Yours Faithfully,

'Wrexham Rob' Wynne, University College Bangor (via email)

P.S. Is it only me that finds it somewhat strange that a club which lays so much stress on producing future players, makes no effort whatsoever to develop the future fans who will presumably pay their wages?

PPS. I look forward to following the example of my mate Nathan Davies by contributing on a more regular basis next season. Thanks again, Rob.

The latest edition of your fanzine has provoked many thoughts in my mind about Wrexham F.C. and their current position, but unfortunately they are mostly negative. Firstly, I have noticed that the idea of student discounts and free child tickets seems to have struck a chord as an idea to attract more supporters to the Racecourse, but I have seen this plan in action and it seems to make little difference. I study at Exeter University and the local Division 3 club uses these schemes, but I'm afraid to say that crowds are still very low. While I accept that they are good ideas in principle, it looks like it would probably end up costing the club money. In my opinion, there is only one way to pull in the crowds, and that is by having a winning team.

I would also like to talk about the permanent argument about Brian Flynn/Pryce Griffiths' positions at the club. Although I don't want to be one of the "Flynn out" whingers, I must admit that I have little sympathy for him as his failings have been so obvious this season. People may say that we are a club in our rightful position, but I honestly think we could be breaking free of those expectations if it wasn't for certain mistakes. It is true that we can't spend money we don't have, but maybe if we didn't accept the derisory offers we got for Marriott and Wainwright, or asked for the Bryan Hughes money in one payment, we would have some money. And why was the money that was there for signing Stuart Elliott, not there when Carl Griffiths was available? Although it was good to see four players arrive recently, it would have been better if we had signed two inexperienced players and two proven players, rather than four without a league game between them, but that would cost money. Why is it that players who show promise end up being dumped after two or three games in favour of players who often let the team down? - (meaning Edwards/Roberts/Gibson in favour of Russell/Chalk). And why doesn't Flynn CHANGE THE TACTICS, as it seems that every team knows how to play against Wrexham. All in all, it seems to me that either Flynn is too stubborn to see what he does wrong, or he just doesn't learn from his mistakes. It looks like the former when you see what happens when players question his actions (Andy Marriott), and how it seems that despite having three other coaches, they don't have any different ideas between them. I think it is hardly surprising that the crowds are low and the fans are unenthusiastic when the team's mediocrity has become so predictable. People may say we are doing well just to consolidate our current position, but I honestly think we could be doing better if we just took a risk or two with tactics and team selection, even if we can't financially.

I apologise for being so negative, but when I wrote to you earlier this season, it was in the hope of a play-off push assisted by players from our youth system which the club boasts about so much, and some decent signings. As it is, we have been looking at the relegation places all season, our young players have hardly had a look in, and we still haven't paid money for anyone. We have to think about moving forward rather than just accepting that we are just another small club.

Mark Butler, Southsea, Wrexham

Anti-English Chanting: Red Passion or Racist Abuse?

The present debate about racism, anti-English sentiment and verbal abuse of our own players and management relates to the behaviour of our most passionate supporters; those who inhabit the Kop and travel to away games. These are the fans who sing and chant, the "loyal supporters" who are brave enough or drunk enough to start the chants, and passionate enough to continue "singing their hearts out for the lads" even when facing defeat. Crowd participation is the most important part of the game. It's the vital spirit which gets the fans and players high. The singing lifts the players. Better football makes the fans sing louder, which elevates the quality of play even higher. This interaction between fans and players spirals upwards until it's inevitable that the ball must hit the back of the net.

