The Voice by Graffeg

THE VOICE Y LLAIS EICH LLAIS EICH GÊM EICH GWLAD

YOUR VOICE YOUR GAME YOUR COUNTRY

#3 WINTER 2011 GAEAF

FAW OFFICIAL MAGAZINE CYLCHGRAWN SWYDDOGOL CBDC

1969-2011

*Welcome to the third edition of The Voice the final one for 2011.

*Croeso i’r trydydd rhifyn o’r Llais, a’r olaf am 2011.

First of all I would like to pay tribute to one of my predecessors at the FAW, Alun Evans who died recently. Alun was a man of vision and conviction who moved Welsh international matches to the old Cardiff Arms Park and was the driving force behind today’s Welsh Premier League.

I ddechrau, hoffwn dalu teyrnged i un o’m rhagflaenwyr yn y Gymdeithas, Alun Evans, a fu farw’n ddiweddar. Roedd Alun yn ŵr a chanddo weledigaeth ac ymroddiad. Roedd yn gyfrifol am symud gemau rhyngwladol Cymru i hen Barc yr Arfau ac ef oedd y grym pennaf tu ôl i sefydlu Uwch-gynghrair Cymru.

The first edition of The Voice was launched back in May at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Swansea and much has happened in Welsh football since then to say the least.

Cafodd y rhifyn cyntaf o’r Llais ei lansio yn ôl ym mis Mai yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd, Abertawe, ac mae’r byd pêl-droed yng Nghymru wedi bod yn brysur iawn yn y cyfamser!

Back then the local club, Swansea City, were celebrating promotion to the Premier League and there is no doubt that they have settled well at the highest level.

Bryd hynny, roedd y clwb lleol, Dinas Abertawe, yn dathlu dyrchafiad i Uwch-gynghrair Lloegr a does dim dwywaith eu bod wedi ymgartrefu’n dda ar y lefel uchaf.

Gary Speed and his team were involved in the Carling Nations Cup in Dublin and he celebrated his first win in charge against Northern Ireland. Since then, of course, the team has embarked on an excellent run of results and performances and we can reflect on those in this issue of The Voice.

Aeth Gary Speed a’i dîm ati i gymryd rhan yng Nghwpan Cenhedloedd Carling yn Nulyn, a dathlodd Gary ei fuddugoliaeth gyntaf yn erbyn Gogledd Iwerddon. Ers hynny wrth gwrs, mae’r tîm wedi mynd o nerth i nerth, a byddwn yn adlewyrchu ar y canlyniadau a’r perfformiadau hynny yn y rhifyn hwn o’r Llais.

2012 promises to be a huge year in Welsh football both on and off the field. We will be looking to develop new off-the-field initiatives while on the field much attention will be focused on the opening fixtures of the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Mae 2012 yn addo bod yn flwyddyn enfawr i bêl-droed Cymru, ar y cae ac oddi arno. Oddi ar y cae, rydym yn gobeithio datblygu mentrau newydd ac ar y cae, rwy’n siŵr y bydd llawer o’r sylw yn cael ei hoelio ar gemau agoriadol ymgyrch ragbrofol Cwpan y Byd 2014.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported Welsh football in 2011. May I take this opportunity on behalf of the Football Association of Wales to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. * The above was written prior to the sudden death of Gary Speed.

Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive Prif Weithredwr FA Wales CBD Cymru

Hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn i ddiolch i bawb sydd wedi cefnogi pêl-droed yng Nghymru yn 2011. Ar ran Cymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru, hoffwn ddymuno Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bob un ohonoch. *Ysgrifennwyd y darn uchod cyn marwolaeth sydyn Gary Speed.

As our third edition of The Voice was about to go to print, we had the shocking news of the death of Wales team manager, Gary Speed. The sad passing of one so young, and with so much talent to offer, has left everyone in the Welsh football family numb. All our thoughts are with his wife, Louise, and their two sons at this terribly sad time. We as an association will do everything within our power to assist them whenever we can.

a true gentleman It was decided that we would press ahead with this issue as there is much in here for football fans to enjoy. However, we hope that you will allow us to give an initial appreciation of Gary here, but with a much more fulsome tribute in our next edition in the New Year.

COVER IMAGE: WALES AGAINST NORTHERN IRELAND WORLD CUP QUALIFIER 2004. LLUN AR Y CLAWR: CYMRU YN ERBYN GOGLEDD IWERDDON 2004 (GÊM RAGBROFOL CWPAN Y BYD).

Gary had been manager with Wales for almost twelve months when the tragedy occurred – twelve months in which he had begun to see the first shoots of recovery – and victories – of a young team that was starting to find its way. The wins over Montenegro, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Norway – as well as running England so close – certainly gave everyone grounds for optimism for the future. Dates had been agreed for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and Gary seemed in top form.

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The facts about Gary’s glittering playing career are known to all – the most capped Wales outfield player; – at one time more Premier League appearances than any other player; – Cup Finals, a Championship, the MBE, a legend at Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United and Bolton. The list can go on and on. However, it is his work done as a young manager and coach with Wales over this last twelve months that has left such a mark on all of us. After his initial settling-in period, the new season has brought positive results and a move up the FIFA rankings. More importantly, the Welsh public was rediscovering their football team and the names of Bale, Ramsey and Bellamy were on everyone’s lips once again. This indeed should, and will be his legacy for the future. A talented squad of young players who had at last, seemed to find direction under Gary and his staff and looked ready to have their time in the spotlight. Suddenly, Brazil 2014 does not look such a fanciful idea after all. The tributes have poured in from all over. Not just from the football world, but from other areas of sport, government and football fans all over the globe. A testimony to a true gentleman, not just in sport but life in general. His charisma lit up a room whenever he entered and his infectious smile and laugh put all at their ease. Not just the FAW, but football in general, has lost a fine young manager – still with so much to give. Gary Speed – we salute you – our world has been better for your presence.

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gŵr bonheddig Roedd y Gymdeithas ar fin anfon y trydydd rhifyn o’r Llais at yr argraffwyr pan ddaeth y newyddion ofnadwy am farwolaeth rheolwr tîm Cymru, Gary Speed. Mae tristwch marwolaeth rhywun mor ifanc a galluog wedi syfrdanu’r teulu pêl-droed yng Nghymru. Mae ein meddyliau gyda’i wraig Louise a’u dau fab yn ystod y cyfnod trist hwn. Byddwn ni fel cymdeithas yn gwneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i’w helpu mewn unrhyw ffordd bosibl.

WITH HIS WALES SQUAD 2011. GYDA CHARFAN CYMRU 2011.

Rydym wedi penderfynu bwrw ymlaen â’r rhifyn hwn gan fod cymaint ynddo i’r cefnogwyr ei fwynhau. Fodd bynnag, rydym am gynnwys pwt byr i dalu teyrnged i arwr o Gymro, a bydd teyrnged lawn yn dilyn yn ein rhifyn nesaf yn y Flwyddyn Newydd.

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Ychydig llai na blwyddyn yr oedd Gary wedi bod wrth yr awenau cenedlaethol pan ddigwyddodd y drasiedi, ac roedd gwaith caled y tîm ifanc a oedd dan ei adain eisoes wedi dechrau dwyn ffrwyth. Roedd y buddugoliaethau yn erbyn Montenegro, y Swistir, Bwlgaria a Norwy – yn ogystal â’r frwydr agos yn erbyn Lloegr – wedi bod yn ddigon i lenwi calonnau’r genedl â gobaith ar gyfer y dyfodol. Roedd y dyddiadau wedi’u pennu ar gyfer gemau rhagbrofol Cwpan y Byd FIFA 2014 a Gary ei hun ar ei orau. Mae pawb eisoes yn gyfarwydd â gyrfa ddisglair Gary fel chwaraewr. Enillodd mwy o gapiau i Gymru na’r un chwaraewr allfaes (outfield) arall ac ar un cyfnod, roedd wedi chwarae fwy o gemau yn Uwch-gynghrair

Lloegr na’r un chwaraewr arall. Yn ogystal ag ymddangos mewn Rowndiau Terfynol a Phencampwriaethau, cafodd ei wobrwyo â’r MBE a bydd cefnogwyr clybiau megis Leeds United, Everton a Newcastle United yn ei gofio fel un o’u harwyr. Yn wir, mae’r rhestr yn un hirfaith. Fodd bynnag, y gwaith y mae wedi’i wneud fel rheolwr a hyfforddwr ifanc gyda Chymru dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf sydd wedi gadael yr argraff fwyaf arnom ni. Yn dilyn cyfnod o addasu ar ôl cael ei benodi, mae’r tymor newydd wedi dod â chanlyniadau cadarnhaol gan roi hwb i safle Cymru ar restr FIFA. Yn bwysicach fyth, roedd y cefnogwyr yn ailddarganfod eu tîm cenedlaethol ac roedd enwau chwaraewyr megis Bale, Ramsey a Bellamy ar dafodau pawb unwaith yn rhagor. Yn wir, yr etifeddiaeth hon a ddylai, ac a fydd, yn nodi ei gyfraniad tuag at ddyfodol pêl-droed yng Nghymru. Bu

iddo feithrin carfan dalentog o chwaraewyr ifanc a oedd, o’r diwedd, yn dechrau credu yn eu gallu o dan Gary a’i staff ac yn edrych yn barod i fynnu sylw ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol. O ganlyniad, nid yw’r her o gyrraedd Brasil 2014 yn ymddangos mor amhosibl bellach. Mae llith o deyrngedau wedi dod i law, nid yn unig o fyd pêl-droed ond o rannau eraill o’r byd chwaraeon, y llywodraeth a chan gefnogwyr pêl-droed o bedwar ban byd. Mae’n deyrnged i’r gŵr bonheddig ag yr oedd, nid yn unig mewn chwaraeon ond mewn bywyd yn gyffredinol. Roedd ei bresenoldeb yn llenwi’r ystafell a’i wen a’i chwerthiniad yn swyno pawb o’i gwmpas. Mae colli rheolwr ifanc mor arbennig, a oedd a chymaint i’w gynnig, yn golled enfawr nid yn unig i’r Gymdeithas, ond i bêl-droed yn gyffredinol. Diolch Gary Speed – gŵr bonheddig a ffrind i bawb – mae’r byd yn gyfoethocach lle o dy herwydd.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE. SHOWING HOW IT’S DONE. MEWN CYNHADLEDD I’R WASG. GARY’N DANGOS EI DDONIAU.

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements/ Diolchiadau

Editor/Golygydd Ian Gwyn Hughes Contributors/Cyfranwyr Aaron Ramsey Jayne Ludlow Jonathan Ford Ceri Stennett Dave Jones John Deakin Peter Barnes Sara Williams Lindsay Skudra Rebecca Crockett Suzanne Twamley Ian Davis Sioned Mai Photographers/Ffotograffwyr David Rawcliffe (Propaganda) Gareth Hughes Media Wales Contact us/Cysylltwch â ni FAW/CBDC On our new website/ ar ein gwefan newydd www.faw.org.uk 029 2043 5830

Design and production/ Dyluniwyd a chynhyrchwyd gan Peter Gill & Associates www.petergill.com

34 First published Spring 2011 all content copyright the Football Association of Wales. Cyhoeddwyd am y tro cyntaf – gwanwyn 2011. Mae hawlfraint yr holl gynnwys yn perthyn i Gymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru.

