The day we became the best team in Wales (OFFICIAL)

"QUITE A GOOD GAME REALLY"

Let's re-live some lovely moments

No.14 Jack Parkinson remembers the 1995 Welsh Cup Final

The day after the FA Cup Final 1995 was the Welsh Cup Final. I was only ten at the time, and the only away game that I had been to was at Old Trafford, but I went to most of the home games with my dad. Because my dad had to go out the day before, we were unable to get tickets, so he phoned the Welsh FA, and they said that tickets would be on sale in Cardiff.

I was really looking forward to my first trip to South Wales, because the last time I saw Cardiff at home, we lost 3-1, so I knew it would be a close game, and Wrexham have a history of being the underdogs and then winning. I remember getting up at about seven, and getting ready for the day ahead, then going to the newsagents, to get the paper and talk to the owner, who was a season ticket holder. He said that he was unable to go, I can’t remember why, but he went to most games.

We left home at eight, and made it to Cardiff for about one. We had a quick look at the River Taff and the Stadium, before trying to find the place where tickets were available from. We found the place to buy tickets from, and they didn’t have any for the Wrexham part of the ground so told us to try a place just 50 metres up the road. None there, so we had to sit with the Cardiff fans. For most of the match, I was quietly singing along with the Wrexham fans, wearing my Wrexham shirt underneath my coat, at the same time as trying to look like a Cardiff fan.

We entered the ground at two. The first thing I could see was thousands of Wrexham fans on the far side of the ground, and a few hundred Cardiff fans in the same area as us. We were in the lower area, not only because it was cheaper than the upper, but because it would be quicker to get out!! Most of the ground that I could see was empty, but I thought that the ground was really impressive, I had never seen a clock inside a ground before!

I can’t remember much of the game, apart from Gary Bennett (I still think he’s God) diving in the area, then scoring the penalty. Most of the Cardiff fans were already on their feet, so didn’t notice me jump up, then sit down very quickly, before anyone noticed. I know that Cardiff fans hated “Psycho”, but I never knew why. I can understand Chester fans hating someone who was treated higher than God by Wrexham fans, after being released from their club. Please can some one, please, tell me why, Cardiff fans hated him so much?

I can’t remember the other goals, but what really sticks out in my memory is the Wrexham fans doing that little dance that Andy Marriott (our goalkeeper at the time) did after he played well. The only difference is that he was now injured, so it was the Wrexham fans who were dancing and singing “Wales number one”. I will never forget that day, because it proved to be Gary Bennett’s last cup goal for Wrexham, and it was also the day we officially became the best team in Wales, a position we have held until this season, when Cardiff got promotion.  RP

If you’ve got a favourite match you’d like to write about - from any era - please send your memories to RP.