JUST THE TICKET

1 CARDIFF CITY 0 MANCHESTER CITY January 29, 1994 FA Cup Fourth Round Cardiff fan, Stewart Holt

“Promoted in 1992-93 under legendary boss Eddie May, Cardiff had struggled in Division Two, going 12 league games without a win. But things were looking up when, after being taken to a replay by Enfield, we drew Manchester City in the FA Cup Fourth Round.

I remember queuing up for hours to get my hands on a ticket, in what would have been a rare Ninian Park sell-out. I used to travel to games with my friend in the back of his dad’s milk van, with no windows or seats, let alone seat belts. We flew a scarf out of the passenger seat, parked up and headed straight for the club shop to grab a programme and look into the upcoming away games, before heading to our seats in the Canton Stand.

Ninian Park was an amazing place to go and watch football. The atmosphere could be so intimidating for the away teams, yet electric for home fans.

City had quite a few big names in their line-up including Keith Curle, Terry Phelan, Garry Flitcroft and David Rocastle, but we had a good team and there was a lot of confidence among Bluebirds fans that we could get a result.

Just after the hour mark, Nathan Blake scored one of Cardiff’s greatest goals with a superb curling effort into the top corner. We went crazy.

Not long after, City were given a penalty, but Mark Grew kept out Curle’s effort and we hung on for a famous win. We listened to the radio all the way home in the back of the milk van.

Later that evening, I spotted myself on Match of the Day, celebrating behind the goal after Blake’s stunner. The following week was brilliant at school. Most of my friends supported Manchester United or Liverpool, but suddenly had an interest in Cardiff too. I was one of a handful of real fans on the playground.”