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00:00:04,118 --> 00:00:08,394
[fans shouting]
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00:00:08,394 --> 00:00:09,462
PHIL PARKINSON:
Come on, boys.
3
00:00:09,462 --> 00:00:10,732
Relish it.
We're playing at home.
4
00:00:10,732 --> 00:00:12,234
Okay, we spoke about yesterday
5
00:00:12,234 --> 00:00:14,973
about it being a special day
for the club, okay,
6
00:00:14,973 --> 00:00:16,476
and how we pay tribute to that
7
00:00:16,476 --> 00:00:18,781
is by putting in
a really good performance.
8
00:00:18,781 --> 00:00:21,787
[announcer speaking
indistinctly]
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00:00:21,787 --> 00:00:24,526
MARK GRIFFITHS:
As both sides make their way
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00:00:24,526 --> 00:00:27,532
onto the Racecourse pitch, Wrexham
11
00:00:27,532 --> 00:00:29,703
looking to try and make it...
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00:00:29,703 --> 00:00:31,841
CROWD:
Wrexham! Wrexham!
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MARK: This is a football town.
It's a hardworking town.
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00:00:35,447 --> 00:00:36,717
We've been through
difficult times lately,
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00:00:36,717 --> 00:00:39,255
but the mining
is a massive part of that.
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00:00:39,255 --> 00:00:40,558
[light music]
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00:00:40,558 --> 00:00:43,129
We had
the most horrific disaster.
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00:00:43,129 --> 00:00:45,301
And I'm not saying most
19
00:00:45,301 --> 00:00:47,037
in a pejorative sense.
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00:00:47,037 --> 00:00:48,874
Factually
the worst mining disaster
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00:00:48,874 --> 00:00:51,981
in the history of Britain
happened in the 1930s
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00:00:51,981 --> 00:00:54,385
just on the edge of Wrexham
in the Gresford mine.
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00:00:54,385 --> 00:00:56,155
And before things
get underway here,
24
00:00:56,155 --> 00:00:58,126
there will be
a minute's silence
25
00:00:58,126 --> 00:01:00,865
for the Gresford Colliery disaster.
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00:01:00,865 --> 00:01:02,536
♪ ♪
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00:01:02,536 --> 00:01:03,738
WAYNE JONES:
It was well over 200 people
28
00:01:03,738 --> 00:01:04,806
that perished that day.
29
00:01:04,806 --> 00:01:07,344
The story
of Wrexham supporters
30
00:01:07,344 --> 00:01:09,883
that swapped shifts
so they could watch Wrexham,
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00:01:09,883 --> 00:01:13,123
and then, sadly, the people
that obviously replaced them
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00:01:13,123 --> 00:01:16,029
passed away, so it's
another example, I guess,
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00:01:16,029 --> 00:01:18,366
of what the football club
means to the people,
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00:01:18,366 --> 00:01:19,736
that they would swap shifts
35
00:01:19,736 --> 00:01:21,607
to go do a night shift
rather than a day shift
36
00:01:21,607 --> 00:01:23,176
just to be able to come
and watch the football club
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00:01:23,176 --> 00:01:24,713
going back all them years,
you know?
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00:01:24,713 --> 00:01:26,850
So, you know, the people from
the outside now that will say
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00:01:26,850 --> 00:01:28,821
the way they are,
Hollywood FC and all that,
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00:01:28,821 --> 00:01:31,392
they have no idea about us
as a club.
41
00:01:31,392 --> 00:01:32,829
You know, they have no idea
of the disaster
42
00:01:32,829 --> 00:01:34,465
that was Gresford Colliery
that these people went through
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00:01:34,465 --> 00:01:36,202
to be able to come
and watch this football team.
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00:01:48,193 --> 00:01:49,328
SCOTT GALLOWAY:
A disaster like that
45
00:01:49,328 --> 00:01:50,899
in a town of that size
46
00:01:50,899 --> 00:01:53,904
can literally kind of
be the starting gun
47
00:01:53,904 --> 00:01:56,977
for a slow demise to oblivion.
48
00:01:56,977 --> 00:01:58,447
There's the economic damage.
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00:01:58,447 --> 00:02:00,651
There's the emotional trauma.
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00:02:00,651 --> 00:02:05,027
It's not a foregone conclusion
that a town like this survives.
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00:02:05,027 --> 00:02:07,230
[birds chirping]
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00:02:10,772 --> 00:02:12,441
SINGER: ♪ Don't forget
where you came from ♪
53
00:02:12,441 --> 00:02:15,147
♪ Don't forget
what you're made of ♪
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00:02:15,147 --> 00:02:17,852
♪ The ones who were there ♪
55
00:02:17,852 --> 00:02:21,292
♪ When no one else
would care ♪
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♪ Don't be afraid to cry now ♪
57
00:02:24,532 --> 00:02:29,074
♪ Even when the world
comes crashing in ♪
58
00:02:29,074 --> 00:02:30,645
♪ ♪
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00:02:30,645 --> 00:02:35,120
♪ Don't forget to sing
when you win ♪
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♪ ♪
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00:02:39,763 --> 00:02:44,271
♪ Don't forget to sing
when you win ♪
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[birds chirping]
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00:02:51,252 --> 00:02:52,588
ALAN JONES:
Well, I've been before.
