We finish up with Wrexham, who followed all expectations by gaining back-to-back promotion from the National League to League One. They finished second, just behind champions Stockport, having secured their place in the third tier with a 6-0 win over Forest Green three games from the end of the season. With a big budget and high-profile Hollywood owners there are predictions that Wrexham could do it again with a triple promotion.
A Brief History
From wrexhamafc.co.uk/the-club/history-and-honours
Wrexham AFC was founded in 1864, making it Wales' oldest professional Football Club and the third oldest in the world. Founded by members of Wrexham Cricket Club at a meeting at the Turf Hotel, looking for a sport to fill the winter months, and also part-driven by a social group in the town looking to provide more enriching hobbies for Wrexham's young men, the team played their first match on October 22, 1864, against the Prince of Wales Fire Brigade at the Racecourse.
With the exception of two seasons in the Welsh League between 1894 and 1896, both of which they won, Wrexham have otherwise played in English football competitions since first entering the Combination in 1890. They were elected to the Birmingham and District League in 1905 before becoming founder members of the new Third Division North in 1921.
Wrexham remained in the Football League from then until 2008, when they were relegated to the Football Conference, later renamed as the National League. They returned to the EFL after a 15-year absence with a record-breaking title win in 2023 - earning 111 points, the highest ever by a team in the top five tiers of English football.
In the Football League, the Club's pinnacle was achieved in 1978, when they were promoted to the Second Division under legendary former player and manager Arfon Griffiths and remained in the second tier for four seasons. Away from league football, Wrexham earned a reputation as cup giant-killers - reaching the quarter-finals of both the League Cup and FA Cup in 1977/78, and reaching the last eight in the latter competition again in 1996/97. Famous cup victories include beating reigning league champions Arsenal in 1992, as well as wins against top-flight opponents such as Newcastle United, West Ham United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough during their storied history.
Through success in the Welsh Cup, Wrexham were also eligible to enter the European Cup Winners' Cup - reaching the quarter-finals once in 1976, as well as beating FC Porto and drawing with teams such as Real Zaragoza and Anderlecht during their time in the competition.
The Club suffered turmoil at the start of the 21st century, and had to fight to keep their Racecourse Ground home when then-chairman Alex Hamilton attempted to evict the Club in 2004. Wrexham entered administration the same year, becoming the first league club to suffer a ten-point deduction - leading to relegation back to the fourth tier at the end of the season. Despite the off-pitch problems, on the pitch the Club won their first English cup competition - the LDV Vans Trophy - beating Southend United 2-0 in the 2005 Final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.
After courts ruled in the Club's favour, allowing them to remain at the Racecourse Ground, and they came out of administration, further financial problems followed after relegation out of the Football League. In 2011, supporters raised more than Β£100,000 in just 24 hours to allow the Club to pay the Football Conference a bond and retain their place in the league. A few months later, the Club became supporter-owned, under the Wrexham Supporters Trust.
In November 2020, shortly after football returned following the COVID-19 pandemic, actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds made a bid to take over ownership of the Football Club. After passing a supporter vote, the takeover was confirmed on February 9, 2021. As part of the takeover, the Club became subject of the award-winning Welcome to Wrexham documentary. In 2023, promotion back to the EFL was achieved.
The Manager
Phil Parkinson is the man at the helm in North Wales, tasked with guiding the club in the third tier for the first time since 2004/05.
A former player at Bury and Reading, Parkinson has been managing club football since 2003 and has been in charge at Wrexham since 2021. He has a 62.42% win record wirth the Red Dragons, winning 103 of his 165 games in charge.
The Stadium
The Racecourse Ground is the oldest international football ground in the world, having hosted its first Wales match in 1877 and has hosted more Wales matches than any other stadium β the most recent a 4-0 win over Gibraltar in October 2023.
The ownership of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds has allowed for major upgrades to the Racecourse β known as the STΕK Cae Ras for sponsorship reasons β with the closed and derelict Kop Stand behind one goal being replaced a new temporary stand of just under 3,000 people.
Holding 4,200 is the Wrexham Lager Stand which houses the changing rooms, club offices and benches. Opposite is the Macron Stand, with its unique sloping sides, which opened in 1999 and hosts the TV studios and executive boxes. Behind the goal is the βTech Endβ which holds 2,800.
Head To Head Record
Wrexham and City have an identical record, with 11wins apiece since their first meeting in 1909 in the FA Cup.
Pictured below, Ronnie Jepson scored one of his four goals in a 5-0 win is 1992.
Biggest City win: 5-0 (1992/93 β Division Two)
Biggest Wrexham win: 4-0 (2001/02 - Division Three)
Previous Fixture
The most recent fixture took place in March 2003 in the old League Division Three, with City winning 1-0 at St James Park. Steve Flack was the sole goalscorer in front of 2,537 fans as the struggling Grecians picked up a much needed win.
Played for Both
Some of the names to have played for both clubs include Liam McAlinden, Steve Stacey, Tyler Harvey, Gary Worthington, Steve Basham and Phil Coleman.
Did You Know?
Wrexham have a namesake club in Uganda named Wrexham FC Uganda, thanks to Welsh charity Teams4U.