Spiro, The Soul Crew and The South Wales Echo

I think my dad may have had tongue in cheek while writing this. Although he did go through a spell of wearing a Burberry cap and smashing stuff up when City lost.

I don't think the Echo printed this one...

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21 May 2002

Viewpoint

South Wales ECHO

Thomson House

Havelock Street

Cardiff      CF1 1XR

Dear Fellow Football Fans

I must comment on that TV show called ‘Hooligans’ and screened on Channel 4 last Sunday.

The showpiece made me so proud to be a City Fan, that I immediately accessed the website advertised and became a member of the Soul Crew.  How inspiring it is to know that a gathering of well dressed Cardiff City fans are able to dominate their English counterparts

Do join us if you love the true meaning of football

Yours sincerely

 Spiro Jones

A Letter to Sam Part 2

This is the second letter my dad sent to Sam Hammam following this cheeky request to provide live commentary at a match. After Sam had rung up a couple of times, my old man was obviously of the opinion that a relationship had built up with the Cardiff City Chairman. And what else can you do but offer advice on tactics when results aren't going your way.

None of us expected the advice to actually be followed though...

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6 October 2004 

Sam Hamman
Chairman
Cardiff City Football Club
Sloper Road
Grangetown
CARDIFF   


Dear Sam

My Membership No 69330

I hope I find you fit and well, if a little concerned about our league position.  That’s the trouble with City fans, we worry, worry, worry… and then turn into perfect optimists.

Thank you for ringing my home last month in response to my first letter.  You spoke to my son, Tony.  I was in work at the Cardiff Institute for the Blind in Newport Road where I teach blind people to use computers.  You would be welcome to come and see the way that visually impaired people learn to use computers.  My work number is 20######.

Now, why am I writing?  I shall tell you.  We are in difficulty!  We have not scored a goal at home for 5 matches!!!  Do we have a forward that can genuinely hold the ball, and turn and take on defenders, and beat defenders, and deceive defenders, and get past the defence?  Do we have a forward who is capable of dribbling through the opposition with guile and style, and blasting a shot goalward?  

Who is fast enough?  Which player is skilful enough?  which City player has the potential to slice through a defence?  Just like Blake at Burnley, or the pair at Wigan, or the front line at Ipswich!

And…

What would Professor Wenger have done at Arsenal if he had a shortcoming in that area?  I’ll tell you what he would have done!  He would have moved one of his most skilful wingers into the centre forward position.  Just like little Henry.

Sometimes it takes a blind man to see the missing bit of the jig-saw!  Parry!  Yes, Parry can play in the middle.

We have two great wingers.  Both match winners!  We can spare one to play in the spearhead of the team.  Yes!  I have listened to City matches minute after minute, hour after hour, week after week, year in, year out!  And everything at the moment sounds solid except for the front middle.  Our centre forwards should be able to hold the ball for more that 2 seconds!

Campbell could go on the wing till he regains his confidence.

No I’m not a crazy blind man!  Just a mad one!  Parry can play with Lee or Thorny in the middle.

Hope you can sort out the sense in my postulations.

Keep happy and healthy!

Yours sincerely

Spiro Sueref

PS What a date it is today!!  
I was blinded in a car crash on 6 October 1981.  Ouch.

A Letter to Sam

As Cardiff City sit proudly at the top of the Championship, it seems an appropriate time to share one of my dad's letters to the club he loved all his life. Back in 2004, Sam Hamman wasn't such a divisive figure amongst the support. And in fairness to Sam, he did ring back, once speaking to my bewildered brother and once having a long discussion about life and tactics with my old man. He never did deliver the requested commentary, though.

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8 August 2004

Sam Hamman

Chairman

Cardiff City Football Club

Sloper Road

Grangetown

CARDIFF  

Dear Sam

My Membership No 69330

I hope I find you fit and well, and bracing yourself for the ups and downs of another football season.  So, here’s wishing all our fans a happy new season.

My first match at Ninian was aged 13.  I shall be 48 next month.  The last match I ever saw was Cardiff 0 West Ham 0 to avoid relegation.  The last match report I ever read was Luton 2 Cardiff 3.  The reason is because I was blinded in a car crash in 1981, just after my 25^th birthday.  However, this hasn’t stopped me coming to Ninian, and I even have a season ticket in the disabled enclosure.

I also remember another last match, many years ago, when Wimbledon sent us down, while they gained promotion to the top division.  And, today, Wimbledon FC no longer exist!  Strangely enough, at the last match of last season, a steward asked me to leave because I tapped my white cane against the corner flag at the end.  It was Wimbledon’s last match!

Usually friends, neighbours and radios are my commentators during City matches.  In fact anything or anyone will do so long as I can discover what is happening, good or bad.  Like any devoted fan, I am a fool for my club.  I’ve worn my radio ear-plug during christenings, weddings and school governor meetings to mention but a few times my attention should have been elsewhere.

Ok, Sam.  I am offering you the chance to be my commentator for one match.  Any City match at all.  We could sit in my low little corner, but perhaps it would be better to sit a little more central.  I guarantee you that I hardly utter a syllable during the match.  You could guide me to my seat and my friends would pick me up after the match.  I think that as club chairman, you should take a turn in helping me.  I want no hospitality, no money for I’ve already paid my ticket, I just want to see your heart.

Nobody else will do, Sam.  I would love to sit with you for just one match, for you to play the John Motson role and be my eyes to describe what is happening on the pitch.  It’s a new challenge for you.  How many club chairmen get such an opportunity; to get into the heart of the fans?

Born in Corfu, Greece, raised in Splott, Cardiff, I am the Greek Leek!  Nowadays, I teach other blind people to use computers at the Cardiff Institute for the Blind where I work full time.  Phone 20######.  Call me if you ever get a moment.

Break a leg!

Spiro