WREXHAM AFC commentator since the 1980s, Mark Griffiths, has retired from his teaching position at St Joseph's.
From Wrexham High Town, Mark is a living legend to football fans in the city, having been a goalkeeper for the sport himself during his early career.
With over 30-years of experience in education, he is incredibly proud to have been a teacher at St Joseph's Catholic & Anglican High School in Wrexham.
He claims now is the perfect time to retire which has been the plan for over five-years when he made the decision to leave at the same time as his form group.
"I knew five years ago this would be the time to leave teaching, before the Wrexham AFC takeover and things got huge", he said. "It's been my only profession really, alongside the club. What's happened to Wrexham AFC is a fabulous coincidence, but I will really miss the school."
With a degree in history, Mark has taught that as his main subject alongside English over the years.
"I also had to teach Geography at the beginning which I was certainly not qualified for", he laughed. "I just made sure I stayed one page ahead of the kids in the textbook!"
Mark continues: "The pupils there are just super, as are the colleagues I've worked with. It's a fantastic school - a really wonderful place. The kids are out of this world.
"One of my fondest memories was about two-years ago. My form class is called Kolbe, and we have these fundraisers that involve stalls etc. So we turned it into a festival called Kolbe Fest and made the most money any form class has ever made.
"It's always brilliant fun with music, stalls, food. It's a remark on how lovely the kids are, too."
When he first started the role, Mark admits his main job was breaking up fights.
"Something I didn't know until I became a teacher is how hard-wired I am. Nothing the kids did ever wound me up - not the same story for adults", he laughs.
On his final day, the students persuaded him to get in goal for a bit of extended lunch break fun. Mark even made the save of the century - one which his professional self would have been proud of.
After years of experience in the industry, he kindly shared some words of wisdom to newly qualified teachers.
"It's something my Dad told me when I got my first job in Bryn Offa. Never be angry with a pupil. Go away and calm down before returning to them and then just pretend to be cross. It's the best advice ever.
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"Also, everyone has their own lives going on. If you show a student respect, they will show it back. It's that simple.
With the Wrexham AFC broadcasting taking up a lot of his retirement, Mark says he and wife Emma will try to make the most of away match-days going forward.
"We'll have plenty of day trips across the UK coming up which we can enjoy together before the games.
"Emma loves archaeology and so when the Wrexham Women play further south, we'll be there on the coast. I can't wait."
We wish Mark a happy retirement with his family and friends. Something tells us you'll find him at the Stok Cae Ras a lot more going forward....
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