|
|
Post by President Bale on May 16, 2014 12:08:50 GMT
Superb! International football can finally return to its spiritual home. Samuel Llewyllen Kenrick's meeting at the Wynstay Arms in Wrexham to start a Welsh Association Football team is of course where it all began for us. Bit miffed that all it took to make the Racecourse viable again was a '£300k revamp' - surely the FAW could have got this sorted years ago? For instance when they secured the big money deal with Sky for the TV coverage...?? Better later than never mind.  |
|
|
|
Post by texan on May 16, 2014 13:09:09 GMT
Friendlies only for now though, apparently Cat3 stadia can only be used in qualifiers if no Cat4 stadia is available in that nation. I think if the FAW tried to put a qualifier in the Racecourse they'd have to justify with UEFA why the Liberty, Cardiff and Millennium stadiums cannot be used first (all classed as Cat4). Bit miffed that all it took to make the Racecourse viable again was a '£300k revamp' - surely the FAW could have got this sorted years ago? For instance when they secured the big money deal with Sky for the TV coverage...?? I think the FAW found it difficult to justify handing £300k to a struggling League 2/Conf club so they could improve their ground beyond their current levels of requirement and/or maintenance capabilities. However Glyndwr University's ownership of the stadium will have changed this viewpoint. Many of their courses currently make heavy use of the stadium and these improvements will only help the Uni in attracting more investment by offering better, higher quality courses, more opportunities for Community Outreach programmes, a better platform on which the local youth can thrive (and hopefully promote stronger links with the Trust) and provide a better sports development legacy in the community long term. ...and the clubs (of both codes) get a better ground and we get to see Wales play up north again on occasion! Another example of this is what's going on in Bangor at the moment, the Uni's Maes Glas sports hall is having a massive revamp and are strengthening ties with Bangor City. In return both the Uni and City are beginning to see a greater collaboration with the FAW/Trust which should, in the long run, bring north West football development more in line with the Trust's vision. Dare I say it, but I'm beginning to see glimmers of hope from the FAW on certain issues in recent times. They seem to be following the Trust's lead on development issues. Exciting times! |
|
|
|
Post by saints19 on May 16, 2014 23:07:47 GMT
Excellent news. It will be great for the team to play in North Wales and is vital for the health of the national game that the national team plays there, so we get youngsters dreaming of playing for Wales and coming through from that region.
Hopefully the first game up there post redevelopment will be a high profile one.
|
|
|
|
Post by biwmares on May 17, 2014 14:34:10 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by flynnfan on May 17, 2014 15:14:56 GMT
I know what Gilpen is getting at. Certainly fans in north Wales have been disenfranchised for years and the FAW have done little for the north, which is why this investment in the Racecourse and the return of full Wales games (even if its just friendlies at first)can't come soon enough BUT....
I also think he talks a lot of rubbish. I'm from Wrexham too, have no connections with south Wales whatsoever and yet I love the Welsh national football team now more than I ever have done. It's not 'South' Wales at all (but I admit that would be a danger if there was no will to get full internationals back in Wrexham) Loads of fans I meet at away games are from north Wales. Then there's the players from north Wales - Hennessey (Ynys Mon), Taylor (Ruthin), Vaughan (Abergele). Also Lawrence (FLintshire) and Wilson (Corwen) coming through. Huws and Joniesta have fathers from Ynys Mon.
ffwtbol had a more nuanced take on the same issue a couple of years back but I can't find it now...
|
|
|
|
Post by nathan1710 on May 18, 2014 10:16:18 GMT
Seems as we're trying to put ourselves on the map, it would surely be silly and embarrassing to have our international games played at such a small stadium. The players wouldn't love it, it would be downgrading.
|
|
|
|
Post by alarch on May 18, 2014 13:36:12 GMT
A bit of a simplistic viewpoint that nathan1710. The attendances for most friendlies in recent years could easily be accommodated in the Racecourse. The FAW should take all reasonable steps to embrace all parts of Wales. Especially with so many qualifying matches being played on weekday evenings - making it extra difficult for fans from the North to attend.
The last few friendlies and qualifiers at the Racecourse (against weak opposition mainly) have been quite well attended, and I'm sure the players would appreciate playing in a near-full, as opposed to a near-empty stadium.
The biggest caveat to this is the quality of the pitch, but it sounds as if that is going to be improved. A high-quality playing surface is a pre-requisite to playing any international matches.
|
|
|
|
Post by welshiron on May 18, 2014 17:58:50 GMT
I would be more than happy to see friendlies played at the Racecourse
Any of the friendlies played in Llanelli could be played there but I think it could turn pout to be too little too late.
If as we all hope we start the Euros well all the people who don't bother now will be back on the bandwagon and the Racecourse will be too small
|
|
|
|
Post by ch7 on May 18, 2014 22:07:33 GMT
Gotta be a good thing. I think it will be a long time before we see qualifying games at the Racecourse again. Remember Bellamy saying that all games should go to the Racecourse as it creates a great atmosphere and makes it hard for opposition teams who have it easy at the CCS/Millennium.
