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Page last updated at 07:06 GMT, Tuesday, 21 July 2009 08:06 UK

Legend Edwards backs Blues move

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Shanklin joy at Blues' new home

Wales rugby legend Gareth Edwards is convinced those who doubt the wisdom of Cardiff Blues moving to the new Cardiff City Stadium will be won over.

Edwards played all his club rugby in a glittering career for Cardiff RFC and is now a Cardiff Blues director.

The ex-Wales and British and Irish Lions star said: "There will be those who will doubt the move is necessary.

"But once they come and see the facility, once they come and support the team all will be forgotten."

In 1970 he experienced the then controversial Cardiff move from the 'old Arms Park' to the revamped ground the Blues vacated at the end of last season.

606: DEBATE

The Blues are now poised for a completely fresh start as tenants to Championship football club Cardiff City in the Leckwith area of the Welsh capital, a stone's throw from the football club's old ground Ninian Park.

However, Cardiff RFC, who play in the Welsh Premiership will remain at the Arms Park.

"I can well remember when we left the old Arms Park as it was and nobody really wanted to do that even though it was falling down around you, moving to what was in fact Glamorgan's [then] cricket ground," stated Edwards.

"All the trepidation, all the concern, but it soon established itself, created a tradition itself and now of course there's a reluctance to leave there.

"So we've been through that scenario once. I'm sure we can overcome that once again."

Edwards says the Blues can do so by appealing to a fresh audience as well as their traditional fans.

He added: "I think it's a wonderful facility. Some people might say well I would say that, wouldn't I?

"But no, let's be fair. It's modern facilities. We've been at the old Arms Park for a long period of time and maybe she was getting a little tired.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the players to establish themselves in a new stadium having had a successful last season, hopefully we can build on it.

"And what we obviously have to try and do is create an atmosphere here that'll be great for the home team and intimidating for the away side.

"That will take a little bit of time. But I also believe it's an opportunity for maybe families.

"We'll sort of have a different kind of supporter or an additional [kind of] supporter. A lot of people have enjoyed being on the terraces for years.

"But I think lots of families want to come, bring their children and I think this is just the kind of stadium that will offer that facility."



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