Andy Campbell, the Bluebirds’ hero of 2003, will have split loyalties at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
He started his career with local club Boro – and fired the extra time goal which earned Cardiff City promotion to the Championship.
Campbell will be at the match and says: “My hometown club against the side with whom I had my most memorable moment in football.
“I love both clubs with all my heart and always will. I loved all my time at the Bluebirds. From my debut away at Northampton Town to my final appearance.
“The fans are a different class and the players really appreciate their support.
“Who will I support? That’s a tough question!”
Former England under-21 international Campbell made an explosive start with Cardiff, netting six goals in his first four appearances.
But his finest moment came at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff when he lobbed goalkeeper Chris Day in Cardiff’s 1-0 win against Queens Park Rangers in the League Two play-off final.
Campbell, now aged 37, enjoyed a Roy of the Rovers-style start to his first team career when manager Bryan Robson handed him his Premiership debut at the age of 16.
The flame-haired striker, blessed with searing pace and an eye for goal, score four goals in the top flight and netted an FA Cup header in a fourth round win against Manchester United at the Riverside in 2002.
Campbell joined up with former Boro boss Lennie Lawrence when he made a £1m move to Cardiff later in the same year after Robson moved on and Steve McLaren took over.
“Lennie was an experienced man, and it was the same playing for Sam Allardyce and Steve Bruce when I was out on loan at Bolton and Sheffield United,” said Campbell, who ended his professional playing career five years ago.
“If I’m being critical of myself, then I would probably say I didn’t fulfil my potential as a player.”
Campbell’s Premier League debut came at Anfield and he says: “Bryan rang my mam and dad and told them that I was going to be starting, but he didn’t tell me.
“My mam and dad didn’t tell me either, and Robbo didn’t tell me until the 2pm players’ meeting.
“I’d shared a room with Jan (Aage Fjortoft) and took his place.
“It didn’t really go down well, because all he was talking about the night before was playing at Anfield and I took his place.
“It wasn’t a great feeling when we had the meeting and I was nervous for an hour, because I’d only just found out.
“But by the time we were out and warming up, you just get on with it don’t you?
“It was Ian Rush’s last ever game at Anfield and Neil Ruddock marked me. He kicked me, punched me, grabbed hold of me and was horrible during the game, but he was great after it.
“He came into the changing room and gave me a cuddle and told me I had a bright future, then bought me that drink that I wasn’t allowed to drink because Robbo wouldn’t let me.”
Now 37, the father-of-two currently works as a PE teacher at Dormanstown Primary Academy and says: “I love my job. It is a far cry from football but a life I’m totally enjoying.”
Campbell is impressed by Neil Warnock’s impact with Cardiff City, saying: “He’s been hugely successful and to be honest I’m not surprised.
“Personally, I was over the moon when he was appointed and he has done a great job.”
But how does he think the Boro v Bluebirds match will go?
“For me, Boro have the best squad in the division,” says Campbell. “It will be a hard game for the Bluebirds. I don’t think Boro know what their best side is and, after an international break, it might be a good time to face them.
“City have had some impressive results away and I think they will give it a real go to try and get all three points.”
Warnock and his Bluebirds flew from Cardiff to the North East for the game and they are intent on ensuring they don’t suffer back-to-back defeats for the first time this season.
They lost 1-0 at Birmingham City in their last outing, but have had eight days rest since then and are fired up for their match at Boro, who have won only four matches against Warnock in 37 years.
They have lost nine of their last 14 fixtures against the experienced Bluebirds manager.
Cardiff City, probable: Etheridge, Peltier, Manga, Morrison, Bennett, Bamba, Bryson, Ralls, Hoilett, Mendez-Laing, Zohore. Bench, from: Murphy, Connolly, Feeney, Ward, Paterson, Damour, Tomlin, Halford, Bogle.