CYNNWYS

contents

cynnwys

Welcome

INTERNATIONAL (MEN)

Croeso

RHYNGWLADOL (DYNION)

Wales v Switzerland 2011

Cymru v Y Swistir 2011

Bulgaria v Wales 2011

Bwlgaria v Cymru 2011

Wales v Norway 2011

Cymru v Norwy 2011

The Youngsters U17, U19, U21

Timau Dan 17, 19 a 21 Cymru

The season’s results

Canlyniadau’r tymor

World Cup qualifying 2014

Gemau Rhagbrofol Cwpan y Byd 2014

INTERNATIONAL (WOMEN) 24

‘It’s a women’s world’ – all the women’s teams in action

ONE ON ONE

RHYNGWLADOL (MERCHED) 24

Hynt a helynt Merched Cymru

HOLI AC ATEB

Aaron Ramsey in conversation

Sgwrs gydag Aaron Ramsey

Jayne Ludlow in conversation

Sgwrs gyda Jayne Ludlow

HOME AND AWAY

CARTREF AC ODDI CARTREF

Alun Evans – a tribute

Cofio Alun Evans

John Deakin – Welsh Premier League

John Deakin – Uwch-gynghrair Cymru

Dave Jones goes walkabout

Dave Jones ar grwydr

2011 highlights in pictures

The FAW on the road

Uchafbwyntiau 2011 mewn lluniau

Dennis Evans – a tragic story

CBDC ar daith

Club 39 – the Craig Bellamy Foundation

Stori drist Dennis Evans

Club 39 – Sefydliad Craig Bellamy

HELPING HAND 34

Pippin’s Portraits – arts projects with children from special schools

CYNNIG CYMORTH 34 Pippin’s Portraits – prosiectau celf gyda phlant o ysgolion arbennig

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WELCOME

welcome croeso

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CROESO

*One of the challenges when I joined the Football Association of Wales was to develop a magazine that would reflect what was taking place in Welsh football. And it has been a typical year, the ups and downs hopefully reflected in the magazine. This month we will hear from Aaron Ramsey, the Welsh captain, read the latest about the under-21 side and the ladies, a focus on Bangor City’s move to their new ground at Nantporth, the amazing pictures and images of Pippin’s Designs and about the FAW staff effort in the Cardiff half marathon. There is also a tribute to Alun Evans, the former secretary of the FAW. A strong man with a vision, a colourful character and life was never dull during his time at the helm of Welsh football. We would welcome your thoughts on the topics covered, we look forward to taking your views and ideas on board in the New Year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you for reading The Voice. *The above was written prior to the sudden death of Gary Speed.

*Un o’r heriau a oedd yn fy wynebu pan ymunais â Chymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru (CBDC) gyntaf oedd datblygu cylchgrawn a fyddai’n adlewyrchu’r hyn a oedd yn digwydd ym myd y bêl yng Nghymru. Yn wir, mae hi wedi bod yn flwyddyn a hanner, ac rwy’n mawr obeithio bod y cylchgrawn wedi llwyddo i adlewyrchu’r da a’r drwg. Mae’r rhifyn hwn yn cynnwys cyfweliad gyda chapten Cymru, Aaron Ramsey, y diweddaraf am y garfan dan 21 a thimau’r merched, hanes Dinas Bangor a’u cartref newydd yn Nantporth, lluniau a delweddau anhygoel Pippin’s Designs a hanes ymdrechion dewr staff CBDC yn hanner marathon Caerdydd. At hynny, mae teyrnged i Alun Evans, cyn ysgrifennydd CBDC. Roedd yn ddyn cryf ac yn gymeriad lliwgar, a doedd bywyd byth yn ddiflas tra’r oedd wrth y llyw! Cofiwch fod croeso i chi gyflwyno’ch syniadau a’ch sylwadau ar gynnwys y rhifyn hwn, ac rydym yn edrych ymlaen at eu trafod a’u hystyried yn y flwyddyn newydd. Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda, a diolch am ddarllen y Llais. *Ysgrifennwyd y darn uchod cyn marwolaeth sydyn Gary Speed.

Ian Gwyn Hughes

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INTERNATIONAL

THREE ON THE BOUNCE Internationals in October and November

Wales v Switzerland WALES HAS LIFT-OFF The first competitive senior international at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea saw Gary Speed’s Wales totally outplay the visitors Switzerland in Group G of the Euro 2012 qualifiers. Following the Swiss player Reto Ziegler being sent off for a challenge on Chris Gunter after 55 minutes, Gunter was fouled again five minutes later in the penalty area and captain Aaron Ramsey scored. Gareth Bale followed it up with a second on 71 minutes to send the Swiss home well-beaten and in doing so, lifted Wales off the bottom of the table. The result sent a crowd of more than 12,000 fans home very happy indeed – despite long queues on the M4!

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GARETH BALE GETS ANOTHER. GARETH BALE YN SGORIO ETO.

RHYNGWLADOL

GARY SPEED SHOUTS INSTRUCTIONS. GARY SPEED YN BLOEDDIO CYFARWYDDIADAU.

Tair Buddugoliaeth yn Olynol – Gemau Rhyngwladol yr hydref CYMRU V Y SWISTIR – CYMRU AR DÂN Yn y gêm gystadleuol gyntaf i’w chwarae ar y lefel hon yn Stadiwm Liberty, Abertawe, rhyfeddodd y dorf at dîm Gary Speed wrth iddynt ragori ar y Swistir yng Ngrŵp G gemau rhagbrofol Ewro 2012.

ddiweddarach yn y cwrt cosbi, a sgoriodd y capten Aaron Ramsey i roi Cymru ar y blaen. Daeth gôl arall gan Gareth Bale ar ôl 71 munud a oedd yn ddigon i drechu’r Swistir mewn steil, gan godi Cymru oddi ar waelod y tabl.

Wedi i Reto Ziegler weld y cerdyn coch yn dilyn trosedd yn erbyn Chris Gunter ar ôl 55 munud, digwyddodd yr un peth i Gunter bum munud yn

Gadawodd 12,000 o gefnogwyr Cymru y stadiwm ar ben eu digon – er gwaetha’r tagfeydd hir ar yr M4!

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INTERNATIONAL

Bwlgaria v Cymru BULGARIA V WALES

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RHYNGWLADOL

WHAT IF YOU ARRANGED A GAME, AND NOBODY CAME? JOE ALLEN IN FULL FLIGHT. JOE ALLEN BEN AC YSGWYDD YN UWCH NA MILIEV.

Wales completed the Euro qualifiers with a bizarre game in Sofia. The 70,000-seater Vasil Levski Stadium had only some 1,600 fans in it as most locals boycotted the game in protest at the Bulgarian Football Union. On the stroke of half-time, wonder winger Gareth Bale was in the right place once more to score for Wales. It sent the contingent of Welsh travelling fans into raptures in the empty bowl of a stadium. In the second half Craig Bellamy went close for a second and Bale hit the crossbar as the home side looked utterly dispirited as the Welsh played some fine passing football. The win ensured a fourth-place finish in the group as the team continued to pick up momentum at the end of the qualifiers.

DIM SMIC YN STADIWM SOFIA Daeth ymgyrch ragbrofol Cymru i ben gyda gêm ryfedd iawn yn Sofia. Dim ond tua 1,600 o gefnogwyr oedd yn bresennol yn stadiwm enfawr Vasil Levski, gan fod y rhan fwyaf o’r cefnogwyr lleol wedi dewis boicotio’r gêm mewn protest yn erbyn Undeb Pêl-droed Bwlgaria. Ychydig cyn yr egwyl, sgoriodd yr asgellwr anhygoel Gareth Bale unwaith eto. Ffrwydrodd y dorf a oedd wedi teithio bob cam o Gymru gan darfu ar dawelwch y cefnogwyr cartref. Yn yr ail hanner, daeth Craig Bellamy yn agos at sgorio ail a tharodd Bale y croesfar. Torrodd calonnau’r tîm cartref wrth i ddoniau tîm Cymru ddisgleirio ar y cae. Roedd y fuddugoliaeth yn ddigon i sicrhau’r pedwerydd safle i Gymru, gyda phethau’n argoeli’n dda ar ddiwedd y gemau rhagbrofol.

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INTERNATIONAL

Wales v Norway CYMRU V NORWY

NOVEMBER FIREWORKS AT CARDIFF

TAFFY THE GOAT FROM RRW LEADS OUT THE TEAMS. TAFFY O GATRAWD FRENHINOL CYMRU YN ARWAIN Y TIMAU AR Y CAE.

A November home Vauxhall Friendly International with Norway at the Cardiff City Stadium saw a great day out for the fans, the FAW having priced tickets for adults at just £10 and juveniles £1. Throw in with that free Wales scarves and it was a great traditional Saturday afternoon football match for Remembrance weekend. For Norway, John Arne Riise won his 100th cap, but the visitors struggled to get into the game as Wales went 2-0 up in the first fifteen minutes

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with goals from Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy. The threat caused by the team’s pace was clear for all to see and was hard for Norway to cope with. Norway did get a goal back on the hour from Erik Huseklepp after a defensive mix-up from Wales, but two late goals from substitute Sam Vokes made the game safe and confirmed what a great autumn it had been for Wales and manager Gary Speed. Roll on the World Cup qualifiers!

RHYNGWLADOL

SAM VOKES IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME AGAINST NORWAY.

SAM VOKES YN Y LLE IAWN AR YR AMSER IAWN YN ERBYN NORWY.

TÂN GWYLLT MIS TACHWEDD YNG NGHAERDYDD Daeth Cymru a Norwy ynghyd mewn gêm gyfeillgar yn Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd, gan gynnig gwledd o bêl-droed i gefnogwyr Cymru. Roedd yn ddiwrnod gwych i’r teulu, gyda thocynnau ar gael am £10 i oedolion a £1 i blant a sgarffiau’n cael eu rhoi i gefnogwyr yn rhad ac am ddim y tu allan i’r Stadiwm. Cafwyd prynhawn Sadwrn bendigedig o bêl-droed ar benwythnos y Cofio. Enillodd John Arne Riise ei 100fed cap i Norwy, ond roedd yr ymwelwyr yn gorfod brwydro i gael eu pig i mewn i’r gêm ac roedd Cymru ar y blaen o 2-0 yn y chwarter awr

agoriadol gyda goliau gan Gareth Bale a Craig Bellamy. Roedd cyflymder y tîm cartref yn peri peth pryder i’w gwrthwynebwyr, a oedd yn ei chael hi’n anodd ymdopi. Llwyddodd Norwy i sgorio ar yr awr wedi i Erik Huseklepp fanteisio ar ddryswch yn amddiffynfa Cymru, ond roedd dwy gôl hwyr gan yr eilydd Sam Vokes yn ddigon i gipio’r fuddugoliaeth a sicrhau hydref llwyddiannus iawn i dîm Cymru a’u rheolwr Gary Speed. Dyma edrych ymlaen at gemau rhagbrofol Cwpan y Byd!

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HOME AND AWAY

Alun Evans

A SPORTING MAN (1942-2011) BY CERI STENNETT

In the early hours of Saturday 12th November, Welsh Football lost one of its most well-known administrators with the passing of former FAW secretary Alun Evans. Alun had been in poor health for some time, but his death will have come as a great shock to the many people who will have known him, both at home and abroad, from his years of service to Welsh football and sport in general. When Alun joined the FAW in preparation to succeed the retiring secretary, Trevor Morris, in 1982 he knew he had a big pair of shoes to fill. Morris had had a lifetime of experience in the game as a player, manager and administrator (not to mention a distinguished war record in the RAF). Alun soon made his mark however, and the former teacher and secretary of the Universities Athletics Union took to the job like a duck to water.

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Porth born Alun, was a graduate from the University of London, who oversaw the move of the FAW offices from Wrexham to Cardiff in 1986 and was committed to ensuring that the Welsh football voice was heard. Never afraid of confrontation, he became a favourite with the Welsh media as he always had a view on a football topic and was prepared to be quoted. During his thirteen years as secretary and chief executive he executed many major – and often contentious – decisions. The formation of the League of Wales in 1992 and the subsequent court case with the ‘exiles’ caused many divisions within the Welsh game. Moving international matches to the National Ground (Arms Park) in 1989 was initially met with scepticism by many football fans who were opposed to football being played in a rugby stadium. He was a firm supporter of women’s football and was instrumental in the

CARTREF AC ODDI CARTREF

ALUN ADDRESSING THE PRESS IN 1987. ALUN YN SIARAD Â’R WASG YM 1987.

His relationship with team managers Mike England and Terry Yorath and their departures from office also came under the microscope on many occasions. But for most of his tenure, Evans can be credited as a man who embraced the commercial side of the game and oversaw an explosion of matches administered by the FAW – going from some twenty matches a season for the senior, under-21 and youth team to more than sixty matches a season by the time of his departure in 1995 with the addition of the semi-professional squad, under -17 and -19 matches and the earlier mentioned women’s games. Alun’s expertise was also harnessed by UEFA and FIFA for various committees and work during major tournaments.

On his departure from the post at the FAW in 1995 he returned to academic study and gained a Master’s degree in Sports History and Culture. He was to become ‘poacher turned gamekeeper’ when he was elected as an FAW council member representing the League of Wales for several years until 2007 and became Welsh Premier chairman. He also served as secretary of Welsh League side UWIC. Alun will be remembered as a huge character in Welsh football over his thirty-year involvement. He was a man with a razor-sharp intellect, but often could be seen as distant to many. However, those who shared his time and commitment in the early days in the FAW offices in Westgate Street, Cardiff (with a full-time staff of less than a dozen people) will know how rightly he deserves his place in our football history. He is survived by his wife, Jane, and their two sons.

ALUN IN HIS FAW OFFICE IN 1986. ALUN YN SWYDDFA CBDC YM 1986.

reformation of a women’s national team under the auspices of the FAW in 1993.

