Capturing Cardiff: Is Cardiff ready to call time on the Arms Park?

[Huw Baines]

There has been top-flight rugby on the banks of the Taff in Cardiff for over a hundred years. In its many guises Cardiff Arms Park has played host to some of the finest players of all time, and some victories and occasions that are comparable to almost any sporting arena in the world. On September 19th 2007 Cardiff Blues signed a "head of terms" agreement that signalled their intent to move away from what many people see as the spiritual home of Cardiff rugby to the new Leckwith development, to be shared with Cardiff City FC.

The move has come in for some fierce criticism from fans of the club that see the move as damaging to the sporting heritage of the city. There appears to be little place for sentiment in the world of professional rugby, and the old ground’s limitations have become more and more apparent as the club has sought to re-establish itself on the European stage. A ground rich in history but short on capacity and modern facilities, the Arms Park’s time appears to be up.
Blues’ chief executive Robert Norster said in an open letter to fans at the time of the signing, “This decision [to leave the Arms Park] will undoubtedly be received with mixed emotion, as many of us will have our own special and cherished memories associated with The Arms Park. However, whatever your personal perspective, we sincerely hope that you will embrace the positive aspects of change and continue to support your team and look forward to the significant potential a new stadium has to offer.”

The realisation of this potential is going to be important in maintaining support from the fans of the club. Martyn Winters is a lifelong Cardiff fan, an active member of the club and is the press officer for supporters group A Call to Arms. The group has been campaigning for better involvement in the running of the club for rugby club members and supporters, and has recently turned its attention to the move from the Arms Park.

He is realistic about the likelihood of the move to Leckwith, saying, “I think Leckwith is a done deal, I don’t think we can stop it now. But what we can do is make sure that the history of Cardiff is recorded. The Millennium Stadium is on Cardiff Arms Park so in a sense there is a monument, but I would like to see the stadium renamed as the Arms Park.”

Winters lays some of the blame for the run down condition of the Arms Park at the feet of the athletic club, “At the moment CRFC ltd pay £100,000 a year to Cardiff Athletic in terms of rent. They are responsible for the general maintenance of the site, which they obviously haven’t done. You only have to look around to see that they haven’t done it.”

Former Cardiff back row and club official Rob Lakin has a different view of the move however, saying, “Times move on, we have to evolve with them. The Millennium Stadium will be there, and while people may not call it the Arms Park it will be remembered in history. The supporters are looking for comfort in a modern stadium with amenities and bars. It has become a family spectator sport; people want to be able to drive there with their families.”

Is there a place for tradition in the modern, professional world of rugby union? Even the most ardent fan of the game in Wales must concede that the amateur game that thrived at the Arms Park (not to mention St. Helens in Swansea, the Gnoll in Neath, Stradey Park in Llanelli and Rodney Parade in Newport) has become a thing of the past. For all those who cherish the memories of victories over the southern hemisphere giants, of Christmas derbies and Welsh cup triumphs there are others who want to be the leader of the pack in terms of facilities, corporate hospitality opportunities and sponsorship. Martyn Winters concedes, “I don’t think that generally they are looking at the fan's interests. What they’re looking at is making the Blues a saleable franchise. From an atmosphere point of view I can’t see it being a bonus for Cardiff.”

The disappointment that is evident in Winters’ summation of the motives for the move is counterbalanced by his enjoyment in reminiscing about the good times at the old ground. “I came to rugby in the 70s”, he says,“The very first game I watched we had a fairly young scrum half called Gareth Edwards playing, he was pretty good. The guy outside him was Barry John…he wasn’t bad either!”

It seems for some fans that 30,000 comfy seats can’t compete with the history and atmosphere of the old Arms Park.

Hear more of Martyn Winters' thoughts on the history of the Arms Park here:

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What's a match day at the Arms Park like? See for yourself here:
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