The general hope among Welsh football fans prior to their team embarking on an adventure of a lifetime, Euro 2016, was to emerge from the group stages. It took no pessimist to predict that this would be a tall order, with a group consisting of Slovakia and the two vastly experienced international sides Russia and England. Coleman and co. however, met the Welsh people’s expectations.
In fact, our Bale inspired side exceeded everyone’s expectations by reaching the semi-finals, and in doing so gave their nation the international football tournament one could only dream of. With their heads held high, the team returned to Wales to embark on a different type of journey. It was a welcome home journey around Cardiff City Centre in front of thousands upon thousands of people bursting with national pride; desperate to both thank and congratulate the players for all they hadachieved. While everyone associated with Welsh football won’t need an invitation to enjoy the afterglow of the nation’s first major tournament in 50 years, let’s think about the long term.
THE MORE THE MERRIER
Possibly the most notable outcome of Wales’ Euro 2016 success has been the increased fan base. Neil Taylor, Wales’s ever-present left-back stated that the whole country had come to a stand-still, describing how fans were not able to concentrate as they were simply waiting for the next game. Although productivity in Wales may have dipped due to some of the games being played in work hours, it was a period of three weeks where the Welsh people were submerged in wall to wall coverage of their football team and the history they were creating. As a result, the Principality Stadium, the home of Welsh Rugby, was forced to host a fan-zone for 20,000 people to watch the team’s final game in the tournament against Portugal.
This came as a result of the overwhelming demand from fans to generate their own atmosphere back on home soil. Despite the welcome newcomers, it is also important to pay tribute to the fans who have followed this football team through the toughest of times. Many fans over the last few decades have made almost as many sacrifices as the amount of money they’ve spent in order to support the Football Association of Wales.
GRASS ROOTS FOOTBALL
If the Welsh football team’s achievements in France can’t act as an inspiration to the younger generations, I doubt many things could. Welsh international and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs stated that if there were any Welsh youngsters torn between football and rugby, Wales’s run in Euro 2016 will have swayed them to put on the Welsh Football shirt. Simultaneously, it will encourage the players in the Welsh youth setups to impress, and consequently break into the senior side and share a dressing room with the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Ashley Williams. So, the standards have been set. Let the conveyor belt of talent continue.
THE GOLDEN GENERATION
Whilst motivating the public and the aspiring footballers of Wales, it may also act as a motivation for this current group of players to push on and achieve even more success. With the World Cup qualifiers on the horizon and a relatively young squad, both players and staff feel that there is “more to come” and that they can continue to rub shoulders with the big boys.
INDEPENDENT FOOTBALL NATION
It may be a cliché to say that Euro 2016 has put both the football team and the country on the map, but people no longer seem confused about Wales and its geography. A lack of knowledge rather than ignorance I’m sure, but people, many foreign fans, thought that Wales was a part of England.
Not anymore! Guided by Gareth Bale and his superstar status, many people are no longer confused following impressive performances both on and off the pitch in France. Whilst the players left the tournament among the highest scorers in the competition, with two possible player of the tournament candidates, the fans set an example off the pitch with their impeccable behavior. Welsh football now has a reputation.
Now we sit tight and eagerly await the start of the World Cup qualifiers which start in September. Wales’ achievements at Euro 2016 may seem like they’re impossible to improve on, however both players and staff insist that this is just the start.
Diolch. Merci. Thank you.
words RHYS RICHARDS, photos JON CANDY