All posts by h79snht.top

Following Jarrod Bowen’s £20m move to West Ham United back in January of 2020, the right-winger got off to an extremely impressive start to life at the London Stadium – scoring one goal, registering four assists and creating four big chances over his 13 Premier League appearances during his debut campaign for the Hammers, with these returns seeing the forward earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.92.

However, while Bowen’s upward trend of both goals and assists continued over his 38 league outings last term – with the 25-year-old bagging eight goals, providing four assists and creating 11 big chances in the top flight – the former Hull City winger was also the recipient of an accolade he would have been rather less proud of – his 24 withdrawals saw him ranked as the joint-most substituted player in the division.

Despite this statistic, the Englishman now appears to have proven that is a player worth keeping on the pitch for as long as possible, as, over his 26 Premier League appearances in the current campaign – in which he has scored eight goals, registered eight assists and created eight big chances – the £58m-rated forward has only been brought off ten times, playing the full 90 in each of the club’s last 13 fixtures.

Indeed, so impressive has the £96k-per-week winger’s form been this season that Liverpool are reported to be extremely interested in a £60m move for Bowen this summer, while the 25-year-old – who Daniel Gabbidon dubbed a “genius” – would also appear to be very much in contention for Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup this winter.

As such, considering Bowen’s transformation from something of a bit-part player under David Moyes to becoming one of the most exciting forwards in the country, it would appear that the same could happen to another of West Ham’s wide attacking talents – that of Said Benrahma.

Moyes can repeat Bowen trick with Benrahma

After being brought off in the 73rd minute of West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United last weekend, the Algeria international was very visibly frustrated with his manager’s decision, with the pair having a frank exchange of words as the 26-year-old made his way back to the bench.

And, when taking into account the fact that Benrahma currently finds himself in an extremely similar situation to that of Bowen last season – having been withdrawn in 17 of his 20 Premier League starts this term, the most of any player in the division – the winger’s frustrations are perhaps understandable.

Indeed, over his 23 league outings in the current campaign, the £42m-rated forward has actually been one of the Hammers’ most impressive options in attack, having scored five goals and provided his teammates with four assists – ranking him as the club’s third-most efficient attacking outlet, behind only Bowen and Michail Antonio.

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However, while the £58k-per-week forward – who Joe Cole dubbed “unplayable” – may well be frustrated with his game time so far this season, Moyes has already proven with Bowen that, with a bit of patience, Benrahma could well go on to become a star player for the Irons in the not too distant future.

In other news: DM could land WHU’s next £58m-rated sensation in “special” 21 y/o with “all the tools”

Despite Tottenham’s demolition of Everton, Antonio Conte has admitted some issues in translating his style to the players at Hotspur Way without a full pre-season.

The Lowdown: Conte’s start to life at Spurs

The Italian has experienced mixed results since arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In Conte’s first six league games in charge, Spurs won four times and drew the other two – embarking on a strong start to life in north London.

More recently, the Lilywhites have suffered some major inconsistencies in form. Spurs have lashed out in bizarre fashion following a defeat at Burnley.

However, Tottenham have now scored nine goals in their last two games, potentially illustrating the initial stages of the Italian’s transformation of the team.

The Latest: Conte’s claim

In his press conference following his side’s 5-0 thrashing of Everton, Conte made a claim about his management style at Tottenham, admitting it is difficult to implement without a pre-season period as games come thick and fast.

As quoted by football.london, he said:

“The problem when we have to prepare to play in two or three days is not simple. Don’t forget that with this team I didn’t start the season. I haven’t had the possibility to have one month to work with the team in pre-season and try to work and instil my idea of football. We did this playing games, important games for three points.

 “I think that I am seeing my work. I am seeing what we are working on every day, what we are trying in this situation where I’m trying to improve them.” 

The Verdict: Slow burner?

Whilst the Italian is renowned for instant results which are often shortly lived, demonstrated by his stints with Inter Milan and Chelsea, Conte may be more of a slow burner at Tottenham.

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For example, Spurs have averaged 1.75 points per match with the 52-year-old in charge. Whereas, during his previous two-year tenures with Inter and Chelsea, they averaged 2.11 and 2.12 points per game respectively.

