The following decade is regarded as the most successful in the club's history as they finished second during the 1923–24 season, losing out on winning the league title on the goal average system used at the time to Huddersfield Town. During this period, they reached two FA Cup finals, losing 1–0 to Sheffield United in 1925 before returning to the final two years later, beating Arsenal 1–0 at Wembley Stadium in 1927.[7][8] They also won the FA Charity Shield after beating amateur side Corinthians 2–1.[9] Cardiff remain the only non-English side to have ever won the FA Cup or FA Charity Shield.[7]
Cardiff were relegated for the first time in their history in 1929 and entered a period of decline, dropping into the third tier two years later. The club did manage to return to the top tier in 1952, but their relegation in 1962 led to a decline in the club's fortunes that saw them outside the top division for 51 years, the longest absence in the club's history, not returning until 2013.[10] Relegation from Division Two in the 1984–85 season saw the club enter a downward period that culminated with their joint lowest ever finish in the Football League, 22nd in the fourth tier in the 1995–96 season.[3][11]
In 2000, the club was purchased by Lebanese businessman Sam Hammam, who invested money into the side and saw them rise from the fourth tier to the second tier in just three seasons.[12][13] Although Hammam left the club in 2006, they continued their progress, reaching the Football League Championship play-offs for three consecutive seasons between 2009 and 2012, suffering defeat on all three occasions. The following season, under the ownership of new owner Vincent Tan, they finished first in the Championship, winning promotion back into the top tier for the first time since 1962.[14] However, they suffered relegation in their only season and returned to the Championship.[3]
As of the end of the 2017–18 season, the club had spent 16 seasons in the top tier of English football, 45 in the second, 20 in the third and 10 in the fourth.[3] This list details their achievements in first-team competitions, and records their top goalscorer, for each completed season since their first appearance in the English football pyramid as members of the Southern Football League in 1910–11. Due to the unavailability of complete statistics, seasons prior to 1910 in the amateur Welsh leagues are not included.
| Season | League[3][15] | FA Cup[16] | League Cup[3]{{#tag:ref|The Football League Cup was founded in the 1960–61 season[17]|group=lower-alpha | Welsh Cup[3]{{#tag:ref|Cardiff City were denied entry to the competition from 1995 onward along with all other Welsh clubs playing in the English pyramid system.[6]|group=lower-alpha | Other[3][18][19] | Top scorer{{#tag:ref|Goals in all competitions (Football League or Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Football League Trophy, European, Welsh Cup and Football League Third Division South Cup) are counted|group=lower-alpha |
|---|
| Division{{#tag:ref|Divisions are sorted according to their level within the English football league system at the time.|group=lower-alpha | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | Competition | Result | Name | Goals |
|---|
| 1910–11 | SL Div 2 | 22 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 48 | 29 | 28 | 04|4th}} | 00|1QR}} | 2R | Richard|Peake|nolink=1}} | 19 |
|---|
| 1911–12 | SL Div 2 | 26 | 15 | 4 | 7 | 55 | 26 | 34 | 03|3rd}} | 000|2QR}} | W | Harry|Featherstone|nolink=1}} | 16 |
