A new play marking the centenary of Cardiff City’s historic FA Cup victory is being staged at two venues in South Wales next April as part of the celebrations surrounding the club’s remarkable achievement.
One Cardiff City! Fergie, Fred and the FA Cup tells the story of the club’s famous triumph through the eyes of two men at the heart of it: captain Fred Keenor and Hughie Ferguson, the Scottish striker who scored the winning goal at Wembley.
On St George’s Day in 1927, the Bluebirds made history by defeating Arsenal 1–0 to become the first club from outside England to win the FA Cup, just seven years after joining the Football League. It remains an achievement no other club from outside England has repeated.
Written by broadcaster and journalist Grahame Lloyd, the play is being directed by Alana Frassinelli for Array Theatre Productions, a community theatre company based in Rhoose.
The play recalls Cardiff City’s finest hour and a half through the lives of two very different, flower-growing footballers.
Fred Keenor was a hard-living, hard-tackling Cardiff-born defender who fought his way back to football after being wounded during the First World War. Hughie Ferguson was a skilful Scottish forward and teetotaller whose goal secured Cardiff’s place in football history.
Despite their differences, the two men shared an extraordinary moment of sporting glory. But what happened when the cheering stopped?
Beyond the famous victory, the play explores the ambitions, relationships and personal struggles of the men behind the footballing legends, examining how success and failure can shape lives in unexpected ways.
Alana Frassinelli, Director of Array Theatre Productions, said:
“We’re incredibly excited to be bringing this story to the stage and to be playing our own part in the many celebrations taking place across the country to mark the centenary of Cardiff City’s historic FA Cup victory.
“What interests me most is that, beyond the football and the history, there are two very human stories at its heart. It’s about ambition, determination, friendship, triumph and how we deal with the challenges life throws at us.
“You don’t have to be a Cardiff City supporter, or even a football fan, to connect with that. We want to celebrate this remarkable moment in Welsh sporting history while creating a piece of theatre that makes audiences laugh, moves them and gives them a chance to get to know the men behind the famous victory.”
One Cardiff City! Fergie, Fred and the FA Cup will open at Rhoose Community Centre on Thursday 22 April 2027.
Following a three-night run, the production will transfer to The Atrium at the University of South Wales in Cardiff for a further three performances, beginning on Thursday 29 April 2027.
Further information about auditions and ticket sales will be announced soon. For all the latest news and updates, follow Array Theatre Productions on Facebook and Instagram.
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