1927–28 Cardiff City F.C. season

Welsh football club season August 2020 Cardiff City 1927–28 Fred Stewart Watkins J. Williams Division One 6th FA Cup Fifth round Welsh Cup Winners FA Charity Shield Winners Hughie Ferguson (18) Hughie Ferguson (25) 15,607 30,590 (v Newcastle United, 24 September 1927) 6,606 (v Derby County, 19 November 1927) _whitecollar _whiteline 0000FF 0000FF 0000FF FFFFFF 0000FF 1926–27 1928–29 The 1927–28 season was the 27th season of competitive football played by Cardiff City F.C. and the team's seventh consecutive season in the First Division of the Football League. The team were reigning holders of the FA Cup starting the campaign, having won the previous year's final. As a result, there were few significant changes in the playing squad from the previous season, with the club choosing to invest funds in their home ground Ninian Park. Despite being one of the lowest scoring sides in the league, Cardiff finished sixth in the First Division and were considered title contenders until late into the campaign when they suffered a poor run of form. In their defence of the FA Cup, Cardiff recorded victories over Southampton and Liverpool to reach the third round where they were eliminated by Nottingham Forest. In the Welsh Cup, Cardiff were able to retain their title by defeating Bangor 2–0 in the final, both goals being scored by Hughie Ferguson. They also competed in the 1927 FA Charity Shield against amateur side Corinthians as winners of the previous year's FA Cup. Ferguson was again on the scoresheet to help his side to a 2–1 victory with Len Davies scoring the winning goal. George McLachlan appeared more than any other player during the season, featuring in 50 matches in all competitions. Ferguson was the club's top goalscorer for the second consecutive season, netting 25 times in all competitions. Poor attendance figures continued from the previous season due to the economic downturn in the South Wales region with a season low league crowd of 6,606 attending a league match against Derby County in November 1927. Background thumb|A statue of Fred Keenor holding the FA Cup outside the Cardiff City Stadium|alt=A statue of a man holding a trophy. There is a football stadium in the background. Cardiff City were competing in the First Division of the Football League for the seventh consecutive season.http://fchd.info/CARDIFFC.HTM Cardiff City Football Club History Database 7 August 2020 The previous season, Cardiff had become the first team from outside England to win the FA Cup by defeating Arsenal 1–0 in the 1927 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7328650.stm Cup friends reunited BBC Sport Shuttleworth Peter 4 January 2009 7 August 2020 However, in the league, they had endured a downturn in form and finished the campaign in 16th place.Shepherd 2002 28 Despite a drop in attendance figures during the 1926–27 season due to the economic situation in the South Wales area, part of the 1926 United Kingdom general strike,Leighton 2010 102Lloyd 1999 83 the Cardiff's finances were significantly boosted by the successful cup run. The gate receipts for the final had generated the club more than £23,000 in revenue,Saunders 2013 61 while unusual forms of income such as £40 from Columbia Records for the rights to sell recordings of the singing at the match further boosted the club. The board decided to invest the money in the club's home ground Ninian Park hiring local engineering firm Connies & Meaden to begin construction of a roof above the Grange End Stand.Leighton 2010 125 The Cardiff City Miscellany Richard Shepherd Pitch Books Durrington 2007 978-1905411047 73 The club also undertook a tour of Wales after the final to display the FA Cup around the country.Leighton 2010 126 The decision to invest in Ninian Park ultimately left manager Fred Stewart with little money to spend on his team. The club's programme however noted that the playing staff had never before "been so well placed for players as at present" and that the decision was made due to "the satisfaction of the directors with the men at their disposal." The signings that Stewart was able to add were inexpensive players from amateur leagues including Joe Hillier, who previously played for South Wales rivals Swansea Town, and John Ridgeway, an amateur from the Sheffield area.Lloyd 1999 108 At boardroom level, Walter Parker decided to step down from his role as chairman and was replaced by Watkins J. Williams.Saunders 2013 71 Club captain Fred Keenor received offers from several English clubs having led his side to FA Cup victory, but chose to remain with Cardiff. Football League First Division August–December Cardiff began the season with a home fixture against Bolton Wanderers at Ninian Park which attracted a crowd of more than 24,000. Goals from George McLachlan