New Page in tale of the Valley

ROB PAGE may have ended his nation’s 64-year-long 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 (below), the Manchester United stalwart, who led Wales to the quarter-finals in Sweden.

It took a goal from a 17-year-old Pele (top) to put an end to Welsh hopes back in 1958.

Page cannot wait to get stuck into the USA, Iran and England in

Group B in Qatar after Wales’ play-off triumph against

Ukraine.

He will do it with the same fighting spirit from the

Rhondda Valley that Murphy (a plaque at his home, right) inspired in his players whose loss to Brazil was their only defeat in the finals. They drew their three group matches before winning a play-off with Hungary to progress to the last eight.

Murphy was born in Pentre, less than three miles from Llwynypia, where Page (left) was born 64 years later. He grew up in Tylorstown, a mile further away, but 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. It’s such a proud moment for the nation,” said 47-year-old Page. “Growing up in the Valleys it was all about rugby. We had Cardiff and Swansea in the old Fourth Division and rugby was probably the No.1 sport. The tides have turned slightly now.

“When you are winning it helps people take notice. Football has probably overtaken rugby at the moment as No.1 sport in Wales.” Page left the Valleys at 16 to pursue a career that saw him play 550 times from the Premier League down to League Two with Watford, Sheffield United, Cardiff, Coventry, Huddersfield and Chesterfield.

He also won 42 caps for Wales as a full-back in the day when he admits the international side was nicknamed ‘Rag Tag Rovers’. As they head to their third major championship finals in a row after reaching the last four at the 2016 Euros and playing in the 2020 competition as well, it is so different now.

“Gary Speed started it 12 to 13 years ago and I dedicated the win over Ukraine and World Cup qualification to him and his family,” added Page. “The professionalism, how we approach games, how we had an identity as a nation and as a team – that was down to Gary.”

Page took on the Wales Under-21 job before replacing Osian Roberts with the senior Wales side under Ryan Giggs. Now he is firmly in charge.

Move over Jimmy Murphy, there is a new idol in the Rhondda.