'Talisman' Cardiff fan, 97, dies

David Morgan used to go to games with his grandson

A 97-year-old Cardiff City fan has died, months after watching his team in his second FA Cup final, 81 years after seeing them lift the trophy.

David Morgan was 16 in 1927 when he saw City beat Arsenal to take the cup to Wales for the first time.

The retired bank manager became the club talisman during the 2008 cup run, and was at the semi-final and then the final for the defeat to Portsmouth.

Mr Morgan, of Penarth, died in his sleep on 29 December.

His son Peter, who often attended matches with him, said he had a good Christmas but had fallen over at home on Boxing Day.

"I'm just glad we had a good Christmas together and I can't help thinking he had a hand in the Cardiff - Arsenal draw."

I'm just glad we had a good Christmas together and I can't help thinking he had a hand in the Cardiff - Arsenal draw Peter Morgan, David Morgan's son

Cardiff have drawn Arsenal at home in the fourth round of this year's FA Cup later this month.

Mr Morgan became well known to Cardiff fans after appearing on BBC Wales Today last year.

He made the trip to Wembley last spring to see both the 1-0 semi-final win over Barnsley and the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth in the final.

At the time of the 1927 final, Mr Morgan was home on his Easter holidays from boarding school when his father arranged the ultimate treat.

"It was tremendous of course, the excitement was terrific," he said last April.

"And when Cardiff scored 15 minutes before the end, I thought that the last 15 minutes were the longest 15 minutes of my life, great excitement."

Mr Morgan was a Cardiff City fan his whole life and was a season ticket holder until recently.