To underline the Together Stronger mantra it’s amusing and startling to witness former football hooligans clad in a Wales shirt, when previously they would have been horrified to be classed a shirt wearer, they’ve totally bought into the prevailing integrating ethos.

I'm more of a realist", Tim went on. "I don't expect it on a plate, but you have to embrace it and I might not be around the next time Wales qualify for a World Cup so you've got to make the most of it!" Until 2022, Wales had not qualified for the football World Cup tournament since 1958, where they had lost in the quarter finals to the eventual winners, Brazil. [4] The team subsequently had little success, with a low point being reached in the 1990s when only 11 fans travelled to Georgia and then Finland to watch their team play. [2] However, by 2016 they had found new confidence, qualifying for the EURO 2016 championships, reaching the semi-finals and receiving an 'outstanding contribution' award from UEFA. [2] Spirit of '58 [ edit ] The Football Association of Wales through the use of its inclusive motto – Together Stronger, using language, culture and identity as the foundations for the creation of The Red Wall, has created a new breed of Welsh football fan.The feeling around the group reminds me a lot of Euro 2016 when it was their first Euros", Lois tells me.

It's quite simple!", Iestyn laughs. "I've had people message me from non Welsh speaking areas saying 'it's catchy!'. The SO58 founder also reveals that he actually thought about giving everything up when his dad became ill. Arsenal are top of the table after 12 games. Erling Haaland does not score. Liverpool lose at home … to Leeds. Chelsea lose 4-1 to … Brighton. I can safely say that I do not understand football anymore. All that is left is for Qatar to win the HRWC” – Krishna Moorthy.

Why do Wales fans wear bucket hats?

Together with the refining of the stirring pre-game anthem, creating a match day experience at the Cardiff City Stadium which accentuates the importance of homegrown music from the Land of Song, (especially homegrown musicians performing on the Spirit of 58 stage named after the brand) there is now harmony where there was previously division and discord amongst fans from rival Welsh clubs. Dad was a big football fan, he played, refereed and also ran the junior football club in Bala. He took me to my first Wrexham game against Wolves and my first international match when we drew 0-0 with Russia at the Racecourse in 1980. He knew I had a passion for what I was doing with Spirit Of 58 and he could see I wasn’t happy in the old job and wanted me to be happy.