No date set for stadium start. More players could go

Last updated : 10 March 2005 By Michael Morris
The rocky road that Cardiff City are following at the moment is getting no better. The Echo today lead with the news that Sam was unable to force a definate start date for the stadium project when he met the developers yesterday.

Put up or shut up was Sam's message yesterday

“If we have an unconditional date to start work, it is all systems go and we can proceed with reasonable comfort,” Sam told the Echo on Wednesday.

“But we cannot stay in limbo and I am not going to keep putting more funds in only for the date to keep getting pushed back. There is an end to everything and we are close to that – we are talking days. If the developer does not come up with a date for work to start, we will do it without them and get somebody else in their place."

Now after that meeting no date has been set.

No comments from Sam today on that matter but a spokesman for the developers said

"there was no definitive outcome regarding the timing issues facing the development."

The Echo also carry the points

- Sam Hammam failed yesterday to force a final starting date for the proposed new stadium from developers Capital & Regional meaning further player departures is now inevitable.

- Academy chief Matthew Crocker - dubbed by Hammam "the most important man at Ninian Park" - has quit the club.

- City's scouting network, at youth and senior levels, has been scrapped.

- The first batch of Ninian Park staff - ground staff and shop workers - have been told to leave the club.

Of course with no stadium date Sam will be looking for money and the likely source is going to come from the selling of players.

Full story here.