and sponsored by Wrexham Lager
Wrexham fans who where their heart on their sleeve
No. 10: Babs DeRosa - final part
'Pride in the Academy'
Peter Davies meets the one and only woman on the WFC Board.
Background: She's a director and she works at Colliers Park. More than anything - she's a fan.
Setting: A small office at Colliers Park. Babs is sitting next to her typewriter. It's 1pm.
* * * * *
How do Board meetings work?
"It depends on the agenda. Dad is in the chair and he's pretty firm - he doesn't stand any nonsense. The Board comprises all the
directors; the manager also sits in and the commercial manager might also if required. A
football club is like any other company. The Board meets every month or six weeks, or more often if
required."
What are the Board's ambitions?
"To steer Wrexham into Division 1 and to keep the club solvent. Many clubs are close to the borderline - so we want Wrexham to be
a healthy, stable club."
How have you enjoyed your time on the Board?
"I've learnt a lot in a couple of years. There is so much more to running
a club than can be imagined, Wrexham FC is a way of life for me - I like to be
involved."
Tell us about the Academy…
"I want the Academy to remain successful - and the measure of this will
be how it is regarded within football. Representatives from the club - like Tony Humes - regularly attend meetings at which Academy-related matters are
discussed; everybody involved at the club wants it to be a success. The boys who are at the Academy are talented boys: they want to make it in the sport
and do well at Wrexham FC. The boys come by invitation. They come on scouts' recommendations - and we take them on trial at first. Then, if
retained, they are signed or released. They come from all age ranges - from Under-9s
to Under-16s, and also Under-19s. Everyone's very proud of the Academy and the fact that we graduated from being a Centre of
Excellence."
How is it run?
"We have an Academy Director, Coach/Player Developement Officer, Sports
Scientist, Physio, Doctor and Education/Welfare Officer. We get funding from the Premier League - though being a Welsh club has caused a few technical
problems! Monitors inspect our facilities. Every aspect of the Academy comes under scrutiny; if you
don't match up to the prevailing standards you will lose all funding! In Year 1 - 1998-9 - we existed as a Centre of Excellence, but even then we
fulfilled many criteria associated with an Academy. We've always had a long-term vision and maintained different age-range squads.'
babs de rosa: top trivia
Favourite food: Salady things
Favourite drink: Dry white wine
Favourite sportsperson: Martina Navratilova
Favourite ex-Reds player: Eddie May
Favourite current-day non-Wrexham footballer: Jonathan Woodgate
Favourite TV programme: ER
Favourite music: Enya
Favourite newspaper: Daily Post - for the football
Favourite holiday destination: Greece - but I don't get the chance to go away that often
on a regular basis.
What about the personnel?
"Tony Humes is Director; he's assisted by Lee Congerton, Jamie Digwood and physio Richie Rawlins. We
obviously miss the late Cliff Sear enormously. Through my two jobs I get an excellent view of Wrexham FC from grassroots level - and it really helps
me understand how the club works."
You must see the players almost every day at Colliers Park. Tell us a bit about them:
Brian Carey? "Lovely - a real gentle
giant."
Gareth Owen? "Friendly and down to earth."
Kevin Russell? "A real character - he gets everyone going. You can always hear his
raucous laughter in the changing room; it usually accompanies him either doing or
saying something!"
Martyn Chalk? "Fine - a good lad."
Robin Gibson? "A cheeky character!"
What about some of players who've left recently?
Dean Spink? "Bouncy - very
jovial."
Tony Humes? "Such a good lad - it's a pleasure to work with him at the
Academy."
Neil Roberts? "Alright, OK - a very down-to-earth lad."
Tell us about Joey?
"'What can you say? He's great. When people are down he works hard to get
them up. He's a real motivator. He's got his own very special way."
Brian Flynn?
"I'd say he's a very deep person. He's his own man as well. He's extremely professional in everything he does.'
Kevin Reeves?
"I don't have as much to do with Kev as Brian, but he's very easy to work
with.'
Mel Pejic?
"He's a great lad - very thorough in his work and a good sense of humour.'
What about Ian Rush when he was at the club? "He had the greatest sense of humour and he got on well with
everybody."
Many thanks for your time Babs!