I sit and write this on a lazy Sunday afternoon after Wrexham won 1-0 yesterday against Bounemouth and broke the 50-point barrier that was a long set target by the club. I feel that the club is safe now but still don’t think they should have got into this situation in the first place. After last season’s dire finishing position I thought this year we could actually mount an assault on the play-offs. Call me disillusioned if you will but I have always believed Wrexham should be in the 1st Division. However, it is becoming apparent to me that the club simply isn’t good enough. Maybe now, with a HUGE squad and a lot of youth players coming through we can start to achieve something a little more respectable than scraping through relegation battles. 

* * * * *

On the subject of the HUGE squad we have I would be extremely interested to know how big the club’s wage bill actually is. We have a squad that would give us sufficient depth to cope with international call-ups, a European Cup campaign, FA Cup, League Championship challenges etc. What I’m getting at is this: there are Premiership clubs with smaller squads than us! We competed in the league this season (priority), the Worthington Cup (nice chance to make some money, rarely) which we went out of in the 1st Round, the Auto Windscreen Shield (another chance to make some money, occasionally) which we went out of in the 1st Round, and the FAW Premier Cup, our best chance of making some income and picking up some silverwear. Five competitions, four we’re failing miserably in, and one Mickey Mouse event which we are storming through.

* * * * *

It’s not very often I slag off people in my column (OK, it’s actually quite frequently) but I have to say Stoke keeper Gavin Ward in the biggest ****** I have ever seen. Everyone will remember our last two trips to Stoke when he blatantly incited a crowd reaction. Now I hear that during Stoke’s match against Bristol Rovers he was attacked by two Rovers fans. Allegations have been made that Ward made offensive gestures to the Rovers fans. I don’t agree with football violence and it is not acceptable; however I am glad that this incident took place as it shows the kind of responsibility the players have to show a good example to the fans and to show sportsmanship. If players are going around, inciting unnecessary bad feelings then what can be expected from fans? Sporting rivalry is part of modern-day football and my hatred of Shrewsbury (more so than Chester) has led to many a fun exchange of words but never anything more serious.

* * * * *

I have to say how happy I am that Shrewsbury are bottom of the Third Division. I hate Chester but as I don’t live in Wrexham I don’t feel the hatred quite as much as others. I live closer to Shrewsbury than Wrexham, go to a college dominated by Shrewsbury supporters and have grown up surrounded by many, I guess this is why I hope Shrewsbury go down instead of Chester. A mention must go to the guys from Ellesmere who I saw enjoying the Wrexham-Bournemouth game. They are in a similar situation to me: they live near Shrewsbury and are surrounded by the scum. They were not hiding they’re pleasure at Shrewsbury’s plight and I can totally understand what they were feeling. But, I’m not saying that I won’t be happy if Chester go down, I will be out on the beers just like any other self respecting Wrexham fan.

* * * * *

At the recent game against Barry, I ventured up into the Yale Stand. And I have to say a huge Ali G-style ‘Big Up Massive Respect’ to the kids in the Directors Box who were singing and shouting all the way through the match. Also the odd Mexican wave occurred. Nice. I think I spotted the next Jacko: a young lad running about like a maniac organising the next chant they would yell. If all the kids in the area started to come to matches and enjoyed themselves so much so that they then returned the next match, then attendances and atmosphere would be on the increase at Cae Ras.

* * * * *

As I write King Karl still hasn’t got a new contract and I’m growing increasingly worried. I hope something is done soon, preferably with God being given two years more and a testimonial match.

* * * * *

Well, I’m off for a kickabout now while I still can, as I start my new job tomorrow, in Shrewsbury unfortunately. So I guess I’ll be spending all my time looking for scum to abuse.

* * * * *

As usual I’ll close with a final thought: Deano to pull through this injury nightmare and become the next club captain? Definitely.

Keep the faith,

Matt Wedderkopp