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Post by walesaway on Jun 30, 2015 23:43:04 GMT
Storm you´re a decent chap. Let it go!!! Holding a grudge is bad for your health  Yeah Im learning that as I get older dont worry! Its not a grudge as such- I just dont trust that he is coming at things frommthe same angle as us supporters do, ie his remit is to put bums on seats, make money and raise the profile of the FAW, which is exactly what winning the CL final will do. His remit does not appear to be qualifying for a tournament which he has pretty much admitted and if the rumours about him wanting to appoint an FAW trust graduate like Marcel Desailly are true then that adds further fuel to the fire that any qualification success will not be because of him. That wasn't Ford's opinion, it was the opinion of the particular councillor I spoke to. From what I remember it may have been Phil Pritchard (President at the time) who led the calls for a Welsh manager. |
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Post by toshfan on Jul 1, 2015 11:01:25 GMT
I won't ever trust him after the 'there are other ways to measure success' comment. I cannot remember if we have debated this one before but, whilst more Welsh fans will want qualification more than anything else, there are a number of other critical measures of success that having no direct impact on qualification e.g.: Running the FAW well in business and governance terms; Increasing the levels of participation especially amongst young people and women; Recruitment & retention of referees, coaches etc Raising the profile of the FAW & Welsh Football through hosting tournaments etc. so I have no issue with his statement. The problem here is that many would be having a go at Ford if Coleman had not turned things around. It is therefore for some of the credit for the appointment and sticking with the incumbent to go to Ford. |
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Post by mikebagillt on Jul 1, 2015 11:33:10 GMT
The whole of the FAW has improved over the last couple of years, I don't believe the professionalism of the organisation and the results on the pitch are a coincidence. We see the results on the pitch, but the work in the background needs to be praised also. As the leader of the FAW Mr Ford must take some credit for that.
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Post by texan on Jul 1, 2015 11:37:27 GMT
The best compliment I can give Ford is that I hardly hear anything from him these days. He certainly is a marketing man and his prime focus I'd suggest is to drive the FAW 'brand' forward at all costs. In his early days he was dropping soundbites left, right and centre to anyone who would listen when the problems on field and in camp were overshadowing everything else and his mouthing off wasn't helping matters.
However over the last couple of years he seems to have retreated into the shadows a lot, with Coleman, IGH, Roberts and TLH stepping forward into the media glare in his place. He seems to do his work behind the scenes these days, only popping up when the FAW are required to offer an official statement on any particular issue.
He seems to be doing an excellent job these days as the FAW's look, organisation and reputation have all been practically transformed beyond all recognition. Power to him I say, whatever he's doing keep doing it.
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Post by yanto on Sept 7, 2015 15:31:50 GMT
After the game yesterday stopped in my old local in penarth to watch belgium game. Who comes walking in? Yep johnathan ford. Very nice chap and chilling after game.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2015 21:15:57 GMT
After the game yesterday stopped in my old local in penarth to watch belgium game. Who comes walking in? Yep johnathan ford. Very nice chap and chilling after game. Perhaps he doesn't have Sky at home! |
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Post by bringbackelmo on Oct 12, 2015 11:58:41 GMT
In keeping with the all the home games so far, Tuesday's match will be played at Cardiff City Stadium but Ford said he would like to see some games in the 2018 World Cup campaign hosted at the Millennium Stadium, where Wales have not played since 2011. "We've always considered the Millennium Stadium and we measured up both, Cardiff City Stadium and Millennium Stadium, in this campaign," Ford added. "For this campaign it was ruled out because of the Rugby World Cup and other concerts. "But we've never ruled out not going there. If the matches are right, absolutely we will [play at Millennium Stadium]." www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34505174 |
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Post by toshfan on Oct 12, 2015 12:01:57 GMT
I am saddened, but not surprised, to read this. Literally just posted on another thread about how tough the next round of WC qualifiers will be. The need to say #Noreturntomillennium is stronger and not weaker.
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Post by sleepy on Oct 12, 2015 12:12:32 GMT
Wouldn't be my preference but I feel a return to the Millennium stadium, at least for some games, is inevitable.
Now that we have qualified, I also expect that some of the players will start to openly change their opinion on this.
