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Dear Red Passion... |
Chris Pinlane responds to your letters
We greatly appreciate the quality and variety of letters we receive. Any correspondence received by RP will be considered for publication - unless there is a note to say otherwise.
It is now Red Passion's policy to forward copies of the most constructive letters published in the magazine to the club in the hope that it may feel able to respond to matters raised. Watch this space.
Please send your letters and any other articles to editor@red-passion.com
OMAN AND OSAMA
Dear Red Passion
Life in a tent in the Omani desert for six weeks - courtesy of Osama bin Laden and El Presidente Blair - isn't, I assure all you Red Passion afficianados,
the greatest treat in life. But, like the current situation at the Racecourse, you have to grin and bear it, while making the best of a bad lot.
Before leaving Blighty, I treated my wife Jo to a sporty weekend which involved Cheltenham Races on the Saturday and the FA Cup match at Hereford United on the Sunday. Not too much luck at the races and humiliation at Hereford. A fair score would have been 7-3 to us, but life ain't fair, and we ultimately got what we deserved. The first 15 minutes were a disgrace - it seemed our players thought they only had to turn up to beat a lowly non-league team. Not so. Then, despite dominating the match we failed to convert the numerous chances. Jo said to me, 'That Ferguson bloke is just wandering around the pitch doing nothing'. Jo is quite astute, considering she would rather go shopping than watch a match. So, no valuable cash income from the FA Cup yet again!
After accumulating a debt of over £400,000 this last year that is not what
we needed. Denis Smith admits he knew finances would be tight when he
accepted the job. But did he imagine they would be this bad? What should we do to remedy the situation?
Hindsight is a wonderful gift, but I guess the Board wished they had
accepted one of the two offers we had earlier for Faulconbridge. One cannot criticise someone for wanting to better their lot but I personally would have sold both Craig and Ferguson by now. 'You can't sell our best players', I can hear some of you scream. Well, I don't think they are our best players. Craig always impresses with his effort and, admittedly, he has been our top goalscorer for some time. But when you look at his game he does not have a great turn of foot, he misses far more chances than he takes, and his flick-ons often go nowhere. As for Darren, he occasionally produces a touch of magic, but not often enough. He is not a ball winner in midfield - and is plainly too slow. For someone who is probably our highest paid player he simply doesn't produce the goods. Far better to sell them both and clear some of our debts. With their freed wages, Denis could then
entice some new blood to the club. That would allow him to reshape the team from what BF left to what he would like.
Unfortunately, Craig is now injured and the Board's decision to offer him for sale - rather than lose him as we did with McGregor - is the correct
decision, but too late. We will now get significantly less for him, if anything at all. Great shame, but also very bad business. As for the Board: they seem to be baling out from a very difficult situation. Little sympathy for most of them because it is of their own making.
Despite the downbeat message, I cannot wait to see the back of all this sun and sand and get back to those cold, wet and dark Saturday afternoons.
Despite all the problems at the Racecourse it is vital we fans continue to support the club and manager during these bleak times.
Cheers,
Kevin Wynn, Oman (via email)
CP SAYS: Keep safe!
FLEXSYS (PART 539)
Dear Red Passion
A message to John Edwards/The Cefner: It's not so much that I like to analyse point by point. It's more that ifyou put your opinion up for analysis then anyone criticising it is vulnerable themselves if they pick and choose what to criticise. I also like to be methodical. Fair? I think so. You offer me the opportunity to deal with your arguments and particularly your letter to Christian and so I shall. If you wish to respond then you are free to do so. If you choose not to respond then please don't flatter yourself that I will be annoyed.
If you wrote the last letter and I didn't respond, then doesn't that mean
that you had the last word or does 'the last word' mean something else in
Cefn?
You took one very brief question in my original letter about a different subject and turned it into an entire debate about politics in football, ethical sponsorship, local identity and so on. Valid points were made on both sides but the phrase 'could start an argument in an empty room' springs to mind! I tried to tackle your points head on but you chose to ignore mine when responding would have been a little difficult eg. when I pointed out that there is a difference between clubs who are re-branded by corporate sponsors and those, such as the ones you cited in Germany etc, who would not have existed at all if the corporate body had not created them - still awaiting any response on that one!
You don't make the connection between my feelings about corporate sponsorship, identity etc. which you see as generally OK in terms of the Druids and the selling of the Flexsys branding locally and your letter about corporate sponsorship, identity etc which says it's not OK when it is actually Wrexham FC's Commercial Manager recognising that re-branding is vital to the commercial future of the club. In other words, Wrexham want to establish their brand name and that's not OK but it is when it's Flexsys. Connection made?