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00:02:52,588 --> 00:02:54,792
I don't know if you remember
the talk we did.
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00:02:54,792 --> 00:02:58,467
It's about the coal mining
industry in Wrexham,
66
00:02:58,467 --> 00:03:01,874
the Gresford Colliery
in particular.
67
00:03:01,874 --> 00:03:03,677
Have we got any
Wrexham supporters?
68
00:03:05,447 --> 00:03:07,986
Wow, that's brilliant.
69
00:03:07,986 --> 00:03:10,724
Anybody got the shirt?
70
00:03:10,724 --> 00:03:12,595
What's the numbers on the back?
71
00:03:15,267 --> 00:03:19,710
ALAN: So it's a real big
remembrance of what went on.
72
00:03:19,710 --> 00:03:23,149
My name is Alan Jones.
This is my wife, Margaret.
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00:03:23,149 --> 00:03:26,757
I'm chair of the Friends of the
Gresford Disaster Memorial.
74
00:03:26,757 --> 00:03:30,731
And Margaret is the secretary,
sweeper-up,
75
00:03:30,731 --> 00:03:34,639
pot-washer,
and everything else associated.
76
00:03:34,639 --> 00:03:38,714
Now, that's a picture of the
shaft when it was being dug.
77
00:03:38,714 --> 00:03:40,184
Can you imagine?
78
00:03:40,184 --> 00:03:41,820
It's nearly half a mile deep
79
00:03:41,820 --> 00:03:44,659
with tunnels
running under this area.
80
00:03:44,659 --> 00:03:47,799
Very close connection
to this school.
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00:03:47,799 --> 00:03:52,374
Now, we come to
September the 21st, 1934.
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00:03:52,374 --> 00:03:55,715
If they'd have obeyed
the new legislation,
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00:03:55,715 --> 00:03:58,387
every coalface would've
had fresh air.
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00:03:58,387 --> 00:04:00,256
But because
of the old legislation,
85
00:04:00,256 --> 00:04:04,265
the same air was going round
every piece of the colliery,
86
00:04:04,265 --> 00:04:06,603
picking up dust,
picking up gas,
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00:04:06,603 --> 00:04:08,607
and then eventually,
88
00:04:08,607 --> 00:04:11,780
a spark or a flame
ignited the gas.
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00:04:11,780 --> 00:04:15,321
[explosion booms]
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00:04:15,321 --> 00:04:16,523
NARRATOR:
A terrific blast
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00:04:16,523 --> 00:04:17,892
awoke the sleeping town
of Wrexham.
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00:04:17,892 --> 00:04:19,361
Explosion and fire
at Gresford
93
00:04:19,361 --> 00:04:20,798
was the dread message.
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00:05:00,043 --> 00:05:02,180
NARRATOR: While at the
pithead, groups of miners,
95
00:05:02,180 --> 00:05:03,618
their wives and children,
96
00:05:03,618 --> 00:05:05,086
are waiting
and fearing the worst.
97
00:05:05,086 --> 00:05:07,057
NARRATOR 2: Men from the
surrounding pits ceased work
98
00:05:07,057 --> 00:05:09,428
and rushed to help
in the task of rescue.
99
00:05:09,428 --> 00:05:10,932
Already three
of these heroic men
100
00:05:10,932 --> 00:05:12,936
have lost their lives,
and as they fall,
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00:05:12,936 --> 00:05:15,574
overcome by the dread gas,
others are waiting, undaunted,
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00:05:15,574 --> 00:05:18,079
to take their places.
103
00:05:18,079 --> 00:05:23,456
ALAN: The 22nd,
people waiting for news.
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00:05:23,456 --> 00:05:26,161
All them people
looking for their family.
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00:05:26,161 --> 00:05:29,936
Their dads, their uncles,
their sons.
106
00:05:29,936 --> 00:05:32,609
Men arriving,
desperate to help,
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00:05:32,609 --> 00:05:34,779
whatever they could,
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00:05:34,779 --> 00:05:37,519
to do what they could
on land or underground.
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00:05:37,519 --> 00:05:40,424
At one time, there were
over 200 men underground
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00:05:40,424 --> 00:05:43,598
fighting the fires and trying
to hold the roof up.
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00:05:43,598 --> 00:05:45,768
But it was impossible.
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00:05:50,277 --> 00:05:56,089
MARGARET JONES: There were 261
left without a dad.