Some of the chanting may be anti-English but anti-English chants are not racist. They would better be described as nationalist or anti-imperialist. Wrexham players, who through an accident of birth happen to be English, know that such chants are not direct at them but at the English teams we play and their supporters. So, I'm sure Terry Cooke's twaddle, about English Wrexham players being unhappy and wanting to leave the club because Wrexham fans were slaughtering them, is not true. Cooke sounds like just another paranoid Englishman, touched with the bitterness and Manchester melancholy that afflicts the blue half of that city. I bet most of the English Wrexham players (especially Ward, Russell and Connolly) are proud to be considered honorary Welshmen anyway. At all football grounds teasing, taunting and abuse of opposing players and fans forms the basis of many songs and chants. So when we're faced with "sheepshagger" taunts from English fans, it's justifiable and enjoyable to respond by chanting "Italia", "Argentina" or the latest nation to have recently thrashed England. I fondly remember one of my favourite moments during the FA Cup game last year at Selhurst Park. A Wrexham fan sitting near me responded to the "sheepshagger" chants from the Wimbledon fans by standing up and shouting out at the top of his voice "That's right, we shag 'em and you eat 'em".

There has always been rivalry between the English and the exploited Welsh, stretching back 1,500 years. It's important to know your history and it's good that football, the beautiful game, despite stewarded, seated stadia and Sky TV, is still big enough to incorporate historical traditions, such as ritual violence, within it. At least these days we restrict the violence to fairly light-hearted football chants and don't riot on the streets as the Wrexham miners did in 1776. Miners who were condemned for spending their leisure time, and the Sabbath in particular, in the public houses in noise and riot, had their first of many overtly anti-English industrial riots in the year of the American Revolution. Occasionally the rivalry gets too serious, as between Man City and Millwall fans this season (Is Cockney versus North English abuse racism?), or with the heartless bullying of children in the Yale Stand during the Preston game. However, this is nothing compared to football rivalry in the past described in Tim Jones' book 'Rioting in North East Wales, 1536-1918':

‘1593, riots at a football match arranged near the parish of Handegla, lying between Ruthin and Wrexham. The widespread violence inflicted by those attending the game included assaults and ambushes, and this football-related fighting was apparently quite common during the 17th century. Indeed, football was played throughout the region (such as at Holt and Wrexham), and these fixtures often led to mass confrontations between players and spectators or between teams who often prepared for a match by placing pikes and other deadly weapons within easy reach of their pitches for use if and when they could not resolve disputes over a dubious decision, foul play or a losing score line. The crowds often followed the example set by the players.’

As for racism, I've only ever witnessed one minor incident, when at the Bristol Rovers game away, a single idiot shouted out "Nigger". No one joined in but neither did anyone reprimand him. So I wouldn't say Wrexham's got a problem with a racist element (although you'll always find a few bigoted idiots in any football crowd), but we could certainly do with a few black players e.g. Reading's Martin Williams or Bristol Rovers' Guy Ipoua who will be available at the end of the season.

The only 'abuse' I've seen at Wrexham has been that recently directed at our own players and manager. I suspect our drop in form this season has to do with a number of factors but not Flynn's management or the commitment of the players, so the boo's and "Flynn Out" chants heard from some sections of the Kop during the Rovers and Wycombe games were out of order. Similarly, Cartwright didn't deserve the abuse some fans gave him this season. At Maine Road he was a hero, showing skill and passion, that Wrexham fans applauded. When his form started to drop the last thing he needed were negative comments from the fans behind him. That was bound to further reduce his confidence.The loss of an international keeper like Marriott was a major blow to Wrexham and perhaps Pryce Griffiths should have used some of the proceeds to provide better quality opposition for Cartwright earlier in the season (Wright's been doing a great job since February). However, when a goalkeeper is actually out there, between the sticks, doing his best to keep out shots from high quality strikers, we've got to get behind him and the rest of the players (who usually show 100% commitment) even when we're losing. The emotion fans experience when we're doing badly, whether it's fear, embarrassment, anxiety, anger or despair, have to be translated into louder and continued chanting and singing to life our players, so that performances improve and goals start to flow. The low level of attendance at the Racecourse can't help matters as fans aren't encouraged to sing and the volume of support is not sufficient to lift the quality of play.

