What next for Wrexham FC and the town?

By Steve Bagnall, Daily Post

14 April 2008

WREXHAM FC’s 87-year run in the football league was almost certainly at an end last night.

Despairing fans were staring into the abyss and the drop into the Blue Square Premier after a crushing 3-0 away defeat at the hands of Shrewsbury.

It is still mathematically possible for the Dragons to stay up.

But being nine points’ adrift at the bottom of League Two and with four games left to play it would take a miracle for the historic North Wales club to stay up.

Comments from devastated supporters on the Wrexham FC’s fans website Red Passion, summed up the mood of despair.

One simply said: “Bye bye Football League.”

Another added: “Very sad day but in a way I’m glad that it’s all over and we can now start planning for next season.”

It is not just supporters who are feeling dejection at the end of an era.

Wrexham are North Wales’ only club in the Football League and the establishment of a 15,000 all-seater stadium at the Mold Road Racecourse Ground is seen as vital.

Council leaders know Wrexham’s long run in the league has raised the town’s profile, provided a feel-good factor when the team has performed well and has had economic knock-on benefits.

Now the club’s era in the Football League appears over, they see it vital the club has a sound business plan and reestablish themselves back in the Football League.

Wrexham’s political leader Aled Roberts yesterday promised the council will stand by the club in its hour of need.

Leader of the borough council – and Wrexham FC supporter – Coun Roberts said: “The club are looking at the footballing side but we need to continue with our support as far as the stadium is concerned to provide a regional sporting venue. We will do everything we can as regards to that.

“It is a major concern that the people operating the stadium are on hard times, the hope is that this is just a blip and down to working out all the problems from when they went into administration.

“At the end of last season we thought we had gone through the worst period but obviously there are issues.

“Whilst they were in administration there was an inability to attract players which caused difficulties to the squad. I think anyone who has been to the Racecourse this season will admit the team is just not good enough.

“But I think the stadium’s future is bright. From the council point of view there are still issues to resolve as far as the planning application is concerned.

“We need to get details from the club with regard to the physical proposals for the stadium and then there is the issue of funding.

“We will take a leading role in funding negotiations and, if we need to, act as agents to ensure Wrexham stadium is a quality development

“Part of the business plan makes it clear that the stadium is not going to function properly unless it operates more than just once every two weeks. We have to look at the increased use of the stadium, including some educational purposes.

“We need to make sure the stadium is at least a 15,000 all-seater to attract the right games.

“We have submitted a bid whereby the council and the club will work together to provide schemes for disaffected youths, where the club will take a leading role, co-ordinating with the education department. It is another stream for the club so that parts of the stadium would be used as a learning facility.

“We are also having discussions with the WRU. Wrexham is being used for the youth world rugby tournament this summer. As a sporting facility it needs to be used by three or four groups and we need to make sure the stadium can be used for pop concerts.

“There are five or six corporate boxes in the Mold Road stand but clearly there is a need for some sort of corporate facilities in the re-designed stand.”

Wrexham now need to have a sound business plan said economic development and strategic director for Wrexham Council Paul Roberts.

He believes the future plans for the stadium and the viability of the football team should not be linked.

“Obviously Wrexham FC is almost a symbol of the standing of the town. To have League football is one of the reasons people from across the country have heard of Wrexham, especially its giant killing episodes on the pitch,” said Mr Roberts.

There are development proposals for the land, some of which is owned by the club and some by Neville Dickens which is vital for meeting costs and paying off loans, he said.

“What is important for the future is to have a business plan,” he said.

“Forget what league you are playing in, if there is to be a new regional stadium it needs investment for a new stand and discussions about that are going on at the highest level.

“A football club will be just one of the occupants of a new stadium, other sports and cultural events will also be represented, the (football) club’s and stadium’s futures are separate.

“We want to avoid the situation we had four or five years ago where the club falls into the hands of a property developer and everyone must work for the future of the stadium as a regional facility.

“The previous Assembly Minister called the Racecourse the Millennium Stadium of the North.

“This is the only multi-purpose stadium in North Wales and that is irrespective of how Wrexham football club do on the pitch.”

We are behind you all the way

ALTHOUGH Wrexham FC’s exit from the Football League seems inevitable, this is not the time for people to turn their back on the club.

The Daily Post pledges it will continue to give the club the same coverage it always has.

It is vital for North Wales Wrexham returns to the Football League as soon as possible if it drops through the trap door.

And while the club rebuilds to achieve that aim we will continue to give Wrexham FC the support it deserves through the pages of the Daily Post.

Everybody needs to stick together to make sure this once great club can get back to where it belongs.