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00:05:56,089 --> 00:05:59,261
[church bells ringing]
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00:05:59,261 --> 00:06:02,869
PRODUCER: And how old were you
when your father passed away?
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00:06:02,869 --> 00:06:05,407
Three year old.
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00:06:05,407 --> 00:06:08,814
My father's name
was William Crump.
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00:06:08,814 --> 00:06:10,751
He was 38...
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00:06:12,955 --> 00:06:17,631
When he was killed
in the disaster.
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00:06:17,631 --> 00:06:19,969
But I used to peek
through the window,
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00:06:19,969 --> 00:06:23,544
'cause you'd hear them going
up the street in their clogs.
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00:06:23,544 --> 00:06:26,281
I remember Mum,
she used to scream,
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00:06:26,281 --> 00:06:32,027
used to shout
'cause she was in so much pain.
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00:06:32,027 --> 00:06:35,334
They decided
to brick that part off.
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00:06:35,334 --> 00:06:38,608
And my youngest brother,
he went to work down the mine
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and he said,
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00:06:39,843 --> 00:06:42,949
"I wanted to knock
that wall down."
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00:06:42,949 --> 00:06:47,257
Because somebody had said that
the bodies could be recovered.
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00:06:47,257 --> 00:06:49,595
There's no need for them
to be down there.
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00:06:49,595 --> 00:06:51,365
They could've brought them out.
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00:06:51,365 --> 00:06:53,069
RUBY'S DAUGHTER: They wanted
them to have a burial, Mum,
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00:06:53,069 --> 00:06:54,138
didn't they?
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00:06:54,138 --> 00:06:57,745
And--yeah, was--
that didn't happen.
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00:06:57,745 --> 00:07:02,655
They should've tried
a bit harder that they can
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00:07:02,655 --> 00:07:04,793
get them out, you know.
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00:07:04,793 --> 00:07:07,965
Why couldn't we have Dad out?
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00:07:14,345 --> 00:07:15,748
BRYN LAW: The history
is very significant
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00:07:15,748 --> 00:07:17,585
in terms of the football because
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00:07:17,585 --> 00:07:19,890
I think it's got
to be important
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00:07:19,890 --> 00:07:21,258
that there were
so many mining communities
140
00:07:21,258 --> 00:07:24,332
around Wrexham
that Wrexham took to football
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00:07:24,332 --> 00:07:25,935
almost before anywhere else.
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00:07:25,935 --> 00:07:28,774
That's why you have
that 1864 on the badge.
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00:07:29,275 --> 00:07:30,611
You know, that's very,
very early on
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00:07:30,611 --> 00:07:32,014
in the history of football.
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00:07:32,014 --> 00:07:33,918
Because you've got guys
who are working underground,
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00:07:33,918 --> 00:07:36,590
the hardest jobs,
the worst jobs,
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00:07:36,590 --> 00:07:38,661
looking for some form
of recreation
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00:07:38,661 --> 00:07:40,798
when they get back
above the surface.
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00:07:40,798 --> 00:07:43,436
They like a pint,
plenty of pubs around,
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00:07:43,436 --> 00:07:45,040
but they want to do something
as well.
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00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:47,745
And football took off massively
in this part of the world.
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00:07:47,745 --> 00:07:50,183
NARRATOR: Legend has it
that many years ago,
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00:07:50,183 --> 00:07:52,387
whenever a first-class
football club in the North
154
00:07:52,387 --> 00:07:54,124
or Midlands wanted a player,
155
00:07:54,124 --> 00:07:56,663
the club manager just went
to the nearest coal mine
156
00:07:56,663 --> 00:07:59,068
and shouted down
the pit shaft.
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00:07:59,803 --> 00:08:00,872
ROB McELHENNEY: Hi.
MARGARET: Oh, hi.
158
00:08:00,872 --> 00:08:03,109
How are you?
Rob McElhenney.
159
00:08:03,109 --> 00:08:04,077
This is my father, Bob.
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00:08:04,077 --> 00:08:05,313
BOB: Well, hello.
- Hey, Bob. Big Al.
161
00:08:05,313 --> 00:08:07,317
- Big Al.
- I don't know why.
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00:08:07,317 --> 00:08:08,452
I can see that. I get that.
[Margaret laughs]
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00:08:08,452 --> 00:08:09,589
ROB: So here we are.
164
00:08:09,589 --> 00:08:12,427
You've got
mining connections.
165
00:08:12,427 --> 00:08:14,431
- We do.
- Is that on your dad's side?
166
00:08:14,431 --> 00:08:17,137
Yes, it is. My great--
BOB: Yeah, yeah.
167
00:08:17,137 --> 00:08:18,941
Would it be
your great-grandfather
168
00:08:18,941 --> 00:08:20,143
was a miner in--
169
00:08:20,143 --> 00:08:22,180
My great-grandfather was, yeah.
