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Stori Pêl-droed Cymru

The first international at Ninian Park

Ninian Park

Programme 3 of 'Stori Pel-droed Cymru', we remember the Welsh stadia that have been lost in the name of progress. We look back at the beloved venues which mark the history of the game, including The Vetch, Somerton Park, and Farrar Road. But we also remember Ninian Park, home of so many memorable international matches. And the first of those matches, against Scotland in 1911 paints a vivid picture of the conditions experienced by the Edwardian football fan.

The Corporation Refuse Tip at Leckwithhad been chosen as Cardiff's new ground, next to the Taff Vale Railway Line. Short of money for development, the club was assisted by Lord Ninian Crichton-Stuart and he officially opened the new Ninian Park in September 1910.

In March 1911, just six months after the stadium's opening, with the primitive ground still without hot water and the grandstand holding 3,000 people tightly packed on wooden benches, Scotland played the first international at the new venue. Debris from the rubbish tip still rose to the surface whenever the pitch was rolled, and Cardiff City players and staff would scour the grass for glass, coal and metal at 6 a.m. each morning before training. Sadly for Scottish left-half Peter McWilliam, they missed a piece on the morning of the Scotland game, and his knee was gashed so badly he never played again. Meredith also claimed his knees were cut by the rough ground. Life was also uncomfortable for the spectators – in strong winds, fans on the Bob Bank were covered in the ash banked around the ground from the local gasworks. Notwithstanding the conditions, a record 17,000 people turned up to watch the first Ninian Park international, including Lord Ninian Crichton-Stuart.

It might have beeneven more had Cardiff Council not refused an appeal by the FAW for schoolchildren to be given a half-day holiday, asserting that "the committee should not encourage children to go and stand shivering watching others play." The Western Mail reported that "when the gates opened at 1.30 there were long queues at every one of the many gateways, especially so at the cheap entrance where the queue was four deep and fully a couple of hundred yards long."

"the committee should not encourage children to go and stand shivering watching others play."

During the game, railings collapsed opposite the grandstand and the crowd spilled onto the pitch, stopping play until they calmly returned to the banking. But there would be more drama during the evening following the game. After the match, the Welsh team and officials had accepted the Cardiff City Supporters Club's invitation to a 'smoking-concert' at the Royal Hotel, before catching their train at 7.40 p.m.

After the celebrations had finished, it was far too late to deposit the record takings at a bank, and all the money, in silver and coppers, was given to FAW secretary, Ted Robbins in a suitcase. Prior to catching the train, Robbins put the bag down on the station platform and went to tend to the players' needs. He was paying expenses, checking on injuries and making sure that nobody was left behind. In a last-minute rush, everybody boarded the carriage with Robbins following into the crowded train. It was only as it was pulling out did Robbins realize the suitcase had been left on the platform, still full of the day's takings.There was nothing for it but to pull the communication chord and Robbins hurtled back along the track in complete panic, to where the bag of cash thankfully remained.

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