David Sullivan: 'Ninian Park is a dump'

Last updated : 14 December 2004 By Michael Morris
There have been very tenuous links to Birmingham City co owner David Sullivan over the last couple of days. There have been will he, won't he sell his shares in Birmingham City stories going on in the media with one option of him returning to buy his hometown club, Cardiff City.

One of the reasons he might want to sell Birmingham is the travelling to the Midlands from his Essex home. With Cardiff being further away again we may be able to rule out that idea.

Anyway Sullivan has been taking up space in the Echo with his thoughts on the council meeting regarding the planning of the new stadium.

"It's vital that this project is carried out for the sake of club's future ambitions," he told the Echo.

"I would go as far to say, the survival of the club depends on it. If this city wants Premiership football then a new stadia has to be built - it's as simple as that. There is no way a Premiership club can be built around Ninian Park - it's a dump.

"Even Premiership giants like Arsenal had help from its local council to go ahead with its plans. It would be a very sad day indeed if Cardiff City's local council stopped this going through and stopped progress at this very late stage.

"The new stadium would be great for the club, the city, Welsh sport in general. Failing to back this tomorrow and I fear the worst for the club. This is D-day for the club and its supporters."

Should the council go against City on Wednesday?

"I have always thought that some sort of ground share option with the Millennium Stadium would be a safe bet and a deal could be struck with its owners the Welsh Rugby Union," Sullivan added.