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00:08:22,180 --> 00:08:25,120
Right, they--first
they started off in Donegal,
171
00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:28,895
right, and then they came over
to Milford.
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00:08:28,895 --> 00:08:29,829
You know, Glasgow.
ALAN: Yeah.
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00:08:29,829 --> 00:08:31,666
[upbeat funky music]
174
00:08:31,666 --> 00:08:35,741
After the First World War,
industry was left--
175
00:08:35,741 --> 00:08:37,979
in this country,
was just left to go.
176
00:08:37,979 --> 00:08:40,183
The shipyards were struggling,
177
00:08:40,183 --> 00:08:41,820
the steel industry
was struggling,
178
00:08:41,820 --> 00:08:44,024
and it was vital for Wrexham
179
00:08:44,024 --> 00:08:46,295
that the coal industry
kept going.
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00:08:46,295 --> 00:08:48,099
It employed the vast majority
181
00:08:48,099 --> 00:08:51,238
or involved the vast majority
of the town.
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00:08:51,238 --> 00:08:53,142
Coal mining
is what put the "Great"
183
00:08:53,142 --> 00:08:54,679
into Great Britain.
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00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:57,450
The coal that was raised
drove the ships.
185
00:08:57,450 --> 00:08:59,121
It drove the railways.
186
00:08:59,121 --> 00:09:02,260
It was the only
real employment in the area,
187
00:09:02,260 --> 00:09:06,002
and people were desperate,
desperate for work.
188
00:09:06,002 --> 00:09:07,972
SCOTT: The great arbitrage
of the 20th century
189
00:09:07,972 --> 00:09:10,009
that fueled the economy globally
190
00:09:10,009 --> 00:09:12,716
was this arbitrage
between fossil fuels,
191
00:09:12,716 --> 00:09:14,285
turning them into energy.
192
00:09:14,285 --> 00:09:16,255
Pittsburgh where there was,
you know, steel mining
193
00:09:16,255 --> 00:09:18,794
or Detroit
building automobiles
194
00:09:18,794 --> 00:09:21,800
or the town of Wrexham
and mining,
195
00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:24,104
but it's come at a huge cost,
196
00:09:24,104 --> 00:09:27,177
and that cost is primarily
to middle-class people
197
00:09:27,177 --> 00:09:30,183
who are more manual jobs
who aren't living in a city.
198
00:09:30,183 --> 00:09:32,487
You know,
there was pretty much one,
199
00:09:32,487 --> 00:09:34,926
you know, buyer of your labor.
200
00:09:34,926 --> 00:09:37,230
And so you weren't--
there wasn't a negotiation.
201
00:09:37,230 --> 00:09:38,700
It was a decision.
202
00:09:38,700 --> 00:09:41,238
Do you want to provide
for your family or not?
203
00:09:41,238 --> 00:09:43,944
There's this tragic life
before the disaster.
204
00:09:43,944 --> 00:09:46,348
This is hard living,
to try and get through this.
205
00:09:46,348 --> 00:09:48,319
Oh, absolutely, absolutely.
206
00:09:48,319 --> 00:09:49,823
Another point.
207
00:09:49,823 --> 00:09:53,530
Um, they were paid on
the Friday, a lot of the men,
208
00:09:53,530 --> 00:09:54,766
so when
they went down the pit,
209
00:09:54,766 --> 00:09:56,302
their wages were
in their pockets.
210
00:09:56,302 --> 00:09:57,505
BOB: Oh, jeez.
211
00:09:57,505 --> 00:10:01,045
Seven shillings
and three-quarter pence.
212
00:10:01,045 --> 00:10:02,948
That was it.
- That was per week.
213
00:10:02,948 --> 00:10:04,653
- That was per week.
- Per week, yeah.
214
00:10:04,653 --> 00:10:07,625
[somber music]
215
00:10:07,625 --> 00:10:08,794
♪ ♪
216
00:10:08,794 --> 00:10:10,998
So they're still
lying there now.
217
00:10:10,998 --> 00:10:12,301
So the families
didn't even get that.
218
00:10:12,301 --> 00:10:14,639
ALAN: They didn't get zilch.
219
00:10:14,639 --> 00:10:19,381
And the wages
of the miners that died
220
00:10:19,381 --> 00:10:21,753
actually stopped at...
221
00:10:21,753 --> 00:10:23,289
- 2:00 in the morning.
- 2:00 in the morning.
222
00:10:23,289 --> 00:10:25,293
They didn't get paid
for a full shift.
223
00:10:25,293 --> 00:10:26,596
The time of the explosion.
224
00:10:26,596 --> 00:10:30,103
The owners ruled
with an iron rod.
225
00:10:30,103 --> 00:10:32,942
Health and safety was--
it didn't exist.
226
00:10:32,942 --> 00:10:35,380
It was get the coal out
at all costs.
