As I look back at this week I am astounded by such levels of brilliance and excellence I have witnessed and been a part of in my hometown.
First up was the visit of Manchester City to the Swansea dot Com Stadium on Wednesday. From the moment I arrived at the Stadium I could tell it was going to be a special night. As I walked through the crowds my mind went back to those halcyon days of the Premier League that we had waited for, for so long and then maybe took a little bit too much for granted once they had arrived.
I’ve been a Match Day host for the club for a number of years and it’s always a joy to welcome back some of our Legends. It seemed appropriate that one of our special guests was Darren Pratley. Darren is a model professional who has now taken on a coaching role at Leyton Orient after finally retiring from the game aged 40.
We had been playing at the Landore Stadium for a number of years and if I’m honest it still wasn’t quite home. Leaving the Vetch Field was hard for so many fans. I think we all knew that to progress the club had to move to a shiny new stadium, but it was hard to leave because of the memories. The special games that had left a mark on our lives. The people we stood next to on the North Bank. The sights and the smells.
In many ways it was Darren Pratley and his teammates in the 2011 Championship Semi Final against Nottingham Forest that finally made the stadium ours. If you were there you will never forget those closing moments. With Forest chasing the game the goalkeeper came up for a final corner. The ball was cleared, and Pratley broke away to shot from inside his own half to score and clinch our place in the final. As the ball went in I’m sure I felt the stands shake. When I welcomed him to the room all I had to say was ‘remember that goal’ and the whole room erupted in applause and cheering.
Franco – Man of the Match.
Manchester City are undoubtedly one of the best sides in the world with a manager Pep Guardiola who has won just about everything as a player and manager. Even with a changed side we knew what to expect. Apparently no one had told the Swansea team. The Swans immediately took the game to City and for 25 minutes outplayed, out fought and out thought their Premier League guests. Then came another of those unforgettable moments. Centre Back Burgess played the ball out to the young Swede Widell who set Full back Josh Key off on a run. He turned inside and played the ball square to the on running midfielder Franco. It was as if Franco was a tailor measuring the goals up for a new suit. He lent slightly to his left and with a right footed shot perfectly guided the ball, curling into the top corner past the City keeper.
Just as we had done all those years ago with Darren’s goal against Forest the ground erupted. I jumped to my feet, fell over and possibly cracked a rib in the fall…but it was worth it. Not long after there was a chance to double our lead which just went wide. In the end City managed to find 2 goals to win the game and a third that in truth somewhat flattered them. It was joy to witness the world class skills of our opponents who sometimes appeared to have the ball glued to their feet but even better was seeing our team show that we can compete with the very best.
The following day I went along to Coachhouse Pianos in Swansea as they celebrated their 40th birthday. I remember the first time I visited their old showroom near Fforestfach Cross. I had driven past the red brick building many times but never stepped inside. When I finally did it was like walking into a Piano Wonderland. They have every make of ‘world class’ piano you could dream of… Steinway, Bosendorfer as well as the latest Yamaha and Kawai models.
I went for a tour of their workshops and was shown a number of pianos that they had acquired that were awaiting servicing before finding a new home. There were a number that caught my attention. One had been owned by Queen Victoria, there was a Perspex piano that had been ordered by Michael Jackson and one old Steinway that I had come across before.
It was back in May 1977 and I was booked in to Abbey Road to make a record with Elton John as the producer. That time was special for so many reasons including meeting Eric Morecombe in the afternoon prior to my session. I told him I was from Swansea, he told me that he and Ernie had first performed together at the Swansea Empire.
When the session started I took my place at the piano. Initially I was going to sing and play but with my voice spilling onto the piano microphones it was decided that Elton would sing so I could concentrate on playing. Over 40 years later I would be reunited with that same piano and all the memories came flooding back.
To be honest I thought I was just popping along to see some old friends and raise a glass in celebration. It was only the day before that I got a text asking if I might play a song or two if the moment arose. Now, yes I can play the piano, but I am no great piano player. I’ve taught myself to play what I need. I knew that in the room that afternoon would be people who have devoted their lifetime to mastering the instrument.
Before I sat down to play I had a chat with Coachhouse Pianos resident pianist and piano Historian Gary Branch. Gary has just been working on a new album recording period music on an original 1826 Pianoforte. I just sort of asked how much time he spent everyday at the piano. His reply, ‘an hour or two maybe up to 6!!!’
Now I don’t want you to think I am completely blasé about these things. That morning before leaving for Coachhouse I did spend a few minutes playing in truth trying my best to remember my songs. When I heard Gary played 6 hours day…well my heart sank.
I thought it best to be ‘upfront’ about my limitations. Following me was going to be recital by the 11 year old piano prodigy Tiantian Gao. Tiantian made her New York Debut at Carnegie Hall last year playing Mozart’s Concerto No 17. I told them the reason I was on first was that it would make her sound even better!
Anyway, I sat down at a specially commissioned multicoloured Steinway Grand, told my stories, made my excuses and sang my songs. I might not have been world class but everything else about the day certainly was.