|---|
| 1912–13 | SL Div 2 {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 24 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 54 | 14 | 41 | {{sort|01|1st}} | 0000|5QR}} | SF | John|Burton|John Burton (footballer, born 1885)}} | 16 |
|---|
| 1913–14 | SL Div 1 | 38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 46 | 42 | 38 | 10th | {{sort>0|n/a}}{{#tag:ref|Cardiff City did not enter the FA Cup during the 1913–14 season[3]|group=lower-alpha}} | 3R | George|West|George West (footballer)}} | 10 |
|---|
|
| 1914–15 | SL Div 1 | 38 | 21 | 7 | 10 | 72 | 38 | 48 | 03|3rd}} | 1R | Cardiff City entered the competition in the third round, being drawn against Pontypridd Town, but withdrew from the tournament, handing the opposition a walkover victory.[20]|group=lower-alpha}} | George|West|George West (footballer)}} | 13 |
|---|
|
| 1915–19 | The Southern League was suspended until after the First World War. |
| 1919–20 | SL Div 1 | 42 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 70 | 43 | 53 | 04|4th}} | 3R | W | Arthur|Cashmore}} | 14 |
|---|
|
| 1920–21 | Div 2{{#tag:ref|Cardiff were invited to join The Football League in 1920[21]|group=lower-alpha}}{{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 42 | 24 | 10 | 8 | 59 | 32 | 58 | {{sort|02|2nd}} | SF | 00|n/a}}{{#tag:ref|Cardiff City entered their reserve side in the Welsh Cup for the 1920–21 season.[22]|group=lower-alpha}} | Jimmy|Gill}} | 20 |
|---|
| 1921–22 | Div 1 | 42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 61 | 53 | 48 | 04|4th}} | QF | W | Len|Davies}} | 30 |
|---|
| 1922–23 | Div 1 | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 73 | 59 | 43 | 09|9th}} | 3R | W | Len|Davies}} | 28 |
|---|
| 1923–24 | Div 1 | 42 | 22 | 13 | 7 | 61 | 34 | 57 | {{sort|02|2nd}}{{#tag:ref|Cardiff City finished second to Huddersfield Town due to the goal average system used at the time.[21]|group=lower-alpha}} | QF | 5R | Len|Davies}} | 24 |
|---|
| 1924–25 | Div 1 | 42 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 56 | 51 | 43 | 11th | {{sort|U|RU}} | 5R | Len|Davies}} | 22 |
|---|
| 1925–26 | Div 1 | 42 | 16 | 7 | 19 | 61 | 76 | 39 | 16th | 4R | 5R | Hughie|Ferguson}} | 21 |
|---|
| 1926–27 | Div 1 | 42 | 16 | 9 | 17 | 55 | 65 | 41 | 14th | W | W | Hughie|Ferguson}} | 31 |
|---|
| 1927–28 | Div 1 | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 70 | 80 | 44 | 06|6th}} | 5R | W | FA Charity Shield | W{{#tag:ref|As winners of the FA Cup during the previous season, Cardiff City entered the FA Charity Shield, defeating amateur side Corinthian 2–1.[9]|group=lower-alpha}} | Hughie|Ferguson}} | 25 |
|---|
| 1928–29 | Div 1 {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 42 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 43 | 59 | 29 | 22nd | 3R | {{sort|U|RU}} | Hughie|Ferguson}} | 15 |
|---|
| 1929–30 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 61 | 59 | 44 | 08|8th}} | 4R | W{{#tag:ref|Cardiff City won the tournament by defeating Rhyl in a replay which was not played until 8 October 1930, during the following season.[23]|group=lower-alpha}} | Len|Davies}} | 15 |
|---|
| 1930–31 | Div 2 {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 42 | 8 | 9 | 25 | 47 | 87 | 25 | 22nd | 3R | SF | Walter|Robbins}} | 12 |
|---|
| 1931–32 | Div 3S | 42 | 19 | 8 | 15 | 87 | 73 | 46 | 09|9th}} | 1R | 6R | Jimmy|McCambridge}} | 28 |
|---|
| 1932–33 | Div 3S | 42 | 12 | 7 | 23 | 69 | 99 | 31 | 19th | 1R | SF | Jimmy|McCambridge}} | 18 |
|---|