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Post by cadno on Oct 12, 2015 12:31:53 GMT
 #NORETURNTOMILLENNIUM |
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Post by erasedcitizen on Oct 12, 2015 12:33:16 GMT
Disgraceful. The players have stated their intention of staying in the CCS as has Coleman. Some people (like Ford) think making the day an occasion is more important than actual success. The CCS has been made into a fortress, which some people are happy to sacrifice.
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Post by bringbackelmo on Oct 12, 2015 13:04:08 GMT
We've got Austria at home on a Saturday, that is the only one I could really see us selling out easily unless we are still in the mix when we play Ireland. The Ireland game however, is the last one, so if we are out of it I couldn't see us filling it up.
Can't see 70,000 tickets being sold for Moldova on a Monday night or Georgia on a Sunday, no matter how well we do in France.
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Post by sleepy on Oct 12, 2015 13:07:27 GMT
I think tomorrow night will be our last qualifier at the CCS for some time.
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Post by dai on Oct 12, 2015 13:11:58 GMT
No thanks, stick to playing football at a football stadium. CCS does us just fine atm.
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Post by cymruramdcfc on Oct 12, 2015 13:17:32 GMT
unless we have a succesful euro campaign i dont see a move to MS. as i stated before the onliy game then i think will be the irish game especially if both in the mix at the end.
not been too ccs till tomorrow so be intresting to see, not impressed with MS for football,
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Post by alarch on Oct 12, 2015 13:18:45 GMT
I think this is less of an issue than many think. I think the games against Georgia and Moldova at home will have very little atmosphere regardless of where they are played. To get a really good atmosphere in all-seater stadia you need a full house (or near enough) and testing opponents, preferably in crucial games. In these, and other respects, the game against Belgium ticked all the boxes for creating an atmosphere.
Although in footballing terms Georgia and Moldova will present a much bigger challenge than Andorra - from a crowd expectation perspective most will turn up expecting an automatic three points. The atmosphere will almost certainly be flat, regardless of where we play, even if we win comfortably.
The decision to switch games to the Millennium will probably be based on an assessment of our chances of filling the ground rather than anything else. Upcoming friendlies could help gauge the level of support. So if you want Wales not to play at the Millennium badly enough you could always boycott any upcoming friendlies played there...
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Post by bringbackelmo on Oct 12, 2015 13:23:58 GMT
I think this is less of an issue than many think. I think the games against Georgia and Moldova at home will have very little atmosphere regardless of where they are played. To get a really good atmosphere in all-seater stadia you need a full house (or near enough) and testing opponents, preferably in crucial games. In these, and other respects, the game against Belgium ticked all the boxes for creating an atmosphere. I don't think that is the case at all. Georgia at home especially will be a tough game so I see know reason why the fans wouldn't get behind the team. We also have a far greater chance of a full house if we have 30k tickets than if we have to sell 70k. Empty stadiums are horrible. If we're doing well I think we could sell out against Georgia and Moldova at the CCS. At the MS, not so much. |
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Post by gwernybwch on Oct 12, 2015 13:42:33 GMT
We've got Austria at home on a Saturday, that is the only one I could really see us selling out easily unless we are still in the mix when we play Ireland. The Ireland game however, is the last one, so if we are out of it I couldn't see us filling it up. Jonathan Ford clearly can't remember the last time that we played Austria at the Millennium Stadium in a qualifier. It was a quarter full Mill Stadium and when Austria scored their fans - in perfect English - started to sing "Your not singing any more!" |
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Post by cadno on Oct 12, 2015 13:50:16 GMT
I think this is less of an issue than many think. I think the games against Georgia and Moldova at home will have very little atmosphere regardless of where they are played. To get a really good atmosphere in all-seater stadia you need a full house (or near enough) and testing opponents, preferably in crucial games. In these, and other respects, the game against Belgium ticked all the boxes for creating an atmosphere. Although in footballing terms Georgia and Moldova will present a much bigger challenge than Andorra - from a crowd expectation perspective most will turn up expecting an automatic three points. The atmosphere will almost certainly be flat, regardless of where we play, even if we win comfortably. The decision to switch games to the Millennium will probably be based on an assessment of our chances of filling the ground rather than anything else. Upcoming friendlies could help gauge the level of support. So if you want Wales not to play at the Millennium badly enough you could always boycott any upcoming friendlies played there... Yeah I might go to the u21s instead anyway |
