Dragons know they can always rely on Gareth

GARETH BALE is the most influential Welsh footballer ever. No doubt about it.

You can go through the big names of the past: John Charles, Ryan Giggs, Ian Rush, Dean Saunders, Neville Southall, who was the best goalkeeper in the world at the time. Gary Speed, too.

But the way Bale has pulled the strings, getting the Dragons to two tournaments and can now get us to a World Cup, is amazing.

He influences the group around him, but is a humble guy.

Obviously, Giggsy was fantastic for us. But the finger was always pointed at him for missing friendlies.

Bale (right) religiously turns up. When you need a goal, he is there.

He gets his team-mates in a huddle, speaks, and doesn’t think he is better than anyone else.

And I think he can be himself among that Wales squad, and he really enjoys it.

So, hopefully, he will get his 100th cap against Belarus tonight.

It is unfair to ask him when he is retiring. It’s never been a question. He is always there for Wales.

If he gets us to a World Cup, he can then bow out gracefully.

THE BBC have followed us running Macclesfield for the past year. The result is a cracking documentary, and football fans will love it.

It goes to show how important a place grassroots clubs have in our game. The characters, Jimbo, Bob, that we have. Folk ingrained in their local club.

We are averaging 3,000 fans in Step 5. It shows the passion for clubs at our level and below. It has changed people’s perceptions of me. I am not in it for money. I love football and grassroots football. I am looking forward to series two!

BBC One tonight, but it’s on iPlayer now.