| 1933–34 | Div 3S | 42 | 9 | 6 | 27 | 57 | 105 | 24 | Cardiff City were forced to apply for re-election after finishing bottom of the Third Division South.[24]|group=lower-alpha}} | 1R | 6R | Third Division South Cup | 1R | Jim|Henderson|Jim Henderson (footballer)}} & {{sortname|Eli|Postin}} | 13 |
|---|
| 1934–35 | Div 3S | 42 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 62 | 82 | 35 | 19th | 1R | 7R | Third Division South Cup | 2R | Reg|Keating}} | 19 |
|---|
| 1935–36 | Div 3S | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 60 | 73 | 36 | 20th | 1R | 7R | Third Division South Cup | 1R | Reg|Keating}} | 11 |
|---|
| 1936–37 | Div 3S | 42 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 54 | 87 | 35 | 18th | 3R | 6R | Third Division South Cup | 2R | George|Walton|George Walton (footballer)}} | 9 |
|---|
| 1937–38 | Div 3S | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 67 | 54 | 42 | 10th | 3R | 6R | Third Division South Cup | 2R | Jimmy|Collins|Jimmy Collins (footballer, born 1911)}} | 28 |
|---|
| 1938–39 | Div 3S | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 61 | 65 | 41 | 13th | 4R | {{sort|U|RU}} | Third Division South Cup | The Third Division South Cup semi-final replay and final were postponed until the following season. However, due to the outbreak of Second World War, the competition was abandoned at the semi-final stage.[18]|group=lower-alpha}} | Jimmy|Collins|Jimmy Collins (footballer, born 1911)}} | 21 |
|---|
| 1939–40 | Div 3S | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 06|6th}}{{#tag:ref|The Football League season was abandoned in September 1939 after three matches had been played and all results were annulled.[3]|group=lower-alpha}} | — | The 1939–40 Welsh Cup tournament was completed.[25]|group=lower-alpha}} | {{sortname>Jimmy|Collins|Jimmy Collins (footballer, born 1911)}} | 4 |
|---|
| 1939–45 | The Football League was suspended until after the Second World War.{{#tag:ref|The club played 254 competitive games in regional league and cup football between 1939 and 1946. Guest players were permitted, and results and records from this period are not included in official statistics.[26]|group=lower-alpha}} |
|---|
| 1945–46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | The FA Cup competition resumed for the 1945–46 season, however league football did not resume until the following season.[3]|group=lower-alpha}} | — | Bryn Allen | 1 |
|---|
| 1946–47 | Div 3S {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 42 | 30 | 6 | 6 | 93 | 30 | 66 | {{sort|01|1st}} | 3R | 5R | Stan|Richards|Stan Richards (footballer)}} | 30 |
|---|
| 1947–48 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 61 | 58 | 47 | 05|5th}} | 3R | 5R | Billy|Rees}} | 12 |
|---|
| 1948–49 | Div 2 | 42 | 19 | 13 | 10 | 62 | 47 | 51 | 04|4th}} | 5R | SF | Ernie|Stevenson}} | 14 |
|---|
| 1949–50 | Div 2 | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 41 | 44 | 42 | 10th | 5R | 7R | Elfed|Evans}} | 12 |
|---|
| 1950–51 | Div 2 | 42 | 17 | 16 | 9 | 53 | 45 | 50 | 03|3rd}} | 3R | {{sort|U|RU}} | Wilf|Grant}} | 18 |
|---|
| 1951–52 | Div 2 {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 42 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 72 | 54 | 51 | {{sort|02|2nd}} | 3R | 6R | Wilf|Grant}} | 27 |
|---|
| 1952–53 | Div 1 | 42 | 14 | 12 | 16 | 54 | 46 | 40 | 12th | 3R | SF | Ken|Chisholm}} | 15 |
|---|
| 1953–54 | Div 1 | 42 | 18 | 8 | 16 | 51 | 71 | 44 | 10th | 4R | SF | Wilf|Grant}} | 15 |
|---|
