Hammam sets Premiership target for promoted Cardiff

Cardiff City 1, QPR 0

Hammam endured defeat in the play-off semi-finals 12 months ago, but the Bluebirds fulfilled their potential with an extra-time volley from striker Andy Campbell which settled the Division 2 final in South Wales.

The Lebanese businessman has rejuvenated Cardiff, who were in the bottom tier of the Football League four years ago, since taking control at Ninian Park, and manager Lennie Lawrence will return to Division One next season aiming to make the final step of Hammam's revolution.

"There can be no doubt that the nation of Wales deserves, and has the ability to have, a top-notch Premiership club," said Hammam, "but I must make it clear that we have no ambition to reach the Premier League that is only a step.

"We have the fan base to take on any club in Europe, so our aim is not to be in the Premier League but to be in the top echelon of the Premier League and, consequently, in the Champions League. That is the only place which Welsh people will accept.

"As it is today we are a Second Division team but, as a club, we are a top Premiership club.

"Cardiff is an institution," he said.

Lawrence is likely to receive more financial backing during the close season from Hammam, who spent almost £1 million bringing Campbell to Cardiff from Middlesbrough, and the City boss believes his current squad will compete well in Division One.

Lawrence led Charlton into the top flight before the formation of the Premiership and won promotion with Middlesbrough in 1992, and he said: "I've taken two clubs to the top flight during my career.

"I've now got one ambition to take a third. Not too many managers have done that. I think if you put our team down in the First Division today it would do alright. It wouldn't win it, but it wouldn't be in relegation trouble either. We'll have to see what we're going to do about the squad."

The need for improvement was made clear by a disappointing performance from the Bluebirds, who faded badly after half-time before fighting back to claim the win with five minutes of extra-time to go when Campbell hammered a dipping volley into the net.

"We're not suggesting it was a classic football match," said Lawrence. "play-off finals rarely are, but it was full of tension and drama.

"The key period for us was in the first period of extra-time. That was our best spell, and in extra-time we definitely had the better of it.

"It wasn't a classic, but it is a game which no-one connected with Cardiff will ever forget."

The result left Ian Holloway close to tears at the post-match press conference but the Rangers boss, who guided the London club into the play-offs despite serious financial restraints at Loftus Road, said: "I can't tell you how proud I am.

"The game and the occasion got to both sides, but I'm so proud. That's what I'm upset about. I never believed so much in a group of people.

"I do not think we deserved it (to lose) but we will accept it. We must keep this feeling in our heart next season and march on.

"If you aim for the stars you might get the sky, but unfortunately we plummeted today."

CARDIFF: Alexander, Weston (Croft 70), Gabbidon, Prior, Barker, Boland, Kavanagh, Whalley, Legg (Bonner 116), Earnshaw (Campbell 79), Thorne.

QPR: Day, Kelly, Shittu, Carlisle, Padula (Williams 79), Gallen, Bircham, Palmer, McLeod, Pacquette (Thomson 60), Furlong.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).