PR Wales Legends

- WALES NATIONAL ICE RINK – - JANUARY 12, 2005 – - CARDIFF -

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Pre-event match with a CELEBRITY LEGENDS TEAM

We are delighted to announce that some of the biggest names in football are set to return for the 2005 BBC WALES FOOTBALL LEGENDS

For the first time ever, the legends of Welsh football will come together to do battle in one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year.

Indoor 6-a-side football action like you’ve never seen before will grace the Wales National Ice Rink this January as the players who made their names at Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham clash to decide who will be crowned BBC WALES FOOTBALL LEGENDS CHAMPIONS

Expect fireworks when these teams meet, as players such as Ian Rush and Neville Southall (All-Star Welsh Legends), Kevin Ratcliffe and Andy Legg (Cardiff City Legends), Mickey Thomas and Alan Kennedy (Wrexham Legends) and Roger Freestone and Ian Walsh (Swansea City Legends) meet up to showcase the skills that made them all local footballing legends.

Tickets are only £12 adult, £8 children and with limited availability, they are sure to sell fast. To order, call the Wales National Ice Rink Box Office on 02920 645988

BBC WALES FOOTBALL LEGENDS

The BBC is pleased to announce the first ever BBC Wales Football Legends event is to be held at the Wales National Ice Rink, Cardiff on January 12, 2005. Some of the biggest names in Welsh football will come together for an indoor six-a-side tournament that promises to be as competitive as ever.

Played on a specially designed indoor carpet to ensure maximum ball control and with three quarter sized goals to ensure maximum excitement, the atmosphere will be electric as fans from all across Wales come to support their local heroes in a unique and inspiring setting.

Each team will consist of ten players, with unlimited substitutions. Based on a simple round- robin league system, each game will last 16 minutes, with the top two sides progressing to the final.

With Ian Rush and Neville Southall starring for an All-Star Welsh Legends side, along with the likes of Mickey Thomas playing for Wrexham Legends, Jan Molby for Swansea City Legends and Kevin Ratcliffe for Cardiff City Legends, the cream of Welsh football will be well represented.

Nigel Walker, BBC Wales Executive Producer, said “The BBC are very much looking forward to what promises to be a top-class evening of football. Wales in known for its interest in sport and we are sure this event will capture the imagination of all Welsh football fans”.

Such is the furore surrounding an event of this kind that the players themselves are equally as excited to be dusting off their boots for the teams that helped make their name.

Mickey Thomas, himself a Wrexham legend thanks in part to his wonder strike that secured victory against Arsenal in the 1992 FA Cup, said “It’s great to be back playing for Wrexham and renewing the rivalries between the lads. Everyone remembers my goal for Wrexham in the FA Cup and how much it meant - hopefully I can do the same again here!”.

Neville Southall, ex-Welsh goalkeeper with over 100 caps for his country, said, ”We all look forward to these events but because this is with just Welsh teams, it becomes extra special. The fans are second to none in Wales and with the atmosphere they’ll create, it’s sure to be a great night”.

The first event of its kind, this promises to be a fantastic night of family entertainment. With the arena expecting a capacity crowd, make sure you book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

To order, call the Wales National Ice Rink Box Office on 02920 645988