Football: City are a Cross Alan is delighted to bear.

Byline: Terry Phillips

Continuing his series looking at the people behind the scenes at Ninian Park, TERRY PHILLIPS talks to assistant safety officer Alan Cross 

FORMER Grange Albion winger Alan Cross is a high-profile figure at Cardiff City FC.

For Cross, 67, can be found at Ninian Park or the training ground any day of the week.

He first linked up with the Bluebirds as a steward during the early 1960s and he now works alongside Alan Kerslake and Jeff Richards as assistant safety officer.

"Working for the club I supported as a schoolboy is a fantastic job," said Cross.

"My responsibilities include safety, security, the club car park and, really, any job that needs doing."

Canton-born Cross became a steward in 1962-63 and then, after a break, he returned during the 1970s.

"Then I was asked to become chief steward and it's gone from there," said Cross. "Alan Kerslake is the safety officer and I work with him and Jeff Richards."

Cross has been at many big Ninian Park events including the European win against Real Madrid, while he picks out a 'proudest moment' as the day Cardiff City welcomed The Pope.

"I was asked to liaise between the football club and police for the occasion," said Cross.

"That was a genuinely proud moment for me.

"It was during the early 1980s and there were 45,000 people in the ground.

"The atmosphere was fabulous - that's something I'll never forget."

Cross played for South Wales Amateur League club Grange Albion on the left-wing when he was younger and even played against Cardiff City at Coronation Park.

"Bill Jones was manager," said Cross. "I didn't play for Cardiff City, but I did play against them.

"I've been a big Cardiff City fan since I was young and there are so many players who became my favourites.

"'Tappy' (Derek Tapscott) was fantastic - Harry Kirtley was another, Doug Blair, Ken Hollyman and so many more."

Cross spent 22 years of his working life as a draymen with Brain's brewery, moved on to TNT delivering motor parts for Volkswagen and then worked on the railways before becoming full-time at Cardiff City.

"That was four years ago now and I love the job," said Cross, who was chairman of the Cardiff Ladies Baseball League for 30 years.

"I didn't play baseball, but I was a referee for 20-odd years," said Cross.

"One high spot was refereeing Wales versus England in 1976.

"My wife, Pauline, was playing for Canton Athletic when we were courting and my interest in baseball grew from there."

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