ROB GIVES THE VALLEY A NEW LOCAL HERO
Link with Wales icon Murphy
ROB PAGE may have just ended Wales’ 64-year wait to qualify for the World Cup but he still has a way to go to become the most successful manager from his home Valley.
That honour belongs to Jimmy Murphy, the Manchester United stalwart, who led Wales to the 1958 quarter-finals in Sweden, where they were beaten by a goal from a 17-year-old Pele.
Page cannot wait to get stuck into the USA, Iran and England in Group B in Qatar after Wales’ play-off triumph against Ukraine on Sunday.
And he will do it with the same fighting spirit from the Rhondda Valley that Murphy inspired in his players whose loss to Brazil was their only defeat in the finals.
Murphy was born in Pentre, less than three miles from Llwynypia, where Page was born 64 years later.
Page, 47, grew up in Tylorstown, a mile further away, and both men were steeped in Welsh culture.
“My mum and dad still live in the Rhondda and this is a special moment for me and for my family,” said Page. “It’s such a proud moment for the nation.
“Growing up in the Valleys it was all about rugby.We had Cardiff City and Swansea City in the old Fourth Division and rugby was probably the No.1 sport. The tides have turned slightly now.
“It is because of what the boys are doing and success drives that.
“When you’re winning it helps for people to take notice. Football has probably overtaken rugby at the moment as the No.1 sport in Wales.”
Page left the Valleys at 16 to pursue a playing career that spanned the Premier League down to League Two with Watford, Sheffield United, Cardiff, Coventry, Huddersfield and Chesterfield.
He won 41 caps for Wales as a full-back in the day when he freely admits the side were nicknamed ‘Rag Tag Rovers’. As they head to their third championships in quick succession after reaching the last four at the 2016 Euros and the last 16 at Euro 2020, things are so different now.
“Gary Speed started it 12-13 years ago and I dedicated World Cup qualification to him and his family,” said Page. “The professionalism, how we approach games, how we had an identity as a nation and as a team – that was down to Gary. There was a change in the tides and in how we wanted to play.”
Page cut his teeth in management at Port Vale before heading to Northampton in 2016 after their promotion to League One but he was sacked after six months.
The Cobblers’ loss was certainly Wales’ gain as he took on the Wales Under-21 job before replacing Osian Roberts with the senior side working under Ryan Giggs.
Now he is firmly in charge and taking his nation to their second World Cup. Following in the footsteps of Murphy, there is a new football idol for the Rhondda.