Wales: The Road to the Euros

COMMENTATOR: 'The celebrations can start.

'Wales will be in France next summer.

'Chris Coleman's men have freed Welsh football from the shackles

'of their history.'

Wales have finally qualified for a major tournament.

It's an achievement 58 years in the making.

CROWD CHEER

But to really understand the euphoria,

you have to know about the pain that came before.

CHEERING

'Just listen to this atmosphere.

MUSIC: Rock And Roll by Led Zeppelin

'A sad afternoon for Wales.'

I can't say any more. I'm sick of myself.

-Forecast for the result from you?

-15-0 to Wales. Easy!

'Dalglish gets a touch. What a goal!'

It was the night when it all went wrong.

'Keegan!

Kicked away! No!

Ba-ba-ba-ba.

Great chance for Ian Rush! Yes!

1-0.

Oh! And he's hit the crossbar!

It's all over now, surely.

Tell them what happened in the room.

The header and it's there!

Utter disappointment and disbelief.

Have you enjoyed six games, four defeats and two draws? I haven't!

Long before Gareth Bale and the class of 2016, the hopes of Wales

rested on the shoulders of another superstar.

# Some people say a man is made out of mud

# A poor man's made out of muscle and blood

# Muscle and blood and skin and bones... #

John Charles was a superstar of world football

and the shining light of the Welsh football team.

And in 1958, spirits were at an all-time high.

Wales were on their way to their first ever major football

tournament, the World Cup in Sweden.

# Boom, boom, boom, mm

# They often call me Speedo

# But my real name is Mr Earl... #

After drawing games against Hungary, Mexico, and Sweden

in the group stages, Wales beat Hungary again in a play-off.

They had made it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

They would face Brazil,

but would have to do it without John Charles, who was injured.

They're without John Charles and if that isn't enough,

they face the favourites, Brazil.

And what's more, Brazil were about to unleash their own superstar,

Pele.

As you know, we are making a change in the programme now to bring you

news of the World Cup game between Wales and Brazil at Gothenburg.

Wales weren't given a chance, but fought all the way.

It was a close match, but Pele proved to be the difference,

scoring the only goal of the game.

All credit then to gallant Wales for holding Brazil to a single goal.

Well, there it is. Wales are out of the World Cup competition,

but they can go home to Wales with their heads held high.

Wales were heroes. They'd made it to the quarterfinals of a World Cup.

It should have been the start of something. It wasn't.

Years would pass, major competitions would come and go,

man would go to the moon,

man would have enough of the moon.

The years just kept rolling.

Tournament after tournament would completely pass Wales by.

England would win a World Cup.

Some people are on the pitch. They think it's all over. It is now.

Wales couldn't get to one.

The '60s were a really barren period for Welsh football, internationally.

Produced some good players, but as a team, created nothing,

no real excitement, no real threat of qualifying.

Good play by Terry Yorath.

Oh, and a fine goal too.

What about that one?

For stars like Terry Yorath, plying his trade at high-flying

Leeds United, coming to play for Wales was a bit of a let down.

It was amateurish. The way they went about things was amateurish.

The first training session, there was a fella called Jack Jones,

who was physio-come-trainer.

He'd pull his hand from behind his back and go...

EXHALES

And he'd have a fag.

And I thought, "Dear me." I couldn't imagine this happening at Leeds.

Goal kick. Goal kick. Because there was a bad call in there.

In 1974, Wales would finally start to improve under a new manager,

former school teacher Mike Smith.

He changed the whole training. He changed how we were dressed.

Kit, boots. I think that came from his teaching background.

I think his organisation was fantastic.

In just two years, Smith took Wales from qualification no-hopers

to the brink of the European finals.

Just listen to this atmosphere.

This is probably the most important match that Wales have played

since their fine performance in the 1958 World Cup competition.

In a quarterfinal play-off against Yugoslavia,

it came down to one moment.

Toshack in on Maric.

Mahoney.

And Maric doing supremely well.

A penalty was awarded to Wales

and the responsibility fell to their captain, Terry Yorath.

I thought - well, you're the captain, you're going

to have to take it. Never taken a penalty in my life before.

And I swear to you, my knees were knocking.

WHISTLE BLOWS

And Maric saves it.

Yorath wants the ground to open up.

And surely that now tolls the bell of Welsh chances.

I remember taking my family out in Cardiff that night and I had a shout

from across the room, "That's the worst penalty,"

and I looked over and it was Max Boyce.

That was kind of him(!)

# I want to be in that number

# When the Reds go marching in. #

It was the closest Wales had come to a major tournament

since '58, but they'd given the fans hope and the next year, something

bigger was up for grabs - a place at the '78 World Cup in Argentina.

