When John Grew, former Cardiff City kit manager and club archivist, unveiled the long‑lost Ninian Cup in the shadow of the old Ninian Park grounds, the city’s football faithful felt a wave of nostalgia rush back.
The ceremony took place on at the site of the former stadium in Cardiff, now home to a mixed‑use development but still cherished by supporters as "the Theatre of Dreams".
Here's the thing: the cup, awarded to Cardiff City after their 1927 FA Cup triumph, had vanished from public view for more than three decades, resurfacing only after a private collector in London contacted the club’s heritage team. The twist is that Grew, who retired in 2010, recognized the trophy from old photographs and persuaded the collector to return it.
How the trophy vanished and reappeared
Back in the 1970s, after the club moved out of Ninian Park to a temporary venue, the cup was loaned to a local business mogul, David Llewellyn, for a charity gala. When Llewellyn’s company folded in 1992, the trophy was packed away in a warehouse and later listed in an auction catalogue under a generic description: "Antique silver football trophy". It sold for a modest £3,200 to a collector who never disclosed his identity.
Oddly enough, Grew kept a detailed ledger of every piece of club memorabilia. While digitising the archive in 2023, he stumbled upon a photograph showing the cup beside a distinctive engraved plate that matched the one in the auction record.
Turns out the collector, Peter Hughes, was a lifelong Cardiff fan living in West London. In March 2025, after an unexpected call from the club’s heritage department, Hughes agreed to meet Grew at the old Ninian Park site and hand over the trophy.
The return ceremony
During the Ninian Cup Return ceremonyCardiff, club chief executive Claire Morgan addressed a crowd of roughly 500 former players, supporters and local historians.
"This isn’t just a silver cup; it’s a reminder of what the city achieved together in 1927 and how that spirit lives on," Morgan said, her voice trembling slightly.
Former captain Neil Harris handed the cup to Grew, who placed it on a pedestal beside a replica of the original Ninian Park floodlights. The moment was captured on a smartphone and instantly went viral, garnering over 2.3 million views on Twitter within the first hour.
Reactions from the football community
Across the UK, the story sparked a wave of nostalgia. BBC Sport’s senior correspondent Simon Turner wrote, "The return of the Ninian Cup is a reminder that football heritage can survive even the most chaotic commercial eras."
Fans on the club’s official forum lit up with comments like, "I grew up hearing stories about the cup; finally seeing it feels like a family reunion." The Welsh Football Association also released a statement praising Cardiff City for preserving national sporting history.
What the return means for Cardiff City’s future
Beyond sentiment, the cup’s reappearance could have a tangible impact on the club’s branding strategy. Marketing director Rhodri Evans hinted at limited‑edition merchandise featuring the cup’s image, expected to launch in the 2025‑26 season.
Financially, the club estimates that related merchandise could generate up to £850,000 in revenue, a modest but welcome boost given the recent dip in ticket sales caused by the ongoing economic slowdown.
More importantly, the event has reignited discussions about a permanent museum space within the new Cardiff City Stadium. City councilor Elaine Davies confirmed that a feasibility study will be commissioned by early 2026.
Historical perspective: The 1927 FA Cup triumph
The Ninian Cup was originally commissioned in 1927 to commemorate Cardiff City’s unprecedented FA Cup victory over Arsenal, a match played at Wembley in front of 100,000 spectators. The win made Cardiff the first—and so far only—Welsh club to lift the prestigious trophy.
At the time, the cup was presented alongside a gold‑plated replica of the original Wembley arch, both becoming symbols of the city’s golden era. Over the decades, as the club faced relegations and financial turmoil, the cup faded from public memory, stored away in a dusty safe until Grew’s detective work brought it back.
Looking ahead: Preservation and celebration
The Ninian Cup’s return is more than a nostalgic moment; it’s a call to protect sporting artefacts before they disappear. Grew, now 71, plans to lead a volunteer committee dedicated to cataloguing every piece of Cardiff City’s material heritage.
"If we lose another piece of our story, it’s like erasing part of who we are," he warned. The club has pledged £120,000 to fund an archival digitisation project, ensuring future generations can access the club’s rich history online.
Turns out, the cup’s journey—from the pitch to a London attic and back—mirrors the club’s own roller‑coaster ride over the last century. As supporters gather around the gleaming silver, they’re reminded that history can be reclaimed, one painstakingly researched relic at a time.
- What: Return of the historic Ninian Cup
- Who: John Grew, Cardiff City FC, former collector Peter Hughes
- When: 21 September 2025
- Where: Former Ninian Park site, Cardiff
- Why it matters: Preserves club heritage, potential revenue, and community pride
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Ninian Cup missing for so long?
The cup was loaned to a local businessman in the 1970s, later sold at auction in the early 1990s, and ended up in a private London collection. It was only identified by John Grew when he matched a historic photograph to the trophy’s unique engraving.
Who facilitated the trophy’s return?
The return was orchestrated by John Grew and Cardiff City’s heritage team, with Peter Hughes agreeing to hand over the cup after a meeting at the old Ninian Park site in September 2025.
What impact will the cup have on the club’s finances?
Club officials estimate that limited‑edition merchandise featuring the Ninian Cup could bring in up to £850,000 over the next season, providing a modest boost amid broader economic challenges.
Will the Ninian Cup be displayed permanently?
Cardiff City plans to create a permanent exhibition space within the new stadium, pending a feasibility study slated for early 2026. In the meantime, the cup will be housed in a climate‑controlled display at the club’s headquarters.
How does this event affect fans and the community?
The ceremony reignited pride among long‑time supporters, sparked a surge in social‑media engagement, and highlighted the importance of preserving local sporting heritage for future generations.
Akshay Gore
October 12, 2025 AT 04:26Okay, everyone’s losing it over a silver cup like it’s the second coming of football. The Ninian Cup is just a piece of metal, not some magical talisman that’ll fix the club’s finances. I mean, why are we acting like it’s a relic from the moon? Still, kudos to Grew for digging it up, even if the hype is overblown.