Mixed response to Cardiff City rebrand plans

Cardiff City Supporters Trust has called an emergency meeting following the announcement that a £100m investment by the club's Malaysian owner could see the shirt colour changed to red and the Bluebirds logo replaced by a Dragon.

Cardiff City Football Club says it won't comment in depth until any decisions are made, as part of a review to ensure its long term success.

The plans were revealed at a meeting of Trust members and fans with Alan Whiteley, chief executive of the club.

Mr Whiteley revealed proposals by Malaysian owner Vincent Tan to invest in the club, with improvements to the stadium, new training facilities, and money for club manager Malky Mackay to acquire more players.

The investment, Mr Whiteley explained, would have several conditions attached:

• The team would play in red shirts, black shorts and red socks, with a blue kit for away game.

• The team name would remain 'Cardiff City Football Club', but the Bluebirds badge would be replaced with a dragon emblem

The reasons given for the change are that Vincent Tan and his fellow Malaysian investors believe the new colours would 'represent the fusion of the two cultures of Wales and Malaysia', a move that Mr Whiteley said 'would lead to new commercial and retail opportunities' abroad.

The Cardiff City Supporter Trust and the Supporters club have acknowledged the need to grow their international reputation but believe the proposed changes to both the colour of the Cardiff strip and the Bluebirds badge are a step to far.

To highlight their anger over the proposals the Supporter Trust Board have called an emergency meeting this Saturday.

While some fans are organising a protest this Saturday to air their opinions over the proposed changes finance experts are warning that securing the investment has to be the club's priority.