Their Blood Is Red & White

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Spontaneous song

Wrexham fans who wear their heart on their sleeve

No.7 Ian Roberts

He was eating a hot dog with extra mustard at half-time in the Wycombe game and he was spotted entering the turnstiles at Bury just a couple of minutes after kick-off… Ladies and Gentlemen, the final part of Red Passion’s EXCLUSIVE interview with the man we all call ‘Jacko’

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Q. Who do you stand with?
A. “I stand with a lot of younger lads at the back of the Kop - just to the left. It’s my job to look after them! A mate from my choir also stands there - he’s got a really deep voice! I’d say there’s a bit of healthy rivalry between the left and right sides on the Kop - a good bit of banter. The Kop needs to make a bit of noise because most of the time there aren’t many away fans to hassle.”

Q. How do chants emerge?
A. “Just banter I think. I’m always looking for something new - I’m always looking for inspiration. Sometimes nothing happens; at other times it does. Football singing is all about hope and about raising your voice for the team. The team needs the fans singing - it’s our duty. Obviously when the side isn’t playing well it’s very difficult to get things going.”

Q. What about the recent ‘DEIRDRIE’ and “GYPO” chants?
A. “The DEIRDRIE thing just emerged for Dearden. A few of us were having a joke - and then all of a sudden things developed! The ‘GYPO’ chant was for that Oxford keeper - Oxford’s. The gypsies are a big issue in the town and in the papers. I suppose gypsies were on everyone’s mind! Eventually it all got turned on to me with all that ‘JACKO IS A GYPO!’ stuff!”

Q. What about all the ‘JOEY’ chants?
A. “They’re great - but I really wish that Joey would keep his fist up for a bit longer. I want the noise to build up and the fans to be wound up more in the chant. Joey’s too quick in what he does - he should keep his fist up for at least a minute longer. He shouldn’t stop so soon!”

Q. A Faulconbridge chant?
A. “It’s tricky but not impossible! The name has got to fit - and I suppose it’s a bit hard to get a Faulconbridge chant going. But I’m sure one will emerge some time! It’s got to be spontaneous though!”

Q. How do you think the players react to the singing?
A. “There are some players who always show their appreciation for our efforts: Owen, Carey, Hardy, Connolly and Marriott always used to when he was at the club. Fans who travel to away games can sometimes be travelling three or four hours - so I think it’s nice that the players say thank you at the end of a game.”

Q. What do you think of Wrexham’s support generally?
A. “I suppose that on the whole it’s average - it’s not the worst and not the best. There’s always a good following for away games, and as a result singing is always a lot more entertaining when we’re at another ground.”

Q. What about the Kop “boo boys”?
A. “They want the best for Wrexham Football Club and they love supporting the team. Other fans and other people in the town wind them up, but they’re entitled to their opinion. They get a lot of criticism - at work, in the pub, at the game - but, to an extent, I understand and sympathise with them. At least they’re not sloping off to watch Man United! That said though, I think it is a little bit over the top to boo your own team. Some criticism is healthy, but some isn’t at all. For most of the time I think the boo boys are pretty harmless and not hostile at all; at other times I think they a bit too negative and hostile. My feeling is that Wrexham fans have got to stick together - that’s the key thing!”

Q. How do you get on with Red Passion’s star columnist, Carl Tunnah?
A. “I get on great with him. I’ve also heard that Carl likes a drink now and again…”

Q. What do you think of the new stand?
A. “Good. I think it has helped to improve the atmosphere at the Racecourse. It contains the noise - which has to be good. The team has got to improve to sustain the crowds we get. If the side gets better I’m sure the gates will too.”

Q. What about this season?
A. “In August I thought we might be good enough to gain a spot in the play-offs. I thought we just needed to tighten up at the back. As it has turned out, I think I was being a bit over-optimistic.”

Q. What do you think of Flynn?
A. “He’s not very tall! I know he got slagged off in his early days but I think you’ve got to admire him for all the work he’s done at the club - he does have a great love for Wrexham FC. We’ve come a long way since we finished bottom of the League in 1991. He’s never had a lot of money and over the last decade the Racecourse has never had massive attendances. So I really think we’ve got to be grateful for what we’ve got. Flynn’s done the right thing: he’s got a few people in on frees and he’s brought in a few Premiership reserve-team players. That together with the youth policy has got to be the right tactic.”

Q. Who are your big Wrexham heroes?
A. “Mickey Thomas, Eddie Niedzwiecki, Graham Whittle, Billy Ashcroft, Shinton. Connolly as well when he’s on form - but he dips in and out. I’m a big admirer too of Gareth Owen. He’s been superb for Wrexham and he really deserves his testimonial. In a way I’m a bit disappointed for Gareth - I’m sure he could have played at a higher level. I’m surprised he’s never been sold, so Wrexham have really had his best years. Carey’s a good lad too, but it’s probably too early to say much about the youngsters.”

Q. Tell us about your media appearances…
A. “I helped the BBC with that Wrexham bit on They Think It’s All Over - you know, the fluffy sheep chant. I set the whole thing up. The BBC actually rang my house and my mum answered. My mum told me the BBC had been on the phone and I thought it was a wind-up! I got a bit of stick for organising that whole business - but I think people eventually saw the funny side. I’ve also done a few interviews - Radio 5, Radio Cymru, BBC Wales news and the local papers. When Wrexham have all their cup runs they always wheel me out!”

Q. What are your favourite memories?
A. “Lyngby - we had a great time there. Superb. I particularly remember the karaoke at the Spunk Bar. Fantastic. The beer was good, the players were there - it was just excellent.”

Q. What’s your favourite pub in town?
A. “It’s got to be the Turf, hasn’t it?”

Q. Have you seen anyone at the back of the Kop who could be your eventual successor as Kop choirmaster?
A. “There’s a few lads who think they could do it, but we’ll have to wait and see. It’s early days yet. It needs someone to grow into the role. You’ve got to have the necessary level of energy and consistency to be the Kop choirmaster. Occasionally people have said that things have been a bit quiet when I’ve not been there to lead the singing. I think that’s really sad - it’s everyone’s duty to sing for the lads.”

Thanks Ian!