On Monday, 7th October 2024, Cardiff City Football Club celebrated the 125th anniversary of our first ever fixture.
The Club was founded in the summer of 1899 by Bartley Wilson as Riverside AFC, and played against Barry West End in our first recorded fixture on 7th October 1899 at Sophia Gardens.
To mark the anniversary of this key moment in our proud history, the keep and walls of Cardiff Castle, as well as the Roath Park lighthouse, were turned blue.
Club Captain Joe Ralls and First Team player Isaak Davies were joined by Club Director Steve Borley and Bluebirds legends Roger Gibbins and Jimmy Mullen, along with representatives from the Cardiff City Supporters’ Club, Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust, Cardiff City FC Disabled Supporters Association, Cardiff Bus and Visit Wales.
Steve Borley said: “Being here to celebrate 125 years of Cardiff City FC makes me extremely proud. There are so many great memories; I remember going to watch the Real Madrid match with my dad, when Brian Clark scored that goal in that momentous game.
“Going to Wembley and having Joe Ledley make me the happiest person under the sun when he scored, getting promoted in the Millennium Stadium, what a day that was, a dream come true. There are lots of happy memories along the way, and we’ve come a long way in the period of time since I’ve been involved with the Club.
“We’ve invested in the Academy and brought that back into the city with a fantastic facility, and now starting work on the training ground. We’ve got a fantastic stadium in a fantastic city, with a fantastic supporter base.”
Joe Ralls added: “It’s lovely to be here and see some of the ex-players. We’ve got a proud history that everyone at the Club has ownership of, so it’s great to come here and see the castle lit up in blue.
“I’ve played a very small part in the history of the Club, but I’ve loved my time here and have spent a lot of time here in terms of my football career, and being here as long as I have is something that I’m massively proud of.
“It’s really important that you understand what this Club means to people in Cardiff and South Wales, including the history of the Club, the great games and times that we’ve had in recent years and years gone by. It’s massive to feel a part of that history, and for new players coming to the Club to understand that. We’ve got a rich history that we’re all really proud of.”
Jimmy Mullen spoke of Cardiff Castle: “When we were promoted in 1983, this is where we came to meet with the Lord Mayor, which was enjoyable! It’s a great Club, and from a historic point of view it’s terrific. When you look at some of the players who have played here, grown up here. Cardiff City is a great Club.”
