Alan Durban was in his last season in charge during the 1985 – 1986 season and his Cardiff City side struggled to relegation at the end of the campaign as they finished it off in a disappointing 22nd position, entering the fourth division for the first time in their history.
The following season proved to be a mixed bag for Cardiff City as they finished it off under a disappointing 13th position under the new managerial guidance of Frank Burrows, however he took the to the fourth round of the league cup and FA cup as they suffered defeats against Shrewsbury Town and Stoke City. Burrows guided Cardiff City into o second position in the fourth division at the end of the 1987 – 1988 campaign in turn resulting them in to the third division.
Thy struggled to adjust in to the fourth divisions they finished the 1988 – 1989 season off in 16th position and suffered relegation back in to the fourth division as they finished doff the campaign in a disappointing 21st position under the guidance of Len Ashurst.
The 1989 – 1990 season Cardiff City side included players like, Roger Hansbury, Ian Rodgerson, Ray Daniel, Leigh Bernard, Gareth Barnard, Roger Gibbins, Mark Kelly, Cohn Griffith, Chris Pike, Jason Perry and Jeff Chandler.