The massive Wrexham AFC history thread (The sad case of a founding members and player of Wrexham...)

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by mattw

Not claiming a bias but a very South Wales line up in the 1909 game against Scotland.

I dont know too much about hockey mattw. I believe that there were a few good players in the Wrexham area in the early days, but as you say, there were more South Walians in that team.
I remember seeing an early photo of a female hockey player, possibly on The Racecourse. I will see if I can find it again. I understand that the Wrexham Tennis Club would use the bowling green pavillion as changing rooms in the early days.

[eastsussexred]

Another thing that I did not know until recently was that Fred Perry played in a tennis tournament on The Racecourse in 1955, along with Ken Mcgregor, Richard Gonzales and Pancho Segura

[jonesfach]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

Another thing that I did not know until recently was that Fred Perry played in a tennis tournament on The Racecourse in 1955, along with Ken Mcgregor, Richard Gonzales and Pancho Segura

What a find.

Hockey and Tennis are sports I have never heard of being played on the racecourse.

[Foxy]

Originally Posted by jonesfach

What a find.

Hockey and Tennis are sports I have never heard of being played on the racecourse.

Football hasn’t been played there for several years.

[jonesfach]

Originally Posted by Foxy

Football hasn’t been played there for several years.

Very funny but this is a thread free from frothing.

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

I dont know too much about hockey mattw. I believe that there were a few good players in the Wrexham area in the early days, but as you say, there were more South Walians in that team.
I remember seeing an early photo of a female hockey player, possibly on The Racecourse. I will see if I can find it again. I understand that the Wrexham Tennis Club would use the bowling green pavillion as changing rooms in the early days.

Sorry typo. I had meant to say Wrexham Hockey Club

[cynprifathro]

A non-frothy submission from a long standing supporter and follower who has seen many changes of fortune at Wrexham AFC over 70+ years: Seriously, how much longer will professional football continue to be played at The Racecourse in the future in the event of any relegation from the current National League?

[eastsussexred]

Originally Posted by eastsussexred

Its just one of numerous errors that have been recorded about the The Racecourse (and the town and club of Wrexham) in the history books and elsewhere, WAL; hence, this thread.
The introduction of internet searches has made the research much easier than it was when the history books were written, when the research itself was often based on the earlier research of the authors of earlier history books.

When Wrexham played Manchester United on 26 January 1957, the attendance for the game was 34,445, and the size of the attendance was determined by the capacity of the ground at that time, which included the capacity of the kop, as it was, after new terracing had been laid, back in 1952.
But after the 1952 ground improvements, the club had embarked on a five year plan to raise the capacity of The Racecourse to 45000.
At the end of the 1956/57 season, and just months after the game against Manchester United, Wrexham FC started phase 4 of the five year plan, which would increase the ground capacity to 40000 for the start of the 1957/58 season. The improvements included the works that I have stated in my summary, such as the additional seats and the new turnstile area next to The Turf Hotel, but also included additional work to the kop.
When Wrexham played United, the terraces on the kop did not extend to the touchline on the Yale side of the ground, but were stopped short, not much beyond the 18 yard box. And so, additional concrete terracing was laid on the derelict area beyond this boundary; which, along with other improvements,therefore increased ground capacity to 40,000 for the following season.
The attached newspaper photo hasn’t been seen in recent times, but it clearly shows the work that was ongoing to this side of the kop in June 1957. The newspaper report, also attached, gives the capacity for the 1958 season at around 40000, with an intended capacity of 45000 at the end of the 5 year period.

Hopefully, in time, the entire recorded history of The Racecourse will be re-evaluated by the powers that be, and amended accordingly.

Originally Posted by Rhosymedre Red

The Majestic theatre closed in june 1960, so i'm assuming late 1960?.

Attachment 3601

The photo (attachment 3601) must have been taken at the end of 1956/57 season Rhosymedre Red, when the terracing on the kop was extended as part of the ground improvement work which was eventually intended to raise ground capacity to 45,000

[Inside Left]

Much of this concrete step work was, as i understood, carried out by the then supporters association. If I am wrong I am sure someone will correct me.
At the top of the photo one can see the white gables of the old house that was situated to the rear of the Kop bank. That house and outbuildings housed an army surplus store under the management of Major Taylor - A fearsome character to some - But as a youngster I found him an ok guy.