WALES WALES

Stop Dragon my heart around

By Mike Hughes

YOU CAN’T PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND A MEMORY

So here we are on the eve of a new season. The one time of the year when every fan has an opinion on absolutely everything and cannot be proven wrong – yet (and much to my relief)! As a Wrexham fan I share the dismay at the many recent departures and statements from our club. The feeling of going backwards rapidly seems to be overtaking everyone except Griffiths, Rhodes and people naively talking of play-offs.

BACKSTABBERS

What I have found interesting though is that most of the suggestions and criticisms from Farrell and Smith are equally applicable to the marketing of the international football team in Wales. 

Strange indeed to think that, of the many objections raised to Wrexham becoming the Dragons, none came from the FAW, yet anyone with experience in marketing will tell you just how obvious it was for Wrexham to trade on their Welsh identity. Their failure to do so is absolutely mirrored at international level. Surely the best argument of the lot for continuing with Robins, Swans and Bluebirds (the latter were described to me recently in the following terms: 'they rarely fly high and you can never hear them singing!') should have been that the FAW team should have been arguing that the Dragons identity should really be a national one and should be traded upon by the Welsh Football Team rather than an English League-based club. I should perhaps point out here that I am more than happy to be a Wrexham Dragon.

WHERE’S ME SHIRT?

So, what exactly do the FAW do to ‘sell’ the national team? The answer would seem to be 'as little as Wrexham'. I come home to North Wales fairly regularly for the football but when I do get a chance to wander round Wrexham or Chester or Connah’s Quay I am always amazed at how difficult it is to do something as simple as buy a shirt for any club outside of the Premier League. Now you might argue that this is the same everywhere. Not so. I work in Swinton and it’s a damn sight easier there to buy a shirt for Swinton Lions or Salford Reds than it is to get a Man United shirt. Similarly, catch a bus to Bury or train to Wigan, Oldham, Stockport. Premier League shirts everywhere but equally easy to get a kit for the local team. My parents have never managed to get me a Wrexham shirt in CQ and I can’t remember the last time I saw anyone outside of the actual team and a few Wrexham and Wales supporters (and I mean a few) wearing a Wales football shirt less than five to 15 years old! Let’s not even get onto the small matter of buying tickets!

VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR

Take this a step further. How many of you subscribe to Cable TV? Managed to find the Welsh Football Channel yet? Thought not. It’ll be a long time coming too. Managed to buy that video of the last Welsh World Cup qualifying campaign? Oh look, same answer. Managed to find the Super Furries in Actua Soccer? Ah, yes, but did you manage to find the Welsh league in FIFA 2001 or Championship Manager? Thought not. My point is this: If the FAW haven’t got clued up on marketing yet, then what chance anyone at Welsh club level who might, for example, be looking for marketing support from them? Scary isn’t it? 

CRAIGNESS 

Ah yes, football. Remember Craig Bellamy. A few years ago he was the (sole) bright young thing of Welsh football. Now he’s joined Newcastle. Well, I suppose that the treatment room is good! Anyway, let’s hope for an injury-free season for all concerned with Welsh soccer: good crowds, no hassle, and a win would be nice. œ RP