-Forecast for a result from you?

-Oh, 15-0 to Wales, easy!

He nearly lost our tickets. So they've got to win for us!

Playing at Anfield, Wales had to beat Scotland to qualify

and once again, Yorath would lead the team.

Making a run is Sayer.

Chance for Wales.

Oh! Unlucky!

Wales were giving it everything.

Toshack, nice touch. Chance for Yorath to shoot.

And does, but it's blocked by Donachie.

Toshack!

Oh!

Unlucky!

But the match still remained level, as it drew to a close.

Jordan was up there.

Claims for handball.

And it was.

And a penalty's been given.

Well, there was a hand up there.

I don't know why, but there was a hand up. There it goes. There it is.

Bob Wilson, one could almost say that was a Scottish hand.

And Dai Davies to save the day for Wales, against Don Masson.

No problem.

Lifted by the penalty, Scotland quickly scored

and Welsh dreams of a World Cup were over.

Chance to put one in early. Dalglish gets a touch. What a goal!

Two years, two penalties.

Wales were out again.

It means that Scotland will definitely go to the World Cup

finals in Argentina next year.

Terry Yorath, I don't think

I've ever seen Wales play better than that.

Played very, very well. We're sick, obviously.

There's been a few tears in the dressing room. I can't say any more.

I'm sick myself.

People that were involved in that game, they will sadly take

that to their graves with them, the knowledge that we were cheated.

I knew that was going to be my last chance,

as a player, to qualify.

As the '80s arrived, Wales found themselves back in the doldrums.

More campaigns would begin with hope...

What a terrible mistake and a goal for Wales.

..only to end in disappointment.

Beautiful header and there's a chance.

We can look back at that catastrophic night at the

Vetch Field and the 2-2 draw against Iceland as the night

when it all went wrong.

In 1985, Wales would play Scotland again in another crucial

World Cup qualifier.

Again, a penalty.

And again, three familiar words.

But this time,

the game would be remembered for something more serious.

Scotland manager Jock Stein collapsed at the end

of the match and later died of a heart attack.

By 1988, it was 30 years since Wales had been to a major tournament.

Terry Yorath, who had come so close as a player, was back.

This time, as Wales manager.

Terry understood players and he understood the motivation

of players and he understood that we needed a little bit of freedom.

We used to meet up on the Thursday.

We never really had a great training session until the Sunday.

The days before, I'd say,

"Listen, I can get some tickets for Newbury racecourse.

"Do the lads want to go horseracing?

"Not one or two of you, all of you."

So they all used to go. Cos they enjoyed their own company.

They enjoyed being with each other.

After three years in the job, Terry Yorath was building a team

that would finally bring back hope of qualification.

Rush.

There goes Rush. He's through!

Great chance for Ian Rush!

Yes!

They beat the world champions, Germany, and discovered a superstar.

Speed runs over it. It is indeed Giggs. Oh, what a goal!

Hopefully the first of many international goals for Ryan Giggs.

But something far bigger was on the horizon.

The road to next year's World Cup finals is

completed on Wednesday with the last 12 qualifying matches taking place.

Wales, under Terry Yorath's guidance, will be

going to the States if they beat Romania in Wales.

No miracle required here, just the need for self-belief,

that in what is terry Yorath's 100th match with Wales as a player

and manager, it will all come right.

Sabau on the touchline. Goes for the shot again.

And off the post from Petrescu.

Back in by Phillips.

Rush.

Oh, he was mightily close!

Inside again.

And it opens up for him and it's gone through.

It's a good one.

Young.

Speed.

In by Saunders!

1-1.

1-1, one more goal needed.

It's all alive again at National Stadium.

Goss.

Speed.

Was he held?

Was he held? Yes! Penalty!

Paul Bodin to take it.

Oh, and he's hit the crossbar!

Such opportunities cannot be spurned.

It's so cruel.

It had to be taken.

But it wasn't.

And here's Raducioiu.

It's all over now, surely.

Once again, they've been beaten at the last gasp.

The nightmare was back.

# Oh, Cherry, oh, Cherry, oh, baby

# Don't you know I'm in need of thee? #

I always defend Paul Bodin whenever anybody brings it up

because you've got to have courage to go and do it.

I tried and failed.

But the thing that really bugged me

was I went to Man City the Saturday afterwards to watch a game

there and I got in my car and I turned the radio on.

The first thing I heard was,

"And Paul Bodin scored a penalty and equalised for Swindon."

I looked at it in disbelief.

I just thought, "Are they trying to annoy me here?"

The Romania game was Terry's last in charge of Wales.

