in the potential relocation of our stadium from Ninian Park. Our Chairman had the vision to realise that we could no longer compete and progress as a Football Club unless we had a modern stadium in which to play professional football and to provide the facilities that would allow us to be financially viable.

Today, some seven years later we can confirm that the vision becomes a reality, our stadium scheme has gone 'unconditional' and that all the funds to complete the stadium project, including the new athletics stadium and House of Sport, have been raised and placed in a 'project account'. This funding guarantees the completion of the project.

I am very proud, as the current Chairman of Cardiff City Football Club, to be able to announce such an historic milestone today. I am also delighted that the man who had the vision, Steve Borley, continues to play his part in the running of the Club and this project.

Two years ago, this scheme was dead in the water, no retail tenants, a football club that was swamped in debt and a lack of confidence from the Council that we could ever put together a credible business plan. During those two years we have overcome insurmountable obstacles and today can confirm that this fully funded project gets the final go ahead.

During my two years in Cardiff, I have been overwhelmed by the goodwill that this Football Club has received from the Council, Paul Guy and Mike Hall (PMG Estates), M+A Solicitors, Holder Mathias Architects, Arup Sport, Davis Langdon, Saville Burdon Axon, Laing O'Rourke, Redrow Homes and Capital and Regional PLC. Without their commitment, confidence, financial assistance and most of all patience neither this project nor this Football Club would be here today. Every Cardiff City supporter owes them a huge vote of thanks.

This project is truly a benefit to the City as a whole. Consumers get a retail park with blue chip tenants such as Asda, Marks and Spencer, Costco and JJB Sports. Athletes, local football and sporting organisations have the benefit of a new athletics stadium, the community get access to an indoor all weather 'House of Sport', there are significant highway improvements and urban regeneration grants and of course our supporters get the long awaited football stadium.

Finally I would like to thank Rodney Berman, Leader of the Council and his fellow Councillors and Officers. His officers have put us under intense scrutiny over the last few years and at times it has been exhausting and frustrating. I recognise however that they were professionally undertaking their responsibilities to ensure that the public benefit being gifted to the Football Club was appropriate and that it did not leave the tax

payers of this City with any exposure. I would like to congratulate them on doing their jobs in such a diligent manner and thank them for their contribution in ensuring that today's announcement became a reality.

My job is now not only to complete the stadium project but to turn my attention to football matters .With Dave Jones and my colleagues on the Board, I will work tirelessly to try and deliver not only the new stadium but also the Premier League Football that this City and our supporters deserve.

Thank you to everyone today is a day to savour and then the hard work begins.

Peter Ridsdale.