Sat 20 May 2006
Basque Country v Wales (Bilbao)
Saturday 27th May 2006 Trinidad & Tobago v Wales (Graz, Austria)
Emergency contact number
+447905 861848
Inside front cover
+447905 861 848
Contact the FSF Cymru
www.fsfcymru.co.uk
Paul Randall
FSF CYMRU
REPRESENTATIVE
IN
BILBAO
Paul will be staying in an Hotel in the City centre and will be in and around the bars
throughout the week. On match day he will be available outside the stadium in the GALLES
bar, Lucy from the FAW will also be there
He has followed Wales for many years and may be recognizable by the distinctive kilt he
wears to most of Wales’s games
He will be available to help you on all matters throughout the day
He can be contacted in case of emergencies in the evenings
Contact number is +447905 861 848
Lucy F.A.W. Ticket officer 07970704471.
FSF CYMRU
Why we are here ??
Our objective is to provide accurate and
objective information provided &
recommended by
FAW- police-consulate and other football &
travel related organisations. We can provide
information on things
Such as lost passports & property, ticketing
issues, Medical assistance & any General
inquiry however trivial
they may seem
Although the FSF Cymru
organisation is not providing our
normal full embassy service for
these Friendlies, we have 4 of
our committee on duty
throughout the duration of both
fixtures….One in Bilbao , who
will then meet up with three in
Graz.
They will be available to help
Welsh fans during this time
The Spanish Civil war
A Democratic Republic was established in Spain in 1931. When the National Radicals, led by General Franco,
rose against the Republic in 1936 a civil war ensued. Many Welsh people sympathised with the Spanish Republic
and there are many examples of individuals and communities in Wales assisting the Republican cause The British
branch of the International Brigade was established in December 1936. By the end of the Civil War 177
Welshmen had fought over the Spanish Republic and 33 had been killed.
Many Welshmen were taken hostage in Spain and one of these was Tom Jones from Rhosllanerchrugog. He had
been secretary of the Rhos Peace Council until he joined the International Brigade. He was taken prisoner in
Spain in September 1938 and wasn't released until March 1940, after the British government agreed to sign a
trade agreement that was, according to some, worth £2,000,000.
There were many attempts by the Welsh to break through the blockade that Franco had put around Spain to
prevent aid coming in for his opponents. Captain David John Jones from Swansea tried to break through the
blockade with a ship full of potatoes and he thus became know as 'Potato Jones'.
On 26 April 1937 German bombers sent by Hitler destroyed the town of Guernica in the Basque country. It was a
busy market day in the town and thousands of people were killed. A fund was set up in Wales to raise money for
the Basque children. Houses were set up for them in Caerleon, Swansea, Brechfa and Old Colwyn, and local
families adopted some of the children.
In memory of the Welshmen who fought for what they believed in during those times Paul Randall the FSF Cymru
representative in Bilbao will lay in wreath in their honour during the trip to the Basque country.
Transport around the city
You may be interested in buying a Bilbao card for your stay in Bilbao. These are sold at all BIT
offices around the city. The cost for this card is 6 Euros for one day, 10 Euros for 2 days and 12
Euros for 3 days. These cards provide you with access to public transport in Bilbao (Bilbobus, the
Artxanda Funicular, the Salve elevator, Euskotran and the Metro) and offers discounts at
museums, performance shops restaurants and other activities.
Useful Phone Numbers:
Bilbobus (central Bilbao) - 944 484 080 passengers in 2005.
Bizkaibus (intercity) - 902 222265
Bilbao-Airport-Bilbao bus service - 902 222265
Euskotran (Tramway) - 900 151206
Information Service - 010 (locally), 944 241700 (from outside Bilbao)
Bilbao Airport - 944 869663
Local Buses
Most local buses operate on a flat-rate-fare basis,
regardless of how far you travel. You can usually buy a
10-trip Bonobús or Metrobús ticket from bus information
offices and estancos at a discount rate. After boarding
the bus, you should insert the ticket into a slotted
machine that you will find behind the driver.
The Metro system
The Metro is an excellent
mode of transport to get
around the City; accessibility is
first class and was designed to
facilitate the movement of
people with reduced mobility.
Bilbao Metro and Tram
Rather than buying single or
return tickets, for BUS
(Bilbobus/BizkaiBus), METRO
or TRAM journeys, it is more
economic to purchase a
CREDITRANS ticket worth 5,
10 or 20. It is a ticket that can
be used for multiple journeys
without a time limit (i.e. it is
valid for several months).
Every time you travel, the cost
of the journey is deducted from
the card.
