The world was a very different place when Cardiff City last dined at the top table. In the USA the charismatic JFK was President, while here at home Harold McMillan was Prime Minister. The average yearly wage was £799 and beer cost about 12p a pint. Acker Bilk had the best-selling single of the year while a little-known Liverpool band called The Beatles recruited Ringo Starr as their new drummer. It was 1962.
Many Cardiff supporters must have feared this day would never come but last season's Championship title finally turned the dream into reality after three consecutive play-off failures.
Media reports suggest Gary Medel will go into the starting line-up, despite a distinct lack of preparation. Medel only joined from Sevilla a few days ago and was since on International duty with Chile.
West Ham vs Cardiff August 17, 2013
The new Premier League season will prove to be an interesting challenge to both of these sides. West Ham subverted all expectations last year and finished in an unprecedented 10th position which garnered praise and admiration for Sam Allardyce and the Irons. However, due to the demands of the West Ham faithful, this season will be a tough one for the Hammers as they will be expecting more than last season which could make it very difficult for “Big Sam” to hold on to the hotseat for this season.
As with Cardiff, Malky Mackay’s reputation is currently very respectable after guiding Cardiff who had become the “nearly men” of the Championship to the promised land of the Premiership and will be looking to secure the safety of the Welsh side and follow in the footsteps of bitter rivals Swansea.
