Local Footballer joins Welsh Team at Euros

Qualification for a major international tournament is something of a rare experience for Wales.

So much so, Nottingham Forest's David Vaughan admits the players didn't quite know how to celebrate when their place at this summer's European Championships was confirmed.

But the midfielder is confident there will be no such uncertainty when it comes to being able to handle the big occasion, in France next month.

Vaughan was one of 29 players included in manager Chris Coleman's pre-tournament training camp, all vying to be included in the final cut.

Only 23 could make it and David Vaughan has been selected to be in the 23 man Welsh squad to face Slovakia in their opening game on June 11. When they do, it will be the country's first appearance on a big stage since 1958. They could be forgiven a few nerves in the camp.

But with the likes of Real Madrid's Gareth Bale and Premier League stars Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen on hand, Vaughan believes they have enough big match experience to call upon.

"It was a bit surreal really because we're never really in that situation, so no-one really knew what to do," the 33-year-old recalled of the moment Wales qualified, which came despite defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina last October.

"But it was a good experience and hopefully we can do well at the Euros."

"No-one's been in that situation before but we've got players who are used to the big occasions.
"Hopefully no-one's going to be too fazed by it and we can just go in and enjoy it, and try to do our best."

However they fare, Vaughan says Wales owe a debt of thanks to the late Gary Speed. It was the former Newcastle United midfielder who laid the foundations for the team's current success.Speed had galvanised Wales during his time in charge. His death in November 2011 came as a great shock, and results, perhaps understandably, suffered.

It took Coleman, Speed's successor, time to get the country back on track, but Vaughan and his team-mates are now reaping the rewards.

"It started under Gary Speed," the former Blackpool man said of Wales' rise. "We got a way of playing and a structure which suited the players who were in the squad." "Chris came in and changed one or two things to suit his philosophy, but it's more or less a similar path. And it's worked out well for us."

"He (Speed) started it all off and got us playing in a certain way that suited us."

On playing under Coleman, Vaughan added: "He's good. He's quite relaxed and he doesn't put too much pressure on you. He's quite clear in what he wants. It's enjoyable to work under him."

Battling through the hard times has undoubtedly played a part in making Wales the side they are today. "I'm not too sure what the key to it is," Vaughan continued.

"The togetherness in the squad is good and we've got good players as well, so that obviously helps."
"Everyone knows each other's game quite well and we're all working together." "The last six months you could feel the expectation and how much people have enjoyed it."

"Hopefully we can keep it going and do well in the Euros."

Vaughan and his countrymen do though, cross the Channel with the rest of Europe fully aware of their talisman. Such has been Bale's contribution on the road to France – he scored seven of his country's 11 goals in qualifying – the team have earned the moniker 'Bales'.

"The whole team is built to help Gareth and Aaron Ramsey and people like that to be able to do what they do best," said Vaughan. "Without them, we'd be struggling. But they probably wouldn't be able to do what they do without the rest of the team. It's a joint effort."

Vaughan says no target has been set as to where that joint effort may lead them in France."It's difficult to say. Hopefully we can get out of the group and from there, you never know what could happen," he said.

"It's just taking each game as it comes. Hopefully we can get a good start and see where we end up." "We've not had the conversation about it, but I'm sure maybe in the coming weeks we'll talk about it.

"I think it's just at the moment concentrating on the first game and being ready to go."

Our grateful thanks to the Nottingham Post: http://www.nottinghampost.com/ and local resident Roland Hall, a dedicated Nottingham Forest supporter, for giving us the tip off.

We wish David and the Welsh Squad every success.

AudlemOnline's editor adds: "But not against England on Thursday 16th June!"

Not to be outdone, AudlemOnline's chairman also adds "What's all this about Nottingham Forest and Blackpool – David was originally a star at Crewe Alexandra where many of us enjoyed watching him display his skills before he disappeared into the higher echelons of the Football League"

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