By MATT SIMMS
25 April 2008
WREXHAM
FC have urged fans to turn out in huge numbers and make Saturday's final home
fixture in the Football League a celebration of the past 87 years.
Wrexham FC secretary Geraint Parry
revealed the club had received scores of e-mails from other clubs in League Two
offering their support to the Dragons and wishing them well as they gear up for
life in the Blue Square Premier.
Speaking about Saturday's tie against Accrington Stanley, he said: "It has to be
a celebration. People are still going to be hurting but it's our last home game
in the Football League in a period of time when we have been a valuable member.
"Judging by the e-mails we have had from other clubs, people are genuinely sorry
that we have been relegated and they are wishing us the best.
"There will be a lot of changes to the club to ensure the best possible chance
of survival.
"We have already had people coming in wanting to buy season tickets for next
season, which is great because this is the time when the club needs it
supporters."
He added: "What I want people to do is enjoy our time in the Conference. They
will find the atmosphere different but in many cases we will get bigger welcomes
from clubs than before on away days."
As the post-mortem into Wrexham's relegation from the Football League begins,
one club legend has called on the club to invest in quality players and bounce
back straight away.
Dixie McNeil said he was 'mortified' by Tuesday's result which saw the Dragon's
87 year stay brought to an end with two league games still left to play.
He now wants to see manager Brian Little given the funds required to put
together a squad capable of getting Wrexham promoted immediately.
He said: "We all knew it was coming but when reality hits it's even worse. The
unimaginable has actually happened. Certainly in the last 30 years I never gave
it any thought to us dropping out the football league.
"I couldn't get off to sleep last night thinking about it and I've woken this
morning with Wrexham on my mind again."
He added: "They've got to invest in quality players – we've just had eleven
players on loan and it hasn't worked. It's going to be hard.
"The manager needs backing and the budget needs to be good to afford to get
decent players in to get us up. They have got to look to players in clubs in
higher leagues and get real good quality players in."
Messages sent to the Evening Leader website reveal that some fans at least are
confident that Wrexham can make a quick return to the Football League.
Reds Fan, from Chirk, writes: "We all have to believe we can bounce back –
hopefully as a stronger, better-run club. Relegation is a very bitter pill to
swallow, particularly after last season's brush with the drop.
"Brian Little needs to deliver the wholesale changes he's promised and get us
playing football again. The last two years have been painful to watch – so let's
hope this is the start of a change in fortunes at last."
Meanwhile, Labouritis, of Corwen, writes: "Of course we will bounce back!!
Wrexham are not just a season, or administration, or Brian Little,we are the
backbone of football in North Wales.
"I've seen highs and lows over the 45 years I've supported them. In the immortal
words of Arnie, WE'LL BE BACK."