and Len Davies secured a winning start to the campaign with a 2–1 victory.Shepherd 2002 29 The win prompted an unbeaten start to the campaign for Cardiff who recorded four consecutive draws in their following games. Beginning with a 3–3 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, with Ernie Curtis, Billy Thirlaway and the previous season's top goalscorer Ferguson all scoring their first of the season, the run continued with a goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers and 1–1 draws with Middlesbrough and Blackburn again in the reverse fixture. Ferguson added a brace during a 3–1 victory over Birmingham City on 17 September and was among the scorers a week later during another 3–1 win over league leaders and reigning First Division champions Newcastle United, in a match which attracted a season high home crowd of 30,590 at Ninian Park. The defeat was the first Newcastle had suffered during the season and moved Cardiff into second place, with The Times picking Keenor out for praise in restricting the play of the opposition's leading forward Hughie Gallacher.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12296&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=8&docId=GALE%7CCS101260602&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS101260602&searchId=R2&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 26 September 1927 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive The side's unbeaten start to the season was brought to an end on 1 October as they suffered a heavy 8–2 defeat to Huddersfield.Saunders 2013 72 Despite the nature of the defeat, The Times attributed the severity of the defeat more to the "first-class" play of the opposition rather than the deficiency of Cardiff's play. The defeat dropped Cardiff five positions to seventh in the table at the start of October.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12296&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=12&docId=GALE%7CCS100867395&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS100867395&searchId=R2&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 3 October 1927 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive Cardiff returned to form the following week, defeating struggling Tottenham Hotspur at Ninian Park,https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12296&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=18&docId=GALE%7CCS100867402&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS100867402&searchId=R2&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 10 October 1927 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive before drawing 2–2 with Manchester United on 15 October. In their next match, Cardiff conceded early as 21st place Portsmouth took the lead in the opening minute, before retaking control of the match through goals by Thirlaway, Ferguson and George McLachlan as they "somewhat easily" overcame the initial deficit according to The Times.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12296&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=31&docId=GALE%7CCS100867416&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=2&contentSet=GALE%7CCS100867416&searchId=R2&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 24 October 1927 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive With Curtis, Keenor and Len Davies absent on international duty, Cardiff fell to their second league defeat of the season to end October with a 4–1 loss against Leicester City.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12296&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=36&docId=GALE%7CCS101653860&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=2&contentSet=GALE%7CCS101653860&searchId=R2&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 4 November 1927 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive Cardiff's goal was scored by Potter Smith in his first appearance of the campaign, and he kept his place for the following fixture and scored again in a 1–1 draw with Liverpool on 5 November. Despite his goalscoring efforts, Smith was replaced by the returning Curtis for a 2–0 defeat to West Ham United before Curtis himself was replaced by Willie Davies. He made his first appearance for Cardiff since 20 November 1926 in a 4–4 draw with Derby County having overcome a bout of pleurisy that had kept him sidelined and even confined to a sanatorium.Leighton 2010 103 He scored his side's third goal to give them a 3–0 lead in front of a home league fixture low crowd of 6,606, but Derby rallied and the match ended tied.