Indeed, Daniel Levy will need to give the gaffer time and resources to make fundamental changes at the club, allowing them to eventually get to the level of those former Conte squads.

In other news: Tottenham Hotspur: Conte shares Sessegnon injury ‘problem’

The January transfer window was a very busy one for Everton, as not only was Frank Lampard appointed manager, but five players walked through the door as the club looked to ensure their Premier League membership would be reinstated for next season.

However, after more difficult defeats and poor performances, the Toffees are currently hovering dangerously above the relegation zone in 17th, and to make matters worse, one of their key transfer targets Matheus Nunes, is now being linked with some of the top clubs in Europe.

What’s the news?

Earlier in the month, Pep Guardiola described Nunes after Manchester City’s Champions League clash with his club Sporting Lisbon, as: “one of the best in the world right now.”

Correio da Manhã (via Sport Witness) are just one publication that have suggested the Portuguese midfielder could be heading to the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season – much to the frustration of Everton fans who believed that the player was close to signing for their club earlier in the year, as well as last summer.

But now, even the likes of Spurs are ahead of the Merseyside club in the race for the 23-year-old’s signature, and should Everton still be as interested as they were in recent months to acquire him, they will face stiff competition not just to out-bid teams, but to convince the player to sign on at Goodison Park.

Everton waited too late

Unfortunately for the supporters, it seems that the club waited just too long to make a move, and didn’t cough up enough money in the last two transfer windows to entice Sporting into selling.

Now, the transfer looks more improbable than ever, with Nunes having a price tag of at least €40m (£33m), but should performances continue to get better and better, you can expect that valuation to go up.

The midfielder is a technically gifted player with skill and flair, completing 73% of his dribbles as well as winning on average 6.8 duels per game and making 0.7 key passes per game. That means he’d add plenty to a stuttering Everton attack.

Having made just two assists and scored two goals in the Liga NOS this season, there is definitely room for improvement in terms of his offensive output, but that will come with time wherever he will play his football next season.

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Sadly, it looks as though it won’t be at Goodison Park, an eventuality Farhad Moshiri and co may end up living to regret.

In other news: Brands clanger: Released Everton prospect in a “rich vein of form” is now PL quality

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Everton are amongst a number of clubs keen on signing Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton Diaz. 

The lowdown: Rise to prominence

The 22-year-old has emerged as a star performer in the Championship this season and has been attracting plenty of attention as a result.

Called up to represent Chile after the discovery of his eligibility due to having a mother from the South American nation, Brereton Diaz has already earned 11 caps as a senior international.

Now it would appear the next step in a promising career is on the horizon as a host of Premier League clubs take an interest.

The latest: Everton keen

According to the report, the Toffees, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Leeds United are all in the mix, but it’s Brighton who lead the chase at present.

The Seagulls are believed to be willing to offer players as part of the deal in order to sign the Stoke-born ace.

Currently set to become a free agent at the end of the season, it’s also claimed that play-off chasers Blackburn ‘will be taking’ the option to extend Brereton Diaz’s deal by a further year this summer.

The verdict: A no brainer

Valued at £9million (Transfermarkt) and perhaps soon to be with one year remaining on a contract at Ewood Park, signing the Chile international would be an affordable venture for most top-flight clubs in normal circumstances.

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Showing a marked improvement year on year, Brereton Diaz was described as a player who has ‘come on leaps and bounds’ by Colin Hendry and has taken his output up a level this season, currently sitting on 20 goals in just 30 league outings.

Praised for an ‘extraordinary’ work rate by manager Tony Mowbray and capable of playing across the frontline, the former Nottingham Forest youngster would seemingly have no problems pairing up with or even succeeding Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park.

Aston Villa may have done all they can to try and persuade Carney Chukwuemeka to stay at the club, Gabriel Agbonlahor has said. 

The lowdown

The 18-year-old midfielder is under contract at Villa Park until the end of next season, and Villa are trying to tie him down to new terms.

However, The Athletic’s Gregg Evans reported earlier this month that the teenager would wait until the end of the current campaign before making a decision on his future. The journalist also revealed that other clubs were interested in the youngster and had indicated that they could give him more playing time.