| 1954–55 | Div 1 | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 62 | 76 | 37 | 20th | 3R | SF | Trevor|Ford}} | 24 |
|---|
| 1955–56 | Div 1 | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 55 | 69 | 39 | 17th | 4R | W | Gerry|Hitchens}} | 28 |
|---|
| 1956–57 | Div 1 {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 42 | 10 | 9 | 23 | 53 | 88 | 29 | 21st | 4R | 6R | Gerry|Hitchens}} | 25 |
|---|
| 1957–58 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 63 | 77 | 37 | 15th | 5R | 5R | Ron|Hewitt|Ron Hewitt (footballer, born 1928)}} | 15 |
|---|
| 1958–59 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 65 | 65 | 43 | 09|9th}} | 4R | W | Ron|Hewitt|Ron Hewitt (footballer, born 1928)}} | 17 |
|---|
| 1959–60 | Div 2 {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 42 | 23 | 12 | 7 | 90 | 62 | 57 | {{sort|02|2nd}} | 3R | {{sort|U|RU}} | Derek|Tapscott}} | 21 |
|---|
| 1960–61 | Div 1 | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 60 | 85 | 37 | 15th | 3R | 2R | SF | Derek|Tapscott}} | 30 |
|---|
| 1961–62 | Div 1 {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 42 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 50 | 81 | 32 | 21st | 3R | 3R | SF | Dai|Ward}} | 21 |
|---|
| 1962–63 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 83 | 73 | 43 | 10th | 3R | 2R | 6R | Peter|Hooper|Peter Hooper (footballer)}} | 24 |
|---|
| 1963–64 | Div 2 | 42 | 14 | 10 | 18 | 56 | 81 | 38 | 15th | 3R | 2R | {{sort|U|RU}} | Mel|Charles}} | 17 |
|---|
| 1964–65 | Div 2 | 42 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 64 | 57 | 40 | 13th | 3R | 2R | W | Cup Winners' Cup | QF | Ivor|Allchurch}} | 19 |
|---|
| 1965–66 | Div 2 | 42 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 71 | 91 | 34 | 20th | 4R | SF | 5R | Cup Winners' Cup | 1R | George|Johnston|George Johnston (footballer)}} | 23 |
|---|
| 1966–67 | Div 2 | 42 | 12 | 9 | 21 | 61 | 87 | 33 | 20th | 4R | 2R | W | Bobby|Brown|Bobby Brown (footballer, born 1940)}} | 17 |
|---|
| 1967–68 | Div 2 | 42 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 60 | 66 | 38 | 13th | 3R | 2R | W | Cup Winners' Cup | SF | Peter|King|Peter King (footballer, born 1943)}} | 18 |
|---|
| 1968–69 | Div 2 | 42 | 20 | 7 | 15 | 67 | 54 | 47 | 05|5th}} | 3R | 2R | W | Cup Winners' Cup | 1R | John|Toshack}}{{#tag:ref|Scored 22 goals in Division Two.[27]|group=lower-alpha}} | 31 ♦ |
|---|
| 1969–70 | Div 2 | 42 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 61 | 41 | 49 | 07|7th}} | 3R | 2R | W | Cup Winners' Cup | 2R | Brian|Clark|Brian Clark (footballer, born 1943)}} | 28 |
|---|
| 1970–71 | Div 2 | 42 | 20 | 13 | 9 | 64 | 41 | 53 | 03|3rd}} | 4R | 2R | W | Cup Winners' Cup | QF | Brian|Clark|Brian Clark (footballer, born 1943)}} | 22 |
|---|
| 1971–72 | Div 2 | 42 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 56 | 69 | 34 | 19th | 5R | 2R | {{sort|U|RU}} | Cup Winners' Cup | 1R | Brian|Clark|Brian Clark (footballer, born 1943)}} | 27 |
|---|
| 1972–73 | Div 2 | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 43 | 58 | 33 | 20th | 4R | 1R | W | Andrew|McCulloch|Andrew McCulloch (footballer)}} | 19 |
|---|
| 1973–74 | Div 2 | 42 | 10 | 16 | 16 | 49 | 62 | 36 | 17th | 3R | 2R | W | Cup Winners' Cup | 1R | Andrew|McCulloch|Andrew McCulloch (footballer)}} | 14 |
|---|
| 1974–75 | Div 2 {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 42 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 36 | 62 | 32 | 21st | 3R | 1R | {{sort|U|RU}} | Cup Winners' Cup | 1R | Gil|Reece}} | 10 |
|---|