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12260&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=9&docId=GALE%7CCS100867445&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS100867445&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 21 November 1927 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive Crowd numbers had initially remained high at the start of the season as the team's FA Cup success piqued interest, but numbers dropped as the campaign progressed with the economic downturn in the South Wales region affecting the club's supporters. The Football Express noted that "enthusiasts who, in previous seasons were regular visitors, but who now, on the score of the economy... content themselves with a visit to selected games." Another high-scoring game followed, as Cardiff ended November with a 4–3 win over Sheffield United. On 3 December, Cardiff met Aston Villa at Ninian Park. Ferguson gave his side the lead after three minutes and, although Villa equalised soon after, he added a second midway through the first half to give Cardiff a 2–1 victory to move into third place.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12260&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=15&docId=GALE%7CCS84483461&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS84483461&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 5 5 December 1927 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive They moved up to second by defeating Sunderland 2–0 a week later despite spending a period effectively reduced to 10-men due to an injury to Keenor.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12260&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=18&docId=GALE%7CCS117644684&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS117644684&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 7 12 December 1927 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive However, this proved to be the pinnacle of their league season as a three-game losing streak through mid-December began with a 1–0 defeat to mid-table Bury at Ninian Park, their first home defeat of the season.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12260&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=21&docId=GALE%7CCS84090259&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=2&contentSet=GALE%7CCS84090259&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 5 19 December 1927 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive The match also proved to be the final game for Willie Davies who was sold to Notts County in order to raise funds as low attendance figures continued to impact the club's finances.Leighton 2010 129 The three-game losing streak concluded with a 2–1 losses to Burnley on 24 December and league leaders Everton two days later. The latter match was played in driving snow as Everton dominated the tie with Dixie Dean scoring both of the opposition goals.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12260&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=25&docId=GALE%7CCS50797979&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=2&contentSet=GALE%7CCS50797979&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 3 27 December 1927 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive Harry Wake scored for Cardiff in only his second appearance of the season and he followed this up by scoring against Everton again in the reverse fixture the following day to help his side to a 2–0 victory. Cardiff finished the calendar year with their fourth loss in five matches, a 2–1 defeat against Bolton. January–May On 7 January, Cardiff met bottom placed side Sheffield Wednesday at Ninian Park,https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12260&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=28&docId=GALE%7CCS101260838&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=2&contentSet=GALE%7CCS101260838&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 6 January 1928 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive with a crowd of under 10,000 for the third time during the year. However, they were unable to live up to their higher placing and were held to a 1–1 draw. Due to FA Cup commitments, Cardiff played only one further match in January, against Middlesbrough. Thirlaway and Ferguson scored one goal each to secure a victory and progress Cardiff to fourth.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12260&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=37&docId=GALE%7CCS102178359&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=2&contentSet=GALE%7CCS102178359&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription League Results and Tables The Times 6 23 January 1928 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive Keenor and Len Davies were again absent on international duty for Cardiff's 2–0 loss to Newcastle on 4 February,https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12220&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=4&docId=GALE%7CCS84745798&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS84745798&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription The Leagues The Times 5 6 February 1928 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive but returned to help their side 4–0 win over Huddersfield a week later, with Len Davies on the scoresheet to deny their opposition the chance to go top of the table.