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HOME AND AWAY Yn ystod oriau mân y bore ar ddydd Sadwrn 12 Tachwedd, collodd y byd pêl-droed yng Nghymru un o’i ffigurau mwyaf adnabyddus yn dilyn marwolaeth cyn ysgrifennydd y Gymdeithas, Alun Evans. Roedd Alun wedi bod yn wael ers peth amser, ond bydd ei farwolaeth yn siŵr o fod yn sioc fawr i nifer o bobl a oedd yn ei adnabod, yng Nghymru a thu hwnt, yn dilyn blynyddoedd o ymroddiad i Bêl-droed yng Nghymru a chwaraeon yn gyffredinol. Pan ymunodd Alun â’r Gymdeithas (CBDC) i gymryd yr awenau gan Trevor Morris, a oedd yn ymddeol fel ysgrifennydd, yn ôl ym 1982, gwyddai fod ganddo bâr mawr o esgidiau i’w llenwi. Roedd gan Morris oes o brofiad yn y gêm fel chwaraewr, rheolwr a gweinyddwr (heb sôn am ei yrfa nodedig yn y Llu Awyr). Fodd bynnag, roedd Alun wedi gwneud argraff mewn dim o dro, ac fe gymerodd y cyn athro a chyn ysgrifennydd Undeb Athletau’r Prifysgolion at y swydd yn hollol naturiol.

Alun Evans PENCAMPWR BYD Y BÊL YNG NGHYMRU (1942-2011) GAN CERI STENNETT

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Roedd Alun, a aned ym Mhorth ac a raddiodd o Brifysgol Llundain, yn gyfrifol am oruchwylio’r gwaith o symud swyddfeydd CBDC o Wrecsam i Gaerdydd ym 1986. Roedd yn benderfynol o sicrhau bod llwyfan yn cael ei roi i lais pêl-droed yng Nghymru. Nid oedd yn un i gilio rhag gwrthdaro, a daeth yn ffefryn ymhlith cyfryngau Cymru gan ei fod yn barod iawn ei dafod wrth drafod pêl-droed ac yn barod hefyd i gael ei ddyfynnu. Yn ystod ei 13 mlynedd fel ysgrifennydd, roedd yn gyfrifol am nifer o benderfyniadau pwysig, os nad dadleuol. Roedd ffurfio Cynghrair Cymru ym 1992, a’r achos llys dilynol gyda’r ‘clybiau alltud’, yn ddigon i achosi sawl anghydfod o fewn y gêm yng Nghymru. At hynny, pan symudwyd y gemau rhyngwladol i’r

CARTREF AC ODDI CARTREF Maes Chwarae Cenedlaethol (Parc yr Arfau) ym 1989, roedd amheuaeth gref ymhlith nifer o gefnogwyr a oedd yn erbyn y syniad o weld pêl-droed yn cael ei chwarae mewn stadiwm rygbi. Roedd yn frwd o blaid pêl-droed merched ac yn rhan annatod o’r broses o ailffurfio tîm merched cenedlaethol gyda nawdd y Gymdeithas ym 1993. Roedd ei berthynas gyda’r rheolwyr Mike England a Terry Yorath, yn ogystal ag ymadawiad y ddau o’u swyddi, hefyd yn destun trafod ar nifer i achlysur. Ond am y rhan helaeth o’i gyfnod gyda CBDC, gellir canmol Evans fel dyn a gofleidiodd ochr fasnachol y gêm gan oruchwylio twf yn nifer y gemau a weinyddwyd gan CBDC. Cynyddodd nifer y gemau o tua 21 mewn tymor i Dîm y Dynion, y tîm dan 21 a’r tîm ieuenctid i fwy na 60 y tymor erbyn ei ymadawiad ym 1995, yn dilyn sefydlu’r garfan Lledbroffesiynol a chyflwyno gemau Dan 17 a 19 a gemau’r merched. At hynny, fe fanteisiodd UEFA a FIFA ar arbenigedd Alun ar gyfer

amryw o bwyllgorau ac i weithio ar gystadlaethau pwysig. Ar ôl gadael ei swydd yn y Gymdeithas ym 1995, dychwelodd at astudiaethau academaidd ac ennill Gradd Meistr mewn Hanes a Diwylliant Chwaraeon. Cafodd ei ethol fel aelod o Gyngor CBDC i gynrychioli Cynghrair Cymru, a hynny hyd at 2007, a daeth yn Gadeirydd ar Uwch-gynghrair Cymru. At hynny, fe dreuliodd amser fel ysgrifennydd tîm pêl-droed UWIC. Bydd y byd pêl-droed yng Nghymru yn cofio Alun fel cymeriad enfawr, a hynny’n dilyn dros deg ar hugain o flynyddoedd yn y gêm. Roedd yn ddyn hynod ddeallus, a allai ymddangos fymryn yn bell ar brydiau. Fodd bynnag, bydd y rheiny a rannodd ei amser a’i ymroddiad yn y dyddiau cynnar yn swyddfeydd CBDC ar Heol y Porth, Caerdydd (gyda llai na dwsin o staff lawn amser) yn cofio cymaint y mae’n haeddu ei le yn hanes pêl-droed Cymru. Mae’n gadael gwraig, Jane, a dau fab ar ei ôl.

PAGE/TUDALEN 18: AFTER WALES FAIL TO QUALIFY FOR USA ‘94. AR ÔL I GYMRU FETHU AG ENNILL EU LLE YN UDA ‘94.

SPONSORSHIP LAUNCH FOR THE WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE WITH PRINCIPALITY BUILDING SOCIETY 2006. LANSIO CYMDEITHAS ADEILADU PRINCIPALITY FEL NODDWYR UWCH-GYNGHRAIR CYMRU 2006.

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youngsters THE KEY TO GROUP QUALIFICATION IS SIMPLE – NEVER LOSE YOUR FIRST GAME!

JONATHAN WILLIAMS AGAINST HUNGARY U21s. JONATHAN WILLIAMS YN ERBYN HWNGARI DAN 21.

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RHYNGWLADOL

The autumn is always a busy time for the various youth and intermediate sides as late summer friendly matches and training camps give way to the serious stuff – UEFA first round qualifying groups. For the under-17s and -19s this is done on a mini-tournament basis to help keep down costs. After the initial draw of groups of four have been made by UEFA for the age groups, one of the teams in each of the sections will agree to host the minitournament. This then allows the three other teams to travel to the host country and the four play each other on a round-robin basis, with the top two sides progressing to the elite round of qualifiers that are always held in the second part of the season after Christmas. The key to progressing from such groups is simple – never lose your first game! A point – or better from the opening match will ensure that your side is in contention for the rest of the group. Matches are played on a day on-day off basis, with an extra day off prior to the final third set of games, which must both kick off at the same time. This season, Brian Flynn’s under-19s were in action first. Following on from two friendly games in Bulgaria in August (lost one, won one), the team found themselves travelling to Slovenia to play the hosts plus Belgium and Scotland in the third week in September.

It was to prove to be a very disappointing group and the side returned with three defeats, (Belgium 0-3, Scotland 1-3 and Slovenia 2-3), one of the rare occasions under Brian Flynn’s reign that this has happened.

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Several of the squad had already tasted under-21 action (Tom Bender – Colchester, Jake Cassidy –Wolves, Richard Penniket – Fulham) but the side just failed to gel together on the week. The under-17s were also to suffer from disappointing form in their UEFA group that took them to Serbia to meet the hosts, plus Armenia and Lithuania, in the middle of October. By way of preparation, a largely under-18 squad had gone to Sweden for the annual invitation tournament in July for matches with Iceland, Norway and the hosts before a true under-17 squad had a training camp in Jersey in September, culminating with an unofficial match with the Channel Islanders that Wales won 5-1. For the tournament in Serbia the side could not get off to a good start and lost 3-2 to Armenia in the opening fixture. That put huge pressure on the team for the second game, but the side responded well to beat Lithuania 2-0 (goals from Rhys James and Declan Weekes). It meant that the final fixture with the hosts required a monumental effort to gain the win, or even a draw, that could be good enough for qualification – as in this year’s tournament a few of the sides finishing third would also go through to the next round. On the day, however, Serbia tore Wales apart and after being 4-0 up at half time, ran out 6-1 winners. Wales did finish third and had the good fortune of qualifying as one of the best third place sides, thanks to the win over Lithuania. The under-21s began a new campaign, aimed at qualification for the UEFA finals in 2013 in Israel. These groups are played on the more traditional style of ‘home and away’ over an eighteen-month period.

Winners, plus some of the best runners-up go into a play-off to determine the final make-up of the finals. The group that Wales found themselves in was headed by the Czech Republic, followed by Montenegro, Armenia and Andorra. In order to ease the fixture congestion, the groups started at the end of last season when Wales scraped a 1-0 in Andorra la Vella thanks to an own goal. An early season defeat to Hungary at Haverfordwest was the only warm-up match before the second game in Podgorica against Montenegro in September. This saw a 3-1 defeat after being a goal-up thanks to Shrewsbury’s Tom Bradshaw. The Montenegrins once again showing plenty of class. The under-21 squad is well balanced, but in truth lacking the star quality of the days of Bale, Ramsey, Church, Vokes and Evans. A large Swansea City contingent – Danny Alfei, Lee Lucas, ‘Jazz’ Richards, Joe Walsh and others is testament to the good work being done at the Liberty. The scales were balanced then in October when Wales defeated Montenegro 1-0 at the Racecourse, Wrexham, as part of a double header at the famous ground. Three days later the Czech Republic arrived and looked world class for the opening twenty minutes. They scored after five minutes and could have had more, but Wales held on and during the second half had chances to level the game. The goal never came however, and the Czechs went home with the points. Two wins and two defeats leave Wales still in the hunt, but with work to do. The side has game five in Armenia as we go to print during November.

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RHYNGWLADOL TROY BROWN GETS UP FOR A HEADER AGAINST MONTENEGRO AT WREXHAM.

TROY BROWN YN MYND AMDANI YN ERBYN MONTENEGRO YN WRECSAM.

GEMAU TIMAU IEUENCTID A CHANOLRADD Y DYNION Mae’r misoedd diwethaf wedi bod yn gyfnod prysur o gemau cyfeillgar a rhagbrofol gyda’r tîm Dan 21 yn parhau i fod â gobaith o symud i’r cam nesaf. Mae’r tîm Dan 21 newydd ddychwelyd yn dilyn gêm gyfartal 0-0 yn Armenia, a hynny ar ôl colli oddi

cartref ac ennill gartref yn erbyn Montenegro a cholli yn erbyn y Weriniaeth Tsiec yn Wrecsam. Llwyddodd y tîm Dan 17 i symud i’r cam nesaf drwy ennill y drydedd safle orau yn eu grŵp yn Serbia, ond nid oedd y tîm Dan 19 yr un mor ffodus yn Slofenia.

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IT’S A MAN’S WOMAN’S WORLD

ELLIE LEEK TAKES ON LAURA JAKOBSEN OF DENMARK UNDER 17s. ELLIE LEEK YN HERIO LAURA JAKOBSEN O DÎM DAN 17 DENMARC.

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RHYNGWLADOL

The autumn of 2011 has seen Jarmo Matikainen’s Women’s teams in action on many fronts and with commendable results to go with them.

The 19s welcomed Belgium to South Wales for two drawn matches in August, before making the long trip north to Iceland in September for their UEFA matches. Planning and preparation was perfect and two wins from the opening matches – with Kazakhstan (3-0) and Slovenia (4-1) meant that qualification for the Elite Round the following Spring had been secured with one game to go. The hosts, Iceland, had also won their first two games and so the final game of the group was in effect a ‘dead’ game. Naturally though, both sides were keen to try and achieve a clean sweep and it was the hosts who managed it with a 2-0 win in a very entertaining and open game. Some of the Welsh girls on the mark were Ellis Parsons, Ellie Curson and Hannah Keryakoplis. For the 17s the season brought stronger challenges. The new crop of eligible girls saw no-one to take the

place of free-scoring Hannah Keryakoplis who as mentioned above, had now moved on to the 19s. Goalscoring was to prove to be the problem in all games and in the two friendly matches with Denmark in North Wales in September, eight goals were conceded with none in return. The UEFA qualifiers were also logistically difficult as Wales was placed in a group that was hosted by former Soviet republic, Moldova, in October that would only see the group winners assured of a qualifying place in the Elite Round. The top seeds in the group were France, plus the Faroe Islands and Wales made a poor start by losing to Moldova in the first match (1-0) despite being on top for most of the 80 minutes. They did make amends by defeating the Faroes 1-0 with a goal from Rachel Hignett, but were then overrun by a very talented French team 5-0. All in all, it was not to be their season but, hopefully, it will give the newcomers some well-earned international experience as they also had to deal with long travel, strange food and conditions that were certainly new to them.

