Description
Issue 12 opens with Llion Carbis’ preview of our trips to Croatia and Hungary; the former being a return to Osijek where we’ll be hoping for ‘third time lucky’ – both our previous two games at the stadium ending in 2 – 0 defeats. We last played Hungary in Budapest in 2004, and we’ll be hoping for a similar result. Jason Koumas and Robbie Earnshaw grabbed our goals in 2 – 1 friendly victory.
Ian Johnson made the trip to Salford to support Wales C in our friendly fixture against England, and returned suitably impressed with the lads’ performance against an England team made up of English National League players.
Haley Evans reports on a battling performance by our women in the friendly against the Czech Republic. In addition to the credible draw, the evening held extra significance as Loren Dykes became only the second Welsh player ever to reach 100 caps. Longyfarchiadau Loren!
Here we go again – Dic Mortimer reviews our performance in the 1 – 0 victory over Slovakia in the opening fixture of the current qualifying campaign. Noting that three of our starting eleven were playing for clubs overseas, he chronicles all our players who’ve pulled on the red jersey while playing for clubs outside Wales and England. It’s a fascinating read.
Who knows where Daniel James will be playing next season, but I hope he continues in the rich vein of form he showed for Swansea over the past 12 months. Guto Llewelyn gives Wales’ baby-faced speed merchant a glowing end of term report.
Mike Pearce looks back at the career of Ron Davies, in ‘From Flint to Albuquerque’. Once described as ‘the finest centre-forward in Europe’ by Manchester United Matt Busby, Mike takes us through his career, from Chester City to the USA, via Manchester United and a host of clubs in between. There’s also the matter of 29 Wales caps and 9 goals too.
We all admire our star players but often tend to overlook the players who turn up, time after time and get on with the job, helping to form the solid foundations of our squad. Over the years there’s been a number of them. David Rees recalls the career of one of his favourites, Carl Robinson, in ‘Ode To a Welsh Great’.
Parc-y-Scarlets anyone? Believe it or not it’s been 10 years since we last played there. Buzz Boncath takes us back to Estonia at Llanelli in his regular feature, ‘Get With The Programme’. Featuring Rob Earnshaw on the cover, Buzz takes us through the match programme. Who knew a youthful Chris Gunter liked Indian food, the Kings of Leon and drove a BMW?
John Barnett pays tribute to Newtown native, and ex-Crystal Palace goalkeeper, John Smout. Despite coming close, he never quite represented his country; but being an outstanding all-rounder and genuinely nice guy, it’s only right that we document his passing.
Wales Football Fans for Indpendence or WFFFI for short have come a long way in a relatively short space of time. Now marching regularly to our games, we look back over the past year or so.
Croatia and Hungary away – there must be an ample selection of local brews to sample? Discover a few suggestions in Cwrw Am Byth as David Rees gets on the case, and raises a glass in his regular column. Iechyd da!
Darren Hamer features in this issue’s’ Wales Fan Profile’. A native of Aberystwyth, and now based in London, he takes up the challenge with ease.