Hopefully get a few friendlies up here and give kids the chance to see the likes of Bale and Ramsey represent their country
|
|
|
|
Post by ladotelli on May 19, 2014 0:04:05 GMT
If they really cared about North Walian fans they would have put a game on at Anfield or Goodison and before anyone moans we have played at many neutral venues in the past, some half way across the world.
|
|
|
|
Post by toshfan on May 19, 2014 10:30:56 GMT
Gotta be a good thing. I think it will be a long time before we see qualifying games at the Racecourse again. Remember Bellamy saying that all games should go to the Racecourse as it creates a great atmosphere and makes it hard for opposition teams who have it easy at the CCS/Millennium. Hopefully get a few friendlies up here and give kids the chance to see the likes of Bale and Ramsey represent their country Did Bellers say that about CCS? I recall him saying that about the Millenium (and agree with him) but not CCS. |
|
|
|
Post by toshfan on May 19, 2014 10:33:36 GMT
If they really cared about North Walian fans they would have put a game on at Anfield or Goodison and before anyone moans we have played at many neutral venues in the past, some half way across the world. If the FAW did that, lots would be critical about not wishing to play games in our country. There is no longer a need for this and that is a good thing. |
|
|
|
Post by toshfan on May 19, 2014 10:37:44 GMT
Great news for Wrexham and I hope that u21 games continue to be played at Bangor and bigger ones (once the ground is developed) at the Racecourse. I have the highest regard for all Welsh supporters, including the ones from the north and it is indeed those I saw more of in Glasgow & Belgium.
However, there is enough interclub nonsense without anyone generating a north vs south.
My view is that all qualifiers should be at the CCS; in our Capital City. It is a decent ground and will be cracking when full. Plus, unlike the Millenium, it has a decent football pitch.
During popular times, lots of Welsh fan would be unable to get to see the team play. Such a problem would be considerably worse at the Racecourse than the CCS.
Lets make the CCS a fortress!
|
|
|
|
Post by ladotelli on May 19, 2014 18:57:58 GMT
If they really cared about North Walian fans they would have put a game on at Anfield or Goodison and before anyone moans we have played at many neutral venues in the past, some half way across the world. If the FAW did that, lots would be critical about not wishing to play games in our country. There is no longer a need for this and that is a good thing. We've played games in Austria and America in recent years, what is the issue with playing 30 mins outside the country and a lot more accessible to a large part of our support. |
|
|
|
Post by toshfan on May 20, 2014 10:52:13 GMT
If the FAW did that, lots would be critical about not wishing to play games in our country. There is no longer a need for this and that is a good thing. We've played games in Austria and America in recent years, what is the issue with playing 30 mins outside the country and a lot more accessible to a large part of our support. There is a difference between games at neutral venues and playing "home" games in another country. I am confident that most from north Wales would disagree with you on this. For qualifiers I doubt that UEFA/FIFA would allow it when we have two grounds in our own country that are fit for purpose. |
|
|
|
Post by texan on May 20, 2014 12:23:08 GMT
When we play at a neutral venue outside Wales its done to give us an opportunity to play a team we rarely cross paths with, one that's usually on tour in that country, such as Brazil at White Hart Lane, Mexico in the US, or Argentina in Japan.
However appearing as an invited guest of another nation is wholly different from hiring out stadiums like Anfield or Goodison when there are perfectly adequate stadiums here in Wales. Personally I'd rather the FAW kept the games down south if there wasn't an adequate stadium in north Wales. By hiring the stadium of a Welsh club at least there's a chance the FAW's money could find its way back into Welsh football in some form, by hiring somewhere like Anfield there's no chance whatsoever of that happening.
|
|
|
|
Post by alarch on May 20, 2014 13:41:53 GMT
It would also be a nonsense to hire Anfield, Goodison, or any of the Midlands grounds, when all the Welsh stadia that are available can purposefully cater for whatever attendance is expected for a given match. For friendlies against unattractive opposition you have The Racecourse, Parc y Sgarlets (debatedly), and potentially (once the pitch is of a good standard), Rodney Parade. Then, as the potential attendance increases, you have The Liberty, CCS and the Millennium. I can't see any sensible argument in favour of any English ground.
If there is one argument against The Racecourse, it's the empty spaces on The Kop. Where are the plans to develop this ground at? It would be great to see rail seats installed, with the potential for standing at an International match returning again when common sense finally prevails.
|
|
|
|
Post by ladotelli on May 20, 2014 14:41:30 GMT
Lads you are getting ahead of yourselves. I am not for one minute suggesting we play qualifiers on a neutral venue nor was I suggesting we play games in Liverpool instead of a renovated racecourse. I am of the believe that we can't play games in Wrexham, including friendlies?