But the quest to qualify for a major tournament continued.

Now, Wales needed to find the right manager to take them there.

I was in Grenada and my friend sent me a telegram.

It said "Gouldie, there's a job going in Wales."

I then came back from Grenada with Marjorie and a lovely sun tan

and I walked in and I said, "I have a dream

"and that dream is to manage an international football team."

It's a weird and wonderful world if you come from Wimbledon.

Bobby Gould had won the FA Cup with Wimbledon.

He was a maverick, with an eccentric management style,

but had no experience of international football.

Wales under pressure.

He's missed it and it's in.

In his first year in charge,

Wales finished bottom of the Euro 96 qualifying group.

And within the squad, players began to question his methods.

It was difficult for Bobby.

I think he probably admits he made a few mistakes,

in terms of his approach to certain things.

He had an unique way of maybe instilling team spirit,

which was questionable at times.

At Wimbledon, apparently, Bobby had this sort of ritual where

if two of the players weren't getting on,

he'd say to all the other lads, "Right, lads.

"Let's form a circle and we'll get these two in the middle

"and they can have a little grapple or whatever it is,"

and we all just looked at him and thought what are we doing here?

This is Wales, Bobby. These are international football players.

They're superstars. So anyway, Gary Speed's gone, "Go on, Harts.

"Get in there!"

And at one stage, I'm on the floor,

and I am getting the biggest good hiding of my life.

And at the end of it, I wanted to have a relationship with him.

A lot of people might have thought I was a raving lunatic,

but that's their opinion.

Despite Gould's best efforts, his time with Wales didn't work out.

Another Wales manager had tried and failed.

I think it's in the best interests that somebody else is given

that opportunity. And I have recommended that Neville Southall

and Mark Hughes are given that opportunity.

Thanks for the interview. I've enjoyed your company.

But your tie selection is crap.

It was unexpected, I have to say, when Bobby said that he'd

recommended me and Nev take over the game the following Wednesday.

I thought, "Well, cheers, Bobby(!) That's good of you(!)"

Mark Hughes had been one of Wales' most experienced players,

but this was his first job as a manager.

I think from my point of view, it was easier for me

because I was coming in at a low ebb,

I had to go in and be positive and make people think that there

is a way forward and that was my approach to it really.

He's probably one of the first Wales managers who kind of demanded

higher standards.

He would go to the FAW and say - we need this,

this needs to be better, the medical team, the chef, he needs to travel

away with the team, the food needs to improve

and we need to get better at this.

It was a work in progress.

In the first two years under Hughes, Wales only won three games,

but crucially, he had the belief of his players.

We loved him and I always think if you've got a real liking

for your manager, then I think you'll just go that extra yard.

The faith shown in Mark Hughes would start to

pay off in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2004.

We got off to a flier.

We beat Finland away and then we won our first four games.

We were on 12 points out of 12, four wins out of four.

Wales were winning games and winning back belief.

I remember John Charles was announced to the crowd.

The Manic Street Preachers played that night.

Bryn Terfel sung the anthem.

And it was 72,000 and it was 20,000 fans outside, couldn't get in.

The expectation was there and Wales delivered.

Bellamy does well. Simon Davies into the penalty area.

Can he pull it back?

Yes! Simon Davies!

What a goal!

Gabbidon.

Hartson.

Plays it through to Bellamy. Craig Bellamy!

Craig Bellamy! It's 2-1 Wales!

Craig Bellamy! The first real direct effort he's had on goal!

Skilfully takes it round Buffon.

The noise is incredible.

Fantastic scenes here at the Millennium Stadium.

Tremendous result.

I'm going to say this very slowly. Wales 2, Italy 1.

It's not something I can say very often, so I'm going to say it again.

Wales 2, Italy 1.

Wales went on to finish second in their group

and secured a play-off with Russia.

Once again, they were almost there.

We were talking about how much we were going to

get for qualifying for the Euros.

So we thought we'd done the job.

Boulykin makes his run now.

The header and it's there!

Delight for the Russians.

It didn't work out. Wales lost.

Dreams of Euro 2004 were over.

In truth, I've never watched that game ever since.

It's just one of those games that I can't really put myself

through really.

Wales' fans had spent nearly 50 years watching their team

miss out on competing on the biggest stage.

It had become the Wales experience.

'Manchester City, obviously, are going to be, you know, the...

'They play their second team... Hold on.

'I'm just hearing that we're... hearing some... Oh, my goodness.

'We're hearing some very, very serious and sad news.

'The Football Association of Wales have just confirmed that

'Gary Speed, the national manager, has died.

'Er... The news has broken in the past couple of moments...

'It's a very short statement on the FAW website...'

