Amazing how many players took part in its heyday. Anyone who played in the 70s/80s will remember the absolute organised chaos of places like Pontcanna, Ely Racecourse, Rumney Rec, Roath Rec etc. Pontcanna and The Racecourse must have had nigh on 30 pitches each, 60 teams playing there every Saturday (not to mention Sundays when the Sunday leagues took off). Each team must have had a minimum of a 15 strong entourage, some much more, it must have been a nightmare for the residents of Fields Park Road and Colin Way knowing that perhaps a 1000 people would be making their way down their narrow street every Saturday from half one on and then making there way back a few hours later.
Was it The City’s climb up the leagues that contributed to the dramatic demise of parks football? Not sure how many play now but I can remember the Premier to Division 6 in the Cardiff & District and the Combination had the Senior Division down to Division 6, 14 divisions of about 12 teams each, 168 teams, mind boggling really. Funny how when professional football in the city was at one of its lowest ebbs, football itself was buzzing and more popular than ever. Imagine this Covid situation in those days, the lack of playing the game would have been the end of the world.
Will playing the game in those numbers at that level ever return? Very much doubt it, the demise of public houses and working men’s clubs is a contributing factor, many a team formed in those establishments, so glad I lived in that era.