Football fan meets Wales squad

2:40pm Friday 5th September 2008

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A CARDIFF CITY season ticket holder from Penarth met his heroes this week as the Wales squad geared up for their opening qualifier for the 2010 World Cup.

Sam Gould, 24, visited the Vale Hotel on Tuesday to meet John Toshack’s men, after winning a competition set by team sponsors Nationwide.

Sam, of Salisbury Avenue, said: “It was great to chat to the players and get some autographs.

“I spoke to Jason Koumas, who was injured and getting treatment as the other players trained.

“I also managed to say hello to Joe Ledley and Aaron Ramsey, which was good as a Cardiff supporter.”

The former Stanwell pupil, who has recently graduated from Cardiff University, won an exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunity to watch the national team make their final preparations ahead of Saturday’s (September 6) game against Azerbaijan, by entering a prize draw on the sponsoredbyyou.com website.

The campaign was launched by Nationwide last year, offering customers the chance to gain access to a range of benefits that the organisation receives as part of their sponsorship of the England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland national football teams.

In addition to fans getting the chance to attend team training sessions, customers can also appear in TV adverts, become team mascots, feature in match programme adverts, meet the players and management, and receive exclusive signed merchandise.