It’s often said that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he dresses.
On the evening of May 6, hours after Cardiff City sealed promotion to the Premier League, there’s a celebratory awards dinner at the Mecure hotel in the city. In attendance are the current players and staff, a few local media and a smattering of some lucky fans, the latter being particularly boisterous following a day of sunshine and mass consumption of ale.
There’s also a few special guests. Kevin McNaughton is there, the epitome of a cult hero. Andy Campbell, the man famous for his goal at the nearby Millennium Stadium in the 2003 play-off final, was among those chosen to present an award.
But, in a season that produced unexpected, extraordinary success, you would have thought that the most memorable time of the night would come from one of the latest brands of heroes such as Sean Morrison or Neil Warnock.
However, the most poignant and special moment occurred when a certain Stephen McPhail was called to the stage. Brought over from his native Ireland to parade the pitch before the game, he was also on hand to dish out the award for Outstanding Contribution to Club Doctor Len Nokes, who has been at the club since 1991.
“Honestly, it’s an absolute honour to stand here alongside the man who helped me through the toughest part of my life. I had an illness while I was at the Club and everyone was unbelievable, but this man was particularly special. He turned into a father for me and I appreciate it so much.”
Steve McPhail on Dr Len Nokes
Sporting a slick black suit and hair not even a tornado could misplace, the Dubliner brought some of the elegance and style that he showed a hundred times over on the pitches of Ninian Park and the Cardiff City Stadium.
Judging by the standing ovation he received from those packed into the banquet room and the fact he was welcomed alongside Messrs McNaughton and Campbell, it’s clear to see what sort of legacy McPhail has left in the Welsh capital.
Having started his career at Leeds United in the late 90s-early 00s, a period in which the Yorkshire side were largely successful, ‘Macca’ was one of key creative components in a team that reached the semi-finals of both the Champions League and the UEFA Cup.
Sadly, after a flurry of managers and injuries, he made the short switch to Barnsley and League One.
What happened next, however, would endear him into the hearts of Bluebirds supporters before even kicking a ball for the club.
Cardiff was to play host to Barnsley v Swansea in the play-off final and with the score at 2-2 after extra-time, penalties ensued. McPail, known for his calmness and confidence, found the net and heaped the pressure on the tool that is Alan Tate, who duly missed and cost the Jacks a promotion. Ha.
The successful couple of seasons spent at Oakwell caught the eye of Dave Jones who managed to get him here despite interest from other clubs.
What followed was simply great to watch. Not blessed with much pace, in fact none, McPhail was the man who simply kept things ticking over in the Cardiff midfield.
One of the criticisms midfielders have always had and probably will have until the end of time, is that they ‘just pass sideways’. Being able to keep the ball moving, and better yet, look like you have all the time in the world is a huge skill to have and any successful side needs a player that can do that.
Quickly rising to become club captain, McPhail stated that leading Cardiff City out in the 2008 FA Cup final was a career highlight, joining only a handful of Irishmen to achieve that feat. It should have been even better. If only Peter Enckelman wasn’t a buffoon and Jones had the balls to start Aaron Ramsey eh?
But that’s for another day.
McPhail wasn’t immune to having bad moments on the field.
He infamously managed to get sent off in consecutive South Wales derbies, both at the Liberty Stadium, the latter of which was publicly damned by an even more miserable than usual Jones.
Although frustrating to go a man down, I’m not sure I would lambast a Cardiff player for showing a bit of fight in such games, but twice in two manages is a bit much.
Remember: always go in heavy on a Swansea player, but don’t get caught, innit.
However, it wasn’t the simple passes, the wondergoal against Hull, nor the four bookings in Swansea that cemented McPhail as one of my favourite ever City players. It was to be what followed.
Not long after the second red card and complaining of a sore throat and tiredness, Dr Nokes sent McPhail to hospital where he was diagnosed with cancer of the lymphoma.
I can’t really imagine what it would be like to be told such news at a time when you’re meant to be at your physical peak, extremely fit and, more importantly, have a young family at home.
I mentioned a little earlier about the calmness he has instilled in himself and this trait was demonstrated when McPhail played twice in one week whilst awaiting the test results.
Although I’m sure he benefitted from putting his thoughts and focus on anything other than the illness, the fact he was willing to still turn out and give maximum effort for the club speaks volumes of the man and indeed how he feels about Cardiff City.
After winning that particular battle, he found out he suffered from Sjorgren’s syndrome, a disease of the immune system. Despite all that, he still had the armband as Cardiff beat Crystal Palace to reach the League Cup final, although that match would be a bridge too far.
Throughout the good, the bad, and the personal adversity he faced, he gave everything he had during his time in South Wales.
Steve McPhail will always be classed as one of the midfield maestros that orchestrated one of the most bonkers eras in Cardiff City history.