Roath Rec World XI

Having spent four years playing in the Cardiff IMG football league, Roath Rec is a familiar stretch of turf. From wading in the river to retrieve wayward shots to the six-member Sunday training sessions, the Rec was where we lived the dream as ‘Magnificent XI’ (a bit rubbish) and then ‘Port Fail’ (surprisingly good enough to win the league). Those in charge of names were obviously fans of irony. 

The mighty Port Fail.

We weren’t the only ones daft enough to kick a synthetic leather sphere through inches of mud in the pouring rain. There was always a big group wearing the shirts of every club and country you could imagine (there might have even been a Tottenham one). Beyond the friendly waves when returning stray passes, we didn’t know much about this group. It turns out they call themselves the Roath Rec World XI, a ‘congregation of multinational and multi-ethnic footballers’ (to quote the Made in Roath hand guide) that meet three times a week to play the beautiful game.     

Photographer Dan Green has combined his passions of football and photography to celebrate this diversity. Based in the Penylan library with street murals on Lowther Road and Cranbrook Street, Dan’s work presents the players from all over Cardiff in a mixture of photography and multimedia pieces. Check out the stickerbook-inspired display below, complete with a ‘shiny’ badge, bringing back memories of the halcyon days of the Panini or Merlin collections (depending how old you are).

There is loads more to see, so get yourself to Penylan Library (it’s right next to the Rec) sometime during the festival and have a look. The number of countries represented is fantastic. 

The hallowed turf.

Also, if you are feeling energetic, Sunday sees the ‘Roath Vs the World Football Match.’ All ages and abilities are invited to the Rec to take part in a mini-world cup. Teams are welcome, but individuals will be placed into sides too, so there is no excuse not have a kick about. Spectators are also welcome so if you can’t play then dig out your Stone Island jackets and support the teams (pyrotechnics and flag-flying drones will be confiscated). The games are expected to start around 2pm. 
- Jon