Bluebirds fan predicts cup final glory with tattoo

May 14 2008 By Katie Norman

A BLUEBIRDS fanatic has used his body to boldly display his prediction for the outcome of Saturday’s FA Cup final.

Mark Richards, 46, from Porth, Rhondda, now has a Cardiff City tattoo reading "FA Cup Winners 1927 and 2008".

He said: "I’ve no hesitations about this at all. They’re going to win anyway."

Mark is convinced Cardiff will win, but should they lose he plans to have "runners up" tattooed underneath "2008".

The professional painter and decorator has put up Cardiff City flags instead of curtains at his dad Bill’s house in Primrose Street, Porth, and has painted the property blue and yellow.

He has a ticket for Saturday’s match and plans to wear a Bananaman costume because of its appropriate colours.

"I just saw it in a shop in Porth and thought it would be good," he said.

"People think I’ve lost the plot but I’m just having a good time."

On the Bananaman cape, he plans to write the names or nicknames of four of his Cardiff City fan friends, who have passed away. The names he will write are Les Moyle, Jinxy, Dai Hardwork and Gary Price.

"They were hardened fans so I thought I’d take them to Wembley," he said.

Mark got his first tattoo of a Cardiff City badge on his shoulder six years ago.

He later got a tattoo of a bluebird on his back and a sun with the names of his daughters Hannah, 14, and Mia, four, underneath. Mark’s latest tattoo is over his heart. Like the rest of his body art, it was completed by staff at the shop Desire in Porth Street, Porth,

"I can’t wait for the final," said Mark.

"I’ve been a fan for 37 years. My dad took me to see them for the first time when I was nine.

"I’m supposed to be going to my cousin Wendy’s wedding on Saturday. Everybody in my family’s going apart from me.

"I think she was hoping they wouldn’t get to the final so she wouldn’t have to share the day!"

katie.norman