The latest

Agbonlahor is concerned that Villa’s ‘best’ efforts may not be enough to persuade Chukwuemeka to commit his future to the club.

The talkSPORT pundit and former Villa striker told Football Insider: “Aston Villa are probably in a position where they have offered the best contract they feel they can offer.

“Sometimes it comes down to the player, if the player and his agent don’t want to sign that contract there is not much more than the club can do.

“I’m sure Villa will have done their best. They want to keep him hungry as well. They don’t want to give him too much too soon.”

The verdict

Come the summer, Chukwuemeka will apparently reflect on the number of minutes he was given in 2021/22 as he mulls over the contract offer from his club.

So far, that number stands at just 188 in the Premier League, comprising one start and eight substitute appearances. Has he shown enough to deserve more playing time?

When Gerrard gave him half an hour to impress in the 3-3 draw against Leeds last month, the 18-year-old did win five of his eight duels, but he also made an error directly leading to an opportunity for the visitors (via SofaScore).

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Still, it’s worth stressing that he is the third-youngest player to feature in this season’s Premier League, and it would be a bitter blow for Villa to lose someone who could go on to be ‘an absolute star’, in the words of Sky Sports’ Paul Merson, who also marvelled at the way in which the ‘outstanding’ Chukwuemeka ‘glides across the pitch’.

The 18-year-old’s talent is there for all to see, but the burning question is whether or not he sees his future at Villa Park.

In other news, Ashley Preece reacts as further contract news emerges at Villa Park

Sunderland are currently battling for a place in the play-offs in their attempt to get out of League One and back up to the Championship.

Alex Neil’s side are sixth in the table as it stands and have seven games left to make sure that they are in with a shot of returning to the second tier.

It is a grim reality for Black Cats fans as their team scrap for a play-off place in the third tier after many years of competing in the Premier League in recent history.

Some supporters may look back on decisions that the club made over the years and pick out moments which led to where they are now, and one of those could be the departure of John Egan.

The current Sheffield United defender came up through the youth ranks at the Stadium of Light and went out on loan to a number of Football League clubs before being released in 2014, duly signing for Gillingham on a free transfer.

This decision ended up being a huge howler by the Wearside, club as he has since gone on to forge an impressive career, joining the Blades in 2018 after spending two years with Brentford after leaving Gillingham.

He has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.98 or higher in all four of his Championship campaigns for the Bees and United combined to date. The Republic of Ireland international is an outstanding player in the second tier and his market value represents that, as shown in the graphic below.

Transfermarkt currently value him at £6.3m and he has proven that he can play in the top two divisions in England, whilst Sunderland remain in the third tier for now.

In his debut season in the Premier League for the Blades in 2019/20, he averaged a sublime SofaScore rating of 6.96 across 36 matches. He made 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game and won 61% of his overall duels in the top flight as he flexed his defensive strength.

Although his side ended up being relegated in the following campaign, he still averaged a solid SofaScore rating of 6.75 as he played 31 times. This shows that he is capable of producing quality at the top level and being a reliable defender.

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Earlier this season, Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny claimed that Egan could “play in the Champions League” after helping his team to keep a clean sheet against Portugal. His strong statistics in his first top-flight campaign suggest that he has the potential to do so, with his international boss – who sees him in the flesh in matches and in training – believing that the 29-year-old is Champions League quality.

Therefore, the Black Cats had a howler with Egan, as they were unable to tap into his potential and gained nothing from his success as they lost him on a free transfer, and they have had to watch on as he caught the eye in the Premier League and at international level.

AND in other news, Huge boost as Neil handed big Sunderland injury lift which will leave supporters delighted…

Journalist Pete O’Rourke is excited by the ‘welcome’ boost Callum Wilson will bring for Eddie Howe when he returns from injury. 

The lowdown

Wilson hasn’t featured for The Magpies since the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on 27 December.

The striker has missed their last ten Premier League matches since with a calf injury, but is now edging closer to a return.

The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards reported last week that the Englishman has an ‘outside chance’ of returning against Wolves on Friday 8 April if he comes through training unscathed.