I totally take on board your points about losing history but I think it comes down to two things:
a) If you accept corporate sponsorship/branding then you must expect history to be rewritten because the brand is all.
b) If you want your club to survive then do you bring in outside brands and franchises and lose all the things we clearly both have concerns about, or do you create a brand of your own based on all those things? Personally, I would always go for the latter and, as Christian observed, it would appear the majority of Wrexham fans felt the same way. Given that all those who give of their time to a football club want to see it survive, it would appear that those fans also value the survival of the club above all and didn't disagree with Christian. As he was sensitive enough to suggest looking at ways of keeping Ted's name alive in another way, I can't really see cause for complaint.
There is an excellent book called 'No Logo' by Naomi Klein. I commend it to you. You'll find it most enlightening as to exactly why a name change is a good commercial move. Who knows, you might want to, as I originally suggested, think twice about Flexsys too.
Mike Hughes, Salford (via email)
CP SAYS: Your turn, Mr Cefner!
CRAIG AND DAZ
Dear Red Passion
I am the manager of FC Borras youth football team and each year we hold our Christmas party at WFC. We have a meal in the Centenary Club and then watch the match. This year Red Passion paid for the boys to attend the match, a very big thank you to you all at RP. We had a great time and the match was tremendous; the boys enjoyed it that much, that at least four have arranged to go again.
I watch most of WFC's home matches (and some away) and would like to comment on two of my former favourite players. I think that most of the players give their all in most matches. OK, we all know individual players' strengths and weaknesses etc, but generally they are all committed.
Craig Faulconbridge has enormous potential, but is mentally afraid. He puts
his head where it gets hurt occasionally, but anyone can do that. CF's problem is that he will always take the easy way out
eg. he will fall over under most challenges hoping for the sympathy vote from the fans. Indeed, the way he played against Stoke, I am sure he deliberately went offside on some occasions rather than take the responsibility of receiving the ball in a
threatening situation. It is rather like the madman laughing at the rain, much easier than living with the pain. Come on Craig, be mentally braver, stay on your feet and stop taking the easy option which gives the team nothing. You have the talent to do it.
Darren Ferguson currently plays far too deep; he is only effective when
playing in the opponents' half. At the moment he spends half his time in the
defenders' way. When he does pass the ball, he stops and waits. Come on DF, do what you used to do so well, pass and move, and play further forward. Mind you, if he scores more wonder winners like he did against Northampton, I don't care what he does (apart from speeding).
Regards
Alan Burrows, Wrexham (via email)
CP SAYS: Glad the boys enjoyed it!
ISRAEL CALLING
Dear Red Passion
I made contact with a Wrexham fan named Terry. I hope that Wrexham would have promotion this year but the team is deep in the mud - that's all! I am the only fan of Wrexham from Israel.
Tal, Israel (via email)
CP SAYS: Great to hear from you!
FANS UNITED UPDATE
Dear Red Passion
Thanks to so many of you for advertising Fans United - the latest step in the fight against football franchising being led by Wimbledon fans. With the Phoenix League now being discussed, it is even more important for fans to show their contempt for fat cat club owners who are hell bent on ruining the game for their own benefit. This is about the future of football. It could be YOUR club next.
Regards
Mike Brock (WISA Fans United Team)
CP SAYS: Good luck!
'SUPERB' HORDES
Dear Red Passion
Just a few words on some of the contents of RP34. Firstly, Shay Brightman's letter re. the Cardiff City idiot who blatantly paraded himself around the Kop etc. Couldn't agree more, Shay - the guy's behaviour was an absolute disgrace. Instead of keeping his head down and just watching the match, he did everything he could to draw attention to himself, and goad the Wrexham fans into protesting at his presence in the home end. Then, when faced with flak from some of our faithful, he turned nasty too. No doubt he was led away across the Sainsburys Paddock into the Bob the Builder Stand to enjoy the rest of the game - ridiculous. Well, I wouldn't want to be in Cardiff when Leeds United are in town!
Elsewhere, Kevin Wynn's letters are always a good read, and I wish they would transform themselves into a regular column. His points re.Fergie echoed my own, at the time of printing - since RP34 though, I hope Kevin agrees with me that Darren is now showing signs of 'putting it in' more, and Brian Carey's article in the Matchday Programme signalled that DF is obviously conscious of the displeasure from 'some quarters' regarding his commitment or workrate. I expect he'll come through all this - he is, after all, arguably our most all-round gifted player. Good luck Darren.