However, during important games, cup games and when Wrexham are the underdog the level and volume of support does increase. At away games when facing adversity Wrexham fans sing louder, and it works. Our relatively large and passionate away following contributed to our better away performance, but there is room for improvement. I've recently attended a couple of Plymouth Argyle games in London where they get double the numbers of fans Wrexham would and three times the volume of shouting which continued throughout the game. I don't know what is responsible for the Argyle fans frenzy and endurance, but it must be stronger than Wrexham Lager. Perhaps there's a clue in one of their chants "Drink up your cider". I'm in two minds about the value of lager cider and other artificial stimulants in enhancing the singing and chanting of the fans. For example, three pints before the Millwall game at the New Den made me feel nice and lively, yet most of the Wrexham fans around me seemed strangely subdued (perhaps it was the 12.00 kick off.) It's a subject I intend to do more research on, but it's difficult not to be subjective when experimenting upon yourself. Strangely enough, I have found Morlands Old Speckled Hen the strongest and most interesting legally available mood enhancer so far. Although it doesn't match the high of actually winning a game!

I can understand fans feeling frustrated this season. After our glorious up run of 96/97 and just missing the play offs for two seasons, we all had high expectations for this season, particularly with the acquisition of Rush. Yet we seem to be going backwards, worried about relegation! No wonder fans feel abusive. However we've got to restrict abuse to the ref and opposing teams and fans not our own players. Football has always been a time to let emotions out and violence is fine as long as it's restricted to violent tackles on the pitch or violent singing on the terraces. It's only a game and the violence shouldn't spill out onto the streets and into the pubs nor should it manifest itself in physical punch-ups on the pitch (well, not too often!) The frontline of Wrexham fans may be those who stand at the very back of the Kop. They may be drunk or abusive but they lead the singing and chanting and are playing an invaluable role, as important as the players themselves in contributing to our victories.

If we want Wrexham to do better, don't moan about Flynn and Cartwright, but get behind them. We must all attend more games and shout louder. Don't hold back on the abuse. Sing your hearts out for the lads.

Mark Waters, Chingford, London

Please forgive an Oldham Athletic fan writing to you, but I felt I need to congratulate you on your smashing fanzine (Issue 7) - reading it occupied most of my Sunday. The best ‘nicker’ I’ve spent in a long time!!

Between 1978 and 1980 I spent three happy years living in Wrexham and attended many home games, remembering smashing players like Dai "the drop", Dixie McNeil and Bobby Shinton (class act). Do your readers remember a classic cup tie at White Hart Lane, which I think ended in a 3-3 draw? This was all the more memorable for me, since I found a tenner in the snow at Watford Gap Services - riches indeed to a poor student. Anyway, Saturday’s result apart, I feel both Latics and the Robins have much in common, and I would say to Reds supporters: Don’t despair. We are both small-town clubs, and have been this way before. In other words: Let’s not forget where we came from. We support our clubs through thick and thin, in hard times as well as the good times. Remember, Oldham were a Premiership club only five seasons ago, and our fall has been spectacular.

Anyhow, let’s hope we are both secure for this season in Division Two, and I look forward to more hospitality at the Racecourse in next season’s fixture, when hopefully we will both be challenging each other at the other end of the table.

Paul Smith, Colwyn Bay

PS. In retrospect I enjoyed your mag so much I’m enclosing the money for the next two editions. Keep the faith.

I am a season ticket holder in the Yale Stand and I have two sons who are Kop season ticket holders. I also have a brother and a nephew who attend every game, so I think you will agree that our family do our bit for the cause! At the time of writing, we are only four points away from the relegation zone and we have just lost at home to Oldham. With five games left, I can’t see where our next point is coming from. We all feel very depressed and hope for more success next season. We should have been at Wembley tomorrow; instead, we’ll have to sit here and watch Wigan on Sky! Let’s hope for better times next year.

Yours faithfully

Ann Jones, Wrexham

Thank you very much for 6 points Wrexham. It was a good journey home - some one on the coach had bought your fanzine - it looked a good read and good value for money. Congratulations. As for the game, it was very scrappy wasn't it? You didn't make much noise. What's all this buy a brick for Wrexham stuff? Anyway good luck for Wrexham in the future and good luck with your fanzine.