Just as with their male counterparts, the girls at under-17 and -19 youth level have been in action in their UEFA qualifying groups, following early-season warm-up matches.

WALES U19 SQUAD V BELGIUM AT TREFOREST. ELLIS PARSONS IN ACTION AGAINST ICELAND U19’s. CYMRU DAN 19 YN ERBYN GWLAD BELG YN NHREFFOREST. ELLIS PARSONS YN ERBYN TÎM DAN 19 GWLAD YR IÂ.

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WALES MANAGER JARMO MATIKAINEN. WALES U17 SKIPPER RACHEL HIGNETT AGAINST DENMARK. RHEOLWR CYMRU JARMO MATIKAINEN. RACHEL HIGNETT YN CHWARAE I DÎM DAN 17 CYMRU YN ERBYN DENMARC.

For the senior women’s team it was the beginning of a two-season campaign to look for qualification to the finals of the UEFA European Women’s Championships 2013. They had been placed in a very strong qualifying group alongside World Cup finalists France, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Israel with matches played on a home and away basis. Jarmo had set his stall out with a series of fitness evaluation days for all his squads and working closely with the University of Glamorgan Sports Scientists, especially Dave Adams. Through all the squads he has put together a close-knit technical staff, including former international Kath Morgan as a coach with the senior squad, Steve Owen, goalkeeping coach and Colin Staples with the youth sides.

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With the opening qualifier being against the Republic of Ireland in September, an August friendly was arranged in Belfast against the North and was won with a brace of goals from centre-forward Helen Lander. So to the match at Newport Stadium against the Republic on a cold, damp September night in front of almost 500 fans. It proved a tough opening as despite Wales playing some good possession football, clear-cut chances did not come their way and in contrast, the Republic took two that came their way to go home with the points. It was a bitter blow to the Welsh plans that had certainly targeted the game as one that could have yielded maximum points for the home side.

RHYNGWLADOL

GEMAU’R MERCHED Mae carfannau Jarmo Matikainen wedi datblygu’n dda yn eu grwpiau perthnasol dros yr hydref.

ogystal â gêm gyfartal yn erbyn yr Alban ac ymdrech galed yn erbyn Ffrainc.

Mae tîm A y Merched wedi perfformio’n dda mewn grŵp anodd iawn – gyda buddugoliaeth oddi cartref yn ddiweddar yn Israel, yn

Llwyddodd y tîm Dan 19 i ennill yr ail safle yn eu grŵp yng Ngwlad yr Iâ, ond ni aeth y tîm Dan 17 ymhellach na’u grŵp ym Moldofa.

October brought two huge matches – France at home and then straight to Edinburgh to meet the Scots in the space of less than a week. The Wales squad had lost one of their stalwarts when Emma Jones of Bristol Academy decided to call time on her international career in the heart of the Welsh defence at the age of 29 and after 63 caps. Another veteran to feel the passing of time was midfielder Cheryl Foster of Liverpool, also now on 63 caps at the age of 31 and now no longer an automatic squad choice. Part of Jarmo’s solution to the loss of the experienced Jones was to ask returning captain Jayne Ludlow of Arsenal to drop back from central midfield to play in defence and use her vast experience to help marshal the side from defence.

Against France at Parc y Scarlets, Wales sensationally took the lead after just 75 seconds with a header by Ludlow and held the lead until minutes before half-time when France got back on level terms. In the second half the visitors scored three more as well as having a penalty saved by Wales’ keeper Nicky Davies, but Wales punched above their weight for the whole game and at the end France knew that they had been in a real match and more than 500 fans had seen a good contest.

HELEN BLEAZARD STARTS AN ATTACK AGAINST FRANCE. HELEN BLEAZARD YN YMOSOD YN Y GÊM YN ERBYN FFRAINC.

This was followed up with a storming performance in a 2-2 draw with Scotland at Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh a few days later with goals from Amie Lea and the everdependable Helen Lander. Once more the team had shown the great strides made and can now look forward to a trip to Israel in November.

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ONE ON ONE

Aaron Ramsey in conversation with Ian Gwyn Hughes

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It is the Friday before Wales are to play Norway in the friendly international at the Cardiff City stadium. This is the day of the captain’s media conference and the young Welshman is aware that one topic will dominate this lunchtime’s proceedings.

now for a long time but we were together of course in the under-21 set-up with Brian Flynn. So we know each other well off and on the field and that is beginning to show in terms of the results and performances.

IGH Hi Aaron thanks for talking to The Voice.

‘Like anything you can get into a habit. Losing or winning and now we know how to win with Wales.’

AR No problem. IGH How do you feel about this press conference? There will only be one topic. AR I know. I am getting used to it now. I was nervous about appearing before the media. I know what the topic will be about today. Everyone will want to talk about the Olympics; the pictures in the kit; what are my thoughts on Team GB. But you know, we have spoken about this before. I’ve said everything I have to say on the subject so really don’t want to dwell on it. I am the captain of Wales, we have another big game tomorrow and my ambition is to be a captain of a Welsh side that qualifies for a major tournament. IGH Press conferences, dealing with the media all part and parcel of being the Welsh captain. AR Yes, but I do enjoy being the

captain, it is a great responsibility and I am very proud to be captain of my country. It was unexpected when Gary said I would be the captain before the England game. I must admit I was nervous but I think I am steadily growing into the role. The responsibility has made me stronger but to be honest its easy being captain of such a squad of mainly young players. I’ve known them all for so long coming through the ranks.

IGH How important is that? AR Very important. Not only have we been in the senior squad together

IGH What has brought about the change in fortune? AR We have a massive respect for Gary Speed. That is not saying we did not respect John Toshack, it’s just that Gary is different in his approach. We all bought into his ideas, his way of thinking and although results were not brilliant at first we were convinced it was only a matter of time. After the second half against Australia we felt that it was only a matter of time and the win over Montenegro gave everyone a huge boost. IGH And since then the results have got better and better. AR Like anything you can get into a habit. Losing or winning and now we know how to win with Wales. But lets be honest we have some exciting, fantastic young players as well as the more experienced players like Craig Bellamy who has been absolutely fantastic and looks as good as ever. There is a long way to go before the qualifiers for Brazil, a lot can happen and change but we are on the right track; everyone can see that and hopefully the crowds will start to respond and we will be playing in front of full houses.

HOLI AC ATEB

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ONE ON ONE IGH Lets just touch on your background. I remember first coming across you when you played for the Urdd (Welsh League of Youth) team in Cardiff. AR Yes playing for the Urdd in Llandaff Fields in Cardiff is where it all started at the under-9 level. Gary Lewis was in charge and through Gary I was invited over to Cardiff City and it all developed from there. I owe Gary a lot, as I do Lee Robinson when he was at Cardiff City, who helped me through those important early years. The Urdd of course is a movement that promotes the use of Welsh through various means: social, cultural and sporting. Like David Vaughan and Joe Allen I am a Welsh speaker but being in London with Arsenal I don’t get much chance to use it and like anything again it’s all down to being confident in doing something. IGH It all happened so quickly at an early age. AR Yes, League debut, FA Cup at Chasetown and we got to Wembley with Cardiff City. I know I was young but it was a huge disappointment not to start that final against Portsmouth. I really felt I could have made more of a contribution. IGH From Cardiff to Arsenal. Why did you choose the Gunners? AR I had offers from several clubs, Manchester United and Everton. But it was Arsenal who made me feel really wanted. Not that the others did not but there was just something about Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. It is a massive club but with down-toearth players. There were so many great players there but they made me feel really welcome. A lot have gone now and we are rebuilding another young, exciting team. Arsene Wenger is a fantastic manager, knows

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everything about the game, really cares for the club and the players.

‘It made me stronger both mentally and physically. It happened, I’ve moved on, that’s all there is to it.’ IGH Shortly after interviewing you for the BBC you suffered that horrific injury against Stoke. AR Yes, but you know I have moved on from there, it made me a stronger person both mentally and physically and it is something that I don’t think about. It happened, that is all there is to it. IGH Finally a couple of questions about the tattoo and birthdays. That tattoo on your leg is very priominent to say the least. AR Yes it’s a mixture of things. It is supposed to bring me luck. There is something there of Caerphilly castle as Caerphilly is my home town. IGH We do have our birthday on the same day, December 26th. A big one for you this year? AR Yes I am 21. I don’t know about you but having a birthday at that time of year can get lost with all the Christmas celebrations. Having said that for footballers it’s all about a busy schedule and playing matches rather than celebrating. But I will be having a party in Cardiff with family and friends. Thanks Aaron, Happy Birthday.

HOLI AC ATEB

AARON RAMSEY YN SGWRSIO AG IAN GWYN HUGHES

IGH Helo Aaron a diolch i ti am siarad gyda’r Llais. AR Dim problem. IGH Sut wyt ti’n teimlo am y gynhadledd heddiw? Dim ond un pwnc fydd ar dafodau pawb.

AR Dwi’n gwybod, ond dwi’n dechrau arfer â’r peth bellach. Ro’n i’n nerfus am ymddangos o flaen y cyfryngau, bydd pawb eisiau siarad am y Gemau Olympaidd, y llunia ohona i yn y cit a beth dwi’n ei feddwl am Dîm GB. Ond dwi wedi siarad am y peth droeon, ac wedi dweud popeth sydd gen i i’w ddweud am y mater. Dwi’n gapten ar fy ngwlad, mae gennym ni gêm fawr arall o’n blaenau fory a fy uchelgais i yw bod yn gapten ar dîm Cymreig sy’n cyrraedd cystadleuaeth o bwys.

AARON LETS FLY AGAINST BULGARIA. AARON AR EI ORAU YN ERBYN BWLGARIA.

Mae hi’n ddydd Gwener, diwrnod cyn i Gymru wynebu Norwy mewn gêm gyfeillgar yn Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd. Heddiw, mae capten Cymru yn cymryd rhan mewn cynhadledd i’r cyfryngau, ac mae’r Cymro ifanc yn llawn ymwybodol y bydd un pwnc yn dominyddu’r drafodaeth.

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ONE ON ONE

IGH Cynadleddau i’r wasg, delio â’r cyfryngau, ydy hyn i gyd yn rhan o fod yn gapten? AR Ydy, ond dwi’n mwynhau bod yn gapten, mae’n gyfrifoldeb gwych ac yn fraint. Roedd e’n annisgwyl pan ddywedodd Gary mai fi fyddai’r capten cyn y gêm yn erbyn Lloegr. Mae’n rhaid i mi gyfaddef ‘mod i’n eithaf nerfus, ond dwi’n dechrau addasu i’r rôl erbyn hyn. Mae’r cyfrifoldeb wedi fy ngwneud i’n gryfach ond i fod yn onest, mae’n hawdd bod yn gapten ar garfan sy’n cynnwys cymaint o bobl ifanc. Dwi’n adnabod pob un ers mor hir ar ôl i ni ddatblygu drwy’r rhengoedd gyda’n gilydd. IGH Pa mor bwysig yw hynny? AR Pwysig iawn. Rydyn ni wedi bod yn chwarae gyda’n gilydd ar y lefel hon ers peth amser erbyn hyn, ond roedden ni hefyd yn rhan o’r garfan dan 21 gyda Brian Flynn. Felly rydyn ni’n adnabod ein gilydd yn dda ar y cae ac oddi ar y cae, ac mae hynny’n dechrau dangos yn ein canlyniadau a’n perfformiadau. IGH Beth sydd wedi arwain at y tîm yn dechrau llwyddo? AR Mae gennym ni barch mawr at Gary Speed. Dwi’ ddim yn dweud nad oedden ni’n parchu John Toshack wrth gwrs, ond mae Gary’n mynd ati mewn ffordd wahanol. Mae pob un ohonom ni’n credu yn ei syniadau, a’i ffordd o feddwl, ac er nad oedd y canlyniadau’n wych i ddechrau, roedden ni’n siŵr na fyddai’n cymryd hir. Roedd y fuddugoliaeth yn erbyn Montenegro yn hwb mawr i bawb. IGH Ac ers hynny mae’r canlyniadau wedi mynd o nerth i nerth. AR Do. Erbyn hyn, rydyn ni’n gwybod sut beth yw ennill gyda Chymru ac felly rydyn ni’n dechrau dod i’r arfer. Ond does dim dwywaith fod gennym

ni chwaraewyr ifanc cyffrous a thalentog iawn yn ogystal â chwaraewyr mwy profiadol fel Craig Bellamy, sydd wedi bod yn hollol anhygoel ac sy’n edrych cystal ag erioed. Mae llawer i’w wneud eto cyn gemau rhagbrofol Cwpan y Byd, ac mae lot yn gallu digwydd a newid, ond rydyn ni ar y llwybr iawn, gall pawb weld hynny. Gobeithio y bydd y cefnogwyr yn dechrau ymateb ac yn llenwi pob stadiwm ar gyfer y gemau nesaf.

