Craig Bellamy birthday present for boss Dave Jones
Craig Bellamy has joined Cardiff from Manchester City on a season-long loan
SPORT WALES EXTRA By Rob Phillips Analysis and comment with BBC Wales' midweek column
It's difficult to think of a better present for birthday boy Dave Jones.
There was no cake or champers evident at the Cardiff City Stadium to usher in Jones' 54th year.
But I suspect, the company of Craig Bellamy alongside him at a press conference as the latest Bluebirds recruit meant more than gold, silver or the obligatory socks and aftershave.
Truly, Bellamy's arrival at his home town club - more than a decade after he had slipped through the scouting net to start his career at Norwich City - is astonishing.
Cardiff fans can argue over whether he is the biggest signing in the club's history. Those of an older generation may vouch for Trevor Ford or the great John Charles.
Interestingly Bellamy, who is an astute football intellectual, reckoned he was not the best player to pull on a Cardiff jersey. I'd love to develop that conversation with him.
Yet, none has been more high profile. Not only his nation's skipper, but one of THE best players in the Premier League.
Bellamy would be a welcome addition to most Premier clubs and certainly every Championship outfit.
All of which probably explains the hostile reaction to the season-long loan signing in some parts of the football world.
I smell the whiff of envy in the words of those who took to the airwaves and message boards on Tuesday night to slam the deal.
Some said the signing would skew the Championship because Cardiff are gaining a player of Premier League quality. One respected voice opined it showed flaws in the loan system.
Well, you can question whether Manchester City should allow a player of his quality to go. You can understand why some would feel bitter if, as has been stated, they would not sell him to Premier League rivals.
And you can also appreciate why some feel aggrieved Cardiff, who have well documented financial problems, should be able to afford such a player when - as Motherwell were quick to point out - bills are outstanding.
Yet, when it comes to money drastically altering the shape of the Championship, there is no greater factor than the parachute payments clubs receive when relegated from the Premier League. I raise you Newcastle and West Brom last season.
Moreover, the key factor in Bellamy choosing Cardiff was his desire to ''come home.'' Had he been a Nottingham boy he might have gone to Forest; a Sheffield lad he might have joined his old Wales skipper Gary Speed at the Blades.
But, no, he's a boy brought up in the Welsh capital. To quote the Hennesseys' song - ''Cardiff born and Cardiff bred.'' And this is where his family have remained throughout his travels.
Clearly the Bellamy deal will rankle around the division and bring added pressure on Cardiff. They will be tagged as Championship favourites; will become a prized scalp and the team opposition fans love to hate.
Their financial position will come under even greater scrutiny - so they'd be well advised to pay bills and wages on time.
But none of that will bother Dave Jones. His pursuit of a big catch paid off to make a special day even more memorable.
Craig Bellamy was the mouth-watering icing on his birthday cake.
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