Nightlife in Bilbao
Some useful reviews
Bilbao's nightlife comes in various stages and levels of intensity. For relaxed, bar-to-bar, tavernto-tavern wining and dining on the run, the action begins in such places as the Casco Viejo and,
in the Ensanche, along Calle Licenciado Poza, where serious poteo (tippling), txikiteo (still more
tippling), and tapeo (tippling and tapa grazing) continues late into the night. Other top barhopping zones include Paseo del Arenal, Calle Ledesma, and Calle Elcano. Los Jardines de
Albia, with the Café Iruña in the forefront, is also a hub for a variety of cafés, bars, and taverns.
The only dress code is that you wear a smile on your face and a good mood in your soul! And if
not, the place will cheer you up, I'm sure.
Hopefully this will apply on May 20th
Athletic Club de Bilbao Football Matches at San Mamés: special
Tram services
06/02/06 - Whenever Athletic Club de Bilbao plays football
matches in the
San Mamés Stadium, EuskoTran will offer a special Bilbao Tram
service to
cater for the transport requirements of the public.
In general, from one and a half hours before the beginning of a
match, the
frequency of the service will be increased. EuskoTran units will
run every
10 minutes towards San Mamés.
Once a match has ended, the
service from San Mamés and
Sabino Arana to
Atxuri
will be intensified, offering
the necessary places to
transport all the
people
waiting at those stops. The
frequency of the service from
San Mamés will
be between 6 and 10 minutes.
.
In order to facilitate boarding procedures
Eusko tram recommends the use of
Creditrans as the payment system For more information users may call the
customer services number. 90 25 43 210
San Mamés Stadium
The stadium is situated in Bilbao's
suburban development (Ensanche),
very close to the building known as "La
Feria Internacional de Muestras de
Bilbao". This mythical Bilbaoan club
celebrated its centenary in 1998, a
celebration in which the stadium,
known locally as "the Cathedral", was
the main protagonist.
With a capacity of 40,000, in every
match of the league San Mamés seats
a multitude of fans who live and
breathe for the victories of their lions,
as they call the players. The stadium is
a technologically impressive structure
whose grand arch has become one of
the most well known of the city's
symbols. En route to the San Mamés
stadium the bars in calle Licenciado
Poza are essential stopping points
both before and after matches, with an
atmosphere well worth experiencing.
Bilbao Consulate information
IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN
AN ACCIDENT OR AN
ASSAULT
All persons who have been
assaulted or in an accident
must report the incident to
the Police. This is called
making a denunica, and is
required by law for all cases,
ranging from bag snatching
to more serious crimes and
accidents.
IFYOU LOSE YOUR
PASSPORT OR IT IS STOLEN
If your passport is lost or has been
stolen, and you need to travel
home immediately, you may
obtain an Emergency Passport,
valid for a one-way trip only, from
the nearest British consulate. To
do this you will need to fill in one
LSOI Lost or stolen passport form
available from all Consulates, a
C1 Passport form, and take with
you a Police report (denuncia) and
two passport size photographs. If
you have any other form of
photographic identity, you should
also take that.
INSURANCE CLAIMS
For visitors to Spain,
UK or other overseas
insurers will normally
negotiate directly with
the other party's
insurers. Residents
should lodge the claim
directly with the
Spanish company
involved. Anyone
suffering physical
injury or other major
damages as a result of
a motor accident is
strongly recommended
to obtain legal advice
before accepting any
compensation.
The Consulate is located on the top floor
of an eighth storey building in Central
Bilbao. Lift access is only to the seventh
floor and access to the Consulate offices,
at present, is problematic for the disabled.
If you need to contact us or use our
services and feel that they may be
inaccessible to you, please phone 00 34
94 415 76 00 and we shall suggest
alternative ways of providing our services.
IFY0U HAVE A MEDICAL
EMERGENCY
If you require assistance
immediately, dial 112 and ask for
an ambulance.
If you are a visitor to Spain, you
may present your European
Health Insurance Card (EHIC: ) to
gain access to emergency
health care at a Social Security
Hospital. Private hospitals will not
accept the EHIC, and will ask you
to pay for your treatment or
provide adequate insurance.
If you have suffered a serious
accident or injury, and friends/
relatives are unavailable, a
Consular office can contact the
hospital within 24 hours of being
notified, ask the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office in London
to contact your next-of-kin, and if
necessary visit you within two
days if the hospital is in Madrid.
Normally our office hours are 09:00 to 13:30 and
15:00 to 17:30 on Monday to Thursday, and from
09:00 to 13:30 on Friday. From 19 July to 3
September they are 08:00 to 14:30 on Monday to
Thursday and 08:00 to 14:00 on Friday.
The Consulate is open to the public for consular
enquiries from 09:00 to 14:00 Monday to
Thursday and 09:00 until 13:30 on Friday.
In an emergency outside of office hours you can
contact our 24-hour Duty Officer by calling the
British Embassy in Madrid on (+ 34) 917008200
weekdays until 20:00. After that and at weekends
or public holidays call (+ 34) 606987626.
