FAW celebrates 140 years with EURO success
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
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The Football Association Wales today celebrates 140 years of football in the principality with a bright future and the promise of a summer to remember.
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It was at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel in Wrexham on 2 February 1876 that the Football Association of Wales (FAW) was formed – becoming only the world's third national association after England and Scotland. The first meeting of what was then the Cambrian Football Association was called to finalise arrangements for an upcoming fixture against Scotland.
That inaugural match was played on 25 March 1876 in Glasgow, where Scotland ran out 4-0 winners. Wales would not register their first victory until 26 February 1881 when a solitary goal from John Vaughan against England separated the two sides at Alexandra Meadows in Blackburn.
There have been plenty of low points since, but the FAW celebrates its 140th birthday on the crest of an unparalleled wave of optimism, Wales having qualified for UEFA EURO 2016 – their first-ever EURO.
"We have a very proud history and an even more exciting future," explained FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford. "We've got to keep building; we've got to keep moving. It's very important to recognise our proud history – 140 years – but lets also celebrate hopefully what will also be a successful future."
Ford has every reason to be positive. From Billy Meredith at the turn of the 20th century, stars such as John Charles, Neville Southall, Ryan Giggs and now Gareth Bale have represented the Dragons with pride and passion. Now, under the leadership of Chris Coleman, Wales have reached a first major tournament since the 1958 FIFA World Cup, and fans have responded in their thousands to the 'Together, Stronger' strapline that accompanied the qualifying campaign.
With a holistic programme of development in place to ensure talent continues to emerge in the men's and women's game in Wales, the anniversary of the association's humble arrival offers a timely opportunity to embrace the past and celebrate what promises to be a very bright future indeed.