Cardiff City is promoted to the Premier League for the first time in club history after a goalless draw against Charlton on Tuesday, April 16th. Cardiff, which was re-branded at the beginning of the season, will join Swansea as the second Welsh team in the Premier League.
The promotion came exactly 53 years after a previous promotion to the old First Division. For the Bluebirds, it’s a dream come true after three unsuccessful play-offs, change of ownership, debt and financial difficulties. Vincent Tan took over as Chairman on 2010 after a disappointing play-off final loss and helped to bring back Wales captain Craig Bellamy and appointed Manager Malky Mackay in June 2011. Cardiff was also re-branded by Vincent Tan and changed home colours to red and black and received a stadium expansion, new training facilities and a transfer budget. Cardiff went on to win 9 consecutive home games and now got promoted to the top flights.
Vincent Tan said after the promotion: “It is wonderful, a fantastic feeling. I looked at all the fans and everybody is so happy. Now we need to plan how to stay up in the Premier League. That will be a tough one for us.”
Manager Mackay continued: “The backroom staff and the ground staff have been through some dreadful times here…They are due some nice times and the chance to have a smile on their face and that is something that would really please me. For the last two years, I have seen the hours they put in and the work they do and sometimes the flak they have had to take. They really deserve some good times here.”
Cardiff City will join the Premier League, expected to be worth £80 million due to the Premier League TV deal, and will play the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea FC.
