Valley Rams future in doubt as Corky quits

Last updated : 06 December 2005 By Michael Morris
Gwyn Davies, also a co-founder, is reviewing his position at the head of the organisation as well.

The Rams were set up a few years ago to provide organised away travel for City fans from the Valley's and also Cardiff as well. They provide an alternative source of travel to the official supporters club.

At times ridiculed the huge amount of work put in by Paul and Gwyn paid off with the relationships built between the travelling fans and the majority of police forces around the country. There are still some forces that have a siege mentality against City fans but on the whole the number of incidents and arrests at away games has improved dramatically.

Paul has found the pressure too much of late and has decided to step down.

'I couldn't take the pressure any more, I was getting it from all sides and I've had enough.

'We've got a great bunch of lads in the Rams, but there's always the few who let us down, one or two who want to cause trouble.

'I'm at the game and I'm getting a phone call and someone's been arrested and is at the police station and I'm expected to go and get them out.

'I haven't enjoyed a game for months, it's getting like I don't even want to go.'

Matters have come to a head this week with the Rams deciding not to run coaches to Leeds as a protest against "Bubble" (coach only) trips and the attitude of certain police forces.

The club, claims Corky, have accused him of being a "traitor" and "letting the players down" by the decision to boycott the game at Elland Rd thus meaning much lower numbers of away fans.

In response to the Leeds boycot, Sam Hammam has made the following statement on the official website in which he says

"At Leeds this week our players on the pitch need as many vocal supporters as possible. It is hard enough to play away against one of the best teams in the Championship and it is harder still when Leeds will be supported by a big vociferous crowd particularly because it is us.

It is for the this reason that I am somewhat disappointed, but at the same time very understanding, that the Valley Rams have decided to boycott the arrangement for travel for the match against Leeds."

The full statement can be read here.

There are serious implications if the Rams disbanded with potentially hundreds of City fans making their own way to away matches in mini busses and on trains and of course they would be unsupervised. The Rams might not be everyones cup of tea but the organisation currently in place means that travel to and from games is supervised and as the results show, safe and successful.

An emergency meeting has been set up at Ninian Park on Wednesday December 7th to try and resolve the issue.

A statement on the Valleyrams website reads

"After attending a meeting today (6th Dec), Gwyn & Corky have arranged a meeting at the Canton Suite tomorrow evening (7th December) at 7pm. Where Sam Hammam, and the local Police will be attending. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the restructure of the Valley RAMS.

All Reps are urged to attend and can bring 2 guests each, There shall be a buffet and soft drinks available after the meeting.

This is a very important meeting, and away travel shall be one of the key issues discussed."