227
00:10:35,380 --> 00:10:37,050
♪ ♪
228
00:10:37,050 --> 00:10:38,921
ROB: So how long has
the memorial been here?
229
00:10:38,921 --> 00:10:41,292
ALAN: Uh, since 1982.
230
00:10:41,292 --> 00:10:46,035
MARGARET:
Which was 48 years in waiting.
231
00:10:46,035 --> 00:10:47,739
There wasn't a memorial
put up straightaway
232
00:10:47,739 --> 00:10:50,042
after the disaster,
the reason being
233
00:10:50,042 --> 00:10:52,648
the vested interests
of the mine owners
234
00:10:52,648 --> 00:10:54,384
who wanted
to avoid punishment.
235
00:10:54,384 --> 00:10:56,055
NARRATOR:
Nationwide interest
236
00:10:56,055 --> 00:10:57,625
centers on
Wrexham church hall,
237
00:10:57,625 --> 00:10:59,094
where the Ministry of Mines
238
00:10:59,094 --> 00:11:01,199
opens its inquiry into
the Gresford pit disaster.
239
00:11:01,199 --> 00:11:03,068
Miners thrown out of work
by the catastrophe
240
00:11:03,068 --> 00:11:04,939
eagerly queue up for places.
241
00:11:04,939 --> 00:11:07,545
Many of these men were among
the 480 at the coalface
242
00:11:07,545 --> 00:11:10,884
when the explosion occurred,
killing 264 men.
243
00:11:10,884 --> 00:11:14,024
This being Britain,
the upper classes win.
244
00:11:14,024 --> 00:11:16,228
In the end,
Bonsall and the mine company
245
00:11:16,228 --> 00:11:20,337
were convicted but only for
inadequate recordkeeping.
246
00:11:20,337 --> 00:11:23,042
They were fined
a pathetic ££140.
247
00:11:23,042 --> 00:11:24,913
BRYN:
I think people still know
248
00:11:24,913 --> 00:11:26,816
that you've got to be very,
very careful about those
249
00:11:26,816 --> 00:11:29,221
who come in and profess to say,
"We're gonna--
250
00:11:29,221 --> 00:11:31,993
you know, you're gonna
help us do this."
251
00:11:31,993 --> 00:11:33,462
Rob and Ryan might have
encountered it
252
00:11:33,462 --> 00:11:34,866
to an extent, you know?
253
00:11:34,866 --> 00:11:36,669
That was one of the hurdles
that they had to overcome
254
00:11:36,669 --> 00:11:38,841
because of things
like Gresford.
255
00:11:38,841 --> 00:11:41,680
I think it's very worthwhile
that we remember
256
00:11:41,680 --> 00:11:44,885
that one
awfully significant event
257
00:11:44,885 --> 00:11:46,222
as a part in the bigger picture
258
00:11:46,222 --> 00:11:48,459
in terms of the history
of the place.
259
00:11:49,194 --> 00:11:53,168
So what does
the colliery wheel actually do?
260
00:11:53,168 --> 00:11:55,473
We'd have an engine house
there, yeah,
261
00:11:55,473 --> 00:11:57,410
with a rope going up
262
00:11:57,410 --> 00:12:00,416
around the wheel
and down the shaft.
263
00:12:00,416 --> 00:12:01,953
So there'd be a cage
that would
264
00:12:01,953 --> 00:12:04,324
wind up and down
with the men.
265
00:12:04,324 --> 00:12:07,030
So this is actually
how the men traveled down...
266
00:12:07,030 --> 00:12:09,334
ALAN: Yeah, yeah.
- Into the mine?
267
00:12:09,334 --> 00:12:11,873
ALAN: Yes. Half a mile.
268
00:12:11,873 --> 00:12:15,313
ROB:
Half a mile into the ground?
269
00:12:15,313 --> 00:12:18,052
Okay, can you take us
to the other wheels that were--
270
00:12:18,052 --> 00:12:19,121
ALAN: To the sister wheel?
271
00:12:19,121 --> 00:12:20,624
ROB: To the sister wheel, please.
272
00:12:20,624 --> 00:12:23,295
ALAN: Yeah, absolutely, yeah.
It's not very far up the road.
273
00:12:23,295 --> 00:12:27,370
The wheel was abandoned
by the previous owners
274
00:12:27,370 --> 00:12:29,174
and buried it
in the ground here.
275
00:12:29,174 --> 00:12:30,711
ROB: Ah.
276
00:12:30,711 --> 00:12:32,815
But you can see the size.
277
00:12:32,815 --> 00:12:34,018
ROB:
Take a picture of it for Ryan.
278
00:12:34,018 --> 00:12:36,488
ALAN: Yeah.
- He'll wanna see this.
