Council positive after Sam meeting

Last updated : 09 March 2005 By Michael Morris
"We have just had a positive and constructive meeting with Sam Hammam and representatives from Cardiff City, where we outlined our commitment to the club and its future." Rodney Berman. Cardiff Council.

At last something positive to lift the gloom (positive to the point that alls not lost).

How positive it's yet to be seen.

Sam is also meeting this week with the developers (Capital and Regional) as they attempt to secure a start date for the stadium project which he said will secure the finances at Cardiff City.

Speaking after the meeting Sam said things could change over night when the go ahead is given but until then money will remain tight and further player sales cannot be ruled out.

"Once we get a definitive date for the building of the new stadium, things will change overnight. But until we get that date, no one is putting more money into this club," Sam told the Western Mail.

"We've had a good meeting with the council and I'm hopeful we will soon get a date for the stadium. If we get that, great. If not, players will have to be sold. These are tough decisions, but we are men and we won't shirk from those tough decisions."

Sam told the council that delays to the stadium starting had cuased the cash crisis but he was insistent the club would not go into administration.

Rodney Berman explained to the Western Mail

"The meeting was mutually agreed to in order to establish whether the council can do anything to assist Cardiff City regarding the completion of the stadium deal. If you look at it like a jigsaw, only the last couple of pieces are missing."

"The ball is in Capital and Regional's court. The developer needs to have 60 per cent of retail units let before it puts up its share of funding," Berman continued.

"They're not quite there yet - but they're not far off. We had hoped this would have been sorted. Next, we hope it will be completed by the summer.

"Once that side is finished then the club is able to put forward a viable financial plan for the new stadium.

"We're happy to have meetings with Capital and Regional to see if any problems can be ironed out."

"He (Sam) was very positive about keeping the club going on a day-to-day basis. He said he could do that for a considerable time even if that means going down the painful road of having to sell one or two players.

"He doesn't want to do that but he will do if it means it keeps the club going for the foreseeable future. If he has to do that, then he will do that. Cardiff City isn't going to just disappear next week."

"The council believes it has done its bit regarding the new stadium. We're working with the club to make sure the stadium deal is sewn up and that they are able to provide us with a business plan.

"We will know a lot more after the meeting with Capital and Regional, but I think we're down to the last couple of pieces in the jigsaw."