If the racecourse is not going to be upgraded to international standard then I have no issue with the FAW putting on a game in Liverpool for fans in the North.
|
|
|
|
Post by biwmares on May 20, 2014 15:49:51 GMT
It would also be a nonsense to hire Anfield, Goodison, or any of the Midlands grounds, when all the Welsh stadia that are available can purposefully cater for whatever attendance is expected for a given match. For friendlies against unattractive opposition you have The Racecourse, Parc y Sgarlets (debatedly), and potentially (once the pitch is of a good standard), Rodney Parade. Then, as the potential attendance increases, you have The Liberty, CCS and the Millennium. I can't see any sensible argument in favour of any English ground. If there is one argument against The Racecourse, it's the empty spaces on The Kop. Where are the plans to develop this ground at? It would be great to see rail seats installed, with the potential for standing at an International match returning again when common sense finally prevails. We get plenty of empty spaces when we play down south as well. |
|
|
|
Post by quetzal on Jul 17, 2015 9:15:26 GMT
Just listened to the www.podcastpeldroed.co.uk/ Welsh football quiz and i think its Russell said that hopefully the Racecourse can hold Welsh games in the near future. Even though i´m from just down the road from Cardiff or Swansea (Bridgend boy) wouldn´t it be great to see a World Cup qualifier at the Racecourse Ground? What are the chances though? That ground has Welsh football running through its veins. |
|
|
|
Post by jbt95 on Jul 17, 2015 10:13:12 GMT
Doubt we will ever play a competitive game there again, it's too small nowadays unfortunately especially if things keep going the way they are. Nothing against a friendly though.
|
|
|
|
Post by jwrexhamfc on Jul 17, 2015 18:03:36 GMT
racecourse will not meet uefa requirements it deserves to just have low capacity friendly there .
|
|
|
|
Post by jbt95 on Jul 17, 2015 18:28:19 GMT
racecourse will not meet uefa requirements it deserves to just have low capacity friendly there . Pretty sure even for friendlies it needs to be of the same standard. |
|
|
|
Post by erasedcitizen on Jul 18, 2015 12:19:41 GMT
It does. I don't think the Racecourse is currently up to international standard so until it is, we won't be seeing any friendlies there.
|
|
|
|
Post by georgetm1 on Jul 18, 2015 18:10:31 GMT
Even though Wrexham is only 10 miles away from me, I would still prefer the trip to Cardiff. Its a really good excuse for a weekend away with my mates and Cardiff is a much better night out than Wrexham.
Maybe some low key friendlies, but that is all. The thing is that if people from the north want to watch Wales, they will regardless where it is being played.
|
|
|
|
Post by kypriakh on Jul 19, 2015 19:46:20 GMT
Even though Wrexham is only 10 miles away from me, I would still prefer the trip to Cardiff. Its a really good excuse for a weekend away with my mates and Cardiff is a much better night out than Wrexham. Maybe some low key friendlies, but that is all. The thing is that if people from the north want to watch Wales, they will regardless where it is being played. With World Ranking points at stake I wouldn't be playing low key friendlies at all. Maybe it would be best to send a "B" team there if you would like football in Wrexham against a minnow. |
|
|
|
Post by biwmares on Jul 19, 2015 22:31:23 GMT
Im sure someone said previously it was due to the poor playing surface (pitch) why games are not considered at Wrexham?
But it will be one excuse after another & unless the SWAG come up with funding ground improvements it will never happen.
The present owners Glyndwr university suffered a £4m deficit 2012-2013 and are closely monitored by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales so cannot see them improving the ground.
|
|
|
|
Post by erasedcitizen on Jul 19, 2015 23:25:37 GMT
The toilets & changing rooms weren't up to scratch. The pitch was a disaster the last couple of seasons, but I don't think that's the reason. Andorra's pitch did pass the regulations after all.
|
|
|
|
Post by E17 on Jul 20, 2015 8:52:54 GMT
Im sure someone said previously it was due to the poor playing surface (pitch) why games are not considered at Wrexham? But it will be one excuse after another & unless the SWAG come up with funding ground improvements it will never happen. The present owners Glyndwr university suffered a £4m deficit 2012-2013 and are closely monitored by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales so cannot see them improving the ground. That was me. I asked at the last FSF meeting and the pitch was the reason given. I must admit, it did seem to me that if the pitch was up to scratch there would of been another excuse. Which is a massive shame as the FAW are happy to go to Llanelli but not North! |
|
|
|
Post by erasedcitizen on Jul 20, 2015 9:37:36 GMT
Im sure someone said previously it was due to the poor playing surface (pitch) why games are not considered at Wrexham? But it will be one excuse after another & unless the SWAG come up with funding ground improvements it will never happen. The present owners Glyndwr university suffered a £4m deficit 2012-2013 and are closely monitored by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales so cannot see them improving the ground. That was me. I asked at the last FSF meeting and the pitch was the reason given. I must admit, it did seem to me that if the pitch was up to scratch there would of been another excuse. Which is a massive shame as the FAW are happy to go to Llanelli but not North! I did hear that Glyndwr have renovated the away changing room as well as the toilets in the ground, which I believe were the issues. They then paid for a new pitch, which went pear shaped and has been replaced again this summer. As you say though, it seems like the FAW are just finding an excuse not to play friendlies up North. Next they'll make up some bollocks rule that a stadium has to have 4 open sides to host an international game. |
|