| 1975–76 | Div 3 {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 46 | 22 | 13 | 11 | 69 | 48 | 57 | {{sort|02|2nd}} | 4R | 1R | W | Tony|Evans|Tony Evans (footballer, born 1954)}} | 29 |
|---|
| 1976–77 | Div 2 | 42 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 56 | 67 | 34 | 18th | 5R | 2R | W | Cup Winners' Cup | 1R | Tony|Evans|Tony Evans (footballer, born 1954)}} | 24 |
|---|
| 1977–78 | Div 2 | 42 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 51 | 71 | 38 | 19th | 3R | 2R | SF | Cup Winners' Cup | 1R | John|Buchanan|John Buchanan (footballer, born 1951)}} | 14 |
|---|
| 1978–79 | Div 2 | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 56 | 70 | 42 | 09|9th}} | 3R | 1R | 5R | Anglo-Scottish Cup | GS | John|Buchanan|John Buchanan (footballer, born 1951)}} | 18 |
|---|
| 1979–80 | Div 2 | 42 | 16 | 8 | 18 | 41 | 48 | 40 | 15th | 3R | 2R | 4R | Ray|Bishop}} & {{sortname|Gary|Stevens|Gary Stevens (footballer, born 1954)}} | 11 |
|---|
| 1980–81 | Div 2 | 42 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 44 | 60 | 36 | 19th | 3R | 3R | 4R | Peter|Kitchen}} | 19 |
|---|
| 1981–82 | Div 2 {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}}{{#tag:ref|This season saw the introduction of three points for a win instead of two.[44]|group=lower-alpha}} | 42 | 12 | 8 | 22 | 45 | 61 | 44 | 20th | 3R | 1R | {{sort|U|RU}} | Gary|Stevens|Gary Stevens (footballer, born 1954)}} | 18 |
|---|
| 1982–83 | Div 3 {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 46 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 76 | 50 | 86 | {{sort|02|2nd}} | 2R | 2R | 3R | Jeff|Hemmerman}} | 26 |
|---|
| 1983–84 | Div 2 | 42 | 15 | 6 | 21 | 53 | 66 | 51 | 15th | 3R | 2R | 5R | Gordon|Owen}} | 18 |
|---|
| 1984–85 | Div 2 {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 42 | 9 | 8 | 25 | 47 | 79 | 35 | 21st | 3R | 2R | 4R | Nigel|Vaughan}} | 17 |
|---|
| 1985–86 | Div 3 {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 46 | 12 | 9 | 25 | 53 | 83 | 45 | 22nd | 1R | 1R | SF | Associate Members' Cup | GS | Nigel|Vaughan}} | 17 |
|---|
| 1986–87 | Div 4 | 46 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 48 | 50 | 61 | 13th | 4R | 4R | 4R | Associate Members' Cup | GS | Paul|Wimbleton}} | 11 |
|---|
| 1987–88 | Div 4 {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 46 | 24 | 13 | 9 | 66 | 41 | 85 | {{sort|02|2nd}} | 1R | 1R | W | Associate Members' Cup | 1R | Jimmy|Gilligan}} | 25 |
|---|
| 1988–89 | Div 3 | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 44 | 56 | 57 | 16th | 3R | 2R | 5R | 1=Associate Members' Cup
Cup Winners' Cup}} | 1=1R
2R}} | Jimmy|Gilligan}} | 23 |
|---|
| 1989–90 | Div 3 {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 57 | 70 | 50 | 21st | 3R | 1R | SF | Associate Members' Cup | GS | Chris|Pike}} | 23 |
|---|
| 1990–91 | Div 4 | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 43 | 54 | 60 | 13th | 1R | 2R | 3R | Associate Members' Cup | GS | Chris|Pike}} | 16 |
|---|
| 1991–92 | Div 4 | 42 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 66 | 53 | 66 | 09|9th}} | 1R | 1R | W | Associate Members' Cup | 1R | Carl|Dale}} & {{sortname|Chris|Pike}} | 28 |
|---|
| 1992–93 | {{sort|Division 4|Div 3}} {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}}{{#tag:ref|The Fourth Division was renamed Division Three after the Premier League broke away from the Football League.[28]|group=lower-alpha}} | 42 | 25 | 8 | 9 | 77 | 47 | 83 | {{sort|01|1st}} | 1R | 1R | W | 1=Football League Trophy{{#tag:ref|The Associate Members' Cup was renamed the Football League Trophy from the 1992–93 season.|group=lower-alpha}}
