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...

Racecourse Virgins No.5

Keith Walton

Keith Walton is not a Wrexham fan, but comes from a Pennine town with a real tradition of footballing greatness (so he claims…) Here he recounts his first-visit memories, February 1995:

Some years ago I arrived at the doorstep of the editor of this fanzine, to pick him up on what was to be my first visit to the home of his dreams…or in the case of the journey itself, his nightmares.

He hates cars. Not only did he fasten the seatbelt; he insisted on locking the doors and throughout the trip held on to any part of the car with a grip of steel. I won’t say he kept his eyes shut, but his navigational skills are at the level of a blind man in a desert. Not only did we miss Wrexham; we almost missed Wales!

Eventually we arrived at the editor’s Aunty – a few short yards from the ground. Ah, Aunty of fond memory, who provided the now-weary travellers with a feast of fish and chips before despatching us to the game.

What a match! Sat amongst the home supporters, I remained silent as Wrexham went one-up. Later I was the only one cheering the equalising goal. To say there was a threatening atmosphere as my team scored the last and winning goal is an understatement. Your editor tried to hide – he didn’t want to know me.

Back to Aunty’s for a ‘celebration tea’! ! The return journey was passed in silence and I was able to reflect fondly on Aunty’s hospitality, a good game, a win, but perhaps most of all on the atmosphere created by the somewhat small but devoted Wrexham crowd.

Huddersfield Town may be the centre of my dreams, but I understood those who are immersed in the mists of Red Passion.

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