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Chris Coleman with Trust members

The home dressing room at the Cardiff City Stadium was the scene for a question and answer session with Wales manager Chris Coleman, which had been arranged by the Trust.

Trust members quizzed the Wales manager and FAW Public Affairs head Ian Gwyn Hughes in the latest of a series of roadshows and events across Wales as the football association builds better grassroots links with fans.

Coleman was happy to answer questions on any subject and spoke about the impact of Gary Speed’s death on him and the Wales team, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey and the difficulty of being an international manager in terms of getting players released by clubs while trying to avoid upsetting clubmanagers.

Questions were also raised about Wales players being made available to meet supporters – particularly younger fans – the use of a rugby stadium, the Parc y Scarlet,s for Wales games and the lack of matches in North Wales, which it seems is due to the fact that Wrexham’s ground is not up to standard for international matches.

Chris Coleman chats with Trust chair Tim Hartley

After the session, Coleman posed for photos and signed autographs.

AN ALL-PARTY motion about Safe Standing at football grounds has been drafted by members of the Welsh Assembly. Here are the details:

Notice of Motion submitted by Andrew RT Davies (Con, South Wales Central), Bethan Jenkins (Plaid, South Wales West), Ann Jones (Labour, Vale of Clwyd) and Peter Black (Liberal Democrat, South Wales West).

The Notice of Motion reads: “The National Assembly for Wales: · Notes the appetite which exists amongst football supporters in Wales and beyond for the introduction of safe standing areas in the Premier League and Football League Championship.
· Recognises the key role which Assembly Members and Welsh football clubs competing in the English pyramid can play in lobbying the UK Government and football authorities to accept the case for introducing safe standing areas on a limited, trial basis.
· Notes the positive role which standing areas at football matches could play in significantly reducing ticket prices, improving access to high-level football for people from deprived communities, improving atmosphere and providing spectators with greater choice.
· Recognises that safe standing is operational, popular and well-established at top-level football in Germany; as well as at rugby union, rugby league and other sporting and public events across the UK.

Tickets for the celebration on Wednesday, February 13, can be picked up and purchased at the Trust office, near Gate 5 at the stadium, from 6.30pm before the Leicester City game (February 12). Members can also order them through members@ccfctrust.org

Non-members can also send payment of £5 to CCST, PO Box 4254, Cardiff, CF14 8FD. They should do so as soon as possible to ensure delivery well in time for the event or they can collect them from the Trust office. Fans can also pick up tickets at the event – provided they have pre-ordered.

Tickets are free for Trust members and just £5 for non-members. If you join the Trust on the night the £5 will be offset against the normal £12 annual membership cost.
The event at the Cardiff City Stadium  starts at 7 30pm.

Rob Phillips of BBC Wales will be compering the evening and the legends attending are Dave Bennett , Gary Bennett, Phil Dwyer ,Roger Gibbins, Paul Giles, Jeff Hemmerman Linden Jones and John Lewis.

There will be a short quiz at the start of the evening, followed by Rob Phillips interviewing the players and plenty of time for fans` questions and photo opportunities.

It should be a great night , as those who went to the Real Madrid and Leeds nights will testify. So book now to guarantee a place.

Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust has arranged for fold-up seating to be provided in the concourse areas of the Ninian and Canton stands following talks with the football club.

Trust board member Keith Morgan raised the issue during a meeting with stadium manager Wayne Nash.

Keith Morgan said: “I met Wayne Nash to discuss ways of improving the pre-match experience, particularly for those less physically-able spectators. Fans contacted us and asked if we could help in getting seating provided below the Ninian and Canton stands.

“I’m really delighted that the club acted so positively to our request which means that spectators who would like to sit, while enjoying refreshments before games, will be able to do so.

“The club has agreed to fit the seats by the Leicester City home game on Tuesday, February 12^th, and have told us they will also provide some additional tables. They are similar to those that were fitted at the original Trust area inside the concourse of the Canton Stand.”

FA Cup winner Dave Bennett, one of the most popular players to wear the Bluebirds shirt, is one of seven club legends that will attend a celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of Cardiff City’s promotion to the old Second Division.

A tricky and exciting winger Dave, who now lives in the Midlands, played 77 times for the City, scoring 18 times in seasons 1981-2 and 1982-3.

He was sold to Cardiff City by Manchester City after losing out in the 1981 FA Cup Final but then played in the 1987 final for Coventry City when they beat Tottenham Hotspur and Dave gave a man-of-the-match performance. His career was prematurely ended by injury.

The rest of the confirmed line-up is top striker Jeff Hemmerman – another victim of premature retirement due to injury – and  Roger Gibbins, who we are very grateful for his help in arranging the line-up. Roger played for the Bluebirds in two spells.

Also attending is Phil Dwyer, who holds the record number of appearances for the club, John Lewis, Linden Jones and Paul Giles, bringing the total of former players to seven.

The event, which will take place at the Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday, February 13^th has been organised by the Trust’s membership group. The bar opens at 7pm with a short quiz at 7.30pm. The Q&A is scheduled to start at 8pm.

It will follow the same format as the hugely popular Real Madrid and Leeds evenings, compered by BBC Wales football correspondent Rob Phillips, a great supporter of the Trust. There will also be a quiz and raffle on the evening.

John Isaacson, the Trust’s board member with responsibility for membership, said: “I know many City fans will be looking forward to meeting some of the legends who took us to promotion in 1982-83.

“We’re particularly grateful that Dave Bennett has accepted an invitation to attend this celebration and will travel down from the Midlands. I know many City fans will look forward to hearing from Dave and other members of the promotion team.

“This will be a great evening of football chat with Rob Phillips asking the questions on the night.”

Tickets are free to members of the Supporters’ Trust and are available to non-members for just £5. Trust members can reserve tickets by contacting members@ccfctrust.org.

Non-Trust members can purchase their tickets at the Trust office (near Gate 5) before the Ipswich game (1.30-2.45pm) or by sending a cheque payable to Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust to CCST, PO Box 4254, Cardiff, CF14 8FD. If you are sending to the PO Box number please do so as soon as possible to ensure you receive your tickets well in advance of the event.

Non-members who buy a ticket for the event will be able to join the Trust from just £7 on the evening.

ENDS

Notes to Editors: For further information contact: Phillip Nifield, Press Officer, Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust (Tel 07766 712632)