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12220&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=7&docId=GALE%7CCS100867661&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS100867661&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 13 February 1928 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive The match was Sam Irving 's last for the club as he was also allowed to leave to join Chelsea to sure up the club's finances. Ferguson scored his 15th league goal of the campaign to help his side to a 2–1 win over Birmingham on 22 February and was on target again three days later in a 2–0 win over Manchester United, both played at Ninian Park. However, the club's lacklustre form in away matches continued as they lost 3–0 to 21st place Portsmouth on 3 March. The travelled to Tottenham two days later and, despite being under pressure for long spells in the game, held out until conceding the only goal of the match shortly before the final whistle.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12220&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=24&docId=GALE%7CCS118038118&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=2&contentSet=GALE%7CCS118038118&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 7 6 March 1928 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive Curtis became the third first team departure to raise funds after the game, joining Birmingham. Stewart made several signings from non-league sides to compensate for the sales, with Matt Robinson, Tom Helsby, William Roberts and Francis Harris all arriving by the end of the season, although none featured for the senior team during the campaign.Saunders 2013 73 Cardiff defeated Leicester 3–0 on 10 March with Ferguson scoring a brace and also secured their first win away from home for two months by winning 2–1 over Liverpool at Anfield, raising Cardiff to third in the table four points behind leaders Huddersfield.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12220&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=28&docId=GALE%7CCS101129843&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=2&contentSet=GALE%7CCS101129843&searchId=R3&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription League Results and Tables The Times 6 19 March 1928 21 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive However, their chances of challenging for the league title quickly evaporated with two heavy defeats; Their worst home loss of the season, 5–1 against West Ham, was a followed a week later by a 7–1 defeat to Derby County. With a congested schedule in April, Stewart named several reserves in the squad for an away match against Arsenal and the weakened side succumbed to a 3–0 defeat. Within the next four days, Cardiff played two more times and record consecutive 2–2 draws with Sheffield United and in the reverse fixture against Arsenal. Cardiff lost 3–1 to Aston Villa on 14 April, McLachlan scoring his side's goal for his tenth of the season in the league, before beating Sunderland 3–1 a week later. The victory was the first the club had recorded in seven matches. Cardiff ended the season with a 3–0 defeat to Bury before winning their final match 3–2 over Burnley on 5 May. Cardiff finished in sixth position, nine points behind league winners Everton, despite being the third lowest scoring side in the First Division and being in the top ten for goals conceded during the campaign. Only four teams possessed a lower goal average ratio than Cardiff, three of whom finished in the bottom four.https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/06-may-1928/ League Division One end of season table for 1927–28 season 11v11.com AFS Enterprises 21 August 2020 The club's strong home form was cited by journalists as a reason for the success, as they lost only twice at Ninian Park, the joint lowest in the division with league winners Everton and third placed Leicester.http://www.englishfootballleaguetables.co.uk/final/f1927-28.html Final table for season 1927–28 englishfootballleaguetables.co.uk 22 August 2020 Partial league table 1927–28 Football League#First Division First Division y CAR Match results Key In result column, Cardiff City's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal Results Cardiff City 100 Years of Professional Football Terry Grandin Vertical Editions 218 2010 978-1-904091-45-5 DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance 