Earnie’s still going to get ya!.. How some Bluebirds old-stagers rolled back the years

Current Bluebirds Peter Whittingham and Craig Noone both played 75 minutes as they celebrated Kevin McNaughton’s Cardiff City testimonial match on their home turf. It was clear to see the pair were fitter and fresher than the rest, given that they’re unde

Still got it Craig Bellamy Still only 37 years of age, Bellamy is now player development manager with his beloved Bluebirds.

And wow, what a cameo it was from the 78-time capped Welshman who lashed home from 20-yards out at the start of the second half to level the scores at 2-2 against Super Kev’s XI.

The Cardiff-born striker’s touch was majestic, his vision so wonderful players half his age would’ve been forgiven for thinking he would be joining Whittingham and Noone in returning to training under Warnock 24 hours after McNaughton’s game to continue with his career as a professional footballer.

But it shows the club have a major asset on their books, and fans will be safe in the knowledge that their youth players are in very good hands. Robert Earnshaw An audacious shot from the halfway line in the opening stages drew laughs from the crowd and highlighted the typical nature of a testimonial game. But it was clear for all to see that Earnie had only recently retired - as little as a year ago - with his guile and confidence as he buzzed around the Cardiff City Stadium turf as great as ever.

Although he failed to get on the scoresheet, Earnshaw - now head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Under-15 side - remains the club’s third highest goalscorer in their history having bagged 109 goals during his time with the club.

And it was undoubtedly a great opportunity for the supporters - as with McNaughton himself - to say a proper farewell to the striker who served them with distinction for a number of years. Trevor Sinclair Despite not being in the same bracket as the likes of Bellamy and Earnshaw given that he only spent one season in south Wales, Sinclair is still a firm favourite with the Cardiff faithful having been part of the side that progressed to the final of the 2007/08 FA Cup.

And given that the former England international has not played professionally since coming on as a late substitute against Portsmouth at Wembley, he proved he was still a cut above, spraying the ball around the pitch with ease.

Always one for doing the ground work in the centre of the park during his professional career, Sinclair was typically understated but influential nonetheless in the Cardiff sunshine - even setting up Noone for the game’s second goal midway through the first half. Enjoying their retirement... Andy Campbell In fairness, the great man has not played at the highest level for more than a decade.

He was comfortably rounded by McNaughton of all people early on in the game and understandably struggled to keep up with the pace of those still playing or more recently retired than himself.

After a tiring first half appearance, Campbell’s blushes were spared as he was replaced by Bellamy at the interval.

Sorry Andy, but thanks for the memories! Darren Purse It was bizarre enough for fans seeing the centre-back with hair on his head. And Purse - now 40 years of age was given a very warm welcome by the Cardiff fans having scored 12 times in more than 100 appearances for the Bluebirds.

Purse recently added National League South side Bishop’s Stortford to his ever-growing list of clubs, and the combative defender would’ve known only too well that being faced with the likes of Michael Chopra and Craig Conway was always going to be a tough ask given his age and the level at which he now plies his trade.

But - like so many others - it was terrific for Purse to receive such a welcome upon his return to the Welsh capital, even if the legs wouldn’t carry him as quickly as they did back in his heyday. Ones for the future? It was a dream day for McNaughton that ended with his two sons Archie and Finlay coming on to the pitch to play out the final minutes of the match, with the pair both enjoying the delights of hitting the back of the net at Cardiff City Stadium.

“There’s only one Kev McNaughton” was chanted by several fans before, during and after the benefit match, but could they have had their first glimpse of the next generation? It remains to be seen. THE FINAL SCORE: McNAUGHTON XI 5-5 BELLAMY XI (Super Kev XI win 1-0 on penalties)