IGH Gad i ni drafod ychydig am dy gefndir. Dwi’n cofio dod ar dy draws di gyntaf pan oeddet ti’n chwarae i dîm yr Urdd yng Nghaerdydd. AR Dyna lle ddechreuodd popeth, chwarae i’r Urdd yng nghaeau Llandaf yn y tîm dan 9! Roedd Gary Lewis wrth y llyw a thrwy Gary fe ges i fy ngwahodd i CPD Dinas Caerdydd, a datblygodd popeth o fanno. Mae gen i lot i’w ddiolch i Gary, yn ogystal â Lee Robinson a oedd yng Nghaerdydd ar y pryd, am fy helpu i drwy’r blynyddoedd cynnar pwysig. Mae’r Urdd yn fudiad sy’n hyrwyddo defnydd o’r iaith Gymraeg drwy bethau fel chwaraeon. Fel David Vaughan a Joe Allen, dwi’n siarad Cymraeg ond gan fy mod i yn Llundain gydag Arsenal, dwi ddim yn cael y cyfle i’w defnyddio mor aml â hynny ac felly dwi’n llai hyderus. IGH Fe ddigwyddodd popeth mor sydyn a thithau mor ifanc. AR Do, gêm gyntaf yn y gynghrair, Cwpan FA yn Chasetown a chyrraedd Wembley gyda Chaerdydd. Er mod i’n ifanc, roedd e’n siom enfawr na chefais i ddechrau yn erbyn Portsmouth. Ro’n i wir yn teimlo y gallwn i fod wedi cyfrannu. IGH Ac o Gaerdydd i Arsenal. Pam dewis y Gunners?

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AARON RAMSEY IN ACTION FOR ARSENAL AGAINST OLYMPIACOS. AARON YN CHWARAE I ARSENAL YN ERBYN OLYMPIACOS.

HOLI AC ATEB AR Fe ges i gynigion gan nifer o glybiau, Manchester United ac Everton. Ond Arsenal a wnaeth i mi deimlo’n fwyaf cartrefol. Nid bod y clybiau eraill heb wneud hynny, ond roedd rhywbeth arbennig am Arsenal ac Arsene Wenger. Mae’n glwb enfawr ond mae traed y chwaraewyr ar y ddaear. Roedd cymaint o chwaraewyr gwych yn y clwb, ac fe ges i groeso cynnes gan bob un.

Mae llawer ohonyn nhw wedi mynd erbyn hyn, ac rydym ni’n ailadeiladu tîm arall ifanc a chyffrous. Mae Arsene Wenger yn rheolwr gwych, yn gwybod popeth am y gêm a wir yn poeni am y clwb a’r chwaraewyr.

IGH Ychydig ar ôl cyfweld â thi ar gyfer y BBC, fe ges di anaf dychrynllyd yn erbyn Stoke. AR Do, ond dwi wedi symud ymlaen erbyn hyn. Dwi’n gryfach o’i herwydd yn feddyliol ac yn gorfforol, a does dim angen i fi feddwl am y peth rhagor. Fe ddigwyddodd, a dyna ni. IGH Yn olaf, ambell i gwestiwn am datŵs a phen-blwyddi! Mae’r tatŵ ar dy goes yn eithaf amlwg i ddweud y lleiaf! AR Ydy, mae’n gyfuniad o wahanol bethau ac yn fod i ddod a lwc i mi. Mae’n cynnwys Castell Caerffili gan mai yng Nghaerffili y ces i fy magu. IGH Mae’r ddau ohonom ni’n rhannu’r un pen-blwydd, Rhagfyr 26 sef Gŵyl San Steffan. Dwi’n clywed ei fod yn ben-blwydd pwysig i ti eleni? AR Ydy, dwi’n 21! Dwi’m yn siŵr amdanat ti, ond mae cael pen-blwydd yr adeg yna o’r flwyddyn yn dueddol o fynd ar goll ymhlith holl ddathliadau’r Nadolig! Wedi dweud hynny, mae’r Nadolig yn fwy i wneud ag amserlenni prysur a chwarae gemau na dathlu i bêl-droediwr. Ond mi fyddai’n cael parti yng Nghaerdydd gyda theulu a ffrindiau. Diolch Aaron, a Phen-blwydd Hapus.

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HELPING HAND

Pippin’s portraits As community arts partners to the Football Association of Wales, Pippin’s Designs are commissioned to work with local groups of children and young people to produce paintings to celebrate each Wales men’s and women’s senior home international match.

See them at www.pippinsdesigns.co.uk or call Jon and Sally on 07974 791717 to get involved!

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CYNNIG CYMORTH All of the 200 plus children from Special Schools across Wales that Artists Sally and Jon Phillips have worked with in the past 12 months, were then invited along to a team training session to personally show off their fantastic artwork to the players and get some much coveted photos with both their heroes and the paintings. They then had VIP tickets to the match to cheer the team on!

the children in the pre-match buildup, provides the chance to give these very special groups an experience they will never, ever forget!

This joint initiative has been given fantastic support by the FAW and particularly head of internationals, Mark Evans and team manager, Gary Speed. Their incredible and quite unprecedented commitment to making the players available to meet

Pippin’s Designs co-ordinate art projects for children of all ages and abilities, working in schools, hospitals and youth centres, as well as running the award winning Community Art Project for Swansea City F.C. at their Liberty Stadium home.

Both the Football Association of Wales and Pippin’s Designs would like to say a huge thank you to Arts and Business Cymru, whose Arts and Kids Scheme has also made a significant financial contribution to this project. SOME OF THE PIPPINS PUPILS WITH MEMBERS OF THE WALES SQUAD: GARY SPEED, ROBERT EARNSHAW,STEVE MORISON, GARETH BALE, JAYNE LUDLOW AND NEIL TAYLOR.

RHAI O DDISGYBLION PIPPINS GYDAG AELODAU O GARFAN CYMRU: GARY SPEED, ROBERT EARNSHAW, STEVE MORISON, GARETH BALE, JAYNE LUDLOW A NEIL TAYLOR.

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ONE ON ONE

THE PLAYERS’

PLAYER Catching up with Jayne Ludlow – she talks to Rebecca Crockett

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Jayne Ludlow is the captain of the Wales women’s team and is one of the most experienced and honoured players in Europe. She began her career with Wales in central midfield, but now plays further back, where her ability to read the game is a huge help to the rest of the side. It also does not stop her from getting forward to score goals – as she did against France at Llanelli a few months ago. Jayne is a Rhondda girl and proud of it and as a youngster was a very good all-round athlete as well as playing netball and basketball. Jayne’s clubs have included Barry Town, Millwall, Southampton and now Arsenal as well as a couple of short stays in the USA. She has been voted the FA’s Players’ Player of the Year on an amazing three occasions. During last season she won her 50th cap and has been ever-present again this season. Here, the FAW Women’s International Administrator, Rebecca Crockett, caught-up with her whilst the team was in Israel for a Championship qualifier.

RC When and why did you start playing football? JL I started playing in primary school.

My dad played and managed so I used to watch games and train with him. I would play in the schoolyard with the boys. My headmaster was very encouraging and let me play with the boys, which other teachers didn’t in those days.

RC Who was your hero as a

youngster?

JL Daley Thompson – because he won things. I remember watching him in the Olympics and being so impressed by his versatility in so many different areas of athletics. Football-wise, it would have to be Ian Rush: an incredible goalscorer.

‘ There weren’t many girls playing when I was growing up. I think in the next five to ten years the game will grow even more. RC What has been your career highlight so far? JL I have been very lucky in my

career, and there have been lots of them: my first trophy with Arsenal, which was the FA Cup in 2000, winning the quadruple (the women’s Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Women’s Cup, now known as the Women’s Champions League) in 2007, and my first senior Welsh cap, which was a long time ago, against Ireland away when I was 17 (I think!).

RC How has the women’s game changed in the last few years? JL Phenomenally! There is much

better media coverage, which shows how well the girls are doing. I think Arsenal’s success has helped to promote the women’s game. This coverage leads to more kids playing – there weren’t many girls playing when I was growing up. I think in the next five to ten years the game will grow even more.

RC Describe your usual week when playing with your club. JL I work Monday to Friday with the

Arsenal Academy girls as their physiotherapist. Monday starts with a personal gym session, then there is Academy work through the day, then kids football in the evening. On Tuesdays there is club training and Academy work. Wednesday is match day for the Academy, and I travel around the country with them.

JAYNE WINNING HER 50th CAP AGAINST BULGARIA. JAYNE YN CIPIO CAP RHIF 50 YN ERBYN BWLGARIA.

HOLI AC ATEB

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ONE ON ONE I also do my own training, usually strength work now, because I’m old! Thursday is another busy day with club training, Academy work and work with the under-17 Centre of Excellence. On Friday I do my own strength and recovery work and cover Academy training. Saturday is my day off, which I love! Then Sunday is match day.

RC What is it like to be part of Jarmo Matikainen’s squad? JL It’s great! It’s different, which is a

good thing. The set up is very professional. It’s encouraging to see the players we have coming through for the future. I’m hopeful that we can progress in the rankings and pick up points against good opponents. There is a good structure in the squad, which Jarmo has worked hard to put in place. We have a good mix of older players and youngsters, a mixture of experience and athleticism. I hope we experienced players can help the younger ones progress.

RC What do you like to do away from football? JL Sleep! I used to say the cinema, but now I don’t have time. I like to rest, go home and see family and friends.

JAYNE LETS HER FEELINGS BE KNOWN! JAYNE YN GWNEUD EI THEIMLADAU’N GLIR!

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‘I hope we experienced players can help the younger ones progress’

JAYNE LUDLOW COMPETING WITH FIONA O’SULLIVAN OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. JAYNE LUDLOW YN CYSTADLU YN ERBYN FIONA O’SULLIVAN O DÎM GWERINIAETH IWERDDON.

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HOME AND AWAY

THE WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE – THE MEDIA UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT BY JOHN DEAKIN

Looking back on my, almost, twenty years as Secretary of the Welsh Premier League (League of Wales), one of the most disappointing aspects of my tenure has been the very mixed level of media coverage of our national league.

GARY SPEED AND SGORIO’S JOHN HARTSON AT THE LAUNCH OF THE CORBETT SPORTS PREMIER LEAGUE. ALSO PICTURED ARE STEVE ROBERTS, JOHN DEAKIN, NEIL CLOWES, PETER MACDONALD AND PETER REES.

There are, of course, some outlets that give the league outstanding exposure, particularly the Daily Post, compare that with the almost dismissive attitude of ‘Wales National Newspaper’ the Western Mail and one wonders what the reasons behind it are. I have to say that I have been unable to come up with an answer. The same can be said of television coverage, with BBC Wales ‘flagship’ news programme Wales Today not even mentioning the results. Can anyone imagine this happening in any other country in the world? It’s not all doom and gloom though; S4C, who hold our domestic rights, provides comprehensive coverage of the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League, which includes a ‘live’ match on the majority of Saturdays throughout the season and the Sgorio highlights programmes that feature the highlights from the other games on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The Saturday show runs rolling scores and results from the English Leagues and other Leagues in the Welsh pyramid and is a must for all fans of Welsh domestic football. If you have never seen a Welsh Premier League game, either at a ground or on television, I urge you to give it a go. I can guarantee that you will see great goals and a standard of football the quality of which will surprise you.

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I recently went to one of S4C’s ‘live’ matches; league leaders, The New Saints entertaining a good Llanelli side managed by the excellent Andy Legg. It was played in a good spirit and offered the 350 or so excellent entertainment and value for money.

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once again the fare on offer proved to be of the highest standard, with the visitors winning 4-3. I watched the highlights during Sgorio on Monday night and am sure that if football fans who have never seen a Welsh Premier League game had seen the programme, they would want more of it. Go on, get along to your local Welsh Premier League ground and judge for yourself, or alternatively watch S4C’s excellent coverage of our own national league.

