Cup controversies hog headlines

By Kevin Leonard BBC Wales and Cardiff City fan

Like Portsmouth, Cardiff fans have a reputation for passion

While Barnsley made the headlines with famous victories over Liverpool and Chelsea, Cardiff City beat the might of Chasetown and Hereford United.

It's fair to say that the Bluebirds failed to set the football world alight as they negotiated their way through the early rounds of the competition.

But it's been hard to ignore them since their semi-final win over Barnsley.

We've had the fuss over whether the Welsh national anthem would be played before the final on May 17 alongside God Save The Queen.

Then the Football Association of Wales overturned the red card given to Cardiff defender Darren Purse in a recent league game, meaning he could now play in the final if selected.

And if that's not enough to raise Pompey hackles, Cardiff were also given the green light to represent England in Europe if they won the cup.

Yes, it is easy to see why Portsmouth fans may not have warmed to the club that I have supported for 25 years.

Cardiff Capital city of Wales Population: 305,000 Famous faces: Roald Dahl, author Shirley Bassey, singer Charlotte Church, singer John Humphrys, broadcaster Colin Jackson, Olympic runner Misc: Home to Doctor Who; Millennium Stadium hosted FA Cup finals between 2001-2006; in late 19th Century it was world's biggest coal exporting port

There's also the small matter of Cardiff boss Dave Jones, who has managed bitter Pompey rivals Southampton in the Premier League.

And the Bluebirds' only celebrity supporter of note is a politician sometimes known in England as the "Welsh Windbag".

But Neil Kinnock will tell you that Cardiff City aren't so bad and, whisper it, are a club with a fair bit in common with Portsmouth.

Both are port cities who haven't won the FA Cup for a very long time, Portsmouth in 1939 against Cardiff's 1927.

In fact, Cardiff's cup win is still celebrated by fans to a ridiculous degree as it's the only major honour in their history.

The joke goes that if you ever steal a Cardiff fan's bank card, try 1-9-2-7 as the pin number and you will be quids in.

Both teams are also known for their passionate support and while Portsmouth have the Pompey Chimes, Cardiff fans "do the Ayatollah".

This involves jumping up and down while banging your hands on your head, and dates back to the club's less successful days at the start of the 1990s.

And then there's the battle of the cup final songs where, in my considered opinion, Cardiff have the edge over The Fratton End.

The Bluebirds have an official cup offering by the players and James Fox, who represented Britain in the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, and there are various fans' songs.

Guitar-playing

I'm told that the official song, Bluebirds Flying High, has enjoyed brisk sales, though not in Portsmouth presumably.

More interestingly, guitar-playing Cardiff striker Steve Thompson has written and recorded his own song, which has actually had a few thousand hits on YouTube.

Perhaps he should be concentrating more on his football skills but he's even been out busking in Cardiff City centre with James Fox to promote the songs.

As you may have gathered, the cup run has been a big deal for Cardiff City so perhaps you will forgive the recent attention we've had since the semi-final.

And while it may be difficult to ignore us, relax in the knowledge that it will all be over when the final whistle blows.....unless we've qualified for Europe of course!

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