Dear Red Passion

Although I enjoy reading your fanzine, I must tell you that in my opinion a lot of what you say is utter [expletive #1], not least your Pro-Nato stance on the front cover. How can you support the bombing of innocent Yugoslavians in their own cities? They have as much say in Milosevic's policies in Kosovo as we have with Blair in the North of Ireland, anyway, if the reasons were purely humanitarian, where were the [expletive #2] during the ethnic cleansing in Rwanda?

I also have another few points to make regarding the contents of your last issue. The whole point of a fanzine is to produce a fans-eyed view on the football club it concerns, so why do you insist on 'reserving the right to edit letters for the sake of decency?'. What's decent? What the [expletive #3] has that ugly bird from Catatonia, having an eating disorder got to do with Wrexham? What is this unhealthy obsession you seem to have with those horrible bigots over the water at Windsor Park. I for one am glad the 'relationship' with those queen lovers from Linfield is well and truly over. After attending a couple of pre - season friendly's in Belfast we saw them in their true light. Let them get on with their poisonous bigotry, sucking up to Chelsea and Rangers [expletive #4] over their union flags, singing horrible songs, and next time they get banned from playing at home in the Intertiptoe cup, we can tell them to [expletive #5] and play their crap games at the Deva, or more suitable Gay Meadow. Most Wrexham fans I know have nothing but contempt for Linfield and Rangers and all that they stand for. So why do you try and foster a relationship with them as your reply to that Linfield fan's letter attempted to do. We found the warmest welcome to be had in Belfast was in the clubhouse at Cliftonville in New Barnsley.

Another thing I must pass comment on is the singing of anti-English songs. So Terry 'popeye' Cooke is the spokesman for all the English players at the club now, is he? [Expletive #6], he's a [expletive #7] and should have known that in signing for a Welsh club he would not be playing his home games in front of an English crowd. If the Anglo's in the Wrexham side were offended by what they hear every big game surely it would have become known prior to the signing of [expletive #8] Cooke, anyway, looking like him he's bound to have heard more offensive things in his time. Why then does Karl continue at the Racecourse or Rooster come back for another helping? Flynnie might have to warn potential signings of the Anti-English sentiments at Wrexham in future, if the English players are that offended by what they hear. Every team that comes here sing 'England' because they know they are in another country. Are we meant to appease them by ignoring them and not reacting in case we upset them by referring to any comical defeats they might have had? Your letter from Dean Domerecki (from Leeds) goes on to say that the chanting by Wrexham fans says 'we have nothing positive to say about ourselves, so we'll mock your superior achievements', this underlines a total missing of the point. So if Wrexham were to play Manchester United or Arsenal in a cup tie, we should stay silent as they have won more than us? What right have we, as Welshmen (and Women) got to mock the failings of a superior nation, one who deems us so inferior as to refuse to play any internationals against us, ever since the 1-0 and 4-1 flukes nearly two decades ago. I hate England and I hate the English (football and governments - not individuals) as does the majority of Wrexham fans, so any Anti-English chanting is OK by me, as it is in this context that it is used.

Before I go I would like to say what a brilliant job Flynn, Reeves and Joey have done for the club and long may it continue. Remember the dark days of the mid-eighties? On our gates we should be there with Doncaster and Hereford and it is to the Management's credit that we are where we are.

Regards

Francis Hughes, Minera, Wrexham

I’m writing this in the aftermath of the 2-0 tragedy at home to Wycombe, having rarely felt so depressed and upset after a Wrexham game. Reading the Daily Post the following Monday, I feel that Mark Currie sums "Wretched Wrexham" up better than I could, for fear of offending people: "At the final whistle, those home supporters who had waited to the bitter end failed even to muster enough enthusiasm to register their disapproval of what surely ranks as one of the most abject performances by a Wrexham side in many a long year".

