Dial M for Merthyr

I’m taking a trip tomorrow. Heading over the border on a raid. The risks will be high but the rewards will surely be worth it. I’ll have to endure hours of travel discomfort coupled with the inevitable ennui of familiar destinations offering the same view for miles and miles. The strange flat landscape will baffle our navigators. We will arrive at a desolate car park and try to engage with the locals to ascertain a friendly drinking hole to satisfy our party of weary travellers. A trek through unfamiliar territory. A beer to settle the nerves. A moment of reflection. To be here in another town, another country, surrounded by friends who share the same ambition for the day as you. To have arrived. The anticipation. And then the ground, the match and hopefully the rewards. At this moment though I am still preparing for the trip. After all preparation is everything. I’ve reached the autumn of my years. No longer can I take off with a couple of four-packs of ale, a pork pie and a po...

Issue 52 of Dial M For Merthyr is out now. You can request a copy via wolvesy@yahoo.co.uk all we ask is that you donate £1 to the Orgreave Justice Campaign via their PayPal account on their website.

This fanzine is currently working with a talented local photographer John Smith on a project to depict match day life at Penydarren Park. The project is in its infancy but John aka Same Old Smith Photography has shared his early pics with When Saturday Comes magazine to advertise what we are trying to achieve, a link to the article is below: http://www.wsc.co.uk/news/13688-new-photo-project-captures-matchdays-at-supporter-owned-merthyr-town We are currently awaiting news of exhibition space during the forthcoming Merthyr Rising festival to provide an opportunity to showcase both the fanzine cover artwork and also the photography project.

Another opportunity to view the Trust history document that we produced a couple of seasons ago; http://content.yudu.com/web/fiqy/0A3x7w4/hist011/index.html We hope it inspires you. Keep the faith. Progress through stability.

21-February-2004. Nathan and R yan were fast asleep by the ti me we got to T redegar . Mr Evans (W olvesy) and I were chatting about the upcoming W olves v Fulham game at Molineux. Then the W olfman, just happened to drop into our conversation; “T ell me Mark, what’ s your opinion on supporters trusts?” “W ell , I’m not very familiar with the concept, Mark, to be honest, why do you ask?” It was clear from Mr Evans’ r esponse that; he was very well read and extremely familiar with supporters groups, and the notion of Football T rusts, (no surprise there) and their involvement in Football Clubs. Whilst the two unexcitable W olves supporters slept soundly in the back of the car , we formulated a plan, as to how we could get the fans and board at MTFC to support the idea of; fans having an input into the running of the club and helping to raise revenue for the club. “W e will need to elect a committee, and we will need a decent chairman, any ideas?” he teased. When t...

The boffins at the Dial M For Merthyr research facility in Pontsticill have come up with the following away supporters guide for any fans wishing to visit us at Penydarren Park; http://content.yudu.com/web/fiqy/0A3x7w4/Awayguide17/html/index.html Enjoy the Pearl!

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.