Wrexham v Crystal Palace 1977

[Bobby_Shinton]

Not seen this footage for ages - wasn't even sure it still existed, so thanks for sharing. Somewhere in the house I have a recording taken from Radio City of the players in the dressing room afterwards with John Neal trying to console them. I can always remember the long delay due to an injury before the throw in leading up to the first goal was taken. I always wondered why Alan Dwyer never stopped the ball with his hands for the third goal, but not likely to have made a difference I suppose. We were unbeaten at home all season until this game and then we went and lost the next one as well. All made up for by the next season, though.

[draigwrecsam]

Thanks for reminding me - not. I just remember John Neal's quote, "I don't know what happened!" Worst two games of my life! I ran away to America.

[bowler]

Not ashamed to say but tears in my eyes that day.Mansfield game was the end of the world never thought we would get another chance.John Neal left taking Billy Ashcroft with him.But thanks to Arfon who persuaded players to stay and give it another go and there where a few who had offers to go elsewhere we achieved the second division(championship as now) first season I think we finished 6th in the league but correct me if I'm wrong. Today just realised what time it is I will be attending Our Captain Gareth Davies celebration night what a player and a nicer guy you couldn't wish to meet.

[Neal]

It was certainly a rough few days in the Neal household - but it was my dad that got us through it. He was always optimistic about the future.

[moynkeepthefaith]

Remember my big brother hugging me as I sat in tears on the kop after the Mansfield game. As many have said - Arfon managed to keep most of the squad together and found great replacements. Also remember travelling on the coach to the Shrewsbury game at the start of the next season optimism renewed and on the radio they asked Alec Stock for his opinions on the various leagues. His response to the third division "Well there is Wrexham and 23 also rans" - wise man. Mind you we lost 2-1 that day - I have a feeling that was the beginning of the end for Brain Lloyd but its a long time ago.

[stanvax]

Painful painful memories - why did you have to bring that up? still it worked out okay the season after

[kevjones1964]

I was 13 at the time, I'm much happier remembering the 4-1 win against Newcastle on the other thread than this.

How many times did I hear "They don't want to go up" after the Palace and Mansfield games?

[Willywill]

That “they don’t want to go up” used to really rattle me. Usually from smug old timers who thought that they had seen it all before. Even they couldn’t imagine what would happen to us over the next 40 years. If you want an easy life, ‘support’ a top six club in the premier league. Following your home town club is where it’s at.

[wxmdoug]

Originally Posted by Wiltshire_Red

As we all look forward to the ups and downs to come in this seasons run-in, a look back at a blast from the past.

For those of us of a certain age this was the game that nightmares are made of. With 2 games left of the 76/77 season we needed 1 point to gain promotion to the promised land of the second division (Championship today). With both those games at home, we couldn’t fail, could we.........

The 2 games were Crystal Palace and Mansfield. Palace on a good run, Mansfield already promoted as champions.

2 points for a win and no playoffs in those days, so no second chance if not in one of the promotion places.

From 2-0 down, it was 2-2 going into injury time, we were almost promoted, but then disaster 2 goals in injury time by Palace. Over 18,000 left the ground in shock, I remember I was close to tears.

Here’s the goals from the game at a packed Racecourse https://youtu.be/lzFwj2n1Hy0 the goals start at 36:40

The rest is history, we failed to best Mansfield in the last game and missed out on promotion. However, as hard as it was to take, it made us stronger, and with Arfon taking over the reins and some astute signings we then had that great team to win the title in the following season.

remember it like yesterday , palace played their third choice keeper as the other two were injured and he could not kick the ball to save his life.

how we lost them two games i will never know ,

but the next year it all came great

[Quay Red]

Originally Posted by bowler

Not ashamed to say but tears in my eyes that day.Mansfield game was the end of the world never thought we would get another chance.John Neal left taking Billy Ashcroft with him.But thanks to Arfon who persuaded players to stay and give it another go and there where a few who had offers to go elsewhere we achieved the second division(championship as now) first season I think we finished 6th in the league but correct me if I'm wrong. Today just realised what time it is I will be attending Our Captain Gareth Davies celebration night what a player and a nicer guy you couldn't wish to meet.

You're not the only one who was crying. I remember Eddie Neidzweski and myself consoling each other on the pitch and hundreds of fans wandering around in utter shock.