27 August 1927 Bolton Wanderers (H) 2–1 McLachlan, L. Davies 24,107 3 September 1927 Sheffield Wednesday (A) 3–3 Ferguson, Curtis, Thirlaway 19,218 5 September 1927 Blackburn Rovers (A) 0–0 14,343 10 September 1927 Middlesbrough (H) 1–1 McLachlan 23,033 12 September 1927 Blackburn Rovers (H) 1–1 L. Davies 15,955 17 September 1927 Birmingham (A) 3–1 Thirlaway, Ferguson (2) 23,723 24 September 1927 Newcastle United (H) 3–1 Curtis, L. Davies, Ferguson 30,590 1 October 1927 Huddersfield Town (A) 2–8 Ferguson (2) 12,975 8 October 1927 Tottenham Hotspur (H) 2–1 L. Davies, Ferguson 21,811 15 October 1927 Manchester United (A) 2–2 Thirlaway, Curtis 31,090 22 October 1927 Portsmouth (H) 3–1 Thirlaway, Ferguson, McLachlan 9,060 29 October 1927 Leicester City (A) 1–4 Smith 25,634 5 November 1927 Liverpool (H) 1–1 Smith 12,735 12 November 1927 West Ham United (A) 0–2 18,189 19 November 1927 Derby County (H) 4–4 L. Davies (2), W. Davies, Matson 6,606 26 November 1927 Sheffield United (A) 4–3 McLachlan (2), L. Davies, Ferguson 22,999 3 December 1927 Aston Villa (H) 2–1 Ferguson (2) 14,264 10 December 1927 Sunderland (A) 2–0 Thirlaway, L. Davies 16,450 17 December 1927 Bury (H) 0–1 11,961 24 December 1927 Burnley (A) 1–2 Thirlaway 13,158 26 December 1927 Everton (A) 1–2 Wake 56,305 27 December 1927 Everton (H) 2–0 L. Davies, Wake 25,387 31 December 1927 Bolton Wanderers (A) 1–2 Miles 15,745 7 January 1928 Sheffield Wednesday (H) 1–1 Ferguson 9,208 21 January 1928 Middlesbrough (A) 2–1 Thirlaway, Ferguson 21,728 4 February 1928 Newcastle United (A) 0–2 26,439 11 February 1928 Huddersfield Town (H) 4–0 L. Davies, Wadsworth (o.g.), Thirlaway (2) 21,073 22 February 1928 Birmingham (H) 2–1 Ferguson, McLachlan 10,758 25 February 1928 Manchester United (H) 2–0 L. Davies, Ferguson 15,579 3 March 1928 Portsmouth (A) 0–3 25,157 5 March 1928 Tottenham Hotspur (A) 0–1 6,250 10 March 1928 Leicester City (H) 3–0 Ferguson (2), McLachlan 13,178 17 March 1928 Liverpool (A) 2–1 L. Davies, Thirlaway 34,532 24 March 1928 West Ham United (H) 1–5 Ferguson 14,529 31 March 1928 Derby County (A) 1–7 Thirlaway 15,565 6 April 1928 Arsenal (A) 0–3 36,828 7 April 1928 Sheffield United (H) 2–2 McLachlan (2) 11,283 9 April 1928 Arsenal (H) 2–2 Smith, Wake 17,695 14 April 1928 Aston Villa (A) 1–3 McLachlan 22,428 21 April 1928 Sunderland (H) 3–1 Warren, L. Davies, McLachlan 10,268 28 April 1928 Bury (A) 0–3 13,375 5 May 1928 Burnley (H) 3–2 L. Davies (2), Warren 8,663 Cup matches FA Cup Entering the competition as reigning holders, Cardiff began the defence of their title against Southampton on 14 January 1928. The Times noted that Southampton had a "reputation as a cup-fighting team" but Cardiff were considered heavy favourites for the tie.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12233&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=3&docId=GALE%7CCS102440493&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS102440493&searchId=R2&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 13 January 1928 22 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive Their opponents lived up to their reputation as the game proved difficult for Cardiff before they secured a 2–1 win with goals from Ferguson and Len Davies.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12233&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=6&docId=GALE%7CCS84090416&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS84090416&searchId=R2&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 5 16 January 1928 22 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive In the fourth round, Cardiff were drawn at home against fellow First Division side Liverpool. The match was played on 28 January in poor conditions; there were doubts ahead of kick-off as to whether the match would go ahead. Liverpool took the lead in the first half with a penalty given for handball, but McLachlan equalised for Cardiff two minutes later. In the second half, Cardiff took the lead in unusual circumstances when the Liverpool defence turned away from Jimmy Nelson's free-kick, which allowed the ball to roll tamely into the net past the unsighted goalkeeper. Liverpool came close to equalising late on but Cardiff progressed to the fifth round with a 2–1 win.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12233&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=12&docId=GALE%7CCS100867646&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS100867646&searchId=R2&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 30 January 1928 22 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive Victory over Liverpool resulted in an away tie against Nottingham Forest on 18 February in the fifth round. Ferguson gave Cardiff an early lead before Forest equalised from the penalty spot after a foul by Nelson.Leighton 2010 130 With the tie poised at 1–1, Forest scored a controversial winning goal as Cardiff protested that the ball had gone out of play for a goal kick immediately beforehand. The goal was given and Forest held on to win as Ferguson missed a late opportunity to equalise.