Northern Exiles

09 December 2003

By David Lovett

Mark Guterman

I was staggered at the southern bias put on the entire procedure. The Cardiff-Swansea love-in was evident to anyone who was there, or saw it on television

WREXHAM chairman Mark Guterman today called last night’s BBC Wales sports personality of 2003 a ‘South Wales carve-up.’

He accused the BBC of not giving Wrexham the respect they deserved, claiming Swansea City’s relegation escape got more mention than his club’s promotion.

Guterman was at last night’s presentations with assistant-manager Kevin Russell and skipper, Darren Ferguson.

Cyclist Nicole Cooke won the top award, with snooker ace Mark Williams runner-up and Wales rugby star Gareth Thomas, third.

Guterman said: “As an Englishman, invited down to Cardiff for last night’s presentations, I’ve got to say I couldn’t believe what went on. I was staggered at the southern bias put on the entire procedure. The Cardiff-Swansea love-in was evident to anyone who was there, or saw it on television.

“I must say here there is no criticism meant, or implied, on either Cardiff or Swansea. Cardiff won the team of the year for their promotion back to the first division. The only thing I would say about that is they spent an awful lot of money in achieving that - and even so it took them a long time to achieve it. Swansea also did well in the end to stay in the third division, but Wrexham hardly got a mention.
 

“We won automatic promotion after an incredible unbeaten run towards the end of last season. Our manager, Denis Smith, was also named the second division manager of the season. Also, we won the FAW Premier Trophy which is, after all, a BBC Wales-sponsored competition. I would have thought that alone merited us getting a mention as winners.

I'm sure if Cardiff hadn't have got promoted they still would have given it to the Welsh rugby team or even Barry Town before us. Not that I would accuse BBC Wales of a south walian bias of course.

The Holt Dragon on the RP Messageboard

ckick here to have your say

“There is no sour grapes involved here. As I say, Cardiff’s achievement was magnificent and Swansea did well under our previous manager, Brian Flynn, who was also there last night. But as far as I am concerned it was a south Wales carve-up.

“I’m told there were six judges on the panel and they all came from south Wales. If I was a Welshman, I would be pressing for devolution for north Wales.”

• Wrexham manager Denis Smith was not at the celebrations. He was at the House of Commons, backing a four-day exhibition mounted by the North-East Wales Institute.

• Tomorrow, Smith is in the limelight at a dinner being given in his honour for managing his 1,000th game. The dinner is being hosted by the League Managers’ Association near Wrexham.