Dial M for Merthyr

So the fog of Christmas has cleared and all you're left with is four cans of Guinness and a book token, well our advice is to drink the cans and take a few suggestions from us as to quality sports books that we've read this year; Together Stronger by Chris Wathan - St. David's Press Allez Cymru by Gary Pritchard - St. David's Press Kicking off in North Korea by Tim Harley - Y Lolfa The Dragon Roars Again by Jamie Thomas - Y Lolfa Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger - Yellow Jersey When the Whistle Blows by Andrew Riddoch & John Kemp - Haynes The Final Whistle by Stephen Cooper - Spellmount Hillsborough Voices by Kevin Sampson - Ebury Press Another Bloody Saturday by Mat Guy - Luath Press Ltd Pirates Punks & Politics by Nick Davidson - SB Sports Books Hatters, Railwaymen and Knitters by Daniel Gray - Bloomsbury Don't forget to buy a copy of Issue 51 of Dial M For Merthyr too of course.

Dial M For Merthyr fanzine issue 51 is now out. On sale at Penydarren Park over the next week or so. If you can't reach the Pearl of the Valleys then why not drop us an email via wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk and we'll send you a copy in exchange for a £1 donation to Stonewall.

Merthyr boys and QP … So how do we get from the Redskins to Hampden Park? It’s all about spotting a magazine with Chris Dean and the band on the front, one of those short-lived music and fashion publications that lasted about three issues, something about the “ghost of strummer walks through walls”, and so journey begins. A great interview with the band but another article further into the magazine is what really caught the imagination. The new phenomenon of the football fanzine covered in details from the generic issues from When Saturday Comes and Hit the Bar to established club fanzines The Pie, Orientear, City Gent and one called The Web . Supporters writing their own stories. Let’s take a look at that. Pretty soon I’m sending stamped addressed envelopes everywhere with bits of card with coins sellotaped inside. And the fanzines start dropping through my letterbox in Trefechan. Those early fanzines coupled with the rise of the Football Supporters Association ignite

500 Fixture cards Beach party at Hayes & Yeading Roof the Theatre End badges Christmas jumper day at Cambridge City Open the Steps campaign Hope Not Hate Day at Penydarren Park Enthusiastic Amateur badges All Together Merthyr FC Football match with Syrian Association Sponsored walk for British Heart Foundation from ICI to Treharris Supported Stonewall Cymru with Rainbow Laces project Dial M TV vodcast - 4 episodes Issue 51 of the fanzine Hosted World Kerbsy Championships Players v Fans quiz night Memorabilia in the Park View 10,000 Introduction to Merthyr Town FC leaflets delivered Ryan Prosser Beard Day (incorporating Adopt a Zebra event) Go Zebras badges Orgreave Justice Campaign Issue 52 of the fanzine Commenced archive for the new Merthyr Town FC digital museum Raised £156.11 for the Mia Chambers Journey appeal Full Kit Wanker day at Kings Langley Park View Martyrs flags Magic roundabouts project