Kop RIP

[Leighton Red]

Can’t wait for the bulldozer to move in and flatten it. I know it holds memories for so many but in honesty it is now no more than a constant reminder of what used to be and a replacement stand would welcome in a new dawn where new memories can be created and tomorrow’s Wrexham fans can say ‘I remember being stood/sat there when...’

It is an eyesore and hardly screams professional club on the up to new signings.

The town needs this to happen and sooner rather than later...if I were R&R it would be high on the agenda as it will be a long lasting legacy that they (in conjunction with the Gateway project team) can give to the town and will firmly put The Racecourse back in the international reckoning.

[Kev Keelan]

Originally Posted by Ugolini

1926 and I stood cheering hysterically in the paddock in 1960 watching us beat a good old First Division Blackburn Rovers side 3-1 in the League cup. It poured down throughout and we were drenched but we didn't care. I still have the programme and the condition of it shows that it too was soaked. Just one happy memory in scores!!

My first match to watch the Mighty Reds.

[Willywill]

During the past 50 years, I have stood on the Kop for perhaps 5 games. Generally because i couldnt get a ticket elsewhere in the ground. I can understand the fondness from the fans for this part of the ground, but i dont particularly share it. Some folks will always prefer to stand at games, as it is more conducive to expressing views at high volume!
I am a product of the Bushfield Stand. A place where adults could leave their kids, in the knowledge that the stand elevation will enable them to see more than Dave Gaskells a*se.
Saying that, I wouldn't mind some Racecourse memorabilia. But I do think that £300 is a bit steep for bits of metal that have only been in situ for 40 years. When Covid lets football return to normal in the next few months, there will be a stampede to get an ST anywhere in our stadium!

[eastsussex]

Originally Posted by Inside Left

Yes, guilty as charged. I posted it a while ago. My father and grandfather said they were tank traps for use if there was an invasion. The design allowed them to be rolled into position and then set in concrete.

It could be the ones that support the Kop bank were never used and were hanging around after the war ! who knows - They had a hole through the middle for engineers to place a makeshift 'axle to enable them to be rolled along the road.

If you google 'Round concrete tank traps' you might end up on the Lancashire at War site and there is a picture of a few. Perhaps a few of them should be saved and set aside - certainly a piece of Wrexham's forgotten History.

I had always believed these to be contiguous piles Inside Left, which I had assumed to have been sunk to retain the built-up earth that formed the kop.
Contiguous piles are commonly used for retaining earth banks and you can occasionally see them at the sides of railway and road embankments etc.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?sour...w=1366&bih=654

[Corner Flag]

Originally Posted by Leighton Red

Can’t wait for the bulldozer to move in and flatten it. I know it holds memories for so many but in honesty it is now no more than a constant reminder of what used to be and a replacement stand would welcome in a new dawn where new memories can be created and tomorrow’s Wrexham fans can say ‘I remember being stood/sat there when...’

It is an eyesore and hardly screams professional club on the up to new signings.

The town needs this to happen and sooner rather than later...if I were R&R it would be high on the agenda as it will be a long lasting legacy that they (in conjunction with the Gateway project team) can give to the town and will firmly put The Racecourse back in the international reckoning.

Yes it needs to be flattened now and perhaps a temporary stand erected to tidy it up until they decide what to build on it .As for memorabilia I have one of the steel dividers that were on the benches behind the old directors box on the Mold Rd anyone else got one ?

[eastsussex]

Originally Posted by t1954

Quote:- 1952 saw the laying down of concrete terracing on the ever-popular Kop end, which is now the oldest part of the ground. Five years later was to see the largest ever attendance at the Racecourse when 34,445 people gathered to witness an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester United. On 30 September 1959, the Racecourse saw the switching-on of the newly installed floodlights.

I cannot remember when the barriers were erected. I was at the United match in the late 50s, my memory not that good if they were there then. But one thing I do remember was the crowd swaying from side to side, like the Liverpool kop of old. (I was at the front of the old Enclosers by the Turf). Would not have thought that would have happened if the barriers are like what they are today.

I know what you mean t1954; but technically, The Turf Tavern is the oldest surviving structure in the stadium. It was built as an intrinsic part of The Racecourse between 1795 and 1819- hence the name. The other half of the existing Turf Hotel 'The Grandstand' was built around 1830.
This is the reason why I believe that Coflein needs to re-survey The Turf in order to amend their records with the correct information, as this new information should help to safeguard both the stadium and the The Turf itself for future generations. I have written to them again this week, but everything appears to be on hold, due to covid.

[Inside Left]

Originally Posted by eastsussex

I had always believed these to be contiguous piles Inside Left, which I had assumed to have been sunk to retain the built-up earth that formed the kop.
Contiguous piles are commonly used for retaining earth banks and you can occasionally see them at the sides of railway and road embankments etc.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?sour...w=1366&bih=654

I can see what you mean with the piles but the circular concrete lumps are pretty random. If you look at the Lancashire at war site via google there are various examples of the traps . including the round ones at The Racecourse.

I have tried to find some kind of instruction manual for the Home Guard re obstruction designs but have yet to find one. Perhaps Wrexham Museum should save a couple for display.

[eastsussex]

Originally Posted by Inside Left

I can see what you mean with the piles but the circular concrete lumps are pretty random. If you look at the Lancashire at war site via google there are various examples of the traps . including the round ones at The Racecourse.

I have tried to find some kind of instruction manual for the Home Guard re obstruction designs but have yet to find one. Perhaps Wrexham Museum should save a couple for display.

Thanks IL, I had never heard of round tank traps and so had never considered this previously.
It would be interesting to see how they actually worked as a retaining wall. Hopefully, some information will come to light when the terraces eventually get ripped out.

[Kiddy Dragon]

Originally Posted by Corner Flag

Yes it needs to be flattened now and perhaps a temporary stand erected to tidy it up until they decide what to build on it .As for memorabilia I have one of the steel dividers that were on the benches behind the old directors box on the Mold Rd anyone else got one ?

Again as for memorabilia I must confess that following the pitch invasion at the end of the 77/78 season, I removed part of the spot from the centre circle and replanted it in my Kidderminster lawn. The white spot soon washed off and sad to say when I moved house some years later I couldn't remember which part of the lawn it was in.