As Cardiff City sit proudly at the top of the Championship, it seems an appropriate time to share one of my dad's letters to the club he loved all his life. Back in 2004, Sam Hamman wasn't such a divisive figure amongst the support. And in fairness to Sam, he did ring back, once speaking to my bewildered brother and once having a long discussion about life and tactics with my old man. He never did deliver the requested commentary, though.
8 August 2004
Sam Hamman
Chairman
Cardiff City Football Club
Sloper Road
Grangetown
CARDIFF
Dear Sam
My Membership No 69330
I hope I find you fit and well, and bracing yourself for the
ups and downs of another football season.
So, here’s wishing all our fans a happy new season.
My first match at Ninian was aged 13. I shall be 48 next month. The last match I ever saw was Cardiff 0 West
Ham 0 to avoid relegation. The last
match report I ever read was Luton 2 Cardiff 3.
The reason is because I was blinded in a car crash in 1981, just after
my 25th birthday. However,
this hasn’t stopped me coming to Ninian, and I even have a season ticket in the
disabled enclosure.
I also remember another last match, many years ago, when
Wimbledon sent us down, while they gained promotion to the top division. And, today, Wimbledon FC no longer
exist! Strangely enough, at the last
match of last season, a steward asked me to leave because I tapped my white
cane against the corner flag at the end.
It was Wimbledon’s last match!
Usually friends, neighbours and radios are my commentators
during City matches. In fact anything or
anyone will do so long as I can discover what is happening, good or bad. Like any devoted fan, I am a fool for my
club. I’ve worn my radio ear-plug during
christenings, weddings and school governor meetings to mention but a few times
my attention should have been elsewhere.
Ok, Sam. I am
offering you the chance to be my commentator for one match. Any City match at all. We could sit in my low little corner, but
perhaps it would be better to sit a little more central. I guarantee you that I hardly utter a
syllable during the match. You could
guide me to my seat and my friends would pick me up after the match. I think that as club chairman, you should
take a turn in helping me. I want no
hospitality, no money for I’ve already paid my ticket, I just want to see your
heart.
Nobody else will do, Sam.
I would love to sit with you for just one match, for you to play the
John Motson role and be my eyes to describe what is happening on the
pitch. It’s a new challenge for
you. How many club chairmen get such an
opportunity; to get into the heart of the fans?
Born in Corfu, Greece, raised in Splott, Cardiff, I am the
Greek Leek! Nowadays, I teach other
blind people to use computers at the Cardiff Institute for the Blind where I
work full time. Phone 20######. Call me if you ever get a moment.
Break a leg!
There will be further letters to CCFC in the near future, amongst which he offers tactics advice that is seemingly taken!
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