Peter Thorne on the other hand was sold by a cash straved regime and left Stoke with a huge amount of respect.
The mutual feelings for his former club was shown as Thorne scored a hat trick at the Britannia Stadium with no wild celebrations just a nod towards the City fans as the third goal went in.
The win for Cardiff is massive. We are right in there. A result against Preston on Tuesday could catapult us with touching distance of the top places.
Thornes first goal came from a John Robinson cross in the first half. Thorne got enough of a touch to divert it into the goal. It only took several minutes for Stoke to level. A cross was not dealt with and Ustace scored from a tight angle. The goal of the game though came when Robinson crossed to pick out Thorne who lost his marker to head home past the helpless de Goey.
Thorne headed in again to get his hat trick. He was on hand at the far post to head back across de Goey.
Ade Akinbiyi kept the contest alive with a second for Stoke just a minute after Thornes goal. A lapse in concentration.
City held on despite some strong Stoke pressure that saw de Goey up for a last gasp corner that turned out to be the last action of the game.
It's a league double for Cardiff. It's 8 goals in 9 starts for Thorne and it keeps Cardff City in the promotion hunt.