Thorne feeling Bluebird buzz from afar

7:11pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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He may be on the other side of the world but Peter Thorne knows exactly how Cardiff will be feeling.

The Welsh underdogs are building up for their first FA Cup final appearance since 1927 when they face Portsmouth at Wembley on Saturday.

So Thorne, a former Cardiff striker, can imagine the euphoria that is sweeping the city.

The Bantams hitman spent four successful years in south Wales after making a £1.7m move from Stoke in September 2001. He scored 51 goals from 143 games in a Cardiff shirt and played in their 2003 Division Two play-off final victory at the Millennium Stadium.

Thorne, currently on holiday in Australia, said: "Cardiff have always had a great support and it's going to be absolutely amazing.

"They are fanatical supporters down there and if they do ever get in the Premier League, the amount of fans generated would be incredible.

"I can't get over the fact that Cardiff are in the FA Cup final. But this is just what they needed after going through some financial problems.

"The atmosphere at Wembley's going to be something special. Given the chance, I would love to have gone myself but I'm visiting family but I'll certainly be watching on TV."

Thorne formed a deadly partnership with Wales international Robert Earnshaw during his time at Ninian Park. Cardiff reached back-to-back play-offs before winning promotion to the Championship with a tense extra-time win over QPR.

He added: "They were great times for me and I loved every second. The fans really took to me and I was really settled there. My missus loved it as well. We bought a place down on the coast and it was a really good time.

"The team has obviously changed a lot but I still know a couple of the lads like Paul Parry. I'm over the moon for them, although I'm still getting over the shock of seeing them there.

"It's funny because everybody was talking about Barnsley because they were knocking off the big scalps, Chelsea and Liverpool. Cardiff just crept in and before you know it, they are there at Wembley.

"I don't know if they will win because Portsmouth are a good team. But watching the game against Middlesbrough, Cardiff were by far the best team so they can raise their game.

"But it's going to be a memorable day for the club whatever happens."