Magazines

The Red Passion guide

As sexy as Ruth Madoc The December edition of Match Of The Day Magazine featured a massive item called How Big Is Your Club? It ranked English and Scottish clubs according to various criteria: ‘Ground Capacity’, ‘Average Gate’, ‘Fan Base’, ‘Domestic Success’, ‘Average Position Over 10 Years’, ‘Turnover In £000s 96/97 Exc.Transfers’, ‘Trophies and Traits’, ‘Sex Appeal’ (one woman who personifies the sex appeal of the club), and ‘Trend’.

For the record, Wrexham were ranked as the 83rd biggest club in Britain (out of 106). Wrexham's vital statistics were as follows:

• Ground Capacity: 9,200
• Average Gate: 4,090
• Fan Base: Local
• Domestic Success (points awarded for all-time success in the League, FA Cup & League Cup): 2 + 0 + 0 = 2
• Average Position Over 10 Years: 24th Division 2
• Turnover in 000s 96/97 Exc. Transfers: 1,732
• Trophies and Traits: "8 Seasons in Europe", "Canny Manager", "Stadium needs lick of paint", "Battlers", "Football backwater"
• Sex Appeal: Ruth Madoc
• Trend: Neither up nor down

Other interesting conclusions:

• Biggest five clubs in Britain: 1. Man United 2. Liverpool 3. Rangers 4. Arsenal 5. Chelsea
• Five smallest clubs in England: Rochdale (smallest), Scarborough (second smallest), Barnet (third smallest), Hartlepool (fourth smallest), Shrewsbury (fifth smallest)
• Key placings: Wrexham 83rd biggest club in Britain, Chester 101st, Shrewsbury 102nd, Swansea 84th, Cardiff 73rd
• Bizarre conclusion: Burnley 49th biggest club in Britain; Crewe Alex 50th biggest club in Britain
• "Sex Appeal": Chester - Valerie Singleton; Swansea - Emily Lloyd; Cardiff - Susan Tully; Shrewsbury - Jane Asher; Rochdale - Thora Hird