Cup Winners' Cup}} | 1=1R
1R}} | Phil|Stant}} | 18 |
|---|
| 1993–94 | Division 3|Div 2}} | 46 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 66 | 79 | 54 | 19th | 5R | 1R | {{sort|U|RU}} | Football League Trophy | 2R | Phil|Stant}} | 22 |
|---|
| 1994–95 | {{sort|Division 3|Div 2}} {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 46 | 9 | 11 | 26 | 46 | 74 | 38 | 22nd | 1R | 1R | {{sort|U|RU}} | 1=Football League Trophy
Cup Winners' Cup}} | 1=1R
1R}} | Phil|Stant}} | 15 |
|---|
| 1995–96 | Division 4|Div 3}} | 46 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 41 | 64 | 45 | 22nd | 2R | 2R | Football League Trophy | 1R | Carl|Dale}} | 30 |
|---|
| 1996–97 | Division 4|Div 3}} | 46 | 20 | 9 | 17 | 56 | 54 | 69 | 07|7th}} | 2R | 1R | Football League Trophy | 2R | Steve|White|Steve White (footballer)}} | 14 |
|---|
| 1997–98 | Division 4|Div 3}} | 46 | 9 | 23 | 14 | 48 | 52 | 50 | 21st | 4R | 1R | Football League Trophy |
|---|
| 1998–99 | {{sort|Division 4|Div 3}} {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 60 | 39 | 80 | 03|3rd}} | 1R | 1R | Football League Trophy
FAW Premier Cup 1R
SF | Kevin|Nugent|Kevin Nugent (footballer)}} | 22 | |
|---|
| 1999–2000 | {{sort|Division 3|Div 2}} {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 46 | 9 | 17 | 20 | 45 | 67 | 44 | 21st | 3R | 2R | Football League Trophy
FAW Premier Cup 1R
RU Jason|Bowen|Jason Bowen (footballer)}} & {{sortname|Kevin|Nugent|Kevin Nugent (footballer)}} | 17 | | |
|---|
| 2000–01 | {{sort|Division 4|Div 3}} {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 46 | 23 | 13 | 10 | 95 | 58 | 82 | {{sort|02|2nd}} | 3R | 1R | Football League Trophy
FAW Premier Cup 1R
QF | Robert|Earnshaw}} | 25 | |
|---|
| 2001–02 | Division 3|Div 2}} | 46 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 75 | 50 | 83 | 04|4th}}{{#tag:ref|Defeated in the Division Two play-off semi-final by Stoke City.[29]|group=lower-alpha}} | 4R | 1R | Football League Trophy |
|---|
| 2002–03 | {{sort|Division 3|Div 2}} {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 46 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 68 | 43 | 81 | {{sort|06|6th}}*{{#tag:ref|Promoted to Division One after beating Queens Park Rangers 1–0 in the play-off final.[30]|group=lower-alpha}} | 3R | 2R | Football League Trophy
FAW Premier Cup 3R
SF | Robert|Earnshaw}}{{#tag:ref|Scored 31 goals in Division Two.[31]|group=lower-alpha}} | 35 ♦ | |
|---|
| 2003–04 | Division 2|Div 1}} | 46 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 68 | 58 | 65 | 13th | 3R | 2R | FAW Premier Cup | SF | Robert|Earnshaw}} | 26 |
|---|
| 2004–05 | Division One was renamed The Championship from the 2004–05 season.[32]|group=lower-alpha}} | 46 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 48 | 51 | 54 | 16th | 3R | 4R | FAW Premier Cup | QF | Peter|Thorne|Peter Thorne (English footballer)}} | 14 |
|---|
| 2005–06 | Champ | 46 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 11th | 3R | 3R | FAW Premier Cup | QF | Cameron|Jerome}} | 20 |
|---|
| 2006–07 | Champ | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 57 | 53 | 64 | 13th | 3R | 1R | FAW Premier Cup | SF | Michael|Chopra}} | 22 |
|---|
| 2007–08 | Champ | 46 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 59 | 55 | 64 | 12th | {{sort|U|RU}} | 4R | FAW Premier Cup | SF | Joe|Ledley}} & {{sortname|Paul|Parry}} | 11 |
|---|
