The team behind the Bluebirds’ success
THE POWER STRUCTURE WHICH HAS SEEN CITY RISE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE:
NEIL Warnock is continuing his preparations for Cardiff City’s Premier League return ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
The Yorkshireman masterminded a stunning promotion from the Championship last term, taking the Bluebirds back into the promised land for the first time since they went up under Malky Mackay in 2013.
He’s already been busy in the summer transfer window, bringing in winger Josh Murphy from Norwich City and full-back Greg Cunningham from Preston North End.
Of course, it’s not just Warnock who will play a key role in the Bluebirds’ destiny in England’s top flight.
Here’s a closer look at the figures who all contribute to the power structure at Cardiff City Football Club.
Owner
Let’s start with the obvious one, and the man who is at the top of the tree. Vincent Tan.
The Malaysian businessman bought the club in 2010 and has been seen supporting the team at Cardiff City on numerous occasions, including when the Bluebirds clinched promotion with a 0-0 draw against Reading in May.
His rebrand of the club sparked huge controversy, although he has since admitted he made a mistake changing the Bluebirds’ kit colour from blue to red, insisting “there will be no more tinkering with the colours”.
Board of directors
The Bluebirds have five men on the board of directors.
The two men we often hear about from Warnock are, of course, the club’s executive chairman Mehmet Dalman and executive director and CEO Ken Choo.
Both play a key role in operations at the club, including the club’s transfer dealings.
In addition to Dalman and Choo, the Bluebirds have Steve Borley as an
executive director, while Derek Chee Seng Chin and Datuk Marco Ronaldo Mario Caramella are both nonexecutive directors.
Football management
Neil Warnock needs no introduction. But there are a whole host of trusted lieutenants the veteran boss puts his faith in to ensure the Bluebirds are at their best on the pitch.
Assistant manager Kevin Blackwell and first-team coach Ronnie Jepson are permanent fixtures on the sidelines and in the dugout with Warnock, while coach James Rowberry and goalkeeping coach Andy Dibble also play major roles in first-team proceedings.
Behind the scenes, there are many more faces perhaps not so familiar to those outside Cardiff City Stadium.
Head scout Glyn Chamberlain has played a major role in recruitment since joining the Bluebirds shortly after Warnock’s arrival in the Welsh capital, while first-team analyst Jack Radusin and assistant first-team analyst Patrick Deboys also supply vital information to Warnock and his right-hand men with regards to the Bluebirds’ performances.
Club doctor Len Nokes is vital when it comes to player welfare, so much so that he won the Outstanding Contribution Award for the 2017-18 season.
The above also applies to James Rowland (senior first-team physiotherapist) and soft-tissue specialist Luke Walker.
And when it comes to getting the players to their peak, look no further than fitness and conditioning duo Carl Serrant and Lee Southernwood, who both work closely with strength and conditioning coach Mike Beere and sports scientist Ben Parry.
As Warnock has highlighted on numerous occasions, everyone throughout the club has been united to help the Bluebirds achieve their promotion, right the way through to football management PA Victoria McCracken, player liaison officer Callum Davies and kit manager Paul Carter.
Youth set-up
There are plenty of familiar faces – including club legends – who are involved in the day-to-day running of the Bluebirds’ academy structure.
And at the top of it all is academy manager James McCarthy, who has been involved with the club for nigh on two decades.
With regards to the age-grade sides, Jarred Harvey and Andy Legg are the men tasked with leading the Under-23 development squad, while Matthew Bloxham has the duties for the Under-18 team along with Craig Bellamy whose official title is player development manager.
Head of coaching Tom Ramasut, academy operations manager Gavin Reen and education manager Steve Ellis also play pivotal roles with the next generation.
Executive management
Away from matters on the pitch, there is a whole army of people who are vital in keeping the cogs running at Cardiff City Stadium and at the club’s Vale Resort training base.
They range from the club’s secretary Michelle McDonald to the media team which is spearheaded by head of TV and video Jamie De Cruz and head of communications Mark Denham.
Head of HR Dawn Williamson, head of retail Clare Scarth, head of ticketing Mona Sabbuda, head of operations Wayne Nash, head of marketing Chris Seal, financial controller Charlotte Latham, finance director Philip Jenkins, international development manager Joel Hutton, head of commercial Nic Heslop, safeguarding manager Helen Kay and education and welfare manager Stephen Ellis are among those on the executive management team that play crucial roles within the club.