Hello sports fans and welcome to another instalment of On the Kop. I sit in front of my computer, shattered and emotional. Two days ago I signed for a five-a-side team at college and we played three matches this afternoon. Last week the boys put up a Chester performance and lost all three but today we enjoyed one win, one draw and a loss - typical Wrexham form. We beat the tournament favourites (Wrexham-Middlesbrough perhaps), drew with a mid-table team (Wrexham-Anyone In Our Division) and finished with a defeat against one of the basement boys (Wrexham-Cambridge, FA Cup). Our defeat was partly my fault. After going behind, we scored but with 30 seconds left a shot was fired in and crept past me as I dived left (difficult for a big lad like myself). After being told to play with passion, I went in hard on every tackle and when I broke through I saw my shot tipped over. I expected some abuse from my Shrewsbury-supporting acquaintances…and I eventually heard a shout of “What can you expect from a sheep-******** Wrexham boy?” I flipped and ran over to the dugout, grabbed the person who had shouted the abuse…and hit him across the face. I think my years of watching hardmen like Tony Humes has rubbed off on me.
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In the past I have suggested that Wrexham use wing-backs, but I now have another cunning plan: 3-4-3 with Deano playing centre-forward and Stevens and Faulconbridge playing either side. Deano could set up the key passes and could hold the ball up for the other two.
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A recent edition of Red Passion was full of tales of Mickey Thomas swearing on the radio. Men’s magazine Loaded got hold of the story and made Mickey a ‘rogue of the month’. I tried to get hold of a copy of the feature but some Shrewsbury Scum objected to me tearing things out of their magazine. Don’t they realise that as a Wrexham supporter I have a divine right over them and can claim any of their possessions as my own at any time?
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My little sister is at that tricky stage in life…and now walks around the house singing pro-Shrewsbury songs (I think her new boyfriend may be that way inclined) so my grandfather, uncle and I are no longer speaking to her.
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I have mentioned that there is a lack of funds on many occasions and Pryce Griffiths has said that Wrexham is a good club for someone to invest in. Let’s face it though: if anyone took a look at the league tables they would say: “Let’s see if we can put some money into Wigan or Preston”. No-one will invest in a sub-standard Second Division club.
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I know that a lot of people (even our own fans) are tipping the lads for relegation. I don’t think they will go down - but it will be a struggle. Regular readers will know I am currently flying the flag for Wrexham in a college where Shrewsbury supporters outnumber ‘normal’ people by about 2.64 to 1. This has intensified my hatred for Shrewsbury - not just the club but the fans and the village (it’s not a town in my book). As you can imagine, the taunts I am receiving have become quite harsh now they think Wrexham will be in the same division as the Shrews next season. This is an ideal opportunity to thank whoever was in the club shop on the morning after the recent Reserves match against the Scum. They had to put up with me calling them from college every three minutes to find out what the score was. Luckily we didn’t lose: it was 1-1 with Andy Morrell scoring. My new mate Jennie (Scum supporter but OK) was eagerly awaiting the result, so when I told her that Wrexham had won 7-1 she didn’t speak to me for the rest of the day. I always pray that Wrexham will get Shrewsbury or Chester in the early rounds of the FA Cup. I don’t know why but I always find progressing further in the cup is more fun if you beat the teams you hate. If we ever beat Manchester United you’ll see a very drunken/happy me lying outside the Racecourse.
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I think it’s time for me to end my meandering ramblings and go and phone some Shrewsbury supporters just to remind them how much I hate them.
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A final thought: Wrexham to survive this battle and mount a serious assault on the play-offs next season. Definitely.
Keep the Faith.
Matt Wedderkopp