A load of old Tosh. Or is it?

Last updated : 03 March 2003 By Michael Morris

Having been a very rare visitor at Ninian Park in the 30 odd years since he left John Toshack has at various times been linked with a move back but they have been more in hope than with any foundation.

But, as new rumours emerge, is there more to it this time around?

John Toshack watched the Bluebirds at Ninian Park a few weeks ago but it was
purely to meet old friends and players such as Ronnie Bird, Brain Clark, Gary
Bell and Steve Derrett amongst others.  Tosh was praiseworthy of developments at Ninian Park.

However currently out of work having recently resigned from his Spanish  club and out of work, despite his players pleading with him to stay, it is  inevitable that he will be linked with clubs and that includes his hometown club
on the verge of making a concerted bid for higher status football, the type not
seen since Tosh was controversially sold to Liverpool in 1970 heralding three decades of general  decline.

Unconfirmed stories have been given to www.cardiffcity.com over the past few
days strongly suggesting that Toshack and Sam Hammam met with each other last week.  Rumours now abound that John Toshack may be set to be offered a role at an exciting time for the club on and off the field as its Director of Football.

What does seem to be factual is that John Toshack was at Ninian Park today,
it has been verified by several sources in an around the club.  It is simply a matter of whether this was entirely innocent or adds credence to the rumour that inevitably be under the microscope in the days ahead.

Sources close to the club are playing down the significance of these rumours
insisting that his visit was to see Ronnie Bird (a club official and ex-playing
colleague) to collect a ticket to see this weekend's home game against Notts County where Tosh will be a guest of the club.  It is also said that Sam Hammam today denied any truth in the Toshack rumours allegedly insisting Lennie will remain in charge unless City get whalloped in every remaining game.

If it's an ill-founded rumour, it is unhelpful coming at a time when the club need to focus solely on its promotion challenge but only time will tell. Regardless, prepare yourselves for another onslaught of fresh media speculation over the next few days.