Trust News

LETTER SENT TO:

Mr Derek Andrew, Managing Director, Marston’s Inns & Taverns

Dear Mr Andrew,

SAND MARTIN, CARDIFF

I’m writing to you concerning plans to name the inn being built outside the Cardiff City Stadium, The Sand Martin.

As an organisation representing over 800 members – and potentially 800 customers – of the public house, we believe there are many other names which would be more appropriate.

The inn will sit at the junction of Leckwith Road and Ffordd Fred Keenor, the main road into the stadium, which was recently named by Cardiff council after the captain of the Cardiff City’s 1927 FA Cup winning team.

Ffordd Fred Keenor also leads up to the statue of Fred Keenor, which supporters led by the Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust, are busily involved in fundraising. The appeal launched in April 2010 has already raised £40,000 out of the £85,000 needed, including a pledge of £15,000 from Cardiff council. It is also strongly supported by the football club.

We would be grateful if you would consider renaming the inn after Fred Keenor or, alternatively, something much more appropriate to its location outside the Cardiff City Stadium.

Fred Keenor was not only the captain of Cardiff City and Wales but had an outstanding career despite being injured at the Battle of the Somme in World War One. It was feared that his injuries were so bad he would never play again.

We noticed on your website that the company stresses that it is committed to the communities it serves and that they are integral to future success. The website also highlights the importance Marston’s commitment to the preservation of its heritage.

We, too, believe heritage is vitally important and would, therefore, respectfully request that you consider changing the name of the proposed inn outside the Cardiff City Stadium.

If you are in Cardiff in the near future we would be happy to meet you to discuss this matter and also hope given its location that the company would be able to support our statue appeal which has received widespread media coverage both locally and nationally.

Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust

We’ve been contacted by When Saturday Comes football magazine which has asked us to publicise  information which may be of interest to Trust members.

They’ve just published an online photo book about the legend of Robin Friday, who is a cult figure to many Cardiff City fans.

It costs £3 and all the details are available here: https://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/6077/38/

The meeting today between the Trust and Cardiff City Chief Executive Gethin Jenkins was called off because of the latest snowfall. It is being rescheduled for early January.

Trust members recently joined the Maesteg Bluebirds for a question and answer session with Bluebirds legend Jason Perry and the BBC Wales soccer commentator Rob Phillips.

Jason told some cracking stories about the way football used to be – he obviously thinks the players and officials have gone a bit soft these days.

It was a great evening and Graham Keenor, Fred Keenor’s nephew, also came along to tell everyone about the statue appeal. There was considerable interest in the photographs of Fred which Graham brought along to show everyone.

Trust chairman Tim Hartley said: “Congratulations to the Maesteg Bluebirds on celebrating 50 years of organising travel to watch the City and also to the Crown in Maesteg for hosting us. We’ll see you again in 2011.

“I’d also like to thank Jason and Rob for giving up their time. It was appreciated by the 40 or 50 fans that turned up.”

And the evening also raised £300 for the Fred Keenor Statue Appeal. Thanks to everyone that helped.

Pictured with Jason Perry and Rob Phillips are Steve Smith and Mel Hughes from the Maesteg Bluebirds.