I am very interested in the football club integrating with the community and asked if I could go along as an observer for the day.
If we can get the supporters Trust formed, one of the major aims would have to be to strengthen the bonds between the Club and the community which it serves and to represent the interests of the community in the running of the Club;
Wayne does a lot of voluntary work with his son Shaun (Bartley Bluebird) going out in the community promoting the football club at the same time as bringing a little happiness to the children who are unwell and education and a bit of fun to the children in the schools they visit, throughout South Wales.
The clubs media department are very involved in this as well and talks are put together about bullying and healthy eating/fitness. They then visit schools throughout our region giving talks and advice to children whilst at the same time promoting our football club out in the community.
They receive many thank you letters from teachers and pupils thanking them for their visits. The media department works very hard putting stuff together for the kids, videos, goody bags and even match tickets on occasions to give out freely to the children. Wayne does the talks with Bartley attending the schools to grab the kids' attention (like the old green cross code man of my youth.
Today I met Wayne at the Vale of Glamorgan training ground at 10 am...Dave Jones was finishing off a press conference and Robbie Fowler was arriving on crutches, most of the first team were there preparing to make their way over to the training grounds.
Wayne and Jamie from the media department and Mandy from the Football in the community programme were inside the building with Bartley, a mum and dad and their young son and daughter were also there. Wayne explained that the young lad had been very unwell and today he and his family were going to have a treat of meeting his heroes. Photos were taken in the foyer and we went through to the player's room, fitted out with lounge chairs and a fitness centre, as well as the manager's office.
Some of the players were on the exercise bikes training whilst others were relaxing; some were throwing darts at the photo of David Giles. They all made a fuss of the two children and signed autographs on the footballs that Jamie had brought for them. The both children were well chuffed especially the young lad who was recovering from illness. Dave Jones and Robbie Fowler had loads of photos done with the family and then he took them all in his private car over to the training ground.
He told them that as an extra treat they can visit the dressing rooms before the game tomorrow and go out on the pitch at half time. The visit was a great boost to the family and the football club were outstandingly helpful, each and every one of them.
We went back to the football club to pick up some gifts and videos compiled by our media department that we were going to take to the Children's wards in the Heath Hospital. We entered the wards where some of the children have life threatening illnesses and diseases, but they all seemed to be cheerful and they all had the bravest parents you can imagine.
The kids loved Bartley and families were coming along behind us asking us not to go without calling in to see them on their ward. We handed out the gifts from the club, kit bags, videos, drink bottles and the children loved it. Hopefully it took their minds off their problems for an hour or so.
We give a gift to one lad who was reluctant to accept it, his father explained they were from Swansea and were Swans fans, we had a chat with them and they appreciated the visit and the young lad kept hold of his new Cardiff City drinks bottle.
We handed out all we had to the children and some had photos done with the mascot and then we left, I personally reflected how lucky I have been to have had two fit and Healthy lads. The players often visit hospitals and the Ty Hafen hospice, they are always happy to do things like that.
Next week Wayne, who has his own company and works full time, will again be out in the community, visiting schools, giving talks promoting our football club, our media department will be doing the same, working all the time on ideas to promote the club. There is so much that goes on that we rarely hear of. People like Wayne and his son who do so much, people who actually work at the club who give up their time outside their working hours.
It is so easy for us to have a go at people at the club, but there is a lot we don't see or understand and often staff work under financial restraints. We are lucky there is quite a few staff members who work at the club because they love the football club...it's certainly not for the wages.People like Dave Jones and Robbie Fowler, all the players in fact are fanatstic to all the kids who get to meet them on occasions like today and credit should be given where its due.
They will not blow their own trumpets but deserve to be recognised for the unsung work they do and the hours of unpaid over time many put in.
There is sometimes negativity surrounding the club but there are also positives, that we should all be happy to acknowledge.
Well done to them all