| Club: | Cardiff City |
| Season: | 2008–09 |
| Manager: | Dave Jones |
| Chairman: | Peter Ridsdale |
| League: | Football League Championship |
| League Result: | 7th |
| Cup1: | FA Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | Fourth round |
| Cup2: | League Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | Third round |
| League Topscorer: | Ross McCormack (21) |
| Season Topscorer: | Ross McCormack (23) |
| Highest Attendance: | 20,156 vs Swansea City |
| Lowest Attendance: | 6,334 vs Milton Keynes Dons |
| Average Attendance: | 18,449 |
| Prevseason: | 2007–08 |
| Nextseason: | 2009–10 |
The 2008–09 season was Cardiff City's sixth consecutive year playing in the Football League Championship and their 82nd season playing in The Football League. It was also the club's final season playing at Ninian Park, their home ground since they had entered The Football League in 1920.[1]
Cardiff began their pre-season schedule with matches against Welsh sides Merthyr Tydfil and Carmarthen Town, with squads made up of first team players and youth players. Goals from Steve Thompson, Jon Brown and youth player Sol Taylor saw a 3–1 win over Merthyr and a hat-trick from Paul Parry along with one from Rhys Kelleher and an own goal saw the other match end in a 5–0 win for Cardiff.[4] Several days later, Cardiff flew out to Portugal to take part in the Algarve Cup, along with Middlesbrough, Celtic and Vitória de Guimarães. Before the tournament they played a warm-up match against Portuguese side Vitoria de Setubal which ended in a 1–1 draw.
Their Algarve Cup tournament began with a match against Vitória de Guimarães, coming away with a 2–0 win with both goals being scored by summer signing Ross McCormack. In the second and final game of the tournament they overcame Scottish Premier League champions Celtic 1–0 with Joe Ledley scoring the only goal as Cardiff came away as the tournament winners.[5] Returning to Britain, they played out a 1–1 draw with Swindon Town followed by a 0–0 draw with Dutch side Ajax in their first home pre-season tie. They finished their pre-season schedule with a friendly against Chasetown with a team made up of senior and youth players. The match finished 2–2 with goals from Paul Parry and trialist Wilson Oruma.[6]
Cardiff opened their season with a home tie against Southampton, the first time they had been handed a home tie on the opening day of the season for eleven years, and went on to win 2–1 after a last minute winner by Roger Johnson.[7] Propelled by the goals of summer signing Ross McCormack, Cardiff did not suffer a defeat until their ninth league game of the season when they lost 2–1 to Birmingham City,[8] but they bounced back quickly with a 2–1 win over Coventry City[9] three days later and the sides form through October, three wins and two draws, saw manager Dave Jones awarded the manager of the month award.
A slump in form saw three defeats in the next four games but despite the loss of form the side remained in the play-off zone. During the poor spell, former player Michael Chopra returned on loan just over a year after leaving the club in a club record £5m sale to Sunderland,[10] converting a penalty on his debut in a 2–1 win over Crystal Palace on 15 November.[11] On 22 November, the second South Wales derby of the season took place, after an earlier meeting in the League Cup, with the match ending in a 2–2 draw with both sides being reduced to ten men due to red cards for Stephen McPhail and Darren Pratley.[12] The match was the second of what would become a three-month unbeaten spell which took the side through to the end of February without defeat until they lost 1–0 to Southampton,[13] a run which saw Cardiff rise to 4th place in the table.
The following game saw Cardiff win 3–1 against Barnsley, the first time in the season they had scored more than two goals in a single game. They went on to win 3 of their 6 matches in March before meeting local rivals Swansea City for the third time during the season on 5 April. The match ended in a 2–2 draw but was overshadowed by referee Mike Dean being struck by a coin thrown from the crowd.[14] The incident was condemned by chairman Peter Ridsdale and manager Dave Jones after the match.[15] Three consecutive wins for the side meant that with 4 games remaining they needed two points to secure a play-off place but they only managed one point during the final four games, in a 2–2 draw with Charlton Athletic, which would lead to them finishing in seventh place, missing out on a play-off spot to Preston North End on goals scored.[16]
See main article: 2008–09 Football League Championship.
