Books

Another gem

Soccer as Religion

Gareth M.Davies & Peter Jones, Wrexham FC 1872-1950 (Images of Sport, £9.99)

Published recently, this is the latest book produced by that indefatigable pair of historians Gareth M. Davies and Peter Jones, and comes as a follow-up, and a complement, to their monumental Racecourse Robins compilation out last year. A hard act to follow, you might think, but with skill and patience Gareth and Peter lead you through the story of Wrexham FC to mid-century, from its beginnings as a winter pastime for local cricketers to a local league system; then, with increasing organisation and commitment, to the Birmingham & District League in Edwardian times, culminating in the club’s successful application to join the Football League, by way of the Third Division (North) in 1921. A journey, initially at least, through a more casual era, taking in different playing colours (blue and white stripes? green?) and short-lived names (Athletic, Olympic), such apparent indecision belying the fact that football in Wrexham was for a time at the forefront of development of the game in this country.

The pictures are varied and well-presented and, as with all good commentaries, the accompanying words look not to merely describe but to inform, to add understanding to what can be seen. Indeed, the text in itself would provide an interesting insight into how the team developed, how the club became stronger, who pushed the club forwards, how the ground developed, and so on, but having the photographs alongside to show all of these things brings the reality of the club’s progress to life. Not only photographs – there are many reproductions of other documents that give just as much of a flavour of our club’s history; these include maps, fixture lists, programmes, cartoons, a player’s contract, and (for me) most illuminating were copies of the club’s submissions to join higher leagues, showing what were in effect quite private ‘behind the scenes’ workings of the Board.

The book also gives a taste of the changes in society in general throughout this period; there are many photographs of the public and public places, not directly related to football, and there is much to be gained by studying the styles of communication shown in the various documents. It might be easy to think of the time covered by this book as simply ‘another age’, but look closely and you will see comment on, for example, low attendances, the lack of cash, the need to sign forwards, and even referee abuse! In that respect, perhaps things haven’t changed that much. Half a century is just about enough time to gain a sense that even if the fashions of the age move on, the basic concerns do not, and it is in this marking of the passage of time that I found most enjoyment in the book. How will the current team and the club as it now stands be remembered 100 years hence?

The love of WFC shown by the authors in their previous work is no less evident in this, and no doubt will be in the book that will bring the story up to date. For the moment though, this book is thoroughly well-written and attractively produced by an acknowledged publisher in this field. It costs £9.99 for 128 pages of entertainment and education, and so is undoubtedly good value. It’s another gem from Gareth and Peter, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Dean Domerecki

Click here to buy a copy of the book