Bluebirds set to get bus parade around city
Cardiff City’s Premier League promotion party is set to continue – with the possibility of a celebratory bus parade next weekend and calls for manager Neil Warnock to receive the Freedom of Cardiff.
Cardiff’s 0-0 draw against Reading at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday secured promotion for the club and will see them play the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea next season.
Thousands of fans stormed the pitch when the final whistle blew, and thousands more took the celebrations onto the streets.
And the club yesterday issued an open invitation to the public to come and cheer the team at a bus parade through the city. Official details of exactly when and where the parade will take place are expected to be confirmed today.
But the club’s chief executive Ken Choo is hoping Sunday will be the big day. Talks with the authorities will resume this morning to finalise the details.
Mr Choo issued a message to fans, saying: “Without you and your incredible support we would not be in the Premier League... The fans have been a credit to us and we want to issue an open invitation for them to come to the parade... Next Sunday we hope that we’ll be able to savour it again with a celebration in the city.
“This is an achievement for the whole of Cardiff and I’m sure that the city will prosper and thrive with the return of Premier League football.”
Should the celebration be planned for next Sunday, it would coincide with a car-free day planned for the capital.
Meanwhile, in light of Cardiff City’s achievement, public figures have now called for Sheffield-born manager Neil Warnock to be made an Honorary Freeman of Cardiff.
Cardiff Central MP Jo Stevens was among those to lend her voice to the campaign. She said: “He’s brought pride to the club and has been incredibly successful in bringing the city together. The club and the city are going to enjoy a big boom from being in the Premier League. He’s an excellent candidate.”
Cardiff South and Penarth MP Stephen Doughty echoed the sentiments. He said: “Neil Warnock’s achievement as the only manager to achieve eight promotions is truly remarkable – and his passion for our city and our Bluebirds community is clear. I can think of no better way to recognise that locally than offering him the freedom of the city.”