279
00:12:36,488 --> 00:12:39,127
♪ ♪
280
00:12:39,127 --> 00:12:40,263
It was always in the plans
281
00:12:40,263 --> 00:12:42,434
when we were working
with the local architects
282
00:12:42,434 --> 00:12:44,673
and engineers about the design
for the new Kop...
283
00:12:44,673 --> 00:12:46,308
ALAN: Yeah.
284
00:12:46,308 --> 00:12:47,477
ROB: That we wanted to make
sure that we were honoring
285
00:12:47,477 --> 00:12:49,983
the coal mining industry
in any way that we could,
286
00:12:49,983 --> 00:12:52,487
so as you can see
with the façade of the brick
287
00:12:52,487 --> 00:12:55,126
and then in the color.
BOB: Mm-hmm.
288
00:12:55,126 --> 00:12:58,065
ROB: And then we wanted
to find ways in which
289
00:12:58,065 --> 00:13:02,909
we could just be pretty overt
with our respect,
290
00:13:02,909 --> 00:13:05,313
and I think this would
be a good way,
291
00:13:05,313 --> 00:13:09,288
to take the sister wheel,
to put it in a respectful place
292
00:13:09,288 --> 00:13:11,860
up near the stand
for the new Kop.
293
00:13:11,860 --> 00:13:14,999
For this to go
to the Racecourse
294
00:13:14,999 --> 00:13:17,905
and be mounted up
would be the--
295
00:13:17,905 --> 00:13:21,111
[chuckling] Wow.
The utmost pleasure of my life.
296
00:13:21,111 --> 00:13:22,614
ROB: Mm.
- Sorry, Mag.
297
00:13:22,614 --> 00:13:24,251
[laughter]
298
00:13:24,251 --> 00:13:26,488
But it would--
it's so important.
299
00:13:26,488 --> 00:13:29,160
Anybody in Wrexham
with a mining connection,
300
00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:30,564
and there's not many
that haven't,
301
00:13:30,564 --> 00:13:32,167
they're gonna be so pleased.
302
00:13:32,167 --> 00:13:34,271
Well, thank you so much
for showing us this.
303
00:13:34,271 --> 00:13:36,576
Hopefully,
we can do it justice.
304
00:13:36,576 --> 00:13:42,588
♪ ♪
305
00:13:47,665 --> 00:13:50,002
ROB: All right, what were you
saying when we got in the car?
306
00:13:50,002 --> 00:13:51,472
BOB: Yeah, so we were
getting in the car
307
00:13:51,472 --> 00:13:52,542
and I'm just thinking--
308
00:13:52,542 --> 00:13:55,413
ROB: Actually, if you hit
that button here,
309
00:13:55,413 --> 00:13:57,752
it'll close that
so it's not so loud.
310
00:13:57,752 --> 00:13:59,154
Right:
BOB: This guy?
311
00:13:59,154 --> 00:14:00,289
ROB: Window open? Yeah.
312
00:14:02,795 --> 00:14:03,964
Yeah.
313
00:14:03,964 --> 00:14:05,634
ROB: We're running sound,
though, still?
314
00:14:06,034 --> 00:14:08,405
ROB: So is picture running?
315
00:14:09,943 --> 00:14:11,078
ROB: Okay, great.
316
00:14:11,078 --> 00:14:14,384
So this is so great that
317
00:14:14,384 --> 00:14:18,326
we're dealing with fog issues
on the lens.
318
00:14:18,326 --> 00:14:19,327
BOB: Right.
319
00:14:19,327 --> 00:14:21,733
'Cause it's indicative
of how ridiculous
320
00:14:21,733 --> 00:14:23,068
modern life is
321
00:14:23,068 --> 00:14:25,907
compared to--compared
to the way it used to be.
322
00:14:25,907 --> 00:14:27,477
You know, those guys
would have to go to work
323
00:14:27,477 --> 00:14:29,247
in these same conditions
324
00:14:29,247 --> 00:14:32,086
and they wouldn't have to worry
about defogging a lens
325
00:14:32,086 --> 00:14:35,226
to shoot their bullshit
Hollywood documentary.
326
00:14:35,226 --> 00:14:37,297
They'd be going a half a mile
into the ground.
327
00:14:37,297 --> 00:14:40,069
Into the ground, right,
just gobbling them up.
328
00:14:41,138 --> 00:14:42,373
I was struck by the fact
329
00:14:42,373 --> 00:14:44,144
that they were going down
like that,
330
00:14:44,144 --> 00:14:48,019
and I thought to myself,
how unfortunate
331
00:14:48,019 --> 00:14:49,488
that I never had a chance
to talk to my dad
332
00:14:49,488 --> 00:14:52,226
about going down into
those ships, those cargo ships.
333
00:14:52,226 --> 00:14:54,532
I think, as a longshoreman,
that's what they did, right?
334
00:14:54,532 --> 00:14:55,901
Back in his earlier days,
335
00:14:55,901 --> 00:14:59,041
they would literally go down
into the bowels of these ships
336
00:14:59,041 --> 00:15:00,744
and get all the stuff
out of there.
