Night Out
Robert Stock goes to Druids v Inter-Cardiff…
On Friday 7th January, I decided that I would finally
go to watch Cefn Druids play.
Although I went to watch the pre-season Wrexham friendly there, I had never seen them
before that. Cefn Druids v Inter-Cardiff doesn’t sound the most exciting way to spend
a Friday night, but I really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere, a home win (Wrexham take
note) and the determination to play good football despite the appalling conditions.
I have also got some fascinating news. There is a goalkeeper worse than Cartwright - although, like Cartwright, he was probably lacking in confidence (he was on loan from Cardiff City). His name was Pat Jennings [not the Pat Jennings] and I don’t think he caught or saved a thing all night! How Druids only scored two, I’ll never know, although they did have two disallowed.
In the first half Druids had complete domination, but the only goal was scored by Mike Davies, their star striker who also scored the home side’s second goal. But after that Inter came into the game more. Druids got off lightly when a well worked Inter free-kick came back off the post. Inter did manage to get one back which made an exciting finale to the game, but Druids were too strong and deservedly won all three points.
Despite the weather, I really enjoyed the game and I
will certainly be going back if they play any more Friday night games. RP
Night Out
Ben Williams spends an evening as a VIP…
It was 5.30 on a cold December night in North Wales.
I stood with my brother Rich, and my friend Craig Heard outside the Centenary Club, waiting with enormous excitement to embark on my night as a Red Passion VIP. We walked into the Centenary Club, and were shown up to the Sponsor’s lounge. We were greeted by the smiling face of Allan Thomas, and were each handed a glass of champagne. We were then shown to our table by Mr Thomas, who was the perfect host all evening, and were soon joined by the other two guests: top RP sales executives John Huxley and Youno. As we savoured the last mouthful of our chocolate gateau, we received the call from Phil Sadler to go down to the pitch.
As we followed the side out (who, incidentally, were wearing the incredibly stylish new Millennium shirt for the first time) it began to snow, adding to the almost magical atmosphere of the hallowed Racecourse turf. We lined up to be photographed by the man himself, no not Father Christmas, it was Les Evans, complete with new eskimo-style coat, and then went up to watch the game, shaking Waynne Phillips’ hand as I went. As we climbed the stairs up to the executive area, we were greeted by the sight of a small, hunched figure wearing a dashing pair of green mittens. It was indeed the famously controversial seat which our leader Mr Flynn uses to survey the match. I shook the little man’s hand, congratulated him on the fantastic performance against Boro, and proceeded to take my seat.
To my surprise, the scoreboard already read Wrexham 1 Aber 0, Faulconbridge scoring the fastest goal I’ve ever seen, well, missed, during my 11 years of visiting the Racecourse. The game ended 5-1, with Ferguson, Gibson, Connolly and Faulconbridge (2) bagging the goals which maintained Wrexham’s 100% record in this season’s WPC. If six goals at the Racecourse wasn’t already the stuff sweet dreams are made of, the best was yet to come. Despite missing my chance to speak to Danny Williams while he enjoyed a pre-match soft drink, I found the confidence to approach my heroes after the game: Rooster, Neil Roberts, Faulconbridge and Barrett were all more than happy to sign my new shiny WFC autograph book, and Gareth Owen was happy to chat to me about, among other things, the lack of opposition for his testimonial (come on Sir Alex, bring your boys down, or are you scared of getting beat?).
The night was rounded off in fine style, with me having my photo taken with the ‘Millennium Man’ and Player of ‘99 Owen, and I got to keep the rather tasteful sponsors trophy on behalf of RP (who needs the AWS, eh!). Altogether an amazing evening. Thank you RP and Allan Thomas.
PS. My biggest disappointment of 1999 was not seeing my hero Mickey Thomas at the Stereophonics concert in December. Where were you Mickey? RP
Night Out
Paul Lindsay goes to Conwy-Wrexham…
On a cold, wet, windy night, I joined a hundred or so other Reds fans showing the sort of dedication that Roy Castle would have been proud of for the WPC game at the inappropriately named Morfa “stadium”. I’m actually being a bit unfair here as Conwy’s ground is better than some in the LoW and has been improved in recent years.
I called my RP colleague James Morris, who’s always up for a senseless away trip, the evening before, and we rendezvoused at my office on Deeside. A quick dash down the A55 and we had time for some high quality fish and chips in the town. After directing the ‘Spice Girls’ to the ground we crammed into my four-seater and drove down to the Morfa, which fortunately for the rear passengers was only a couple of miles. I have to confess to having been to Conwy United before, previously to see a friend playing for Aber in the LoW. However since my last visit a smart new stand had been constructed behind the far goal, and although shallow in depth it underlined the obvious ambition at the club. The same, unfortunately could not be said for the pitch, in particular one corner which looked as though it had been designed for mud-wrestling rather than football. We decided to retire to the social club to escape the weather until kick off.
When we emerged, it was clear that the conditions would be the only winners on a completely miserable night for football. Conwy obviously used to there pitch caused a few problems for Wrexham in the first half, but were unable to find the breakthrough. At half-time I retired to the clubhouse once more to escape the elements and sample a pint of the best the clubhouse had to offer.
As the players emerged I decided I needed something a little warmer and ventured outside, heading in the direction of the catering trailer tucked away in the corner as the teams kicked off, while some fans chose to stay in the social club watching the game from behind the barred windows - executive boxes they were not! Suddenly I was aware of a mild cheer and a smattering of applause, I turned round to see that I’d missed the only goal of the game. A bloke standing next to me in the queue, thinking that I was a Conwy fan, said, “typical of us to concede a quick goal in the second half isn’t it”. Being none the wiser, I was forced to agree with him. What seemed like several hours later I was finally served with my coffee; “just waiting for the kettle to boil love”, I was told several times! I finally took up position on the side terrace to the right of the main stand along with a handful of other Reds. At one point the ball disappeared over our heads, in the direction of the Crewe-Holyhead main railway line behind and stuck in a tree. There then followed an embarrassingly long pause as two ball- boys went to retrieve it. They finally reappeared long after another ball had been found and the game had recommenced, cut and seemingly scarred for life for their trouble.
The skies then decided to cave in again so I headed for the shelter of the social once more, however the ref evidently decided that he’d had enough and blew up for time just as I reached the door. I met a fan I knew on his way out. “Flaming typical”, I said. “Only goal of the game and I missed it”. “Did we score then” he replied! RP