The Racecourse, Wrexham

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Out of the 3 Welsh teams, Wrexham has the highest league position. They are currently 9th in Divison 2. If you compare the other 2 teams, Swansea have just been relegated from Division 2 and sit second from bottom and Cardiff are in Division 3 despite being promoted this season.
Being in the English FA , like I said, has a good and a bad side.
The good side being they get to play against a higher class and wider diversity ...
...is shown by the FAW (welsh FA) cup that Wrexham paly in. Here they come up against the cream of Welsh football and normally win by hefty margins.
The bad side is 2 fold.
Firstly, inclusion in the English league and boycotting the actual League campaign of FAW, has led to the exclusion from entering European competition. In days gone by, simply winning this Welsh Cup was enough to qualify for a UEFA spot. Now, the FAW have stopped ... more

There are 3 Welsh football teams that have English FA League status. There are pros and cons to this I must add.
Out of the 3 Welsh teams, Wrexham has the highest league position. They are currently 9th in Divison 2. If you compare the other 2 teams, Swansea have just been relegated from Division 2 and sit second from bottom and Cardiff are in Division 3 despite being promoted this season.
Being in the English FA , like I said, has a good and a bad side.
The good side being they get to play against a higher class and wider diversity of teams in England than they would in Wales. This is shown by the FAW (welsh FA) cup that Wrexham paly in. Here they come up against the cream of Welsh football and normally win by hefty margins.
The bad side is 2 fold.
Firstly, inclusion in the English league and boycotting the actual League campaign of FAW, has led to the exclusion from entering European competition. In days gone by, simply winning this Welsh Cup was enough to qualify for a UEFA spot. Now, the FAW have stopped the 3 league teams from entering due to their boycott of FAW.
The second, and I think worse, reason for it being an English league team from Wales is the torrent of racial abuse hurled at football grounds around the country.
I find it deeply unfair that the FA frown upon fans and players from abusing Black and foreign players on the pitch when it is fine for the 89 English clubs in the league to scream anti Welsh chants at the fans of Wrexham, Cardiff and Swansea.
I know that its all meant to be taken light heartedly being called asheep sh*gger and all of the other things but, in my eyes, its still racial abuse.

Anyway, I will put the soap box away and get on with the club and team review.

History
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The team were started in the late 1800's by the local cricketers who took up football as a means of exercise during the non cricket season. It soon formed an official team an became an English League participant in the 1920's.
During the times since, they have been in the old 2nd division (new 1st Division) for 3 seasons and reached the dizzy heights of 3rd in the table once!!! That is the highest they have ever been and are normally found somewhere in the new 2nd division, sniffing around the playoffs in May.
Glory has come over the years and they have a reputation as giant killers. In 1990, they finished rank bottom out of 92 clubs. Within 6 months, they had knocked out the league champions, Arsenal form the FA cup. 2-1.
Also in the 90's Wins have come against Ipswich, West Ham and Middlesborough while they have been in the top flight during various stages of the FA cup. In 1997, wrexham lost in the quarter finals to fellow Division 2 team, Chesterfield.

The Ground
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Wrexham play their home games at The Racecourse ground. Until 2 years ago, One side of the ground had lay derelict and unused since the Bradford Fire disaster of the 1980's. It has now been rebuilt and boasts a beautiful all seater stand named after the club chairman, Pryce Griffiths.
The other 3 sides are very nice too. The only remaining standing area (the kop) Sits behind one goal. This is where most of the diehard fans stand.
Oppposite ends to the Cop is the Yale stand. This houses away supporters. I have nevver been in there but it too looks very nice.
The other side of the ground has he old main stand on it. It is named after the main sponsor that season. This year it is called the Sainsbury's stand.
The capacity is rated at just over 15,000.

Amenities.
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A couple of years ago, the ground finished near enough last in a review of football grounds and their food. Since then there has been some improvement but not a great deal. Toilets are not the cleanest or the nicest I have ever been in.
The Pub on the corner of the ground, The Turf, was the only Pub on a football ground in the league until the new stand obscure it somewhat.
Its normally full of home fans but the away fans are never made feel unwelcome.

Training.
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Wrexham have one of the best training grounds outside of the premiership. It is based just a few miles outside of the town at Colliers Park and recently was home to the England Football team during their build up to their game at Anfield.

Coaching.
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The coaches at Wrexham seem to have been ther for ever. At 11 years in the job, Brian Flynn is the 3rd longest serving manager in the League behind Dario Grady at Crewe and Alex Fergusson at Manchester United.
He is a good man who has steered the club back from the brink.
His staff are made up of Manchester City legend, Kevin Reeves and Joey Jones of Liverpool and Chelsea fame. Joey is definitely a firm favourite with the fans.

The Team.
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Goalies.

Kevin Dearden
Was brought in to the team about 2 years ago to replace their keeper Mark Cartwright. He came from Brentford and has proved reliable if not outstanding.

Kristian Rogers
Started this season as number 1 but was soon relegated as his inexperience showed. Only 21, he has a long time to prove himself.

David Walsh
Another youngster ready to step into Deardens shoes. Looks the better out of the 2 youngsters.

Defence.

Brian Carey
Captain Brian is a reliable irishman that used to play for Leicester and Man United. A big strong player, his days are numbered by his age.

Mark MacGregor
"Macca" is another fan favourite. He has been along serving specialist to the club. A strength at the back, Macca continues to be one of the mainstay of the team.

Phil Hardy
Another servent at the back, Phil scored his first ever league goal this season. Has a habit of getting sent off though and not as reliable as most.

Emad Boananne
"Ali G" I like to call him as he looks like his twin brother. A french Morrocan and creative wingback who goes on jinking runs down the left hand side of the field. Hes been out injured lately. His defensive side of the game lets him down.

Midfielders.

Darren Fergusson
The pinnacle of the modern team, Darren was signed on loan originally but was made permanent after a deal with Wolves.
The son of Sir Alex Fergusson, he is a superb player and very creative with the option to be the next captain and future manager.

Gareth Owen
The only real Welshman to regularly break into the first team. Gareth has been at the club for years it seems and recently had a testomonial against Manchester United.
A great free kick taker.

Carlos Edwards
One of the 2 trinidadians in the team,Carlos is a multi million pound rated winger.A great talent for the future and one to watch out for in the premiership.

Forwards.

Craig Faulconbridge
Never really shined the way he promised after signing from Coventry. A tall forward that scores a few.

Hector Sam
The Second forward from Trinidad, Hector is a bundle of energy that started the season sprightly but tailed off. injuries have plagued him

Lee Trundle.
"Super" Lee Trundle was bought from FAW team Rhyl Town for 50,000 and is already rated at 3 million.
Look to him to be a big star of the future.

 

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