This Remembrance Day, Cardiff City Football Club reflects on the service of several individuals who served their country having worn (or prior to them wearing) Cardiff City colours.
Legendary FA Cup winning captain Fred Keenor signed for City in 1912 before serving in the Great War. Fred fought in the Battle of the Somme, where he was wounded in the thigh; it was an injury that would have ended the post-conflict playing ambitions of most. Heroically, he would go on to become Cardiff City captain in the 1920s and lifted the ‘English Cup’ at Wembley Stadium on April 23rd, 1927.
Young City defender Tom Witts and former Bluebird Wally Stewart would sadly not return from the horrors of conflict.
CITY AT WAR SERIES (2021)
Back in 2021, The Bluebird – Cardiff City’s Official Matchday Programme – launched its City At War series, taking a deeper look into the lives and service of five more men who served with the utmost distinction in 19th and 20th century conflicts.
Local military historians and collectors contributed to this unique series, starting with a retrospective on the life and service of former City player, coach and trainer, George Latham (Second Boer War & Great War).
Lord Ninian Crichton Stuart (Great War), Herbert Evans (Great War), Ernie Curtis (Second World War in Europe) and Phil Stant (Falklands Conflict) completed the mini-series that was published in the build-up to and aftermath of City’s 2021 Remembrance Fixture.
To read these detailed historical accounts, click on the individual’s name, above.
HELP US LEARN MORE
It is the Club’s aim to establish a dynamic list in the coming years of all former players, staff and auxiliary club personnel who served during conflict. As such, we’d like to invite all City supporters to help contribute to its establishment by emailing stories to forever@cardiffcityfc.co.uk
Perhaps you’re studying local history and have been particularly moved by a story? Or maybe you’re a relative of a former Bluebird and have oral histories you’d like to share? Whatever it is, get in touch.
Between us, it is hoped we can continue building a definitive Bluebirds war history and pay a lasting tribute to all who fought for our freedoms.
REMEMBRANCE FIXTURE 2024
Cardiff City Football Club paid its respects to fallen service personnel and former players ahead of Saturday’s Championship fixture with Blackburn Rovers.
Supporters can bid on a match-worn shirts from the match via MatchWornShirt and raise funds for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.
To bid on a match-worn shirt, click here.