337
00:15:00,744 --> 00:15:04,250
And I never took that
into consideration as a kid.
338
00:15:04,250 --> 00:15:05,620
I just figured, well,
he went to work,
339
00:15:05,620 --> 00:15:07,558
he brought his check home,
and we--you know,
340
00:15:07,558 --> 00:15:08,660
we went off to school.
341
00:15:08,660 --> 00:15:11,398
But, you know,
the symbolism of the wheel,
342
00:15:11,398 --> 00:15:14,739
I just hope that it's just
a symbol of what people were.
343
00:15:14,739 --> 00:15:17,177
You know, these are the people
whose shoulders,
344
00:15:17,177 --> 00:15:18,981
you know,
that we're standing on.
345
00:15:19,883 --> 00:15:22,621
ROB: It's just
a reminder that, you know,
346
00:15:22,621 --> 00:15:25,226
everybody can
find a connection
347
00:15:25,226 --> 00:15:27,531
to what that means
in their community
348
00:15:27,531 --> 00:15:29,068
or in their life.
349
00:15:29,068 --> 00:15:31,404
My father was
talking about Vietnam,
350
00:15:31,404 --> 00:15:33,777
and he was saying how
everybody knew somebody
351
00:15:33,777 --> 00:15:35,113
who was killed in Vietnam.
352
00:15:35,113 --> 00:15:36,415
Certainly in our community.
353
00:15:36,415 --> 00:15:38,219
There's something quite
unifying about that.
354
00:15:38,219 --> 00:15:40,925
Even though one is a vocation,
one is war,
355
00:15:40,925 --> 00:15:42,327
it was a very specific
kind of person
356
00:15:42,327 --> 00:15:44,063
that was killed in that war,
357
00:15:44,063 --> 00:15:46,101
and it was a very specific
kind of person
358
00:15:46,101 --> 00:15:47,538
that was killed in that mine.
359
00:15:47,538 --> 00:15:49,976
And I think almost everybody
across the world
360
00:15:49,976 --> 00:15:53,116
can identify with people
like that.
361
00:15:53,116 --> 00:15:55,186
BOB: The people were waiting,
they're raising their family,
362
00:15:55,186 --> 00:15:56,723
and now all of a sudden,
363
00:15:56,723 --> 00:15:59,261
you know, your husband's
not coming home tonight.
364
00:15:59,261 --> 00:16:01,132
And yet they go on, right?
ROB: Yeah.
365
00:16:01,132 --> 00:16:03,202
Life goes on.
366
00:16:03,202 --> 00:16:06,008
ROB: No other choice.
- Nope. Nope.
367
00:16:06,008 --> 00:16:11,218
♪ ♪
368
00:16:15,594 --> 00:16:18,734
BRYN: So we get further away
from it,
369
00:16:18,734 --> 00:16:21,271
but the connection
still remains strong.
370
00:16:23,175 --> 00:16:24,846
But the football club
took that up,
371
00:16:24,846 --> 00:16:27,450
and it's largely driven in
many ways by the football club,
372
00:16:27,450 --> 00:16:30,757
that this has become a big part
373
00:16:30,757 --> 00:16:33,462
of what's happened
in Wrexham's recent history,
374
00:16:33,462 --> 00:16:36,101
to be honest, and the football
club should take credit,
375
00:16:36,101 --> 00:16:38,539
I think, for reminding people
376
00:16:38,539 --> 00:16:41,278
about what's gone on
in this community
377
00:16:41,278 --> 00:16:42,949
beyond the football club.
378
00:16:42,949 --> 00:16:44,283
And if they wonder why
379
00:16:44,283 --> 00:16:46,488
people have fought so hard
for their football club,
380
00:16:46,488 --> 00:16:50,196
then perhaps these kinds of
things are the reason for that.
381
00:16:50,196 --> 00:16:52,066
[band playing "Yma o Hyd"]
382
00:16:52,066 --> 00:16:53,335
MARK:
There's a folk song
383
00:16:53,335 --> 00:16:55,607
about 40 years old
and written in Welsh
384
00:16:55,607 --> 00:16:58,580
that was written originally
as a political song
385
00:16:58,580 --> 00:17:00,884
referring to our relationship
with England
386
00:17:00,884 --> 00:17:03,022
that's been adopted
by the football fans
387
00:17:03,022 --> 00:17:06,027
in some Welsh towns,
including here in Wrexham.
388
00:17:06,027 --> 00:17:07,463
It has a lot of resonance
for us
389
00:17:07,463 --> 00:17:09,067
because of what
we've been through,
390
00:17:09,067 --> 00:17:10,871
like the Gresford disaster.
