Video nasties featuring those eleven blokes in red and white

When I was just a foetus

Wrexham FC 1977-1978: A Season to Remember

When I was just a foetus Wrexham were battling to gain promotion under the guidance of John Neal.  With two weeks remaining of a successful season we only needed one measly point to gain promotion to the virgin territory of the first division.  Crystal Palace arrived at the Racecourse and with only one minute left the scoreline was 2-2 and a promotion party beckoned.  We lost 4-2.  The season ended dismally as Mansfield Town snatched a 1-0 victory and denied us that elusive elevation.

As the midwife cut my umbilical cord, John Neal was also severing ties with his spiritual mother as he left for Middlesbrough leaving Arfon Griffiths in charge of the petulant players who all wanted transfers after the disappointment of season 1976-1977.  However, Griffiths persuaded everyone to stay, and with a few extra signings to complement the quality foundations there was a renewed sense of confidence at the club as we entered the 1977-1978 season.

This traumatic, but typical, background information is presented within 'A Season to Remember' before we are invited to embark upon an emotional rollercoaster of passion.  Informative and cliche-free interviews with Mickey Thomas, Gareth Davies, Bobby Shinton, Dixie McNeil and Graham Whittle intersect goals galore.  This precious time capsule predominantly includes action at the Racecourse although our classic cup ties away at Bristol City (4-4), Newcastle (2-2), Blyth (2-1) and Arsenal (2-3) are all featured.  Some matches are devoid of commentary and the cameraman is not always up to speed but despite the limited material the directors had at their disposal they have managed to provide Wrexham fans old and young with an ideal trip down memory lane.

In the light of our recent performances and sparse support, this video is a joy to watch and illustrates the potential that this club once had and could have again with constructive investment and decent management.   20,000 fans crammed into the Racecourse to see the champions play Peterborough compared to 2,592 in this season's cup encounter.  I realise football has now transformed from a sport to a business, but we have to believe that if Flynn stopped flogging dead horses and the chairman dared to speculate to accumulate maybe we could recapture a percentage of our potential support and former glory.  While we are waiting for this to happen it is well worth finding a copy of this video and regressing to happier days when football was fun and Wrexham made their supporters proud.

Nathan Davies