Wear red for
Wales
FSF Wales
Ffederasiwn Cefnogwyr Pel-Droed Cymru
FSF CYMRU - by Wales fans, for Wales fans - an independent
organisation, committed to helping Wales supporters.
MISSION STATEMENT
To help and support Wales fans who travel away. Our role is to provide
accurate and objective information, including a Risk Assessment: we convey
what other agencies, such as police forces, government departments, and
football authorities are recommending: we publish a comprehensive guide
which is distributed free of charge to all travelling supporters: we operate and
publicise a 24 hour Hotline for fans in difficulties: we arrange a Football
embassy operation, at venues abroad, where we can offer advice, guidance
and support as necessary.
To work with the Football Association of Wales in all aspects affecting the fans,
to ensure that the supporters voice is heard.
A continuous, running dialogue is held with Mr Mark Evans, Head, International
Affairs,
We have recently increased the size of the committee to run the FSF Cymru.
This followed a meeting at Llandridnod Well’s football club. We are still looking
to strengthen the committee and welcome input from Welsh supporters
wherever they may live.
We have a voice on the national council of the FSF and campaign on behalf of
all Welsh football fans on all issues, whether they are in domestic football or on
the international scene.
We are currently working on a new information website to promote the work we
do www.fsfcymru.co.uk
We hold regular meetings and if you have any issues relating to following your
club that need addressing we will help you.
This information leaflet was produced to assist fans travelling to the May
Friendlies in the Basque country and Graz in Austria. We will have a presence
at both games.
For the upcoming European Championships we will produce similar information
packages plus we intend to provide fans Embassies at all venues to assist our
travelling fans abroad. We will be there for you and will be on call 24 hours a
day in case of emergencies.
FSF Cymru By Wales fans, for Wales fans
FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS FEDERATION
Giving football fans a voice.
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?
The F.S.F. is the football fans organisation that gives all football supporters an opportunity a say in how football is
run and how fans are treated at all levels.
At National level we have been instrumental in pushing for issues such as safe standing at stadiums, policing and
stewarding, ticket pricing and distribution, ticket-touting laws. Even issues such as the loss of atmosphere at certain
games due to the ever-growing “Corporate Hospitality Packages” that seem to be pricing the typical fan out of
football.
We aim to do all we can to prevent situations such as Football clubs being bought sold and asset stripped. In some
previous examples with existing football stadiums have been seen as a commodity, rather than an essential part of
the local community, we feel that football stadia should have protection such as listed buildings and National
Treasures already do. Situations such as the Wrexham F.C. fiasco must be blocked from ever happening again.
We aim to ensure fans can have a safe enjoyable day at football whilst being treated fairly and also ensuring that
issues such as Racism, anti social behaviour and hooliganism will no longer be tolerated or have a foothold in our
sport.
The organisation is structured to allow localised issues to work their way through regional groups, all the way to full
council and National AGM’s. They can be discussed looked at voted on democratically and then taken to the very
top level of the relevant organisation, whether it be the Football league, FIFA, the Houses of Parliament, or the
National Police Federation.
F.S.F. CYMRU
On a Welsh Football Issue, we have our own F.S.F. Cymru committee that deals with local and national Welsh
issues. We have direct access and communication with the F.A.W. we are working closely to create a “United
Wales” prospective and unity amongst all Welsh football fans.
We are a small country, but we consistently achieve the highest home attendance in Europe, an amazing fact that
shows truly how big football in Wales really is.
There should be no place amongst Welsh football supporters for inter club or North and South type rivalries.
We are looking to set up campaigns to unite all Welsh football fans. We hope to create a sea of red at all Welsh
games and everyone attending being encouraged to wear something (if not everything red), let’s all sing from the
same hymn sheet and recreate that special atmosphere and passion that only we can. What we achieve in the
stands can and does have a direct reaction on the pitch, we need to use everything in our power to give our boys
an advantage on that pitch, so let us all play our part.
Those of you that travel to away games will hopefully be aware of the Welsh fans Embassies we provide. These
Embassies will be manned by volunteers who are fellow fans, there to help you. It could be advice on where to eat
and drink, who to contact in an emergency, direct access to the British Consul or embassy in that country and
representation for policing or other legal matters, you will have a hotline phone number for 24hour contact. In fact
the whole purpose is to look after our fellow Welsh fans and ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Membership will also provide you with a regular “British football supporter” magazine a must have glossy magazine
which otherwise retails for £2.00 an issue. You will also get discount on other magazines and merchandise, plus at
all away games be provided with a free FSF brochure full of facts and figures applicable to that game and country.
www.fsfcymru.co.uk
FSF Cymru contact Details for Graz
While in Graz & you need information or help in any way we can
be contacted on
+447905 861 848
Graz Volunteers This is not a normal Embassy However 3 of the FSF committee will be in Graz for the
game from Friday until Monday below is a list of our representatives they have a vast knowledge of away
travel also Gareth is Welsh speaking
International Officer
FAW Liaison Officer
Paul Corkrey
Melanie Richard
Committee Member
Gareth Dainton
We will be based at The Hotel Wietzer Grieskai 12-14 8020 Graz
On Friday May 26 th we will be at Flann O'Brien's Irish bar 6 pm-9pm
On match day we will be in Hooters bar along with Lucy from the F.A.W. Noon til 2.15 pm
Ticketing or any other problems can be sorted on the day.