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12217&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=10&docId=GALE%7CCS84090452&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS84090452&searchId=R5&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 5 20 February 1928 22 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive The FA Cup trophy remained in Cardiff's possession until it was handed back to The Football Association on 5 March. Match results Key In result column, Cardiff City's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match N = Neutral venue pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal Results DateRoundOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance 14 January 1928 Three Southampton (H) 2–1 L. Davies, Ferguson 23,000 28 January 1928 Four Liverpool (H) 2–1 McLachlan, Nelson 20,000 18 February 1928 Five Nottingham Forest (A) 1–2 Ferguson 30,500 Welsh Cup Cardiff were also the reigning holders of the Welsh Cup and began their defence of the trophy on 15 March 1928 against Oswestry Town. Despite resting some first team players, Cardiff recorded a comfortable 7–1 victory over their non-league opponents, with Len Davies scoring the club's only hat-trick of the campaign and Fred Castle and Smith each scoring a brace. In round six, Cardiff defeated local rivals Swansea Town 1–0 with Smith the goalscorer. Rhyl were drawn as Cardiff's opponents for the semi-final and the two sides recorded a 2–2 draw on 18 April. The draw resulted in a replay being played a week later, with Cardiff overcoming their opponents with a 2–0 victory. In the final, Cardiff met Bangor at Farrar Road Stadium. Ferguson scored his second brace of the competition to ensure Cardiff retained the Welsh Cup with a 2–0 win. Match results Key In result column, Cardiff City's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match N = Neutral venue pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal Results Date Round Opponents Result Goalscorers Attendance 15 March 1928 Five Oswestry Town (A) 7–1 L. Davies (3), Castle (2), Smith (2) 4,000 2 April 1928 Six Swansea Town (H) 1–0 Smith 10,000 18 April 1928 Semi-final Rhyl (A) 2–2 Ferguson (2) 3,000 25 April 1928 Semi-final (replay) Rhyl (A) 2–0 Wake, L. Davies 5,000 18 April 1928 Final Bangor (A) 2–0 Ferguson (2) 11,000 FA Charity Shield 1927 FA Charity Shield As winners of the FA Cup the previous season, Cardiff took part in the FA Charity Shield against amateur side Corinthians on 12 October 1927. The match was held at Stamford Bridge, the home ground of Chelsea. After a goalless first half, Corinthians took the lead through Gilbert Ashton and held the advantage until the 77th minute when Ferguson headed a cross from Thirlaway into the opposition net. With the momentum behind them, Cardiff continued to attack and they took the lead with three minutes of normal time remaining when Len Davies converted from a corner kick.https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=Newspapers&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&hitCount=12281&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=9&docId=GALE%7CCS101784909&docType=Sports+news&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZTMA-MOD1&prodId=TTDA&pageNum=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCS101784909&searchId=R2&userGroupName=wikipedia&inPS=true subscription Association Football The Times 6 13 October 1927 22 August 2020 The Times Digital Archive As of August 2020, Cardiff remain the only Welsh side to have both won and competed in the competition.https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engsupcuphist.html England – List of FA Charity/Community Shield Matches The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation Ross James 21 August 2020 Match results Key In result column, Cardiff City's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match N = Neutral venue pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal Results DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance 12 October 1927 Corinthians (N) 2–1 Ferguson, L. Davies 10,500 Friendly As winners of the FA Cup, Cardiff were invited to take part in a challenge match against the reigning Scottish Cup holders Celtic at Hampden Park. The Cardiff squad were described as "weary" by writer James Leighton heading into the game, having lost heavily to Huddersfield two days prior.Leighton 2010 128 Despite starting the stronger of the two sides, Celtic ultimately ran out 4–1 winners, with Curtis scoring Cardiff's goal.