FAIR DOS FOR LLANFAIR UTD

The afternoon was full of coincidences. Finding Porthmadog FC ( Clwb Pel Droed Porthmadog) and the charming ground on the new town by-pass, we were immediately made to feel comfortable by the friendly locals. The bar didn't sell cask ale but the Basra stockist did make up for this oversight by having a selection of Snowdonia Beer from the local Purple Moose brewery and the usual extras, Walkers' crisps, peanuts and close by a cafe selling chips and various hot foods. There was a queue.

Porthmadog FC was founded in 1884 and is one of the oldest clubs in Wales. History says that they play on the same pitch as they have always done, though the version we saw at the Traeth, was modern and despite the floods, in good nick. The lad who ran the club shop said they had been under water twice this winter. Shirts, badges and even a weird selection of old football programmes were up for grabs at the right price. I came across a Spurs' proggy from the 1980s and one from Ampthill Town as well as some Welsh league clubs. Tantalising. But my money stayed in my pocket.

Playing in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance, they lie around half way in the division and have had much success in the past. The 1950s saw them win the Welsh Amateur Cup and in the 1960s when they turned professional, the club was graced by Mel Charles and even his very famous brother John had strong links with the club. Tony Waddington has also had his four penny worth as did Micky Thomas, leading to considerable success in the league during the 1970s. If these names mean nothing to you, then shame on you!

I shall now tell you about another extraordinary link with the club. I had played an odd game with Steve Woodin, an Englishmen, born in Birkenhead, who was a Port player in the 1980s. Woodin was a New Zealand 1982 World Cup player, whom I met when I spent a year in NZ in 1984 and played a bit for his team Christchurch United. Woodin is famed for appearing in Spain against Scotland (2-5 loss but he did score), The Soviet Union and Brazil.

He appeared 24 times for his country and scored 11 goals.

In the 1990s Porthmadog had a prolific striker called Dave Taylor who scored 62 goals in 66 games and therefore won the European Golden Boot as the continent's top goal scorer. In 1992-3 the club's floodlights were installed and they gave out many lumens today as the winter's sun set.

On the 16th January 2007, the club was fined £13500 and docked 3 points for failing to control their supporters who racially abused a referee called Gary Ismial. Judging from what we saw this afternoon I find that hard to believe, so genial were they all. The ref, bless him, was wearing a black kit in the first half, which clashed with the oppos' strip, until somebody mentioned it (probably his assessor) so he changed to luminous orange, that clashed with the  Llanfair goalie! Dooh.

Around this time, ex-Manchester United star, Clayton Blackmore made a short appearance as Port's manager, though his reign did not last long.

We had a great afternoon with the Port and would recommend them for future visits.