LANSIO UWCH-GYNGHRAIR CYMRU CORBETT SPORTS YNG NGHWMNI GARY SPEED A JOHN HARTSON. HEFYD YN Y LLUN MAE STEVE ROBERTS, JOHN DEAKIN, NEIL CLOWES, PETER MACDONALD A PETER REES.

You won’t be disappointed.

The home side ran amok in the first half and coasted into a four goal half-time lead, Greg Draper and Alex Darlington, both of whom could hold their own in the lower divisions of the Football League, getting two apiece. Llanelli did pull two back in the second half but the damage was done. I came away from the ground thinking, what brilliant entertainment, costing just a fiver. The week after that it was the reigning champions, Bangor City, who were the visitors for a Sunday game that attracted 728, the League’s best attendance of the weekend and

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HOME AND AWAY

UWCH-GYNGHRAIR CYMRU – HOELIO SYLW AR Y CYFRYNGAU GAN JOHN DEAKIN

Wrth edrych yn ôl ar fy nghyfnod o bron i ugain mlynedd fel Ysgrifennydd Uwch-gynghrair Cymru (Cynghrair Cymru), un o’r pethau sydd wedi fy siomi fwyaf am yr amser hwn yw’r lefel gymysg iawn o sylw y mae ein Cynghrair Cenedlaethol yn ei chael yn y cyfryngau. LLANELLI’S MANAGER ANDY LEGG. BANGOR CITY’S MANAGER NEVILLE POWELL. RHEOLWR LLANELLI, ANDY LEGG. RHEOLWR DINAS BANGOR, NEVILLE POWELL.

Wrth gwrs, mae ambell i gyfrwng sy’n rhoi sylw teilwng i’r Gynghrair, yn arbennig y Daily Post. Cymharwch hynny gydag agwedd ‘Papur Newydd Cenedlaethol Cymru’, y Western Mail, sydd bron yn ddibrisiol ar brydiau, ac mae’n anodd peidio â chwestiynu beth yw’r rhesymau y tu ôl i hyn. Mae’n rhaid cyfaddef nad ydw i wedi gallu meddwl am ateb. Mae’r un peth yn wir am y teledu. Nid yw ‘prif’ raglen newyddion BBC Wales, Wales Today hyd yn oed yn crybwyll y

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canlyniadau! Allwch chi ddychmygu hyn yn digwydd mewn unrhyw wlad arall yn y byd? Serch hynny, nid wyf fi’n digalonni’n llwyr gan fod S4C, sy’n berchen ar ein Hawliau Domestig, yn rhoi sylw cynhwysfawr i Uwch-gynghrair Cymru Corbett Sports. Mae hyn yn cynnwys gêm ‘fyw’ ar y rhan fwyaf o brynhawniau Sadwrn a rhaglenni Sgorio sy’n cynnwys uchafbwyntiau o’r gemau eraill ar ddydd Llun a dydd Mawrth.

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Caiff y rheiny sy’n gwylio’r sioe ar ddydd Sadwrn eu hysbysu’n rheolaidd am y sgoriau diweddaraf a’r canlyniadau o gynghreiriau Lloegr a Chynghreiriau eraill ym mhyramid Cymru, ac mae’n wasanaeth hanfodol i bawb sy’n cefnogi pêl-droed domestig yng Nghymru. Os nad ydych chi erioed wedi gwylio un o gemau Uwch-gynghrair Cymru yn un o’r meysydd neu ar y teledu, rwy’n erfyn arnoch chi i roi cynnig arni. Rwy’n hollol ffyddiog y byddwch chi’n gweld goliau gwych a phêl-droed o safon a fydd yn eich syfrdanu. Yn ddiweddar, roeddwn i’n bresennol yn un o gemau byw S4C rhwng y Seintiau Newydd, sydd ar frig y Gynghrair a thîm Andy Legg, Llanelli. Roedd hi’n gêm a oedd yn cynnig llond gwlad o adloniant a gwerth am arian i’r 350 o gefnogwyr a oedd yn bresennol. Ni allai’r tîm cartref fod wedi cael hanner cyntaf gwell, gan sgorio pedair gôl cyn hanner amser, dwy yr un i Greg Draper ac Alex Darlington.

Llwyddodd Llanelli i sgorio dwy yn yr ail hanner, ond roedd hi’n rhy hwyr erbyn hynny. Fe adewais i’r maes gan feddwl cystal oedd yr adloniant, a’r cyfan am £5! Yr wythnos olynol, y pencampwyr presennol, Dinas Bangor, oedd yr ymwelwyr mewn gêm a ddenodd 728 o gefnogwyr, presenoldeb uchaf y gynghrair dros y penwythnos. Unwaith eto, profodd yr arlwy i fod o’r safon uchaf, gyda’r ymwelwyr yn ennill 4-3.

THE WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE CAPTAINS AT THE CORBETT LAUNCH. CAPTEINIAID UWCH-GYNGHRAIR CYMRU YN LANSIAD CORBETT.

Fe wyliais i’r uchafbwyntiau yn ystod rhaglen Sgorio nos Lun, ac rwy’n siŵr pe byddai cefnogwyr pêl-droed nad ydynt erioed wedi gweld un o gemau Uwch-gynghrair Cymru wedi gwylio’r rhaglen honno, byddant yn bendant am weld mwy. Felly beth amdani? Ewch i weld gêm leol yn Uwchgynghrair Cymru a phrofi’r wefr dros eich hun. Neu beth am gymryd cip ar raglenni gwych S4C i wylio ein Cynghrair Cenedlaethol?

Ni fyddwch chi’n cael eich siomi!

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HOME AND AWAY

DAVE JONES GOES WALKABOUT And catches up with Nigel Adkins and the new stadium for Bangor City NANTPORTH STAND AND PITCH. STAND A CHAE NANTPORTH.

Former Bangor City manager Nigel Adkins is urging Citizens fans to embrace the club’s imminent move to a new stadium. The Welsh Premier League champions will soon end a highly memorable 91-year association with Farrar Road and set up home at Nantporth on the outskirts of the city. Many Bangor supporters have voiced concern over whether the switch will be in the best interests of the club, but have had to accept a crumbling Ffordd Ffarrar no longer meets the increasingly demanding standards required to compete in Welsh football’s top flight. Adkins is currently flying high as manager of Southampton at the top of the Football League Championship, but still fondly remembers his spell as Bangor City

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boss in the 1990s which delivered two Welsh Premier titles. Since leaving the club in 1996 he has always kept in touch with City’s charismatic president Gwyn Pierce Owen, and Adkins believes relocating to Nantporth is for the best. “I think the fans should see it as a positive,” he said. “Sometimes in football change happens and you have to do your best to embrace it. Farrar Road’s proud history is there for all to see and the memories can never be taken away. I can understand the fans’ concerns, but now’s the time to move on and create new memories.” Former Tranmere Rovers and Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Adkins first arrived at Farrar Road as a player at the start of the 1993/94 season, but two months into the campaign then City boss Paul Rowlands accepted an

CARTREF AC ODDI CARTREF offer to take over at Altrincham. Adkins was appointed City manager and achieved instant success, leading the club to the Welsh Premier League title and into Europe for the first time since 1985.

A run of good results convinced the Scunthorpe hierarchy to appoint Adkins on a full-time basis and he went on to lead The Iron to two promotions – with one relegation in between – to the Championship.

The following season saw a City side containing stars like Frank Mottram, Marc Lloyd Williams and Kevin Langley crowned champions again, but in the next campaign results did not go as well and in February 1996, Adkins and Bangor parted company. However, to this day, there remains no bad feeling on Adkins’ part. “I’ve got nothing but happy memories of my time at Bangor,” he said. “Gwyn Pierce Owen was brilliant for me; being an ex-Football League referee he already had the respect and he could not have done more for me as a manager. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bangor. It was certainly a good grounding in management; I had some good players and we were successful.”

Adkins still keeps a close eye on Bangor’s results and was overjoyed when they won the Welsh Premier title for the first time since his era last season. “I sent a letter of congratulations to the club afterwards; I was delighted to see them crowned champions again. They nearly didn’t get there, as after a great start they fell away a bit, but they pulled it off on the final day and I was totally proud of them.” After leaving Farrar Road, Adkins began a 10-year stint as physio at Scunthorpe United, but in 2006 he was appointed caretaker-manager at Glanford Park following Brian Laws’ departure to Sheffield Wednesday.

Southampton came calling in September 2010 and installed Adkins as their manager. Again it was a case of instant success as the Birkenheadborn boss guided the Saints from League One into the Championship. With the current season going so well, Adkins now has the prospect of having managed in both the Welsh Premier and the English Premier League. “I’d love to manage in the (English) Premier League,” he said. “That’s the aim of everyone at Southampton – to get back into the Premier League. I’m absolutely delighted the way things have started this season. We’ve got a great backroom team, experienced players, good young players, a superb ground and fantastic fans. Everything is geared towards getting back in the top flight, but it’s still early days and there are many tough challenges ahead.”

NIGEL ADKINS

“I remember the fans were fantastic and Farrar Road was a very special ground; it had an atmosphere all of its own which inspired you as a player.”

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HOME AND AWAY

DAVE JONES AR GRWYDR Ac yn sgwrsio â Nigel Adkins am stadiwm newydd Dinas Bangor Mae cyn reolwr Dinas Bangor, Nigel Adkins, yn annog cefnogwyr y clwb i groesawu’r broses o symud i’w cartref newydd. Cyn bo hir, bydd pencampwyr Uwch-gynghrair Cymru yn ffarwelio â Ffordd Farrar ar ôl 91 o flynyddoedd bythgofiadwy, a hynny er mwyn ymgartrefu yn Nantporth ar gyrion y ddinas. Mae nifer o’r cefnogwyr wedi lleisio pryderon ynghylch p’un a yw’r cyfan er budd y clwb, ond maent hefyd wedi gorfod derbyn nad yw Ffordd Farrar bellach yn cyrraedd y safonau uchel y mae gofyn i glwb sy’n cystadlu yn Uwch-gynghrair Cymru eu cyrraedd. Ar hyn o bryd, mae Adkins yn mwynhau uchelfannau’r byd pêldroed ar frig Pencampwriaeth Lloegr fel rheolwr Southampton. Eto’i gyd, mae ganddo atgofion melys o’i gyfnod gyda Dinas Bangor yn y 1990au, cyfnod a welodd y clwb yn cipio Uwch-gynghrair Cymru ddwywaith! Ers gadael ym 1996, mae wedi cadw mewn cysylltiad â llywydd carismatig y clwb, Gwyn Pierce Owen, ac yn ôl Adkins, bydd symud i Nantporth yn gwneud byd o les i’r clwb. “Dylai’r cefnogwyr ei ystyried i fod yn rhywbeth cadarnhaol,” meddai. “O bryd i’w gilydd, mae pethau’n newid ym myd pêl-droed, ac mae gofyn i chi wneud eich gorau i groesawu’r newid hwnnw. Mae hanes balch Ffordd Farrar yn glir i bawb ei weld, a bydd yr atgofion hynny’n para am byth. Er mod i’n gallu deall pryderon y cefnogwyr, nawr yw’r amser i symud ymlaen a chreu atgofion newydd.” Daeth Adkins, cyn gôl-geidwad Tranmere Rovers a Wigan Athletic,

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i Ffordd Farrar am y tro cyntaf fel chwaraewr ar ddechrau tymor 1993/94. Fodd bynnag, deufis yn ddiweddarach, derbyniodd rheolwr Bangor, Paul Rowlands, gynnig i gymryd yr awenau yn Altrincham a phenodwyd Adkins fel y rheolwr newydd. Dechreuodd y clwb lwyddo’n syth gan gipio Uwch-gynghrair Cymru a lle yn Ewrop am y tro cyntaf ers 1985. Flwyddyn yn ddiweddarach, llwyddodd tîm a oedd yn cynnwys sêr megis Frank Mottram, Marc Lloyd Williams a Kevin Langley i wneud yr un peth eto, ond yn yr ymgyrch nesaf, aeth pethau ddim cystal ac ym mis Chwefror 1996, ffarweliodd Adkins â Ffordd Farrar. Fodd bynnag, hyd at heddiw, nid oes unrhyw ddrwgdeimlad ar ran Adkins. “Dim ond atgofion melys sydd gen i o fy nghyfnod ym Mangor,” meddai. “I mi, roedd Gwyn Pierce Owen yn wych, yn hollol gefnogol a heb allu gwneud digon i mi. Fe wnes i fwynhau’r profiad yn fawr ac fe brofodd i fod yn sylfaen da ar gyfer ffurfio gyrfa fel rheolwr. Roedd gen i chwaraewyr da a thîm llwyddiannus.” “Roedd y cefnogwyr yn anhygoel a Ffordd Farrar yn lle arbennig iawn. Roedd ganddo’i awyrgylch unigryw ei hun a oedd yn eich ysbrydoli chi fel chwaraewr.” Mae Adkins yn dal i gadw llygad barcud ar ganlyniadau Bangor ac roedd ar ben ei ddigon i’w gweld yn cael eu coroni’n bencampwyr Uwch-gynghrair Cymru’r tymor diwethaf am y tro cyntaf ers ei gyfnod ef.