For somebody so enriched with life, in fairness,

he was very gregarious, everybody liked to be in his company, he

was a leader of men as well and he was just a great guy to be around.

Gary Speed had been a mainstay of the Wales football team

for 14 years as a player and captain.

In towards Speed. 2-0!

In 2010, he became manager and took over a squad of young players.

They had been through two qualifying campaigns under John Toshack

but were still nowhere near a major tournament.

Morale was low.

He lifted the place at a time when we needed a lift.

Being in and around the camp and the hotel and stuff was a lot more fun

when he was there and he was someone that got the lads' respect

instantly the first day he walked in.

Respect was one thing, winning was another.

Wales lost their first three games under Speed,

but they were also showing glimpses of what they could do.

This is Gareth Bale through for Wales.

2-0 Wales!

Gareth Bale streaked clear and tucked it past...

Gary Speed has really stuck with his plan of trying to change

the way Wales actually play football, involving Gareth Bale's

skill and we're beginning to see that they can play

-a different style of football.

-Well, it's difficult for him.

He's got a very young set of players and I think at club level,

that's hard enough, but when you go on to the international scene, that makes it even more difficult.

Wales would finish their first year under Gary Speed by thrashing

Norway at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Here come Wales again. Vokes. Vokes shoots right-footed.

4-1!

Two goals in a minute for Sam Vokes.

I think we've had ten games now and, you know,

we knew it would take a little bit of time, but we've probably

come probably further than I thought in a year, so I'm really pleased.

The Norway match would prove to be Gary Speed's final game with Wales.

It was so, so difficult to take it all in. You know, all

the players were just shell-shocked, to be honest with you.

Even now, talking about it now, I think

a lot of people when they talk about him,

they still get emotional about it now because, you know,

he was such a fantastic person, first and foremost,

not just a great player, but, you know, respected by so many people.

I've got to say, of course, because of the circumstances

I had a little question in my head - is it the right thing to do and...?

But then I thought, somebody's got to take it.

And I've always wanted to do it and so, you know, I thought -

no, I'm going to do it. I want to do it.

I want to try and continue where Gary left off.

Like his friend, Gary Speed, Chris Coleman was an

up-and-coming manager,

but he was taking charge of Wales in the most difficult of circumstances.

It was a strange place to be really, I think, playing for Wales.

I think it was very difficult for him anyway.

It would have been difficult circumstances coming in anyway.

But with all that surrounding it, it was tough for everyone involved.

We lost our first couple of games. I remember losing in Serbia, 6-1.

It was very flat.

And the players were still affected by it all.

Chris Coleman's young team had been through the darkest of times.

But the experience had made them stronger.

Here goes Bale. He will go for goal himself!

What a goal from Gareth Bale!

That is absolutely world class!

When the results started to turn and they went on a good run,

five or six unbeaten, clawing results back from losing

positions. That sort of breeds spirit amongst the group.

We started to come together closer as a team.

We wanted to do it for Gary as well and we felt like we owed him

something and we also owed Chris Coleman something

because he came in, he worked so hard and the performances

and the results didn't match that

and we kind of felt that was on our shoulders.

They had spirit, they had X factor...

-Here we go. Here we go.

-Gareth Bale.

Just knocks it past the defender. Still going.

Play on, says the referee.

Now he runs straight at the penalty area.

Gareth Bale on his own, on his left foot. And scores!

The magic of Bale!

Wales had shown their potential,

but now they had to make it count in the 2016 Euro qualifying campaign.

Bale is waiting.

Bale with the header!

1-1!

Gareth Bale comes to the rescue!

Back to Bale. Oh, lovely touch for Hal Robson-Kanu.

Robson-Kanu's in here. Can he make it two?

He can!

Bale hits it!

2-0!

This time, there would be no slip ups, no last minute heartache.

That's a terrible header. Straight to Bale!

1-0, Wales!

Gareth Bale strikes again!

Ashley Williams and Aaron Ramsay is there!

And Wales have the breakthrough from Aaron Ramsay!

And now we do have lift off on the party.

And Wales can celebrate going to France.

Finally, after nearly 60 years

of trying, Wales had made it.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the Welsh fans there,

to be perfectly honest.

I've always imagined the effect of so many Welsh fans going over.

There's going to be thousands going over there.

I wish I was over there, but I'm not.

I'm down at Leeds United watching it

with about 2,500 Englishmen.

So I'll be on my own that night,

if anybody in Wales wants to come and see me.

It's great, you know?

We're really happy for the fans cos they've had a lot of tough

times and they get to celebrate this as well and go and have a good

time and hopefully, everyone's proud of us and proud to be Welsh.