In each edition of Red Passion we will ask one lucky/unlucky person to reflect on their first-ever visit to watch a Wrexham home match...

A PA system in Welsh?

Racecourse Virgins No.12

Pete Holleworth

Pete Holleworth is an architect. He lives in the sleepy Pennine village of Honley and in the summer months can bowl a mean spell of nagging medium-pace. He supports Chesterfield (sorry) and reads the strangely-named Saltergate fanzine Tora Tora Tora.

I am a lifelong Spireite, but enjoy the experience of watching a game with a ‘friendly’ supporter of the opposition. On Saturday 6 March 1999 I had arranged to meet the editor of Red Passion at the Racecourse for the Wrexham-Chesterfield game (in the summer he and I play cricket together).

The event was not the social experience I had envisaged: no pleasant pint or lunch before the game; and no comfy centre-stand seat among civilised supporters. I met the editor and his merry band of cronies. At one time before the match, I was persuaded to conceal my Chesterfield scarf and display the publication outside the turnstile while the editor disappeared off for more supplies. I didn’t sell any - my heart was not in it.

I was not asked to report on the match - and this was probably a good idea. It was no classic and I believe that, for the majority of the game, the Blues were the better side and created good chances. As in recent meeting between the two sides, Wrexham didn’t start to play football, and to dominate, until the last 15 minutes. I recall that this happened at Saltergate last season when, with the editor again, I watched the two teams play. On that occasion though, you were already losing 3-0 and were down to 10 men.

But, I was asked to comment on my impressions of the ground and club. Please note that I did spend the game in disguise in the middle of the Kop, but I tried not to let this limit my impressions and interesting to listen to the opposing fans’ vocal criticism of the ref. You may recall he got an horrendous amount of abuse when he gave a penalty - because the fans hadn’t realised what was happening way over there at the other end of the pitch. But I digress. My lasting memories:

The programme - good, very full, though too much about Wrexham for my taste. But the section on the opposition - ‘us’ - was good. There was a section in the ‘News and Views’ - apparently - about the FA Cup Quarter-Final two years ago, but this was in Welsh. I request a translation - and anyway we won!

In a similar vein…the public address system. Throughout the afternoon I did not understand one word. I assumed that again it must be in Welsh?

The scoreboard information display at the far end was clear and of interest to home fans. The away end, of course, can’t see it, so you could say whatever you liked about the opposition without using Welsh.

The main omission was a clock. I cannot remember not seeing a clock at any other ground. Why isn’t there a clock at the Racecourse? Is this the Alex Ferguson method - when a match can be lengthened or shortened to suit the situation?

The Kop. I have two comments to do with the design: (a) ‘Modern’ venue seating design is arranged on a ‘concave’ base - to allow the people further back to have a clear view over people in front. The Kop appears to be ‘convex’ - with the steepest bit nearer the front, and the slope decreasing as you go further back. I could though see some of the pitch. (b) How do you get out? There are no exits at the back and when you try to get out at either end your progress is constantly blocked by haphazardly-strewn barriers. If there was an emergency, quick evacuation of this area would be impossible.

I was very impressed by the adjoining pub and its balcony - a very civilised way to watch a poor game. Who is allowed up there?

Redevelopment was in progress when I visited the Racecourse. Although the view from the pub will be blocked, the ground will clearly become a neat ‘modest’ stadium. I am only jealous as there are no firm plans agreed for Chesterfield’s home ground. (For those of you who have not been, it is probably one of the most ‘basic’ and run-down venues in the League).

My biggest praise must be for your new toilets behind the Kop. They are magnificent - and if your completed ground is to a similar standard it could be a pleasure to visit it in the future. RP


All contributions to the ‘Racecourse Virgins’ feature are very welcome…