The latest

O’Rourke is excited to hear of Wilson’s impending return, picking out the home match against Leicester on the 17th.

“Get him back in by mid April,” he told The Transfer Tavern. “I think he’s going to be another welcome addition to Eddie Howe’s plans for the rest of the season.”

The verdict

Even though he’s only played 15 games this season, Wilson is still Newcastle’s top scorer with six goals, and the team deserve credit for lifting themselves out of relegation trouble even without the 30-year-old’s firepower.

Indeed, when Wilson picked up his injury, Howe’s side were 19th on 11 points, but they’ve picked up 20 points since to climb to 14th, nine points clear of the drop zone.

That said, January signing Chris Wood has struggled to make his mark as the team’s no. 9, playing all 900 minutes in Wilson’s absence, managing only one goal.

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He could find himself relegated to the substitutes’ bench in a couple of weeks’ time, then, unless Howe hatches a plan to play two up front.

In other news, read this worrying ‘isolation’ update on a Newcastle star.

Tottenham are interested in a deal to bring Lautaro Martinez to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), who claimed that, after failing with a move for the Inter Milan centre-forward last summer, Fabio Paratici could once again launch an offensive for the 24-year-old at the end of the current campaign.

The report added that the Argentina international could view Spurs as the ideal destination if he were to secure a move away from the San Siro this summer, having enjoyed an extremely successful spell under Antonio Conte during his own time in Milan.

Finally, it is claimed that Inter may be willing to discuss a deal for the striker due to their ongoing financial difficulties, with the Serie A club’s hierarchy reportedly willing to listen to offers starting at €70m (£59m).

He’s “perfect” for Conte

Considering the quite extraordinary metrics that Martinez returned when previously working with Conte, it is not difficult to see why both Paratici and the 52-year-old coach would be interested in a move for the Inter star this summer.

Indeed, over his 38 Serie A appearances in the Nerazzurri’s Scudetto-winning 2020/21 season, the £63m-rated forward was in breathtaking form, bagging 17 goals, registering 10 assists and creating nine big chances for his team-mates, along with taking 2.9 shots and making one key pass per game.

These returns saw the €125k-per-week (£105k-per-week) sensation, who Roberto Rojas dubbed an “absolute goal machine”, average an incredibly impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.17, ranking him as Conte’s third-best player last term.

In total, the Argentine scored 40 goals and provided 19 assists in his 97 appearances under the 52-year-old, although it was not only his efforts in the final third which made him a key player for the head coach, but also his tireless work rate in a defensive capacity.

Indeed, speaking about Martinez last year, Siavoush Fallahi said of the 24-year-old: “Not many know that Lautaro Martinez was a defender back in the days. That’s why he’s so good in defence and winning the ball back. Huge resource for Inter and very appreciated by Conte for that work.”

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Furthermore, it is clear that Partici is also a massive fan of the striker, with Gianluca Di Marzio stating in a recent interview with Wett Freunde: “I think Tottenham will go after Lautaro because they wanted him last summer. They want another forward to play with Kane or plan for the future without Kane. Lautaro Martinez is one of the players that Fabio Paratici loves. I think it could be Lautaro’s summer and Atletico Madrid or Tottenham could be the perfect destinations for him.”

Indeed, considering all of the above, it seems all but certain that Martinez would be something of a perfect signing to play alongside Harry Kane in the Tottenham attack, leading us to believe that Paratici simply must do all he can to get a deal over the line for the centre-forward this summer.

AND in other news: Conte can unearth his next 243-goal talent in Spurs prodigy who “runs over every blade”

Everton might have suffered their annual Stamford Bridge stumble in the Premier League, but that does not detract from the fine work David Moyes and his team have been plying in recent weeks.

And so the Toffees have come crashing down – but only to ninth place. Not bad, especially when considering Everton had been chalked off as relegation candidates before the start of the term.

However, Everton don’t exactly have the largest squad in the division, and this is something Moyes will want to fix in January, with new additions lined up after injury scares to Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at Chelsea.

Everton's January transfer plans

Moyes has rekindled on the blue half of Merseyside and enthusiasm and culture that have lifted Everton away from relegation danger. That was where they struggled over the past few years.

