Remembering The Cymru Fans No Longer With Us 

Stephen (@StephenJBaker) turns his thoughts to those Cymru fans who are not here for the big dance. Fathers, mothers, grandparents, cousins, old friends, teachers, coaches … all those that introduced us to the joy (and pain) of supporting Cymru.

It’s almost here. We’re just weeks away from the joy and excitement of finally seeing Cymru in the World Cup. After the long wait of 64 years, a lifetime for most of us. I’m sure that we have all, at some point since June, stopped and thought about the people who are no longer with us. Those who would have loved every second of this build-up.

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My Dad, Michael Baker for example. The person who got me into football, bought me my first kit, first pair of football boots, World Cup (and 1st Division ) sticker albums. Plus anything else to do with football such as player pictures cards that was sold in the late 70’s, early 80’s. 

In the 70’s and 80’s football grounds weren’t the best of places to take your kids. Plus living 30 miles away from Ninian Park, it wasn’t easy to get to when your Dad didn’t drive. So it wasn’t till the 90’s that I got to watch Cymru in the flesh, either with Dad or friends. Talking about the game in the ground with Dad or over breakfast the following morning is something I’ll always remember. 

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The near misses, the qualifying over before it began, the Bobby Gould years, we sat through it all. Vowing every time that we wouldn’t put ourselves through another failed qualifying campaign. But as soon as the draw was made for the next group we were positive that this would be the year. That it would finally happen.

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Sadly, in March 2006 my Dad suddenly passed away at the far too young age of 58. Passed away just as the tide was turning. We missed sharing the three nights where we qualified. Although saying that he would always have to leave the room when games were getting close and wouldn’t return till after the final whistle. So I don’t know how much of it he would have actually seen.

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He will be looking down watching every game. Every time we score there will be a glance up to the sky to have our moment together, knowing he will be shouting and screaming.

Here’s to all the ones we lost along the way to this World Cup. We miss you.