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SPORTINGWALES
There is a fascinating clash highlighted in this edition, between the old-fashioned
romanticism of most supporters against the commercial reality of modern
professional sport.

It is a debate which in different ways is affecting all four Welsh rugby regions and the international
football team, while in a curious role reversal the Wales rugby team and our top football clubs
have no such worries.

It is over where to play, a modern stadium or the smaller grounds which were generally built for a
different era.

In this edition there is some fascinating insight from former Wales captain Mike Hall, now a driving
force behind the Cardiff City Stadium which has been a little controversial among Blues fans.

However it is a point which can equally easily be made about Parc y Scarlets and the Liberty
Stadium. Oddly often in Welsh rugby at the moment the best atmosphere can be found at Rodney
Parade where 6,000 supporters can generate plenty of noise close to the pitch.

However this is where the professional elements of sport come in, to support a team capable of
challenging the best supported clubs in Europe you need a lot more than 6,000 people paying at
the gate.

The debate should not be over whether to move to a larger, modern stadium, but how to fi ll it
once there. That is a challenge which also applies to the Wales football team over the Millennium
Editor:
Stadium, looking to play elsewhere is an admission of defeat in terms of support.
Hamish Stuart

Art Director:
In contrast Cardiff and Swansea City fans have embraced their new stadia and are turning out in
Paul P Bailey
Photography:
far larger numbers than the regional rugby supporters. People travel down from the Valleys to
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Advertising Sales Manager:

Wayne McAuliffe
All that is just one of the talking points in this latest edition of Sporting Wales, we hope you will
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Contributors:
fi nd a few more as well.
staff and contributors
Gary Baker
Roger Hughes
As ever thanks to our advertisers who make it possible to offer this magazine free to all you
Richard Thomas
Jane Williams
readers. If you fi nd it hard to pick up a copy, we know they run out fast, then do not forget you
Sarah Mogford
can subscribe online at www.sportingwales.net
Contributing Photographers:
James Davies
Hamish@sportingwales.com
Liz Pearce
David Gibson
Rhys Webber
Matt Browne
Ian Lovell ©Sportingwales 2009
Huw Evans Picture Agency
All rights reserved.
Editors Message
Publisher:
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted or recorded in any form or by any means without prior written permission
SportingWales
from the publisher.
Managing Director:
While the publishers believe that all information contained in this publication was correct at the time of printing, they can accept no
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liability for any inaccuracies that may appear.
SW
Accounts Manager:
4
John Pope
Contact: info@sportingwales.com Tel: 01633 410450
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