As part of the celebrations of the club's final year at Ninian Park former players and staff of the club were presented to the crowd at half-time during various home matches throughout the season. At the end of the season all the players were invited back for the final game at the ground against Ipswich Town.[17] The date, opponent and people presented were:
Cardiff began their League cup campaign away to League Two side Bournemouth, coming away with a 2–1 win with both goals scored by Paul Parry in the opening twelve minutes of the match.[22] After coming through the second round with a 2–1 home win over Milton Keynes Dons, Cardiff were handed a third round tie against local rivals Swansea City in the first South Wales derby to take place in nine years. A heated encounter saw Swansea come away with a 1–0 after a deflected free-kick, with Cardiff being reduced to ten men after Stephen McPhail saw red for two bookable offences.[23] After the match fans from both clubs clashed with police.[24]
Entering the competition in the third round, Cardiff's first match in the FA Cup came up against fellow Championship side Reading, with goals from Ross McCormack and Joe Ledley putting Cardiff through to the next round with a 2–0 win. In the fourth round Cardiff were handed a lucrative home tie against Premier League side Arsenal. The match, taking place in a packed Ninian Park, finished in a 0–0 draw. The replay, which was originally set to be played on 3 February but was postponed due to heavy snowfall,[25] took place on 16 February, ending in a 4–0 win for Arsenal.[26]
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| No. | Name | Place of birth | Date of birth | Club apps. | Club goals | Int. caps | Int. goals | Previous club | Date joined | Fee | End1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peter Enckelman | Turku | 10 March 1977 | 20 | 0 | 12 | 0 | Blackburn Rovers | 18 July 2008 | Free | 2010 | |
| 2 | Kevin McNaughton | Dundee | 28 August 1982 | 87 | 3 | 4 | 0 | Aberdeen | 26 May 2006 | Free | 2011 | |
| 3 | Tony Capaldi | Porsgrunn | 12 August 1981 | 54 | 0 | 21 | 0 | Plymouth Argyle | 25 May 2007 | Free | 2010 | |
| 4 | Gavin Rae | Aberdeen | 28 November 1977 | 55 | 4 | 14 | 0 | Rangers | 23 June 2007 | Free | 2010 | |
| 5 | Darren Purse | Stepney | 14 February 1977 | 99 | 12 | – | – | West Bromwich Albion | 28 July 2005 | £1,000,000 | 2009 | |
| 6 | Gábor Gyepes | Budapest | 26 June 1981 | – | – | 23 | 1 | Northampton Town | 19 August 2008 | £200,000 | 2013 | |
| 7 | Peter Whittingham | Nuneaton | 8 September 1984 | 70 | 13 | – | – | Aston Villa | 11 January 2007 | £350,000 | 2011 | |
| 8 | Jay Bothroyd | London | 5 May 1982 | – | – | – | – | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4 August 2008 | £350,000 | 2011 | |
| 9 | Eddie Johnson | Bunnell | 31 March 1984 | – | – | 42 | 12 | Fulham | 22 August 2008 | Loan | 2009 | |
| 10 | Stephen McPhail | London | 9 December 1979 | 97 | 3 | 10 | 1 | Barnsley | 13 June 2006 | Free | 2011 | |
| 11 | Paul Parry | Chepstow | 19 August 1980 | 168 | 23 | 12 | 1 | Hereford United | 9 January 2004 | £75,000 | 2011 | |
| 12 | Roger Johnson | Ashford | 28 April 1987 | 85 | 9 | – | – | Wycombe Wanderers | 4 July 2006 | £275,000 | 2012 | |
| 13 | Tom Heaton | Chester | 15 April 1986 | – | – | – | – | Manchester United | 23 May 2008 | Loan | 2009 | |
| 14 | Quincy Owusu-Abeyie | Amsterdam | 15 April 1986 | – | – | 5 | 1 | Spartak Moscow | 31 January 2009 | Loan | 2009 | |
| 15 | Miguel Comminges | Les Abymes | 16 March 1982 | – | – | 5 | 0 | Swindon Town | 1 May 2007 | Free | 2010 | |
| 16 | Joe Ledley | Cardiff | 23 January 1987 | 174 | 21 | 16 | 1 | N/A | 1 June 2004 | Trainee | 2010 | |
| 17 | Darren Dennehy | County Kerry | 21 September 1988 | – | – | – | – | Everton | 28 June 2008 | Free | 2010 | |
| 18 | Michael Chopra | Newcastle upon Tyne | 23 December 1983 | 44 | 22 | – | – | Sunderland | 6 November 2008 | Loan | 2009 | |
| 19 | Riccardo Scimeca | Leamington Spa | 13 June 1975 | 66 | 6 | – | – | West Bromwich Albion | 13 January 2006 | Free | 2009 | |
