Two New Signings and a Packet of Money

Welcome Ardley
By Chris O'Brien
April 4 2005

In another twist to the soap opera off-the-pitch events at Ninian Park, the PFA have helped the club in her hour of need with a hefty loan. Fans will be delighted to hear that not only have there been no more departures but Neil Ardley and Michael Boulding have been confirmed as shock signings.

Controversy, a hefty loan, no more departures and two new signings. It's more interesting news off the field as Cardiff City sign Neil Ardley and Michael Boulding as the battle against relegation continues, with deadline day passing and no more players leaving the club despite predictions of a mass player exodus just weeks ago.

Graham Kavanagh's shock exit to Wigan Athletic for £400,000 sparked rumours of up to 12 players leaving the club before deadline day in a fracas to stay clear of the dreaded administration. Such a massive loss of players would have left relegation a certainty, yet huge investment from vice-chairman Michael Isaacs and a surprise loan from the Professional Footballers' Association have not only secured that the departure lounge at Ninian Park is empty until the end of the season, but have aided the signing of two new Bluebirds and will secure the players wages are paid until the end of the campaign.

The exact amount of money loaned from the PFA is unknown. Initial figures stated the club had borrowed in excess of £2mllion, but the figure is now thought to be far less than that with the local press estimating a sum of £250,000 boosting the club's crippled bank account. Relegation rivals have criticised the loan claiming it gives City an unfair advantage in the fight against the drop, but the Bluebirds are not the first club to benefit from such agreements. The union claims it has helped 40 clubs in the league to some extent over the past decade.

What has angered many is the fact that City's squad has been bolstered despite well documented financial anguish and it would appear the PFA loan has assisted signings of Ardley from Watford and Boulding from Barnsley until the end of the season. The duo go straight into Cardiff's squad for the trip to Plymouth on the weekend, and look set to prove handy additions to a beleaguered roster.

Meanwhile, it is thought Michael Issacs has loaned the club a further £500,000. City's vice-chairman, believed to be rising as a rival to the under pressure Sam Hammam, loaned the club £1million of his own money only days ago on an interest free bonus and has now increased that loan by a further 50%. Fans have been singing Issacs name at recent matches and the property developer is thought to have his own agenda about taking over the club in the near future. His loan is expected to be paid back when players are sold over the summer.

Neil Ardley will add width to the Cardiff City midfield. The right winger has been linked with a move to South Wales before, but Watford rejected a bid from the Bluebirds with one of the clauses saying a fee would only be paid if Cardiff avoided relegation. Ardley now joins the club on a short-term contract until the end of the season. The 32-year-old has played in the top flight with Wimbledon so his experience and versatile nature in the middle of the park could be invaluable as the struggling season reaches climax.

Michael Boulding has also joined on a short-term contract from Yorkshire outfit Barnsley. Supporters were unimpressed to learn Boulding is well down the pecking order at Oakwell hence he has been allowed to leave, yet he has netted 10 for the Football League One side this season and has scored 49 career league goals from 119 appearances. With City's dreadful finishing evident in the recent draw against Crewe, some fresh legs up front are welcome. Boulding has played at this level for Grimsby Town, and though not a spectacular signing could score goals.

Neither Ardley or Boulding are high-profile signings. Hardly a Junichi Inamoto type investment, but the way the Japanese midfielder ended his loan spell with a string of dyer performances perhaps that's a positives. Both players are capable of helping City beat the drop, and despite the news of more loans, it has to be good news on the financial front to see two arrivals and no departures as deadline day zooms by.

Keep the Faith.