Awê! (Away!)
Gorau Cymro, Cymro oddi cartre The best of Wales, away from Wales
Publication date: 16 November to coincide with the European Championship qualifying play-off between Wales and Russia
Author: Dylan Llewelyn, with a foreword by Dai Davies, former Wales international and broadcaster.
Description: Paperback B5 1(76x250mm), 116 pages mix of photographs and text.
The weird and wonderful stories of Welsh football fans as they follow the team abroad.
Price: £7.95
Summary of content: The perfect Christmas present for football fans and those who like to travel!The style is honest and humorous and tells the stories of many supporters from every corner of Wales – and beyond. Here, you will find the stories of eleven members of what the author describes as a ‘dream team’ – all of whom are seasoned travellers watching Wales matches in foreign climes. In addition the stories and anecdotes of other individuals who the team have met are also told.
The team
Rhys 'Chester' Hartley, Cardiff– A nine year old boy who shares his experiences travelling around Europe following Wales
Huw 'Chick' Jones, Corwen – A Shane MacGowan lookalike who obviously can’t avoid getting in to mither of some type in Germany. Includes his tale of being a football ‘journalist’ in the company of the young ladies of Prague in 1981.
Sarah Ellis, London- An unusually determined lady, who organises her life around watching Cardiff and Wales and more than holds her own in the company of the mainly male Welsh support.
Chris Collins, Sunderland – formerly of Porthmadog – The story of the fan who went AWOL from the army to watch Wales play Germany in 1979. He was deported from Belgium in 1990 after a confrontation between fans and the police but has continued to travel regularly since.
Mark Ainsbury, London- originally from Taff’s Well. He tells of the nightmare journey to Moldova in 1994 and the Kalashnikov laden welcome he and his friends received there.
Geraint Thomas, Bangor – formerly of Nantlle Vale. Owner of the most striking flag to go on these trips. He tells his amazing tale of the journey from Bangor to Belarus in September 2000.
Neil Dymock, Bristol- formerly of Llanelli. He travels the four corners of the globe to support every Welsh team – the under 14s, under 17s, under 19s under 21s and the full international team.
Duncan Jardine, Newport- This respectable programme collector now travels with his partner and daughter but has a tale of chaos from his time travelling with some miscreants from Newport.
Jeremy Jones, Tonypandy – The fruit and veg shop proprietor is usually at the forefront of the most irresponsible adventures of the fans.
Iorwerth Davies, Bridgend- The soft centre of the team, this retired librarian enjoys being with the lads and appreciates the opportunities to get to know different people and cultures.
Iwan Pryce, C Cardiff- Shares his tell of a magical mystery bus tour to Nuremberg in 1991
These are the main members of the squad but look out for stories from the following;
- Trying to create an impression – Gary and Griff from Holyhead, Elfyn and Ems from Porthmadog, Iwan from Cardiff go by limo to San Jose
- Richard Greene from Pwllheli directing the filming in Finland
- Glenn Villis – a Cardiff lad who needs lessons in how to treat a girl in Kiev
- Tiny and Cols from Holyhead make full use of the facilities in Vienna
- Richard Grigg from Cardiff gets lost in Malta
- Gwilym Boore from Cardiff and Mike Bailey of Llandudno get into trouble as the collect military memorabilia
- Ianto, the butcher of Bala brings home a permanent souvenir from Serbia
- Howyn tries to erect a tent in Iceland
- A very special cabaret in a Kiev nightclub