So we’re now Riverside FC, eh? Why exactly are we copying an ineffectual Man Utd protest?

Walking down Sloper Road in the afternoon sun on my way to the match yesterday I saw a couple of new additions to the stock on sale at Billy the Badge’s emporium of poor quality Cardiff City merch. First of all there were lots of Malaysian flags, which makes sense what with our prospective Malysian benefactor supposedly being in attendance (my favourite banner at the match simply read ‘Selamat Datang’ which means welcome in Malay). The second were some weird chocolate and amber scarves. I thought it might be some sort of show of support for newly promoted Newport County. Turns out they were the colours for Riverside FC (never knew what their colours were before). For those not up to date on their Cardiff City history, Riverside FC was the original team that became Cardiff City AFC after Cardiff was granted City status and just before we joined the football league.

So, it now looks like we’re trying to do a Man Utd and protest at the club’s running by wearing the scarf that our great-grandfathers would’ve worn if they’d gone along to Sophia Gardens in the 1900s? Well, I have a number of problems with this.

One is that we are NOT Man Utd. Copying a protest like theirs makes us look like a tinpot outfit. Related to this is that I think the whole Newton Heath thing is a bit pathetic. It’s given us the ludicrous sight of someone wearing a £5 Newton Heath scarf presumably in protest to the Glazer’s ownership whilst also wearing a replica shirt that has put £50 directly into their hands. Oh yeah, and a season ticket that’s probably cost the best part of a grand. Basically it’s an easy way for fans to feel like they’re ‘making a statement’ but without actually doing anything. The situation at Man Utd will only be resolved by some serious action. That means people not buying Man Utd branded stuff, not turning up to matches, not giving the Glazers money, joining the Supporters Trust and trying to help organise and support the ‘Red Knights in their takeover. It may mean that they have to forego truly supporting their heroes on the pitch, whom they have only love and respect for. Which is a hard thing for a football fan to do, but that’s the nature of the situation at that club. A green and gold scarf won’t cut it.

The situation at Cardiff is different. Our chairman, though dodgy as hell, is actively seeking new investors so he can ease himself out of the picture. We’re pursuing a wealthy benefactor in the mould of the Glazers to bail us out. Who knows if he’ll turn out to be as rich as he claims, or any good? Also, boycotting merch is a bad idea what with the club still possibly facing administration. Trying to draw parallels is daft.

Two is that I’m not really sure where this has come from. I had a scout around and the usual places haven’t provided any info on this, so I’m not sure whether the Riverside scarf thing is actually a fan started grassroots protest, but instead simply a merch seller who’s had a word with a Mancunian mate of his who told him how much of a killing he’s made on this Newton Heath scarf craze.

Three is that they look like Harry Potter scarves. Which is cool in its own way. I’m tempted to buy one just as a surreptitious way of supporting City while out and about, but if I do buy one it won’t be in protest at anything. I protest in the best way, ranting anonymously through the interweb tubes.