But Everton have a small squad; Moyes has unleashed 19 players in the Premier League this season, the lowest tally in the division.

There remains a need for full-backs, and while Thierno Barry is beginning to click into gear at number nine, Everton could do with another striker.

But they need a midfielder too, and according to Italian sources, via Sport Witness, Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo could be the man for the job, having been earmarked as a potential candidate to bring to the club on a six-month loan deal.

Mainoo, 20, has struggled for game time in Ruben Amorim’s team, and he’s looking to leave the club on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Napoli are believed to be frontrunners for the £25k-per-week talent, but Moyes’s connection to Old Trafford and the allure of staying close to home and in the Premier League could sway the odds in the Blues’ favour.

Why Everton want Kobbie Mainoo

Moyes showed at West Ham his eye for a mid-season loan spell when he welcomed Jesse Lingard to West Ham United. The Man United outcast played, arguably, the best sustained spell of football in London, and Mainoo could repeat the trick.

A young and robust talent, Mainoo, a ten-cap England international, has already featured 84 times for Man United’s senior side, even on the fringe as he is under Amorim’s stewardship.

He scored as Erik ten Hag’s side beat their noisy neighbours in the FA Cup final in 2023/24, and he has shown physicality and technical grace that run beyond his years. He has been hailed as a “future £100m footballer” by journalist Alex Turk.

A dynamic and versatile midfielder, Mainoo clearly needs love and care from a manager who understands him, and Moyes has already shown his ability to take such wandering stars and rehouse them, rekindle them.

Subscribe for in-depth Everton transfer insight Want deeper context on Moyes’ transfer targets and Everton’s squad needs? Subscribe to the newsletter for expert transfer analysis, tactical context and roster insights on Everton and Premier League moves—perfect for fans seeking deeper coverage. Subscribe Subscribe for in-depth Everton transfer insight Want deeper context on Moyes’ transfer targets and Everton’s squad needs? Subscribe to the newsletter for expert transfer analysis, tactical context and roster insights on Everton and Premier League moves—perfect for fans seeking deeper coverage.

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Look at Dewsbury-Hall, who is playing so well for Everton. The 27-year-old has tweaked his hamstring, and there is a nervous wait to see whether he will now be sidelined for the Christmas period.

Premier League – Mainoo (23/24) vs Dewsbury-Hall (25/26)

Stats (* per game)

Mainoo

KDH

Matches (starts)

24 (24)

15 (15)

Goals

3

4

Assists

1

2

Touches*

49.0

49.3

Pass completion

87%

84%

Key passes*

0.6

1.3

Dribbles*

1.3

0.8

Ball recoveries*

4.0

3.7

Tackles + interceptions*

2.9

2.2

Duels won*

5.0 (52%)

5.1 (56%)

Stats via Sofascore

Having a player like Mainoo in the mix would make a world of difference. Dewsbury-Hall’s young compatriot, after all, is a progressive and athletic player. He might not be quite as creative when on the ball, but he certainly has the right toolkit to succeed under Moyes’ wing.

As per FBref, in fact, Mainoo ranks among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons and the top 18% for goal-creating actions per 90.

Even after playing such a bit-part role at the Theatre of Dreams this season, he has shown himself to be a difference-maker. In this, he can emulate and replace Dewsbury-Hall at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the second half of the season, a perfect foil for an outfit on the rise.

Related Richarlison repeat: Everton set sights on signing "impeccable" Brazilian

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Posts ByKelan Sarson

Saturday the 14th April 2012 won’t be remembered by Cardiff City supporters for their hard fought away victory against a resolute Barnsley side but it will always be remembered as the date a true Cardiff City legend passed away.

Former manager Eddie May passed away in his sleep leaving a massive gap in his family and a hole in the heart of Cardiff City’s recent history.

Edwin Charles May was born on the 19th of May 1943 in Epping Essex and started his footballing career as a defender with Dagenham in 1965. He then moved to Southend United where he scored three goals for them before finally making the move over the bridge to Wrexham where he made 334 appearances and scored some 35 goals. In the eight years spell he spent a summer on loan in the National American Soccer league with the Chicago Sting scoring an impressive 7 goals.

