The move has been on for a long time now, with first reports on this site coming way back in November 2006, Story Here, but it's only now that the board can confirm for sure that the move will now go ahead.

The strongly opposed decision to rent off Cardiff City has been taken by the board, meaning that the next 20 seasons, following 08/09, will see the Cardiff Blues play at The City of Cardiff Stadium.

It's thought that the region will have no fixed identity in the new stadium, with only temporary signs around the ground on Cardiff Blues match days, while the Cardiff City Bluebird will be a permanent fixture at the front of the stadium, along with the council logo.

On top of that, the Blues will not have a fixed shop or ticket office on the new grounds, with Cardiff City saying they do want their own brand diluted by sharing a ticket office and shop with the rugby side. Instead, the Blues will have a tent open on match days selling merchandise.

Peter Thomas has apparently been shocked with the strong opposition to the move, however the board have accounted for a loss of 1,000 season tickets in the first season, although the number of people not renewing now looks set to be a lot higher.

As the stadium belongs to Cardiff City, they will have the final say on fixtures, branding etc as they have every right to do, however rugby fans will have to look forward to more Tuesday and Thursday evening kick offs from 09/10 onwards.

Robert Norster was today delighted by the news, telling CardiffBlues.com;

"We positively look forward to a new beginning for both codes in a stadium and facilities designed for modern-day teams and supporters alike. Our shared training ground at the Vale together with the new stadium will undoubtedly play a major part in our combined efforts to move our respective teams forward. The move will also ensure we can advance and develop further the Cardiff Blues region in the increasingly competitive world of professional rugby."

His statements were echoed by CCFC chairman, Peter Ridsdale, who is right to be excited by the news, given the deal his business is getting. He said,

"It's a fantastic day for sport in the city whereby two leading brands will be playing top level sport in the new stadium. We are very pleased that Cardiff Blues have signed the licence to play all of their home games at the stadium over the next twenty years. Both Cardiff City Football Club and Cardiff Blues have already agreed a new training headquarters at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort and the announcement today further demonstrates how important it is for major sporting brands in Cardiff to be working together for the benefit of the wider community."

But perhaps most poignantly,

"Today is an important day in Cardiff City's future sporting history."

So the deal has been signed, Cardiff will leave their historic ground, which they own, to move to the 25,000 all seater stadium, where they have no identity, no club house and no control.

Has Peter Thomas just signed Cardiff rugby's death warrant? Only time will tell, but I for one certainly think so.

Below are links to most of the other stories from this site on the Stadium share s news broke.

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