As for 'Chalkie Out', my Red Report oppo John Gibson agrees wholeheartedly! He can't bear him as a player! As for me, I still don't know what to make of him…minute by minute he fluctuates between the sublime and the ridiculous. I have to say I think I have been unfair in feeling he isn't trying hard enough though - Chalk does always look like he's giving it 100%. If he underachieves then it's the manager's 'fault' if he's on the pitch to be fair. I think Martyn can still do a job for us, and we need his experience - just more consistency if he can. Crumbs, I never thought I'd say that! At the end of the day, I'm trying very hard to lay off moaning about any of the players now, as we need to adopt a siege mentality and all pull together behind the players. We're in for a tough 2002 that's for sure, and we don't have much elbow room to bring in new blood. We need MC and DF to feel encouraged. I'm guiltier than anyone of being negative in the past, but we have to stick together as a club. Two good letters though, and like I say, I'd love to see KW's thoughts become a RP regular article - good stuff.
I'll wrap up on the subject of 'good stuff' by paying homage to Bryan Jones' magnificent regular 'The Travelling Hordes'. Most of my written work away from Red Passion is renowned for being extremely humorous - I always fail to understand why, but so many people tell me so that I have to accept it! Unfortunately I've never been able to transfer this 'talent' to my scribblings for RP…perhaps it's because Wrexham FC just isn't a funny subject. Well, Bryan proves that there is fun to be had around the ground - I look forward every issue to hearing the latest tales of the away fans' exploits. Superb writing, long may it continue.
Keep the faith everyone!
Simon Irving, Connah's Quay (via email)
CP SAYS: Agree about the 'Hordes'!
'JOKE' REF
Dear Red Passion
I've just returned from the Wrexham v Stoke game and wanted to praise the home side for the way the game was controlled. Wrexham handled the game like a potter handles clay, moulding and shaping it to best suit them. Stoke were lost and remained that way through almost the entire 90 minutes. I'm not about to make excuses for the result, but ask any fan in the ground and they'll tell you exactly what they thought of the ref and his two clueless sidekicks. He was a joke and Wrexham shone inspite of his unprofessional decisions. Should Stoke's keeper have seen red? Yes. Should the ref be sat down and taught the offside rule? Yes.
Admittedly, our shooting could have been a little more deadly but that is the only weakness Wrexham showed in this incredible display. There was so much to take away from this performance. Darren finally found his touch; Gibson had another outstanding match; Faulconbridge read the game well and proved pivotal at the attacking end. The defence was strong and showed no fear when beginning attacks and following them up (Whitley in particular played another great game). And overall, the team performance was attractive, technical and brilliant. Not what this season has made us accustomed to, but I know it is something all the Wrexham faithful were delighted to see. We were the best team on the day and we are too good to be sitting so low in the Second Division. All we need are goals. I know we'll be scoring plenty soon. Good luck, Wrexham, we're behind you all the way.
A Reds fan
Shay Brightman, Wrexham
PS. Do any Wrexham players read Red Passion? Maybe they could drop you a quick note to publish?
CP SAYS: Good positive stuff. Can't really answer your PS definitively.
VIDEO FAME
Dear Red Passion
Well, well! After entering my name in a search engine I came across your page: http://www.red-passion.com/issue5/videos.htm
Quite amused to find a review of this little video I was forced to do! I agree my editing was ropy then - due to the fact that the company that made it plucked me out of college, and made me edit this as my very first video; hey, I was only 17 and never knew how to use the machine at first - scandalous, I know! Don't blame me for the poor video or sound though; they were out of my hands (and let's not even ask about the commentary!) What made me laugh was your quote: 'This video also has other strange features…the name of the editor of the whole production: Matthew Dunger (don't think he's Brazilian).' I promise you I'm not that strange! (And definitely not Brazilian!) This ropy editor is now a full-time cameraman working for ITV, BBC and Sky (not been to Wrexham mind you for a couple of years) and also a broadcast editor - so hopefully I've improved!
Thanks for making my day and giving me a chuckle!
Matthew Dunger, ENG/OB Sports Cameraman, www.matthewdunger.com
CP SAYS: Nice one!
ROCKIN' v WREX
Dear Red Passion
I put a message on the WAFC website messageboard asking fans which they would prefer - either Rockin' Robin or Wrex. So far, six people have said Rockin' with not one saying Wrex! I am not faulting Wrexham because at least they made the effort to get Wrex, but I think at the end of the season we should be looking for RR again!
David Owen, Swansea (via email)
CP SAYS: Controversial!