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“Fe ysgrifennais i at y clwb i’w llongyfarch ac roedd hi’n hyfryd eu gweld yn bencampwyr unwaith eto. Roedd hi’n agos iawn yn y diwedd gan eu bod wedi dechrau’n dda ond wedi llithro fymryn, ond fe ddaeth popeth at ei gilydd ar y diwrnod olaf ac roeddwn i’n falch iawn ohonyn nhw.”

Unwaith eto, dechreuodd y tîm lwyddo bron yn syth ac fe arweiniodd Seintiau Southampton o Gynghrair Un Lloegr i’r Bencampwriaeth. Gyda phethau’n mynd cystal y tymor hwn, mae’n bosibl y bydd Adkins yn canfod ei hun yn rheoli tîm yn Uwch-gynghrair Lloegr.

Ar ôl ymadael â Ffordd Farrar, dechreuodd Adkins ar yrfa 10 mlynedd fel ffisiotherapydd yn Scunthorpe United, ond yn 2006, cafodd ei benodi’n rheolwr dros dro ar y clwb yn dilyn ymadawiad Brian Laws i Sheffield Wednesday. Yn dilyn cyfres o ganlyniadau da, penodwyd Adkins fel rheolwr llawn amser gan arwain y tîm at ddyrchafiad i’r Bencampwriaeth ddwywaith!

“Mi fuaswn i wrth fy modd yn rheoli yn Uwch-gynghrair Lloegr,” meddai. “Dyna yw nod pawb yn Southampton – i chwarae yn yr Uwch-gynghrair eto. Rydw i’n hapus dros ben gyda’r ffordd yr ydym ni wedi dechrau’r tymor. Mae gennym ni dîm gwych y tu ôl i ni, chwaraewyr profiadol, chwaraewyr ifanc o safon, maes chwarae arbennig a chefnogwyr gwych. Mae popeth yn ei le ar gyfer chwarae yn y brif gynghrair, ond mae hi’n gynnar eto ac mae llawer o heriau caled iawn o’n blaenau.”

Daeth cnoc ar y drws gan Southampton ym mis Medi 2010, a chafodd Adkins ei benodi’n rheolwr.

BANGOR CITY 1993-94. DINAS BANGOR 1993-94.

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HOME AND AWAY

2011 Highlights

1. Who’d be a manager? 2. Gwen Harries, Jess Fishlock and Helen Lander, it’s all about playing for Wales! 3. The FAW trailer, always attracting crowds. 4. Guess the player (Aaron Ramsey). 5. Nia Jones and Amie Lea with their Awards.

6. Wales at a full Millennium Stadium. 7. The International Football Associations board meeting in Newport. 8. Gareth Bale, from the heart. 9. Aaron and Gareth show racism the red card.

Uchafbwyntiau 2011 1. Gary Speed wrth y llyw. 2. Gwen Harries, Jess Fishlock a Helen Lander, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad! 3. Trelar CBDC yn denu’r dorf bob tro! 4. Pwy sy’n cuddio tu ôl i’r bêl? Aaron Ramsey! 5. Nia Jones ac Amie Lea gyda’u gwobrau. 6. Stadiwm y Mileniwm dan ei sang. 7. Cyfarfod Bwrdd y Cymdeithasau Pêl-droed Cenedlaethol yng Nghasnewydd. 8. Gareth Bale, o’r galon. 9. Aaron a Gareth yn dangos y cerdyn coch i hiliaeth.

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HOME AND AWAY

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2011 Highlights

10. Courtenay Hamilton our anthem singer. 11. Wales captain Aaron Ramsey being filmed for a live webcast. 12. Winners all – Joe Allen, Gareth Bale and Ashley Williams. 13. Bangor City on fire. 14. Neil Taylor and Joe Allen lend their support to UEFA Women’s U19 finals in Wales. 15. Wales v Northern Ireland. Need a seat? 16. ‘Spikey’ at the Eisteddfod. 17. Llanelli lift the Welsh Cup. 18. Steve Morison and Neil Taylor back the ‘Behind the line – Behind the team’ campaign.

Uchafbwyntiau 2011 15

10. Courtenay Hamilton sy’n canu ein hanthem genedlaethol. 11. Ffilmio capten Cymru, Aaron Ramsey, ar gyfer gweddarllediad byw. 12. Joe Allen, Gareth Bale ac Ashley Williams yn dod i’r brig. 13. Dinas Bangor ar dân. 14. Neil Taylor a Joe Allen yn cefnogi cystadleuaeth Merched Dan 19 UEFA yng Nghymru. 15. Cymru v Gogledd Iwerddon – sêt unrhyw un? 16. ‘Sbeici’ yn yr Eisteddfod. 17. Llanelli yn codi Cwpan Cymru. 18. Steve Morison a Neil Taylor yn cefnogi’r ymgyrch ‘Tu ôl i’r llinell’.

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HOME AND AWAY

FAW ON THE ROAD With the three National Festivals behind us, the FAW trailer has showed no signs of slowing down in recent weeks! As the national team enjoyed success in the closing matches of the Euro 2012 qualifiers, the trailer team were there to show their support in both the matches at Cardiff City Stadium and the Liberty stadium.

However, it is not only the national senior team that the trailer has been supporting, having featured in the Victory Shield matches at both Airbus and Porthmadog, where Wales played Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The most recent Wales fixture saw Norway visit Cardiff City Stadium for a highly anticipated friendly match. The atmosphere was not only electric inside the ground, but outside also, with the FAW trailer at the centre of build-up surrounding the match. The Barry Horns even performed their much loved tunes in and around the trailer, making it a widely successful day on all levels.

The trailer also visited Morriston Comprehensive School in Swansea in October for an event hosted by Show Racism the Red Card. The event was a big success, which was informative and educational, as well as lots of fun for the hundreds of children who got involved.

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The Christmas period will provide the FAW trailer with a much needed break before getting back on the road for another action-packed year.

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Y GYMDEITHAS AR DAITH Mae tîm Trelar Cymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru wedi bod wrthi’n ddygn dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, a hynny’n dilyn haf prysur iawn a oedd yn cynnwys ymweld â thair gŵyl genedlaethol!

Yn y gêm ddiweddaraf, tro Norwy oedd ymweld â Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd mewn gêm gyfeillgar gyffrous iawn. Roedd yr awyrgylch yn anhygoel, a hynny tu allan i’r stadiwm yn ogystal â thu mewn! Roedd y Trelar yng nghanol yr holl gynnwrf cyn y gêm, ac fe berfformiodd band y ‘Barry Horns’ rhai o’u caneuon o’i amgylch, gan ei gwneud hi’n ddiwrnod i’w gofio ar bob lefel! Mae’r Trelar wedi bod yn cefnogi timau eraill Cymru hefyd, ac roedd yn

bresennol yng ngemau’r Victory Shield yn Airbus a Phorthmadog, lle’r oedd Cymru yn wynebu’r Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon. At hynny, roedd y Trelar yn bresennol yn Ysgol Gyfun Treforys yn Abertawe ym mis Hydref ar gyfer digwyddiad a gynhaliwyd gan elusen Dangos y Cerdyn Coch i Hiliaeth. Roedd y digwyddiad yn llwyddiant ysgubol ac yn ddiwrnod arbennig o addysgiadol. Roedd hefyd yn ddiwrnod llawn hwyl i’r cannoedd o blant a gymerodd ran!

PAGE/TUDALEN 52: THE KIDS GIVE THE FAW TRAILER THE THUMBS-UP. Y CEFNOGWYR IFANC YN CYMERADWYO’R TRELAR. THE BARRY HORNS ENTERTAIN. Y BARRY HORNS WRTH EU GWAITH.

Bydd cyfnod y Nadolig yn gyfle i’r Trelar gael hoe fach cyn mynd ar grwydr unwaith yn rhagor ar gyfer blwyddyn brysur arall.

CHRISTIAN ROBERTS AND THE ‘SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD’ CREW. CHRISTIAN ROBERTS A CHRIW ‘DANGOS Y CERDYN COCH I HILIAETH’.

Roedd y Trelar hefyd yn bresennol yn Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd a Stadiwm Liberty yn ddiweddar i ddathlu buddugoliaethau’r tîm Cenedlaethol yn eu gemau olaf yn ymgyrch Ewro 2012.

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HOME AND AWAY

A GREAT TEAM EFFORT! Cardiff Half Marathon 2011

REBECCA, JOHN AND SARA FROM THE FAW OFFICE AFTER THE HALF MARATHON. REBECCA, JOHN A SARA O SWYDDFA CBDC AR ÔL YR HANNER MARATHON.

Sunday 16th October, saw the streets of Cardiff play host to over 15,000 runners who took part in the Lloyds TSB Cardiff Half Marathon. Amongst these runners was a team of eight representatives from the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and Welsh Football Trust (WFT), who all successfully completed the gruelling 13.1 mile course on what turned out to be a gloriously sunny day in the capital. Collectively the runners, Amanda Smith, Becky Crockett, Gavin Reen, John Deakin, Louise Edwards, Neil Ward, Sara Williams and Tim Lane, raised over £700 for the FAW’s charity of the year – Tenovus; and would like to extend their gratitude to everyone who showed their support! A special mention should also be given to John Deakin, 67, secretary of the Welsh Premier League, who has competed in numerous half marathons, with this being his fifth in Cardiff! Over the past 12 months staff from FAW and WFT have participated in numerous charity events, including two Santa Runs, Race for Life and Cardiff 10km. Plans are also in place to take on the Three Peaks Challenge in 2012, which will see staff conquer Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.

THE FAW WELSH FOOTBALL TRUST TEAM. TÎM CBDC AC YBDC.

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Gwaith Tîm Gwych yn Hanner Marathon Caerdydd 2011 Ar ddydd Sul 16 Hydref 2011, llenwodd strydoedd Caerdydd â dros 15,000 o redwyr wrth i Hanner Marathon Caerdydd Lloyds TSB fynd rhagddo unwaith eto. Yn eu plith yr oedd tîm o wyth cynrychiolydd o Gymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru (CBDC) ac Ymddiriedolaeth Bêl-droed Cymru (YBDC) a redodd y cwrs 13.1 milltir ar ddiwrnod hyfryd a heulog yn y brifddinas. Gyda’i gilydd, llwyddodd Amanda Smith, Becky Crockett, Gavin Reen, John Deakin, Louise Edwards, Neil Ward, Sara Williams a Tim Lane i godi dros £700 i elusen CBDC eleni, sef Tenovus. Hoffai’r tîm ddiolch yn fawr i bawb a’u cefnogodd! A llongyfarchiadau arbennig i John Deakin, 67, Ysgrifennydd Uwch-gynghrair Cymru, sydd wedi cystadlu mewn sawl hanner marathon, ond hwn ei bumed yng Nghaerdydd! Dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, mae staff o CBDC ac YBDC wedi cymryd rhan mewn nifer o ddigwyddiadau elusennol, gan gynnwys dau ‘Ras Siôn Corn’, Race for Life a Ras 10k Caerdydd. At hynny, mae cynlluniau ar y gweill i gymryd rhan yn yr Her Tri Chopa (3 Peaks Challenge) yn 2012, lle bydd y staff yn herio Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike a’r Wyddfa.

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2011 has also been a very busy year for Spikey, the FAW’s mascot! First introduced to the Welsh fans at the Millennium Stadium back in March, Spikey is now a well-known and very popular character amongst Welsh fans of all ages. As well as being responsible for entertaining the crowds at both the men’s and women’s home international games, Spikey has travelled the breadth and depth of the country over the past few months. On his travels he has visited many schools such as Ysgol Gynradd Melin Gruffydd and Herronsbridge School, as well as several high-profile events including the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham and Royal Welsh, Llanelwedd. Spikey loved meeting and greeting the public as well as befriending several other mascots – a personal highlight for Spikey was when he was invited to this year’s Urdd Games Mascot Race at Leckwith, where he narrowly missed out on first place to Cochyn, the Scarlets’ mascot!

SPIKEY ON A ROLL!