Paul Randall another committee member will also join us after travelling from Bilbao
Important Information for Graz
Lucy F.A.W. Ticket officer 07970704471.
English speaking Lawyers translators based in Graz
Dr Zwach… Lawyer …0316 827651 Dr Berdnik…Lawyer…0316832527
British Consulate Graz
Schmiedgasse 12
A-8010 Graz
Tel: +43 (0)316 826105
Fax: +43 (0)316 82161645
Office Hours:
Mon - Thursday 09-12 /
1430-1600
Friday 0930-1200 (CET)
Hospital in
Graz… A&E
Unfallkrankenh
aus Graz
Göstlinger Str. 24
8010 Graz
Tel.: 0316/505-0
Police…
Paulustorgasse 8
and Parkring 4
8010 Graz
Tel: ++43/ (0)316/888-0
Graz Austria
Trinidad & Tobago v
Wales
John Toshack's side will play the Soca Warriors in Austria on 27 May, at Graz's Liebherr GAK Stadium.
Capacity: 15,400 seats Trinidad and Tobago begin their World Cup campaign on 10 June against Sweden,
before facing England and then Paraguay in their remaining Group B fixtures.
Graz
The city is situated
on the Mur river, in
the southeast of
Austria. It is
approximately 2.5
hours south of
Vienna by train or 2
hours by car. Graz
is the capital and
largest city in
Styria, a beautiful
and heavily
forested area. The
city itself is
surrounded by low
hills on 3 sides,
thus making it
predisposed to
haze in the warmer
months.
Graz's Liebherr GAK Stadium
Transport system for City
An extensive public transportation network makes Graz an easy
city to navigate without a car. The city features a tram network
consisting of 8 tramslines, 2 of which run from the train station to
the city center before they branch out. 1 Hour or 24 hour tickets
can be bought on trams for 1.70 € and 3.50 € respectively (as of
December 2005), but longer-term tickets must be bought at the
train station or Jakominiplatz. The city also has a comprehensive
bus network that uses the same tickets as the tram
system.(These tickets are also valid on the Schlossberg funicular
railway and lift) Furthermore there are 7 nightbus routes (run only
on weekends and before public holidays.)
From the train station, one can take regional trains to most of
Styria. Direct trains also run to most major nearby cities including
Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Maribor, Zagreb, Prag and Budapest
- and trains leave for Vienna every hour.
Graz airport is about 10km from the city centre to the south and
has a railstation in walking distance. The main international
destinations from Graz are: London, Paris, Berlin, Zürich,
Amsterdam, Oslo, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Stuttgart and
Düsseldorf.
Inside back cover
More about being in Graz
Famous Graz citizens
FESTIVAL
SPRINGSIX
May 24 th to May 28 2006
Austria's biggest festival for electronic art and
music, starting on May 24th, transfers Graz into
a vibrating centre of pop-culture. International electronic pop acts, superstar-DJs,
visual artists, club culture-pioneers together with
local hopeful electronic artists, offspring DJs and
Graz based underground heroes will rock
through distinctive venues in the city and will
declare Graz to an exciting party zone.
Rest assured, it’s perfectly safe to move around
in the city at night. What might be dangerous and
potentially irresistible are the many temptations of
the nightlife in Graz. And not only in the classical
nightlife hub ‘Bermuda-Dreieck’, where a
substantial number of party goers have been
reported missing. The nightlife scene in Graz is
varied and colourful, offering something for every
taste
Arnold Schwarzenegger, former
bodybuilding champion, actor and
currently governor of California was
born and raised only 2 km from Graz
in a small town called Thal. In 2005
the football stadium named after
Schwarzenegger was renamed
Stadium Graz Liebenau after
controversy over the use of the
death penalty in California.
There is a large student population in
Graz and plenty of nightlife suited to
their tastes. Plenty there too for the
older party goers There are many bars,
restaurants, nightclubs dotted
throughout the city.
There really is a party atmosphere all
around the nightspots and no reason
not to have a good time
www.fsfcymru.co.uk
Club Colours away
It’s in Red Wales Play
so
Get it stuck in your Head
For WALES we wear RED