Machynlleth...Ponty...Wrexham

Being born in north London at the end of the Seventies and having a father who was more in favour of the red men playing with the oval ball... the chances of me being a Wrexham fan were somewhat slim. It wasn't until 1986 that I really started watching footie, and the first game I remember was the 1986 Everton v Liverpool FA Cup final. Now being only six at the time I just decided that I would support the team who scored first, and thanks to Lineker that was Everton... and still today I would put them as my "second" team, so if you hear a shriek at the Cae Ras when Everton are announced as winning you know who it is.

In December 1987, we moved to Gwersyllt, where I was in secondary school with Robbie (or Bobby as he was known then) Savage as well as the Whitley boys. It wasn't until Oct 1990 that I made my first visit to the Racecourse. We were playing Scarborough and lost 1-2, but I remember being impressed with a certain Chris Armstrong who was playing on the wing that day. In those days it wasn't cool to admit being at the Racecourse on a Sat, so the next time I went was a year later and to the 2-6 defeat by Burnley.

Then came the 4th January 1992. Although I wasn't at the game this was probably the defining moment for me as a Wrexham fan. I can remember listening to the game on the radio for the Everton score, while also hoping Wrexham could sneak a replay. I'll never forget when they went across for news of Mickey Thomas's equaliser and were still there when Watkin stuck the winner in. I managed to get a ticket for the West Ham game, and went with now fellow Ponty Red Tom Jarvis and his Dad. I'll never forget that night as 18,000 were packed into the ground, with an estimated 10,000 people on the Kop. I couldn't see much due to being too small, but now I was hooked, and I came back to as many games as my limited finances would allow.

The same happened for the next couple of years...One of my biggest disappointments was missing the Northampton game. I had to make do with Radio Wales, and the amusing incident of my mum coming running into my room thinking something was wrong after hearing an excited 13-year-old shriek and banging on the ceiling. When I started going to Yale, I started going every week. And eventually to away games as well. A highlight being Walsall, where we scored twice in the last three minutes to win!! Soon after though the family moved to Machynlleth, and although I managed to get to about half of the home fixtures I became more reliant to Ceefax and Radio Wales on a Saturday afternoon. I only managed two of the cup games of that glorious run in the flesh, but I was tuned in for everyone on the radio…this all put me in good stead for coming to Pontypridd to Uni.

Now for those of you that don't know...Pontypridd is a desert of terraced houses, rugby, and rain, lots of it. WAFC is an oasis in the middle of this. Unfortunately though, I can now only go to home games during holidays, or when some South Wales Reds organise some transport up...I do go to the Bristol-type games and last year ALL the away WPC games. Loyal supporter or what???? I don't consider myself any less a fan than the guy who goes home and away every week...Yes, I might spend a lot of Saturdays at Sardis Road watching Neil Jenkins strut his stuff or at Wembley watching the national team, but neither of these have captured my affections like the men from the Racecourse.