Spikey has proven to be a hit all over Wales. Keep an eye out for even more appearances over the coming months!

Blwyddyn fawr Sbeici! Mae 2011 wedi bod yn flwyddyn a hanner i Sbeici, masgot y Gymdeithas. Cafodd ei gyflwyno i’r cefnogwyr am y tro cyntaf yn Stadiwm y Mileniwm yn ôl ym mis Mawrth, ac mae bellach yn gymeriad adnabyddus a phoblogaidd iawn ymhlith cefnogwyr Cymru o bob oedran! Yn ogystal â bod yn gyfrifol am ddifyrru’r dorf yn y gemau rhyngwladol cartref, mae Sbeici wedi crwydro ar hyd a lled y wlad dros y misoedd diwethaf. Ar ei daith, mae wedi ymweld â nifer o ysgolion megis Ysgol Gynradd Melin Gruffydd ac Ysgol Herronsbridge, yn ogystal â

nifer o ddigwyddiadau pwysig iawn gan gynnwys yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yn Wrecsam a’r Sioe Frenhinol yn Llanelwedd. Roedd Sbeici wrth ei fodd yn cwrdd â’r cyhoedd a’r cefnogwyr yn ogystal â chyfarfod ambell i fasgot arall. Un o’i uchafbwyntiau oedd cael cymryd rhan yn Ras Masgotiaid Gemau’r Urdd eleni yn Lecwydd, lle daeth yn ail agos iawn i Cochyn, masgot y Scarlets!

SPIKEY AT THE MILLENNIUM. SBEICI YN STADIWM Y MILENIWM.

Mae Sbeici wedi profi i fod yn boblogaidd iawn ledled Cymru, felly cofiwch gadw llygad amdano dros y misoedd nesaf!

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HOME AND AWAY

DENNIS EVANS IN WEST BROMWICH ALBION COLOURS.

DENNIS EVANS YN LLIWIAU WEST BROMWICH ALBION.

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PLAYING FOR WALES – STORIES FROM THE FILES OF WELSH FOOTBALL HISTORY BY CERI STENNETT

Dennis Evans A TRAGIC STORY

Dennis Evans was born at Forden, near Welshpool, in 1924 and as a youngster won a scholarship to the Priory County School in Shrewsbury where he was an outstanding young athlete – excelling as a sprinter and high jumper – winning numerous awards in 1938, as well as representing the school at rugby – there was no football played at grammar school! Later in the year he transferred to Welshpool County School and discovered the round ball game. It should be pointed out that his older cousin – Bert Trentham – had been a professional player with West Bromwich Albion. He had made almost 250 league appearances for the Baggies between 1929-36 before moving to Hereford United, so there was ‘football blood’ in the family. Dennis progressed well at the game and many said he had a natural talent, playing in the half-back line and even at 14 he was already 5 feet 10 inches and weighed in at 10 stone.

He even excelled when called upon to play in goal for his school. He gained selection for Montgomeryshire schools in the Welsh Shield and it was no surprise that he was selected to play for the Wales schools team against Ireland in the opening international match in March 1939 at Taff Vale Park, Pontypridd, at right half.

‘Offers of trials came flooding in including Arsenal, Bolton Wanderers and Cardiff City...’ The match was to go down in history as one of the greatest fightbacks by Wales of all time. In front of 5,000 spectators, Wales found themselves 5-1 down at half-time, with the Irish rampant. During the fifteen-minute break, the team was reinvigorated and returned to the field. The play started to go the way of Wales and six goals were scored – five to Wales, with the final one coming in the last minute to produce a 6-6 draw. One of the Wales goals was scored by Dennis.

Many youngsters dream of the chance of playing professional football and playing for their country. Some do make the grade with a club. Fewer get to wear the Wales shirt at any level. Here is a story of a youngster that did, but fate was not to be kind.

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HOME AND AWAY Just over a month later, Scotland were beaten 1-0 at Ninian Park in front of 15,000 fans with Dennis again receiving very favourable comments from the assorted club scouts. In the final international Wales travelled to Villa Park, Birmingham to face England for the championship decider. This time, despite a great effort from Wales, England triumphed 3-0. Once more, Dennis’s display was noted – now he had moved to centre half. Offers of trials came flooding in, including from Arsenal, Bolton Wanderers and Cardiff City and he was likened to the great Wales international centre half and captain of the day, Tommy Griffiths. Naturally his hometown club, Welshpool, also welcomed him into their ranks. Because of his cousin’s involvement at WBA, he decided to accept an offer of a place on the ground staff – and a position as a clerk in the club office – at The Hawthorns. So, in August 1939 he left home to continue his football adventure. Club secretary, Fred Everiss, who was sure that he had secured a star of the future, warmly welcomed him.

WALES V IRELAND SCHOOLS 1939 PROGRAMME.

RHAGLEN YSGOLION CYMRU V IWERDDON 1939.

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However, one month later Britain found themselves at war with Germany. It was agreed that all youngsters involved as ground staff lads should leave and seek employment closer to home, as basic non-football work would not cover their lodgings costs. Dennis returned home to Welshpool and obtained a job working first for the Trustee Savings Bank, then for the GWR on the railways as a fireman. He continued to play football locally, including for the Welshpool Boys’ Club.

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‘Dennis was still only twenty-years-old and considered to be in excellent physical shape. However this was not quite true’. Despite the war, mid-Wales was relatively untouched by the conflict and Dennis continued his teenage years waiting for the day he would be able to restart his football career in earnest. His services were still in demand from Welshpool FC and as the war began to turn in the Allies’ favour, Dennis found himself a girlfriend and became engaged. By May 1945 the war was over. A new local football season started and Dennis looked for a letter to call for his return to the Hawthorns. He was still only twenty-years-old and considered to be in excellent physical shape. However, this was not quite true. Unbeknown to him, his fiancée had contracted TB – tuberculosis – and had passed it on to Dennis. This potentially fatal disease lay dormant in him. Then, when he returned home from a match having played in torrential rain for the whole ninety minutes, he contracted ‘galloping’ pneumonia and despite being hospitalised straight away, his immune system, weakened by TB could not fight it off. He died a week later in September 1945. A tragic end to a young player who may well have gone on to achieve so much on the football field. The letter finally arrived from West Bromwich in February 1946 asking for him to return. It was a difficult task for Dennis’s parents to write and give the club the news.

DENNIS TRAINING FOR WEST BROMWICH ALBION. DENNIS YN HYFFORDDI AR GYFER WEST BROMWICH ALBION.

If you have a story that we can feature, or items relating to the history of Welsh football, contact Ceri at: cstennett@faw.co.uk

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HOME AND AWAY

THE CRAIG BELLAMY FOUNDATION

The Craig Bellamy Foundation (CBF) is a charity that offers underprivileged children in Sierra Leone the chance to reach their true potential through sport and education, enabling them to build a better life for themselves and their communities. They focus on personal and community development, running a not-for-profit football academy and a national youth football league supported by UNICEF.

THE VISION

They aim to build a better future for Sierra Leone by offering children the opportunity to reach their full potential through playing the sport that they love. CBF harnesses this passion for football and uses it to promote healthy choices, education for all, peace building, gender equality and sustainable development.

HOW IT STARTED

In 2007 Craig Bellamy visited a friend in the West African nation of Sierra Leone. Best known for its ‘blood diamonds’ and devastating civil war, Craig saw through the country’s desperate poverty. He saw potential for a project that could offer hope.

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Everywhere he went he saw how much passion and commitment there was for the beautiful game but he also witnessed the lack of education and poor health. Craig had the idea of using football to inspire positive personal and social development among the children. He wanted to build an academy of excellence to give promising players the support they would need to develop on and off the field. From the foundations of the Academy, and with UNICEF’s generous support, the CBF Youth League was born.

WHAT THEY DO

The CBF League was launched in 2009 with support from UNICEF. The aim is to use football to empower a new generation to bring about positive change. They focus on increasing school attendance and respect for fair play, whilst delivering community development projects. The CBF Academy opened its doors in June 2010. They recruit some of Africa’s most talented young athletes and work with them to produce football players who are wellrounded, inspirational role models.

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Five-year scholarships are given to children aged 11-13 who live, study and train at its state-of-the-art facilities. Improving governance is another feature of CBFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work. They advocate for an end to over-age player selection in youth football and an end to violence and corruption associated with football. They also campaign to prevent the exploitation of young African footballers, while supporting the Sierra Leone FA and the Ministry of Sport to improve the standard of governance in sport.

SPORT AND DEVELOPMENT

Sport has been widely recognised as a positive force for social change. The love of sport can be harnessed to encourage education and improve health whilst reducing poverty. It can serve to promote rights, by empowering women and girls and those living with disabilities.

A brutal civil war between 1991 and 2002 left the country devastated. After ten years of peace, life expectancy in Sierra Leone is 48 years (18 below the global average) and the likelihood of a woman dying in childbirth is greater than anywhere on the planet. Considerably less than half of the population is literate, with adults averaging less than three years schooling each. Despite government efforts since the war, with less than 45% of children currently attending school, this is unlikely to change.

IMAGES OF CRAIG BELLAMY IN SIERRA LEONE AND THE STUDENTS. LLUNIAU O CRAIG BELLAMY Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;R MYFYRWYR YN SIERRA LEONE.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND PEACEBUILDING

Although the conflict is over, recovery has been challenging and many of the root causes of the decade-long fighting are still present. Most urgent among these is the exclusion of youth from education and employment opportunities.

WHY SIERRA LEONE?

Sierra Leone is a small country (the size of Wales) located on the west coast of Africa. Though rich in fertile land and natural resources, it is one of the poorest countries in the world.

To learn more about the Craig Bellamy Foundation, visit:

www.craigbellamyfoundation.org

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INTERNATIONAL

The season so far

39 matches

Men Senior Wales Wales England Wales Bulgaria Wales

1 2 1 2 0 4

Australia Montenegro Wales Switzerland Wales Norway

2 1 0 0 1 1

Friendly Euros Euros Euros Euros Friendly

Under-23 (semi-professional) Estonia

Wales

International Trophy

1 3 1 0 0

Hungary Wales Montenegro Czech Republic Norway

2 1 0 1 0

Friendly U21 Euros U21 Euros U21 Euros U21 Euros

2 1 0 1 2

Wales Wales Belgium Scotland Slovenia

0 2 3 3 3

Friendly Friendly U19 Euros in Slovenia U19 Euros in Slovenia U19 Euros in Slovenia

Under-21 Wales Montenegro Wales Wales Armenia

Under-19 Bulgaria Bulgaria Wales Wales Wales

Under-18 (semi-professional) Wales

0 Rep. Ireland

Friendly

5 1 7 3 0 6

1 2 2 2 2 1

Friendly tournament in Sweden Friendly tournament in Sweden Friendly tournament in Sweden U17 Euros in Serbia U17 Euros in Serbia U17 Euros in Serbia

Under-17 Iceland Norway Sweden Armenia Lithuania Serbia

Wales Wales Wales Wales Wales Wales

Wales qualifies for Elite Round THE VOICE FAW WINTER 2011 faw.org.uk

RHYNGWLADOL

Women Senior N. Ireland Wales Wales Scotland Israel

0 0 1 2 0

Wales Rep. Ireland France Wales Wales

2 2 4 2 2

Friendly Euros Euros Euros Euros

Under-19 Wales Wales

0 3

Belgium Belgium

0 3

Friendly Friendly

Wales

Kazakhstan

U19 Euros in Iceland

Wales

Slovenia

U19 Euros in Iceland

Iceland

Wales

U19 Euros in Iceland

Wales qualifies for Elite Round

FIFA World Cup 2014 Group â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; qualifying fixtures for Wales The fixtures meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium, on 23rd November. The result of the meeting was that fixtures were agreed for the qualifying group without FIFA needing to make the draw. The Wales fixtures are as follows:

2012 Friday, 7th September Wales v Belgium Tuesday, 11th September Serbia v Wales Friday, 12th October Wales v Scotland Tuesday, 16th October Croatia v Wales

Under-17

2013

Wales Wales

0 0

Denmark Denmark

3 5

Friendly Friendly

Moldova

Wales

U17 Euros in Moldova

Tuesday, 26th March Wales v Croatia

Faroe Islands

Wales

U17 Euros in Moldova

Friday, 6th September Macedonia v Wales

Iceland

Wales

U17 Euros in Moldova

Tuesday, 10th September Wales v Serbia

Friday, 22nd March Scotland v Wales

Friday, 11th October Wales v Macedonia Tuesday, 15th October Belgium v Wales Venues and kick-off times will be announced nearer the times of the matches.

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