POLICE TROUBLE
Dear Red Passion
Not having your own transport and living 'over the border' can sometimes have its drawbacks. For example, you can spend the day travelling to the Racecourse with (and as) an away supporter. Normally I wouldn't mind. In fact the away support on most Chester-Wrexham trains is so low I don't even notice. However, this was certainly not the case against Stoke, a day when it felt as though half of Britain's police force was out.
My day started like most other matchdays, with the walk from Sealand Road to Chester train station. What firstly shocked me was the police presence at the station - they were everywhere! Secondly, I found out that the train had been cancelled; not to worry, a special coach had been laid on to the Racecourse. I didn't much fancy being the only Wrexham fan on a coach-load of Stoke fans - but beggars can't be choosers. The short coach journey passed by pleasantly enough until the police decided to pull us into a lay-by and keep us waiting for 10 minutes - the result of this was that an until-then peaceful journey was interrupted by roars of 'COME ON CITY!' As the 10 minutes wore on, people were getting more frustrated, generally swearing and complaining until finally we received a police escort to the ground. If these Stoke fans, who had been as good as gold needed a police escort, then the club is going to lose a heck of a lot of money on police bills.
Anyway, my next run-in with the coppers was while walking past the PGS making my way to the Kop. The copper stopped me and said: 'Where do you think you're going?' Not being used to this type of interrogation at our friendly club, I was quite shocked. Upon production of my season ticket, he let me through - no probs. This was my final run-in with the men in blue until after the match.
My initial reaction to the final whistle (apart from: how the hell did we fail to get anything out of the game) was to choose to get the bus home, as I couldn't be bothered with facing hordes of police again. The bus stand to Chester was packed. Change of heart: I'll get the train (at least the walk had killed some time). By the train station turning there were three rows of police blocking anyone from going to the town centre and getting to the train station! I asked a copper if I could get through but was met with the response: 'If you just wait - it's for your own safety, mate.' The fact that I support Wrexham, and virtually everyone the other side of the police line did, didn't seem to matter. I was assumed to be an away fan. Eventually, I was let through as the police dispersed. I have to say it was about two minutes before the train was due to leave.
I was pleasantly surprised to find four carriages waiting rather than the obligatory two. As I approached the train, it became clear that the front two carriages were for the general public and the near two for the Stoke fans. Without being questioned, I was quickly ushered into one of the near two carriages. I spent the journey standing between carriages with about eight coppers and a couple of Stoke fans. With the police presence for the day heavy enough to cope with the most extreme situations, I questioned a copper as to the amount of trouble in Wrexham that day. 'Oh, one or two minor skirmishes, nothing major,' was the response. Job well done or unnecessarily heavy policing? We may never know.
The day's final run-in with the police came as myself and two loads of Stoke fans were greeted by a group of police standing in a line pointing us to the Crewe train on the same Chester platform. I was let through the wall of police thanks to my trusted season ticket. Who knows? Without it, a night in Stoke might have awaited me.
A thoroughly frustrating day had me thinking where's the free will when Stoke fans weren't even allowed to stop for a drink in Chester? Would they have suddenly turned into animals and smashed up Chester (maybe not such a bad thing)? I think not. Also I've seen more trouble on an average Saturday night in Rhyl than during any matchday in Wrexham.
All in all I'm looking forward to matches against teams where their reputation doesn't proceed them to the extent that police numbers in Wrexham are higher than the day's League of Wales attendances.
Cymru am Byth
Ed Jones, Chester
CP SAYS: Frightening 24 hours.
WANTED: A KEEPER!
Dear Red Passion
I really do hope Craig gets sold pretty soon. His goals total is nothing to write home about and it could give us the funds to bring in a decent keeper, which I believe is going to be the difference between relegation and survival (Marriott?).
Dale Prince (via email)
CP SAYS: Agreed!
BF - TRUE GENT
Dear Red Passion
My son, Andrew Morris, who writes for RP, attended his first Wrexham match in October 1993 - home to Cambridge. This was also Andy Marriott's first appearance.
Andrew enjoyed the match so much, I thought I would take him against Bournemouth (November 1993). This was also the weekend of his eighth birthday, so as a surprise I thought I would write to the club and ask them to say 'Happy Birthday!' on the scoreboard. A few days later the phone rang. To my sudden shock surprise, it was Brian Flynn. 'Hello Mr Morris,' said Brian. 'Please bring Andrew to the players' entrance before the Bournemouth game and he can meet the players and have a look around.' I said: 'Thanks', and put down the phone with a lump in my throat. How many football club managers would ring you at home?
Andrew, of course, met the players and had a great day out - all because of Brian Flynn and his phone call.
Ian Morris, Oswestry
PS. Wishing everybody a very happy new year!
CP SAYS: Nice story! Top man!