By Tom Bourton BBC Wales News Online

Interest in Welsh football has never been higher - figures showed Wales had the biggest crowds throughout Europe for the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.

Dave Groves has been a Bluebirds fan for 30 years

And, after winning promotion to Division One last season, Cardiff City regularly welcomes more than 15,000 people through the turnstiles at Ninian Park.

But would they still go if they could not actually see their heroes?

Dave Groves, who is registered blind, is a huge Cardiff City fan, and regularly takes a radio along to matches to follow the action with the crowd.

BBC Wales News Online's Tom Bourton went with Mr Groves on one of his many pilgrimages to Ninian Park.

During the 20-minute walk to the ground from Cardiff Central train station, Mr Groves, 41, from Llanrumney, said he enjoyed being a part of the unique atmosphere of the terraces.

"There is something very special about walking out of the ground when you have won because all the home fans are up and on a high," he said.

"It is a very special moment."

I have had four dogs and I have brought them all a little bit but I don't think any of them enjoyed it that much Dave Groves

He explained that, during the match, he follows the game on his portable radio, because the crowd can confuse him.

"The crowd gives you mood and general direction - but it is imprecise and it is much more helpful when there is full commentary on the radio," he said.

"But there is no guarantee it will be full commentary, in which case you turn up at the ground and judge on crowd reaction.

"Occasionally I get caught out - partly because crowds cheer ironically as well as enthusiastically."

Some grounds in the UK, including Reading's Madejski Stadium, offer commentary through headsets for blind and partially-sighted fans.

Mr Groves hopes that, in the future, all stadiums will offer this facility, making it easier for him to follow his beloved team in the flesh.

Mr Groves said it was a good time to be a Cardiff fan

"You don't want segregation of disabled fans into the disabled fans area because that isn't social inclusion - that is a designation of special needs," he said.

"What you want is commentary to be delivered in a situation where fans can sit anywhere, and get commentary through the headset."

Mr Groves, who said he feels perfectly safe when he comes to games, explained he usually comes down to games three or four games a year.

"I am a very avid fan, but I am not a very avid attendee at the ground," he said.

"In part this is because there are some practical issues, unless I can cajole someone to go with me.

"Occasionally I come down on my own, but when I do I have to arrange a taxi back from the ground.

"I can get to the ground independently, and my previous guide dogs actually knew the route from the bus station.

We won the first seven games I came to see - I thought I was a lucky omen Dave Groves

"But getting out is always much more difficult because there are thousands of people squeezing up against narrow exits."

Mr Groves, who also goes to some away matches, admits his guide dog - a black labrador called Kate - does not share his passion for the Bluebirds.

"It is usually quite loud, and she doesn't understand what the noise is about," he said.

"I have had four dogs and I have brought them all a little bit, but I don't think any of them enjoyed it that much."

Mr Groves explained that he was born prematurely and lost most of his sight at birth.

"I had a little bit of vision until I was 11 which then disappeared - the first time I came to the ground was after that," he said.

"The first season I became interested was 1971-72 - it was the first year I had access in braille to the league tables, which gave the performances of the teams scope and reference.

"We won the first seven games I came to see.

"I thought I was a lucky omen - but the subsequent years gave doubt to that interpretation!"