City History | Bluebirds & Black Cats - Fraizer Campbell
With the opening day of the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship upon us, we caught up with former City and Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell.
The Bluebirds will host the Black Cats in what is one of the most anticipated days in the football calendar, as both clubs embark on a new campaign.
Reflecting on his opening day memories, Fraizer began: “You have your off-season break, you come back into pre-season and you work really hard. It’s mentally and physically tiring when you’re trying to get back in your stride, but all the hard work that you’ve put in over those last six or seven weeks, that opening day is what it’s for. It’s an exciting period of the season for the players and the fans.
“Being at home on the first day is extra special, it gives you that buzz. The fans have been without football for a few months, so they’re all excited. It always seems to be really sunny on the first day, so it’s extra tiring, but it’s always a great occasion.
“If you look at most teams that do well, they start the season positively and end the season well. In the middle part, they’re just consistent. As a team, if you get a good start, people fear you and teams will drop off. I wouldn’t say it’s vital, but it helps you and gives you that momentum, which you can take into the season.”
Having began his career at Manchester United, the attacker had loan spells at Royal Antwerp, Hull City and Tottenham Hotspur.
Campbell made a permanent switch to Sunderland in July 2009, going on to represent the club until 2013.
“I left Manchester United to go and play some more football," Fraizer continued. "I started off well, had a strong pre-season, but ended up doing my knee twice and had some injury problems. After that, I came back, scored goals and played for England.
"I’ve got a lot of love for Sunderland, because when I was injured, that’s when I started my social media accounts and the fans were brilliant with me. Sometimes, when you’re injured, you feel left out and that you’re not part of the team, but they really helped me.
"I enjoyed my time at the club, but a part of me is sad that I didn’t do what I wanted to up there."
Fast forward to January 2013 and Frazier became a Bluebird, with the Club sitting ten points clear at the top of the table after a stellar start to the campaign.
City's attack was bolstered with his signing, as he made a dream start to life in the Welsh capital, scoring the winning goal on his debut against Leeds United, as well as a brace in his first home outing against Bristol City.
Fraizer added: “Cardiff City is a massive club. The team was doing really well and I wasn’t playing at the time. The Club was really positive and excited about bringing me in and it was an easy decision to make.
“When you go to a new club, you always want to get the backing of your teammates and the fans. At the time of that Leeds United game, neither really knew me very well, but I came on with 20 minutes to go and gave it everything. To score the winner was a great start to my time at Cardiff City. It was a good way to show what I was about."
The Bluebirds would go on to achieve promotion at the end of the 2012/13 season, with Fraizer contributing with seven goals in just 12 matches.
Recalling the fantastic achievement, he said: “Everyone plays football to win things and be part of a good team. To get Cardiff City into the Premier League was super special. I was proud to be a part of that. Although I came in January, I still felt with the way that the lads and the fans welcomed me that I played my part in making history for the Club.
“It was great to be a part of that team. We had a great team spirit and people downplay the importance of how players are off the pitch. We were all good friends and gelled together well. It helps when you’re winning games and we were a really tightly knit group."
One of Fraizer's best moments in a City shirt came in just the second game of the following season, as the Bluebirds hosted Manchester City, who went on to win the Premier League title that year.
The striker netted a memorable brace, as well as a goal from Aron Gunnarsson, to claim a famous 3-2 victory.
“I remember everything in the news and the media saying that we were going to get battered," he said.
"We caused a real upset that day and thoroughly deserved the win. We outran them, outmuscled them and we had the 12th man in the stand.
"The stadium was absolutely bouncing and every now and again, I still see clips from that game, which is a nice little reminder of what we achieved."
While representing the Bluebirds, Fraizer netted 16 goals in 52 appearances and reflects fondly of his time in the Welsh capital.
He concluded: “Of course, I still look out for the results. It’s great to see Rallsy as captain and Chris Willock there, who I played with at Huddersfield Town.
"It’s always a club that I look for, I still have a few mates down there and I loved representing the Club."