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Post by srdcymru on Oct 12, 2015 15:44:54 GMT
Sounds to me like the FAW are very keen to take at least some games back to the Millennium Stadium. Shame as the CCS is the ideal venue. Produces a great atmosphere, Pitch is perfect and is the right size. Money seems to talk in football though |
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Post by quetzal on Oct 12, 2015 16:26:53 GMT
The Moldova and Georgia games should be played there but the other games should be at the CCS. Massive error by the FAW. I bet you the Republic will be inspired to play at the Millenium Stadium and get a result. It will lift the other teams
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Post by jbt95 on Oct 12, 2015 16:28:50 GMT
The Moldova and Georgia games should be played there but the other games should be at the CCS. Massive error by the FAW. I bet you the Republic will be inspired to play at the Millenium Stadium and get a result. It will lift the other teams The ROI game is the match day 10 so it will depend on how both teams have fared really. |
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Post by welshiron on Oct 12, 2015 16:33:59 GMT
The FAW need to cash in on this success as any business would
Maybe these are the 2 choices
Cheap tickets at the Millenium
More expensive tickets at the CCFc
There was an awesome atmosphere in Cardiff for a rugby game yesterday and providing the "Canton stand" get to sit together this could be replicated in the Millenium for our football games
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Post by welshiron on Oct 12, 2015 16:36:16 GMT
How has it become a fortress, we had a great win against Belgium, a scrappy win against Cyprus and failed to score against Bosnia and Israel
Not quite the fortress some think
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Post by alarch on Oct 12, 2015 16:42:22 GMT
My own take is that no game "should" be played at the MS - but if there is clear evidence that we will fill the venue there is no good reason for not playing there (assuming the pitch stands up to scrutiny in any friendlies played before the campaign starts). Did the fact that we took a good following to Croke Park help us? I don't think so.
The advantage of playing at the CCS is being massively overplayed, as was the "advantage" of playing at the Racecourse many years ago. There's no question that playing in half-empty stadia detracts from the sense of occasion and the atmosphere - but the FAW, as well as the fans players and Coleman won't want that either.
People seem to be forgetting that now that we've got a 33,000 capacity stadium to play matches in, the bar has been substantially raised as compared to when we last played regularly at the MS - when the maximum capacity elsewhere was barely 20,000. From a purely financial perspective the FAW will want to be convinced that a capacity of near-capacity crowd can be achieved at the MS for the switch to occur. I'm sure they will take a step-by-step, evidence-led approach to this. If we do end up playing some, or all of our games at the MS it will be in front of full or near-full crowds. If we perform well against the stronger teams the atmosphere will be terrific, as it has been at the CCS/ If we play badly, or face low-ranking opposition, then the atmosphere will probably be poor - as it has been and would be at the CCS.
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Post by alarch on Oct 12, 2015 16:45:46 GMT
How has it become a fortress, we had a great win against Belgium, a scrappy win against Cyprus and failed to score against Bosnia and Israel Not quite the fortress some think Not only that but I don't think the atmosphere was that great against Israel. Why? Because we were expected to win, and frustration set in fairly early for all concerned. Not that different to far too many occasions at the MS. Context is everything - but people are coming up with some magical thinking here, as if the CCS has some unique mystique that cannot possibly be replicated elsewhere. |
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Post by sleepy on May 26, 2016 10:37:18 GMT
First home match of the WC2018 quals is home to Moldova on Monday 5th September.
The FAW informed me that tickets would probably go on sale before the School holidays start on Wed 20th July. But I'd be surprised if the tickets went on sale before the Euros are over (or, at least, not before our Euro campaign in over). So that could give the FAW 4 weeks (if we don't make it out of the group), or as little as 10 days, (if we make it to the final), to start the sale before school finishes.
Do you think that the FAW are possibly waiting to see how we do... before deciding... you know...
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Post by alarch on May 26, 2016 10:40:55 GMT
Quite possibly...
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Post by jamaro on May 26, 2016 11:08:48 GMT
I would rather they charge more for a ticket at CCS than return to you know where.
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Post by cymroircarn on May 26, 2016 11:31:42 GMT
I would rather they charge more for a ticket at CCS than return to you know where. Me too. I think it's still unlikely though as there are no big name opposition for the fair weather fans. Realistically only the Ireland game could draw a 40,000+ crowd and that's on a Monday |
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#NORETURNTOMILLENNIUM
