They say never go back. They don’t know what they’re talking about.
Had they never returned, you would never have got Craig Bellamy leading Cardiff to a craved first Premier League promotion or Michael Chopra’s link up with Jay Bothroyd. The sporting return is a beautiful thing, bathed in nostalgia. They rarely work out as well as the first time, but that’s not really the point of them anyway. Its about a fan favourite returning to their happy place. A second chance to show how much you love them.
Gareth Bale’s mooted move was slightly different. That was more about one of the games greats gracing us with his presence. Someone that happens to be from the area, but has no significant ties with the club. Ramsey is one of our own, returning for a third spell. When he shattered his leg in 2010, an injury that threatened his fledgling career, he chose to be close to his famiy as he attempted to rebuild his career.
Players of Bale and Ramsey’s calibre are way out of reach for a club like Cardiff. For it to happen, they have to propose the move and drive it. Ramsey has spent the last four years moving between Italy, Scotland and France. He has young children and his wife has a cookery show on S4C. After 15 decorated years, where he exceeded all expectations, it was time to come home.
It was an open goal for Cardiff. Not quite the circus that signing Bale would have been, Ramsey’s return has just felt right. I’m not sure if it was always the plan, but it feels like it was destined to happen. Commercially and reputationally, it has been a great look for the club. They’ve sold more tickets, loas of shirts and pulling off a deal of this magnitude both reflects well on the board and acts as a clear statement of their renewed intent. We’ve got our mojo back and look who we brought along for the ride.
How Cardiff would benefit on the pitch was less clear. Ramsey has a lot of football in his legs and the Championship is unforgiving. With Robbie Fowler’s spell still etched in my mind, blowing out of his arse after 20 minutes, I shared the fear of many others that we might be getting a tribute act. It did not take long for it to become apparent that this is no pale imitation. This is still the real deal.
As midfielders age, there is a tendency for them to drop deeper, where they can see the full picture and dictate the game with their wisdom. The problem is that also places you in the heat of the battle and if you no longer have the legs of yesteryear, it can accelerate your retirement. It was fortunate that Erol Bulut was present when Wales toiled to defeat against Armenia with Ramsey in that role because it made clear that he would be better utilised in his favoured position. He’s a 10, an 8 at a push, but no longer a capable 6.
When a fan favourite returns, you at least want them to have their moment. Robert Earnshaw got to do his flip at the Cardiff City Stadium and Chopra scored several important goals, including a winner against Swansea. Ramsey’s came at Leicester.
Ramsey performed admirably against Leeds and QPR, striking the bar against the latter. He gave the ball away more than you might expect and remained on the pitch for longer than predicted, but he stepped things up on Saturday. Cardiff were under intense pressure against the division’s strongest side and with the half drawing to a close, he took possession on the edge of the box, let the ball roll across his body and let rip.
The ball was in as soon as it left his boot and the away fans had the perfect view of it. The fact that, after 45 minutes of toil, he had the energy and desire to sprint the full length of the pitch to celebrate them made an incredible goal iconic. We were all in the moment and it was what sport is all about. It was what supporting your local team, through thick and mainly thin, is all about.
Ramsey started the second half in the same vein, driving the team forward and for a while, Leicester were on the ropes. Without landing a knockout blow, the inevitable happened and the hosts pinched it at the death, but the mood remained upbeat. We had just witnessed a moment that will stand the test of time. After years of decline, Ramsey has provided inspiration and hope. Hope has been missing for far too long and you can really feel it when its not there. Now we at least stand a chance again.
Who knows what the season may hold. Everyone seems to think that things are on the verge of clicking, but there are no guarantees in football. If you’re not at it, you’ll have your pants pulled down and Cardiff are often left wandering around with their undies around their ankles. Where there’s a Ramsey, there’s a way though. Fitness permitting, his presence is a beacon of hope and his influence can banish the struggles of recent years.