| 2008–09 | Champ | 46 | 26 | 17 | 10 | 65 | 53 | 74 | 07|7th}} | 4R | 3R | Ross|McCormack}} | 23 |
|---|
| 2009–10 | Champ | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 73 | 54 | 76 | 04|4th}}{{#tag:ref|Defeated in the Championship play-off final by Blackpool.[33]|group=lower-alpha}} | 5R | 3R | {{sortname|Peter|Whittingham}}{{#tag:ref|Scored 20 goals in the Championship.[34]|group=lower-alpha}} | 25 ♦ |
|---|
| 2010–11 | Champ | 46 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 76 | 54 | 80 | 04|4th}}{{#tag:ref|Defeated in the Championship play-off semi-final by Reading.[35]|group=lower-alpha}} | 3R | 2R | Jay|Bothroyd}} | 20 |
|---|
| 2011–12 | Champ | 46 | 19 | 18 | 9 | 66 | 53 | 75 | 06|6th}}{{#tag:ref|Defeated in the Championship play-off semi-final by West Ham United.[36]|group=lower-alpha}} | 3R | {{sort|U|RU}} | Peter|Whittingham}} | 13 |
|---|
| 2012–13 | Champ {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 46 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 72 | 45 | 87 | {{sort|01|1st}} | 3R | 1R | Heiðar|Helguson}} | 9 |
|---|
| 2013–14 | {{sort|A|Prem}} {{down-arrow|alt=relegated}} | 38 | 7 | 9 | 22 | 40 | 74 | 30 | 20th | 5R | 2R | Fraizer|Campbell}} | 9 |
|---|
| 2014–15 | Champ | 46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 57 | 61 | 62 | 11th | 4R | 3R | Kenwyne|Jones}} | 11 |
|---|
| 2015–16 | Champ | 46 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 56 | 51 | 68 | 08|8th}} | 3R | 2R | Anthony|Pilkington}} | 9 |
|---|
| 2016–17 | Champ | 46 | 16 | 11 | 18 | 57 | 61 | 59 | 12|12th}} | 3R | 1R | Kenneth|Zohore}} | 12 |
|---|
| 2017–18 | Champ {{up-arrow|alt=promoted}} | 46 | 27 | 8 | 10 | 69 | 39 | 90 | {{sort|02|2nd}} | 4R | 2R | Junior|Hoilett}} | 11 |
|---|
1. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/article/1899-1920-724134.aspx |title=1899–1920 Foundations & The Early Years |publisher=Cardiff City F.C. |accessdate=6 September 2016}}
2. ^{{Cite web |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/article/1899-1920-724134.aspx |title=Club history |publisher=Cardiff City F.C. |accessdate=9 September 2013}}
3. ^1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 {{Cite web |url=http://www.fchd.info/CARDIFFC.HTM |title=Cardiff City |publisher=Football Club History Database |accessdate=26 April 2016}}
4. ^{{cite web |url=http://wfda.co.uk/welsh_cup_winners.php |title=Welsh Cup winners |publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive |accessdate=26 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313043653/http://wfda.co.uk/welsh_cup_winners.php |archive-date=13 March 2016 |dead-url=yes |df=dmy-all }}
5. ^{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17459332 |title=Uefa give Swansea and Cardiff European assurance |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 March 2012 |accessdate=5 December 2012}}
6. ^1 {{cite web |url=http://fchd.info/cups/welshcupsummary.htm |title=Welsh Cup |publisher=Football Club History Database |accessdate=28 July 2016}}
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8. ^{{Cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/happy-anniversary-cardiff-city-celebrate-2995570 |title=Happy anniversary: Cardiff City celebrate 86 years since their 1927 FA Cup win |publisher=WalesOnline |first=Gareth |last=Rogers |date=23 April 2013 |accessdate=26 April 2016}}
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4 : Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City F.C. seasons|Welsh football club seasons|English football club seasons