Ever heard a Cardiff fan say ‘ The game against Bristol City is the main derby’ ? Anyone with an ounce of sense, or who actually follows their team in west or south Wales will know that statement is about as accurate as …

Much of this has come as the swans held the bragging rights in league standing and success at the highest of levels this century, so in a way it’s understandable those achievements would be disregarded. It must have hurt them immensely. However, if you ask an honest swans or bluebird follower they will of course give you the real truth.

This is the biggest fixture for both clubs all season, and that’s a fact.

There was a time of course that Cardiff dominated the support towards the east of Wales, and up to the valleys. Those days are long gone, the younger football supporter has chosen his or her side well, kids love success, they don’t care if their side is on their doorstep or forty miles up the road. Football’s popularity far outweighs the club version of the game when it comes to rugby, another thing that has long fell by the wayside. I’m never one to go on too much about the two games, but rugby’s dominance, is simply not there anymore, and has it been for the last thirty years ? We have seen the international football team bring their vociferous support for their country, and in a well equipped stadium at Cardiff City. For me the right choice of venue. For bigger games at least.

I did laugh when I read some messages sent to us yesterday that Cardiff fans are hoping the atmosphere of last Thursday night against Austria will be reproduced at this weekends game. Slight issue there, as hymns and arias boomed out around the ground there was a big clue for all to hear. Cardiff fans will counter that by stating, and it is true that song was a staple in the late seventies at Ninian. That atmosphere of last week came from a united nation, this derby game is anything but a united nation.

For every swans and bluebirds fan hating this game, because for the real fan it’s impossible to watch comfortably, the thought of losing is so great at times it dominates your whole being. There will be those who remain composed, and some of them reassuring themselves this game is no bigger or different to any other game played this season.

If you hear that look right in to their eyes, and laugh. Because it’s not true, it never was, and it never will be.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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