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.6

Jackie Beedle

Jackie Beedle attended her first Wrexham home match on 27 November 1993. Wrexham 1 York City 1: an undistinguished and fairly dull encounter. It was the era of Pejic, Bennett and Barry Hunter. Here are her memories…

My first visit to Wrexham was a long time ago now, it remains nothing more than a  hazy memory, distant but not forgotten.  The main thing that sticks in my mind about my first visit to Wrexham, was not the amazing talent on the pitch or the cheerful camaraderie of the crowd, but the bitterly cold weather!  OK, so you might have guessed I am not the world’s greatest football fan (and that’s not just cos I’m a girl), but I think football is not something you can do half-heartedly, it is all or nothing with you lot.  You’ve really got to love the game to stand for two hours slowly losing the feeling in your legs!

During this first visit I remember going into the town centre and it reminded me of an old 1970s postcard – no offence, it’s a nice place, in an old-fashioned kinda way!  The thing that really amazed me was the church on top of the shops, it still baffles me that someone actually thought to do that.  Whenever anyone mentions Wrexham now, that is what I think of as the landmark, a bit like the crooked spire at Chesterfield, or Blackpool Tower!!

As you can probably tell by now, the game didn’t leave a huge impression on me, in fact you could say, seen one game seen them all, but I know that would offend all you true football fans, so I won’t mention that!  I do recall how friendly everyone was, and how relaxed the atmosphere was, there didn’t seem to be any shenanigans going on.  Maybe it was the three-sided ground that gave that impression, but it was good to see whole families at the game, everyone seemed to be there to enjoy themselves and see their favourite team having a go.  The other thing I remember is the score-board wishing someone a Happy Birthday, which was nice!

We had a half-time snack to warm the cockles as they say – it did the trick, though the choice of menu was not extensive it was hot and tasty, all that matters on a cold Saturday afternoon.   Even the club shop had the same family atmosphere.  All in all it was a pleasurable experience, unfortunately one I haven’t had the opportunity too often, but something I will always remember. 

More recently I have visited the football ground in my town, the McAlpine Stadium, and for all its flashiness and posh seats, it just doesn’t have the same feel to it as the Racecourse.  OK, it has nice toilets, a wide variety of half-time snacks, but all at a price.  You know what you are getting at Wrexham, there are no posers or fancy gimmicks there thank you very much, and long may it reign (or is that rain – in my experience of football matches, yes!).

My only regret is that I visited the Racecourse before the birth of the legendary Rockin’ Robin.  I would love to see this bird in action, I’ve heard numerous stories about him, seen him on the Internet and in the programmes and he looks interesting!!  If only Jim’ll Fix It was still on the telly, I could write him a letter! Yes, indeed my friend.  Does anyone know Rockin’ Robin – could you get me his autograph??? Maybe one day I’ll revisit Wrexham and fulfil my dream – who knows?

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