| 20 | Stuart Taylor | Romford | 28 November 1980 | – | – | – | – | Aston Villa | 13 March 2009 | Loan | 2009 | |
| 21 | Mark Kennedy | Dublin | 15 May 1976 | – | – | 34 | 4 | Crystal Palace | 10 July 2008 | Free | 2010 | |
| 22 | Dimitrios Konstantopoulos | Thessaloniki | 29 November 1978 | – | – | – | – | Coventry City | 9 February 2009 | Loan | 2009 | |
| 23 | Darcy Blake | New Tredegar | 13 December 1988 | 27 | 0 | – | – | N/A | 8 November 2006 | Trainee | 2011 | |
| 25 | Erwin Sak | Lublin | 15 February 1990 | – | – | – | – | Sokół Pniewy | 19 February 2008 | Free | 2009 | |
| 26 | Jonathan Brown | Bridgend | 17 April 1990 | 4 | 1 | – | – | N/A | 1 June 2007 | Trainee | 2009 | |
| 29 | Chris Burke | Glasgow | 2 December 1983 | – | – | 2 | 2 | Rangers | 9 January 2009 | Free | 2011 | |
| 31 | Adam Matthews | Swansea | 13 January 1992 | – | – | – | – | N/A | 14 January 2009 | Trainee | 2011 | |
| 32 | Aaron Morris | Cardiff | 30 December 1989 | 2 | 0 | – | – | N/A | 1 June 2007 | Trainee | 2010 | |
| 44 | Ross McCormack | Glasgow | 18 August 1986 | – | – | 1 | 0 | Motherwell | 28 June 2008 | £110,000 | 2010 |
|}
| 4 | MF | 6 | 0 | ||
| 8 | FW | 5 | 0 | ||
| 15 | DF | 4 | 1 | ||
| 12 | DF | 4 | 0 | ||
| 16 | MF | 3 | 0 | ||
| 10 | MF | 2 | 2 | ||
| 6 | DF | 2 | 1 | ||
| 44 | FW | 2 | 1 | ||
| 5 | DF | 2 | 1 | ||
| 18 | FW | 2 | 0 | ||
| 21 | MF | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2 | DF | 2 | 0 | ||
| 14 | MF | 2 | 0 | ||
| 7 | MF | 2 | 0 | ||
| 9 | FW | 1 | 0 | ||
| 6 | DF | 1 | 0 |
| 12 Jul | Merthyr Tydfil (Southern Premier Division) | A | W 3 – 1 | – | Brown, Thompson, Taylor | |
| 12 Jul | Carmarthen Town (Welsh Premier League) | A | W 5 – 0 | – | Parry (3), Kelleher, OG | |
| 19 Jul | Vitoria de Setubal (Portuguese Liga) | A | D 1 – 1 | – | Thompson | |
| 22 Jul | Vitória de Guimarães (Portuguese Liga) | A | W 2 – 1 | – | McCormack (2) | |
| 24 Jul | Celtic (Scottish Premier League) | N | W 1 – 0 | – | Ledley | |
| 29 Jul | Swindon Town (Football League One) | A | D 1 – 1 | – | Parry | |
| 1 Aug | Ajax (Dutch Eredivisie) | H | D 0 – 0 | – | ||
| 5 Aug | Chasetown (Southern Football League Division One Midlands) | A | D 2 – 2 | – | Parry, Oruma |
| Games Played | 52 (46 Championship, 3 FA Cup, 3 League Cup) | |
| Games Won | 24 (19 Championship, 1 FA Cup, 2 League Cup) | |
| Games Drawn | 18 (17 Championship, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup) | |
| Games Lost | 12 (10 Championship, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup) | |
| Goals Scored | 71 (65 Championship, 4 FA Cup, 2 League Cup) | |
| Goals conceded | 60 (53 Championship, 3 FA Cup, 4 League Cup) | |
| Goal Difference | +11 | |
| Clean Sheets | 15 (14 Championship, 1 FA Cup, 0 League Cup) | |
| Yellow Cards | 42 | |
| Red Cards | 5 (4 Championship, 0 FA Cup, 1 League Cup) | |
| Worst Discipline | Gavin Rae (6 0) | |
| Best Result | 4–1 vs Derby County | |
| Worst Result | 0–6 vs Preston North End | |
| Most Appearances | Roger Johnson, 51 (45 Championship, 3 FA Cup, 3 League Cup) | |
| Top Scorer | Ross McCormack, 23 (21 Championship, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup) | |
| Points | 74 / 132 (56.06%) |
| Opposition | Home Score | Away Score | Double | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnsley | 3–1 | 1–0 | ||
| Birmingham City | 1–2 | 1–1 | ||
| Blackpool | 2–0 | 1–1 | ||
| Bristol City | 0–0 | 1–1 | ||
| Burnley | 3–1 | 2–2 | ||
| Charlton Athletic | 2–0 | 2–2 | ||
| Coventry City | 2–1 | 2–0 | ||
| Crystal Palace | 2–1 | 2–0 | ||
| Derby County | 4–1 | 1–1 | ||
| Doncaster Rovers | 3–0 | 1–1 | ||
| Ipswich Town | 0–3 | 2–1 | ||
| Norwich City | 0–2 | 2–2 | ||
| Nottingham Forest | 2–0 | 1–0 | ||
| Plymouth Argyle | 1–0 | 1–2 | ||
| Preston North End | 2–0 | 0–6 | ||
| Queens Park Rangers | 0–0 | 0–1 | ||
| Reading | 2–2 | 1–1 | ||
| Sheffield United | 0–3 | 0–0 | ||
| Sheffield Wednesday | 2–0 | 0–1 | ||
| Southampton | 2–1 | 0–1 | ||
| Swansea City | 2–2 | 2–2 | ||
| Watford | 2–1 | 2–2 | ||
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1–2 | 2–2 |