Marlon Pack dedicated his goal to the Cardiff City fans we have lost over the last 17 months after an emotional day in the Welsh capital culminated in a 1-1 draw with Barnsley.
Pack put Cardiff into the lead in the second half, a goal which looked to have secured all three points until Toby Sibbick netted the Tykes’ equaliser.
The game came after a heartrending tribute to City supporters who are no longer here and the late, great Peter Whittingham.
READ MORE: The spinetingling Peter Whittingham tributes ahead of Barnsley opener
Before the game, the two screens at Cardiff City Stadium displayed a video montage of more than 200 supporters who have passed away since fans last saw the Bluebirds play live.
The video ended with a video of Whittingham scoring one of his most famous goals, a volley against Barnsley a decade ago, before a banner was passed around the stadium and applause rang out in the seventh minute to pay homage to such an iconic figure in this corner of the world.
And goalscorer Pack revealed just how emotional he and his team-mates were after the poignant scenes ahead of kick-off.
“I knew we were doing something, but it was quite a tough start, actually,” Pack said after the match.
“I found myself choking up and getting a bit of a lump in my throat.
“I know Rallsy (Joe Ralls), I had to put my arm around him a bit. I didn’t play with Whitts but I played against him – an absolutely fantastic player. One of the best the Championship and Cardiff has ever seen.
“A brilliant tribute, not just to Whitts, but all those Cardiff fans who have unfortunately lost their lives due to Covid.
“Just touching on that. It made me think it was a game for them. So I’d like to dedicate my goal to all those people and the Cardiff City fans who have lost a loved one in these tough times.”
Pack said it was a shame he couldn’t send the supporters home with all three points, but knows that this passionate City fan base has a huge part to play this season.
“The only way I can describe it is having that feeling before the game,” the midfielder said of the 17,000 supporters inside the stadium. “I don’t really get nervous but I like to get those butterflies. I had that today, because of the magnitude of the game.
“It’s been 18 months of no fans and you have that feeling again. You can’t beat that because you’re on the edge as a player and it gives you the motivation to perform.
“And obviously the touching tributes before the game, I think we all saw during the Euros the impact fans can have and hopefully our fans can have a massive impact on having a successful season this year.”
Manager Mick McCarthy believes Cardiff will not face a tougher physical game than that for the rest of the season.
He admitted he was pleased the Bluebirds did not start the season with a defeat and hopes his side really give the supporters something to cheer about the next time they return to Cardiff City Stadium.
“It was emotional and having fans back in was great, it was a shame we couldn’t turn it into a win,” McCarthy said.
“You won’t have a tougher physical game than that and if you aren’t going to win, don’t get beaten.
“Having fans was fantastic, I’ve been around a lot of crowds and that was as good as any. I hope we can improve on that and give them something to really shout about.”
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
