South Wales Evening Post - 20 March 2006
Two new fund-raising ideas to help establish a permanent memorial to Swansea football legend John Charles in the city have been ruled out - at least for the time being. A £40,000 target was set just after his death two years ago with the aim of putting up something appropriate like a statue in the city.
But with only around £16,500 having come in that time, serious question marks have been posed about the appeal's future.
John Charles fan Roy Adams, of Yr Elain, Dunvant, has now called for collection boxes to be put around the Liberty Stadium on Swans match days to help make up the shortfall.
He has also floated the idea of high-profile Welsh managers like John Toshack, Chris Coleman and Mark Hughes getting a Premiership XI together to play an appropriate team at the stadium, with proceeds going to the appeal.
But council cabinet culture, recreation and tourism member Gerald Clement yesterday ruled out any possibility of a fund-raising match this season.
"Under the agreement with the manufacturers of the pitch there can only be 45 games played during the first season," he said.
"But next season the limit is up to 62 games, so everything should be okay."
Councillor Clement said a policy on charity collections was being drawn up.
"We are not unmindful about charity causes but, if we get too many, people will stop giving and no one will benefit.
"Officials are reviewing their options for the appeal in the light of the shortfall.
