Dai looks at the joy and pain that could be ahead for Cymru supporters.
I listened back to Ruth and I’s recording and felt, well, a bit weird about the ending. I think we were possibly too honest, but without the required context. I’m not negative about our chances against the Austrians. More wary, because of the weight of history. Something I don’t think needs explaining.
I will say one thing though, which I referenced on the pod this week which was the Russia playoff in 2003. Supporting Wales had become “our thing” for a group of me and my mates. Having waited a long time (I thought it was a long time anyway…) to have a chance of qualification, we were giddy. Talks of flights to Lisbon, who’s staying where, weeks off work and university. The lot. At that age, I wasn’t scarred by our history though. I’d not really experienced it, despite what I’d thought. In the words of Elis James, going to a big game is a gamble. You’ve got to ready for the worst night of your life, to risk having the best night of your life. I’d convinced myself that it wasn’t even a gamble against Russia in 2003. The last time that happened by the way.
The disappointment was crushing. As a 19 year old, this was my first “big” moment as a Wales fan and a football fan in reality. I told myself that night that was it. It would never happen for us. In a weird, and slightly over dramatic way, I’ve carried that with me through my football supporting life. The problem with that is there’s always this thing in your head that something must go wrong. It usually does. It’s hard to shake. Truth be told, it shouldn’t be at the moment.
We’ve just experienced, and are experiencing, the best period in the history of Welsh football. Back to back Euros, getting out of the group both times. A wild run to the semis. Nations League wins and promotion to the big boys. Big games won. And now this. I, you, we should have faith because these lads have rarely let us down. We are lucky to be in this moment and it should be embraced not feared.
What makes it so tough is the heartbreaks in times gone by because it matters so much. That’s the crux isn’t it – how much we care as fans. It’s the “why” behind that which matters and if you’ll indulge me, I’ll share my why with you. I’ve loved football since I was little but I never had anyone to go with really. My dad wasn’t arsed so I just soaked up what I could and ended up as a Newcastle fan. No one else I knew was, so when supporting Wales loomed on the horizon it was the thing that me and my football following mates shared. No club stuff, just supporting our country, together. Results were largely irrelevant. It was us, as mates, together. As we got older and entered our “drinking years” the Wales days out were ones to be savoured. The pubs of Cardiff were bored senseless by many a drunken bloke talking rubbish about Gabbidon or Koumas firing us to glory. It wasn’t really about the football. It’s about times with your mates. The football often being the distraction.
The honest truth is, football has changed my life. I’ve met some of the best people I know through football. I’ve been to some amazing places because of it and experienced some truly breathtaking moments. It’s because of this that it all matters so much to us. When you’re risking the worst day in chasing the best day, you’re doing it with a group who know exactly what it means and how it feels. And come Thursday we’ll be doing it with a few thousand others too. The older you get, the bigger that gamble becomes because you know how long you may have to wait until the next “big thing” comes along.
I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m ridiculously excited about Thursday. It’ll be amazing to be drinking in the sunshine with my pals and getting to sing our anthem with our brothers and sisters. My podcast negativity wasn’t really negativity just experience and I’m ready to roll the dice again in the search of something amazing.
Come on Wales. We believe. Let’s keep this ride rolling for a little bit longer.