George Baker 1958 Wales squad

[Cyncoed Slumdog]

In John Charles' autobiography he writes about my uncle 'Citizen' (of the Western Mail & Echo) having to give him a lift from the station because nobody from the Welsh FA sent anyone to pick him up as he travelled independently from Italy. The story about the wives is absolutely true. I spent my childhood looking through a scrapbook of press photographs (most of which were/have never been published) of the '58 World Cup. I wasn't born until years later but I've still got that scrapbook that was given to my dad. It's an heirloom.

Your uncle was Dewi Lewis?
There was another occasion when Wales were catching a flight to East Germany and everyone sat down except a Committee man who didn't have a seat. The plane had been overbooked by one so they made Gil Reece get off and catch a later flight on his own so the Committee man could have his seat.

[Citizen's Nephew]

Your uncle was Dewi Lewis?
There was another occasion when Wales were catching a flight to East Germany and everyone sat down except a Committee man who didn't have a seat. The plane had been overbooked by one so they made Gil Reece get off and catch a later flight on his own so the Committee man could have his seat.

Yes he was. I met loads of players as a kid and used to go to Cardiff matches and sit with him in the press box. I don’t remember much other than the smell of pipe tobacco and scotch! Not that I was drinking and smoking as a nipper!