391
00:17:10,871 --> 00:17:13,175
It's called "Yma o Hyd,"
392
00:17:13,175 --> 00:17:17,084
which translates
as "We're Still Here."
393
00:17:17,084 --> 00:17:18,653
Because we are.
394
00:17:18,653 --> 00:17:21,392
♪ ♪
395
00:17:21,392 --> 00:17:23,362
There's pride in it,
and even though the mines
396
00:17:23,362 --> 00:17:25,032
were shut down in the '80s,
397
00:17:25,032 --> 00:17:27,270
I don't think you change
398
00:17:27,270 --> 00:17:30,109
from your character
that quickly.
399
00:17:30,109 --> 00:17:33,215
♪ ♪
400
00:17:33,215 --> 00:17:36,823
[applause]
401
00:17:36,823 --> 00:17:40,329
All those things are entwined
in terms of the DNA,
402
00:17:40,329 --> 00:17:42,835
as we might now describe it,
of Wrexham.
403
00:17:43,737 --> 00:17:46,174
That industrial past
is hugely significant,
404
00:17:46,174 --> 00:17:49,447
and football's
also hugely significant.
405
00:17:50,182 --> 00:17:52,688
The idea that miners
are trading shifts
406
00:17:52,688 --> 00:17:54,925
so they could go out
and watch a match
407
00:17:54,925 --> 00:17:57,565
before going back down
speaks volumes
408
00:17:57,565 --> 00:18:00,570
to how ingrained and how much
of a part of the fabric
409
00:18:00,570 --> 00:18:03,075
of culture in Wrexham
this club is.
410
00:18:03,075 --> 00:18:04,579
It's nothing
to be trifled with.
411
00:18:04,579 --> 00:18:05,814
That's for sure.
412
00:18:05,814 --> 00:18:08,620
ROB: The disaster happened
100 years ago,
413
00:18:08,620 --> 00:18:11,492
but those people
are still here.
414
00:18:11,492 --> 00:18:12,528
Miners,
415
00:18:12,528 --> 00:18:13,763
porters,
416
00:18:13,763 --> 00:18:15,433
painters,
417
00:18:15,433 --> 00:18:17,537
bartenders,
teachers--
418
00:18:17,537 --> 00:18:19,975
the people who
wake up every day
419
00:18:19,975 --> 00:18:22,313
and put in an honest shift.
420
00:18:22,313 --> 00:18:24,552
[light music]
421
00:18:24,552 --> 00:18:26,523
And every Saturday, they want
to come to the Racecourse
422
00:18:26,523 --> 00:18:30,195
and feel victorious,
so every win, every goal
423
00:18:30,195 --> 00:18:32,501
is a victory for them.
424
00:18:32,501 --> 00:18:35,974
And if we don't
do everything on our end
425
00:18:35,974 --> 00:18:40,182
for them to feel that,
then shame on us,
426
00:18:40,182 --> 00:18:41,719
because they deserve it.
427
00:18:41,719 --> 00:18:46,662
Because Wrexham is the town
that's still here.
428
00:18:50,402 --> 00:18:52,307
[whistle blows]
429
00:18:52,307 --> 00:18:54,010
[crowd cheering]
430
00:18:54,010 --> 00:18:57,150
["Yma o Hyd"]
431
00:18:57,150 --> 00:18:58,920
♪ ♪
432
00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:00,255
MARK:
The corner is whipped in.
433
00:19:00,255 --> 00:19:01,525
SINGER: [singing in Welsh]
434
00:19:01,525 --> 00:19:03,897
MARK: Oh, it's a chance!
It's a goal!
435
00:19:03,897 --> 00:19:10,910
♪ ♪
436
00:19:10,910 --> 00:19:12,213
Jones!
437
00:19:12,213 --> 00:19:14,251
Oh, it's a ricochet in!
438
00:19:14,251 --> 00:19:17,658
[crowd yelling]
439
00:19:17,658 --> 00:19:23,870
♪ ♪
440
00:19:23,870 --> 00:19:26,074
MARK: Oh, it's a cross
this time towards Mullin!
441
00:19:26,074 --> 00:19:27,978
[crowd cheering]
442
00:19:27,978 --> 00:19:29,080
MARK: Corner comes in again.
443
00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:31,184
Hayden!
Oh!
444
00:19:31,184 --> 00:19:35,026
♪ ♪
445
00:19:35,026 --> 00:19:36,194
It's Lee! Cuts it back!
446
00:19:36,194 --> 00:19:38,098
Dalby!
447
00:19:38,098 --> 00:19:45,312
♪ ♪
448
00:19:53,395 --> 00:19:56,502
[all singing in Welsh]
449
00:20:12,635 --> 00:20:15,673
MARK: [speaking indistinctly]
450
00:20:19,381 --> 00:20:21,519
MARK: Oh, what a pass that is!
451
00:21:25,748 --> 00:21:27,416
[child giggles, seagull cries]