Bus tour plan if City win FA Cup

A Cardiff City club banner at Wembley Stadium ahead of the final Enlarge Image

Cardiff City players will parade through the Welsh capital in an open-top bus if they win the FA Cup.

Plans are underway to allow fans to celebrate if the club repeat their 1927 feat and bring the cup back to Wales after Saturday's final with Portsmouth.

They include a bus tour through Cardiff on Sunday to welcome the players back home from Wembley and show the famous cup to supporters and locals.

If they do not win, an event will still be held for fans to meet the team.

A victory tour would begin at Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay at 1430 BST this Sunday when two blue and white-decked buses, one carrying the players, the other their wives and families, will make their way through the city.

A map of the parade's route around Cardiff

The tour will head for the city centre along Lloyd George Avenue, Callaghan Square and up through St Mary Street and High Street, Duke Street, Kingsway, Boulevard de Nantes, before finishing at City Hall in Cathays Park.

There will be no full road closures but a rolling road closure will be in place as the buses approach escorted by police vehicles.

Supporters will be encouraged to gather at the Oval Basin in Cardiff Bay, where a special stage will be set up and the team introduced before the bus tour.

A second opportunity to see the team would then be offered outside City Hall, before a private civic reception.

Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Gill Bird, who will accompany the team on their double-decker bus tour, said: "We are all hoping and keep our fingers crossed that the Bluebirds win on Saturday.

"It would be such a tremendous achievement. I know that the people of Cardiff will want to thank the city players for ending the 81 years drought and bringing the FA Cup back here.

"This is the chance for all fans and residents to see the cup and the team. I'm sure the atmosphere will be wonderful."

The parade has been organised by Cardiff Council in partnership with the club and South Wales Police.

But even if the Bluebirds lose on Saturday, manager Dave Jones and his team will be honoured with an event in Roald Dahl Plass at 1430 BST on Sunday.

It will allow fans to meet and thank the team for their achievements.