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3gE-AAAAIBAJ&pg=2433%2C4866264 Football – Celtic, 4; Cardiff City, 1 The Glasgow Herald 3 October 1927 20 August 2020 Match results Key In result column, Cardiff City's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal Results DateOpponentsResultGoalscorersAttendance 3 October 1927 Celtic (A) 1–4 Curtis 6,000 Player details Stewart used 24 players in all competitions during the campaign. McLachlan made more appearances than any other player, featuring in 50 matches in total. He was ever present in the league, playing all 42 matches, and missed only one senior game during the season, a 7–1 win over Oswestry in the Welsh Cup. Billy Hardy, Nelson and Thirlaway all fell one short of McLachlan, appearing in 49 matches. Four other players, Len Davies, Tom Farquharson, Keenor and Ferguson, appeared in more than 40 matches during the campaign. Jim Baillie and Jerry Murphy both made only one appearance during the season. For the second consecutive season, Ferguson was the club's top goalscorer. He scored 25 times in all competitions, with 18 in the league, 2 in the FA Cup, 4 in the Welsh Cup and 1 in the Charity Shield. Len Davies also passed 20 goals in the campaign, scoring 21 in total, and was the only player to score a hat-trick during the season in a 7–1 win over Oswestry. McLachlan and Thirlaway were the only other players to reach double figures, scoring 12 and 11 respectively. Eight other players scored at least once during the season, as well as one opposition own goal. Player statistics PlayerPositionFirst DivisionFA CupWelsh CupFA Charity ShieldTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsJim Baillie HB1000000010George Blackburn footballer, born 1899 HB110101010140Fred Castle footballer FW1000120022Ernie Curtis FW203000010213Len Davies FW37153154114621Willie Davies footballer FW5100100061Tom Farquharson GK370305010460Hughie Ferguson FW32183244114025Billy Hardy footballer HB410304010490Joe Hillier GK5000000050Sam Irving FW200200010230John Jennings footballer HB190105000250Fred Keenor DF360305010450Frank Matson FW4100000041George McLachlan FW42113140105012Albert Miles footballer FW3100000031Jerry Murphy footballer, born 1907 FW1000000010Jimmy Nelson footballer DF410314010491Tom Sloan footballer, born 1900 HB120103000160Potter Smith FW123004300166Billy Thirlaway FW40113050104911Harry Wake HB173303100231Fred Warren Fred Warren (footballer, born 1907) HB4200000042Tom Watson footballer, born 1900 DF210101000230 FW = Forward, HB = Halfback, GK = Goalkeeper, DF = Defender Sources: Aftermath Although the sixth-place finish during the campaign was the Cardiff's highest finish in the First Division since the 1923–24 season, the 1927–28 campaign is generally regarded as the start of the club's downfall that would see them relegated the following season and culminate with relegation to the Third Division South within three years. In his 1999 book C'mon City! A Hundred Years of the Bluebirds, chronicling the history of the club, Grahame Lloyd wrote that although the season "represented a reasonable return. In truth, it masked a dangerous lurch towards mediocrity." The failure to replace first team players with sufficient quality and an ageing core of the squad are both cited by historians as factors in the club's eventual downturn. At the end of the season Cardiff organised a tour of Denmark for the side, playing friendlies against Aarhus, Aalborg and an Odense XI. They won all three matches, conceding only a single goal in the process.Leighton 2010 131 During their final match in Odense an opposition player, Creutz Jensen, impressed the Cardiff delegation so much that they immediately signed him on a free transfer. However, Jensen was denied a work permit by the Ministry of Labour and the move, which would have seen him become the first foreign player in the club's history, subsequently collapsed.https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-files-12-weirdest-9562493 The Cardiff City files: The 12 weirdest things you never knew happened behind the scenes at the Bluebirds WalesOnline Media Wales Tucker Steve 1 July 2015 21 August 2020 References Specific Bibliography The Who's Who of Cardiff City Dean Hayes Breedon Books 2006 978-1-85983-462-6 James Leighton Fred Keenor – The Man Who Never Gave Up 2010 Derby Books Publishing Company Derby 978-1-85983-828-0 https://archive.org/details/fredkeenormanwho0000leig/page/24 C'mon City! A Hundred Years of the Bluebirds Grahame Lloyd Seren Books 1999 1854112716 From the Ashes – The Real Story of Cardiff City Football Club Saunders Christian Llygad Gwalch Cyf 2013 9781845242138 The Definitive: Cardiff City F.C. Richard Shepherd SoccerData Publications Nottingham 2002 1-899468-17-X Cardiff City F.C. Category:Cardiff City F.C. seasons Car