Under his captaincy, Wrexham reached an FA cup semi final and the quarter finals of the European Cup Winners’ Cup. He left in August of 1976 to join arch rivals Swansea City for whom he made 90 appearances, netting 8 goals before retiring from football in 1978.

A spell in coaching followed took him to Saudi Arabia. Kenya, Iceland, Norway and the Midlands! In July 1991 he was appointed manager of Cardiff City; who at the time were languishing in the old division four [which became the third division in 1992 due to the creation on the Premier league while remaining the fourth tier of English football.]

Cardiff supporters were weary of being in the lower leagues and a multiplicity of mangers who just about settled before they were through the door again. May made an immediate impact with City fans, he was a gentleman with a great sense of humour who thanks to spells at Wrexham, Newport County and Swansea City not only understood the Welsh sense of humour but shared it too. He quickly became a favourite and well respected by fans, his players and Cardiff City background staff alike. He was given the nickname “The Ayatollah” – City fans had found their leader and what was even better was that his coaching skills lifted the team into another level winning the Welsh Cup in 1992 and retaining it the following year; 1993 also saw Cardiff City being taken out of Division Three as Champions.

May possessed a silver tongue which enabled him to bring in players of the class of Kevin Ratclife who at the time was a regular in the Everton squad; he also helped to make terrace heroes of unlikely players like Phil Stant.

The crowning moment in the Eddie May term as manager of the Bluebirds came on January 29th 1994 at Ninian Park with the fourth round FA Cup victory over the Premiership’s Manchester City, Cardiff out played their lofty opposition in every department. Gary Thompson and Nathan Blake caused all sorts of problems, Thompson rattling the woodwork twice before Blake scored what’s since been voted the greatest Cardiff City goal ever and its one that should grace any list of greatest ever goals.

Blake received the ball with his back to the goal he turned beating his marker before jinking past two others and chipping goalkeeper Tony Coton high into the corner at the far post. Ninian Park; already at a fever pitch; exploded with the joyous chant of “Bluebirds Bluebirds – Eddie Mays Barmy Army.”

However, a change in ownership brought about May’s sacking in 1995 but his place as a Bluebird legend was secure, it didn’t matter that he had played for arch rivals Swansea City because the man had taken the club and everyone connected to it to his heart and in turn him to theirs. So much so, did May take to the people and way of life that he returned to Cardiff in 2005 to run a bed and breakfast in the town centre.

May remained in Bluebirds hearts and minds, a regular at end of season dinners and The Supporters Trust annual meetings, he became popular even with a generation that had never seen him manage their team.

When Cardiff City relocated to newly built Cardiff City Stadium in 2009 from Ninian Park, May was delighted to take up the invitation to manage one of the teams in the legends game that marked the official opening on Saturday July 4th. May took charge of a Cardiff City side for the last time, the Eddie May all-star 11.

Eddie May was a gentleman of the old school, a giant of a man that on first impression could easily have been perceived as scary. The cockney accent and red face adding to the assumption, but that assumption couldn’t have been further from the truth. May was a man of the people who would take time to purposely go out of his way to talk to City supporters, he would always ask your name, he seemed to have an almost photographic memory because if you bumped into him a few weeks later amazingly, he would know your name and greet you like an old friend. When out socially even during his tentureship of Cardiff he would join groups of fans and buy a round of drinks, he always had a witty quip should anyone dare to heckle him.

Eddie May epitomised the saying Once a Bluebird always a Bluebird and showed It doesn’t matter where you were born it’s a state of mind!

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My thoughts and condolences go out to the family of Eddie May at this terrible time…I would like to thank them for sharing him with us all and to Eddie himself I’d like to say thank you for all the great times Goodnight and God bless Eddie…Fly High Bluebird.

Following discussions with his family on Sunday 15th April and in full accordance with family wishes, an official tribute to Eddie will take place on Saturday April 21st for the visit of Leeds United where members of Eddie’s family will attend the fixture as guests. At that time Cardiff City Stadium will hold a minute’s applause as a mark of respect, along with full notices in the match-programme.

Bluebirds!!

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