Sad but true, isn’t it? Clearly, after such a rotten and feeble display, the threat of relegation is staring us in the face once again, as in recent weeks people have been talking as if we’re home and dry. Serious questions have to be asked both now and in the summer about the crisis of mis-management and often abysmal performances on the pitch inherent at the club this season. In many respects, I agree with David E Reeves’ letter in the last issue. It is shockingly clear that the management team is something of an ongoing joke; the same tired tactics every game, the apparent predetermined substitutions - the list goes on. Also, who is actually in charge, both on matchdays and in the corridors of the Yale Stand? Is it Joey, shouting passionately on the touchline, or is it Brian Flynn, hiding silently in the stand? Or is it Reeves, apparently doing very little? It does seem, as David Reeves states, that people are scared of criticising Flynn, as the treatment of Andy Marriott and others shows. The baffling "Let’s not bother playing down the left, eh lads?" tactic we deploy almost every game, giving sides a huge advantage over us, could also be seen as an example of Flynn constantly believing himself to be right. For example, watching the Joey/Rushie-coached reserves, they play a more flowing and attacking style. Recently, wouldn’t it have been nice to see this style of play in the first team?

Speaking of the first team, it is obvious to any supporter that there are a number of players turning out every week who lack passion, pride, and are not up to standard. Now, I’m not one for getting on players’ backs, but to name just two, Cartwright and Russell have consistently underperformed throughout the season, Cartwright particularly not being of even league quality, never mind Division Two. It would also be lovely to see the club spend some of the money gained from the sale of key players such as Marriott, Bryan Hughes and, more recently, Dave Brammer, instead of relying on inexperienced free agents and this season’s glut of loan signings. Enough has been said on the Carl Griffiths debacle, but this is a case which makes me wonder where the oft-mooted "ambition" is. Again, as we have seen, Brammer departs for a healthy sum, to be replaced by yet another loan and a freebie, untested at first team level. Logical?

Although I am not a member of the "Flynnie Out" and "Sack the Board" brigade (although my membership forms are in the post) I feel it is obvious that far-reaching changes are needed, both at boardroom and pitch level, or I dread to think what will happen to our club - in a few seasons it could be gala encounters with Yeovil Town! Anyway, sorry this has turned into such a rant. Cheers for an excellent little magazine, it really is far better than half the rubbish on sale in the newsagent!

Yours sincerely

James Morris, Wrexham

PS - I also have a couple of interesting stories about Wardy, Rooster, and even the God-like Les Evans…but I’m saving them for the next issue!

PPS - In answer to Richard Hill’s question about Wrexham Lager, on the day we lost 5-0 to Preston, and Cardiff trounced Brentford 4-1, I bought four cans of Wrexham Lager in Victoria Wine in Cardiff, following a friend’s tip-off to watch the results come in. I had my Wrexham shirt on, and judging by the reaction of the young lad behind the counter, it was as if I’d tried to kill him and rob the till! I went in disguise from then on!

Nigel Hanks, Barnsley

It is interesting to see that you are getting so much correspondence from Planet Zog these days. I refer of course to the recent letters from Messrs Wedderkopp and Domerecki. They berate critical supporters and those who do not attend and still cling naively to the view that the current WFC management are doing a good job, simply on the basis of what was achieved in the early to mid-‘90s. But then this is the sort of idiocy one expects from someone (Domerecki) who thinks that Gareth Owen is "a naturally left-sided player". Well I have news for you gentlemen; your views are about as widely held in the town as your surnames. Most supporters who attend and all those who have stopped attending would probably have a consensus view on two things:

a) Yes, Brian Flynn's record and achievements speak for themselves; the club did make considerable progress on an off the field after its nadir in the 1980s. Indeed Mr Flynn to an extent is an effective manager.

b) Mr Flynn's high point was probably the remarkable performance in the FA Cup at Birmingham. Since the ensuing Chesterfield match the team has worsened

considerably. Of the team on duty that season we have witnessed:

- the sale, quite rightly, of the classiest acts

- the permanent loss of form, injury, or age weariness of others. Indeed it could be argued that of the 11 on duty at Birmingham, only Carey has maintained his form.

In short nothing has been done to improve the side, and the famous youth policy has come to resemble a myth of truly Greek proportions. Of the current 2nd year trainees only one is being retained, and the youth side have suffered a terrible season, going out of the FA Youth Cup at the first hurdle to that renowned youth academy of Mansfield (apparently though Mr Flynn does have great confidence in his under sevens side!). So I say to your eager duo, why should people pay significant money to witness every week (no exaggeration) the drivel that we have had to endure this season. They are perfectly entitled to stop attending or issue vocal criticism at the game. I would respectfully suggest that you do too and maybe, just maybe, Brian Flynn might finally get the message.

Yours faithfully,

Keep up the good work!

Chris Hyde, Sooke, Canada (via email)

All the best for this great new mag - I’ve been trying to convert the Geordies for ten years now - at least they all take note of Wrexham’s results now!

Yours

Being an incredibly sad, devoted fan, I have turned to poetry to vent anguish over an extremely crap Wrexham team this year. I don’t think you’ll publish it (you can censor the rude bits) but I will try anyway. Here’s to a quick end to a crap season and a quick start to the usual false dawn (but it’s never been any different, so who am I kidding? We’ve always been crap).

Cheers

Rory Griffiths, Stockland, Honiton, Devon

Just a something I’ve heard being said during a football match this season, at the City game on Boxing Day: Mark Cartwright makes a great save from Gareth Taylor after 20 minutes, and a (part-time) Wrexham supporter SHOUTS "Great save, Marriott!!". When his mate tells him that Marriott has been sold, he replies "Oh, when was that?" Keep up the good work.

Brian Fly, "Burnley"

They certainly don’t sound like the same players who played on loan for us!

Cheers

Peter Williams, Balham, London

Cheers

I am enclosing a couple of Ireland’s Saturday Nights, which you can browse through and pass on to any friends who might be curious about the football scene in Ulster. Hopefully you can find something of interest which you can include in your excellent fanzine in the future. Thank you very much for the last issue (and the match programme) and again I wish you every success with the publication - it certainly deserves it.

Yours sincerely

Richard McCurdy, Ballymena, Northern Ireland

Yours sincerely,

Alan Winter, Coventry

PS.No offence meant.

All the best,

Brian McKnight, Belfast

Good to see Flynnie finally considering a change of tactics. Abandon that dodgy offside trap once and for all. Presumably, at a pre-arranged signal, the midfield-four break into a terrifying rendition of ‘Men of Harlech’ or some such. Opposition confused, concedes possession. Rooster pounces, sends Harl through unchallenged to score!

Cheers

Peter Williams, Balham, London

This is not intended for printing (well, you can if you like, but it' not very interesting!), but could you please send me any back issues you have, up to issue four, the green one. Also if you’d like any help writing the magazine, or selling it, I’d be glad to help, as it really is a fantastic read.

Cheers, and hope to hear from you soon!

James Morris, Coedpoeth, Wrexham

Peter Davies mentioned in his editorial (issue 7) that anyone pictured on the front cover should contact him. Well, would you believe, I’m on it! I had been trying, without luck, to get into the Town fanzine for four years before your nice Mr Murphy turned up for the fireworks - and he even got my best side! Thank you so much! You made my day.

Yours sincerely

A.Lamp, Huddersfield

PS. Who on earth is that Carl Tunnah? But at least I got top billing!

The Hillsborough Justice Campaign is issuing an URGENT APPEAL to survivors of the Hillsborough Disaster to contact our office in Liverpool. We are asking for survivors to be made aware that a Stoke man, Peter Bromilow, who was injured at the disaster, recently won a High Court Judgement against his former solicitors Linskills of Liverpool. The Judgement ordered that Linskills, who had previously paid Peter Bromilow 3,000 pounds in 1989, now pay 50,000 pounds, which is to be used for professional counselling. Many survivors were badly represented by solicitors, and even those who didn’t seek legal help may still have a case to be answered. We are calling for a boycott of the Sheffield Wednesday game at Hillsborough on 8th May 1999. Stay away in the name of justice for the 96. This includes Liverpool FC directors.

Yours for justice