New (and old) RP'ers Introduce Yourselves...

[Oldfan]

Just returned to retire back to Wrexham after many years of living in London. hoping now to get to see Wrexham AFC on a much more regular basis than has been possible for a number of years, and take advantage of the oldies season ticket prices!

[Blazes]

This has been a great thread.
My first game was at Easter 1950, playing Lincoln. Billy Tunnicliffe, outside left, scored. Been absolutely hooked ever since, even though have suffered from the Welsh syndrome of "heroic defeat" all too often.
Since I left Llangollen for Canada (Victoria BC) in 1965, my most vivid memories are of games in the 1950s. I was in the 34,500 who packed the Racecourse for Man U in 1957. We almost scored in the first minute. But, soon after, Man U began passing at will. Albert Parker tried a shot from the half-way line. Almost beat the Man U keeper (Wood?). Tommy Taylor back-heeled a goal ....


As a teenager I was used to seeing 7,000 gates as normal. How times have changed, though this past season was brilliant for "gates'.

Best player memories: Ken Barnes, Gren Jones, Alan Fox, Aly McGowan, Ron Hewitt, Arfon Griffiths, Rolando Ugolini, Don Weston.

Alas, I only get to see occasional matches when I return from Canada. Saw the Eastleigh game...another heroic defeat. We get used to it.
Or, as my father used to say, after witnessing yet another home defeat, "never again".

But he was always there for the next home game!!

[Blazes]

Forgot to mention how great it is to be living in the internet age and to have RP as a go-to for Wrexham news.
Between 1965 and 83, when my father died, he used faithfully to send me the Wrexham Leader every week, with all the latest team news and reports by Ron Challenor.

I follow religiously the live-match thread on BBC, though it means, on Saturdays, being up at 7 am since we are 8 hours behind UK time.

Once again, despite all evidence to the contrary, I feel hope springing eternally in this long-suffering Wrexham-fan breast.

[dragon48]

I’m so ancient, my favourite player as a boy was Kevin Keelan. Keeper, went to Norwich I believe.
Also, side issue if I may. Why did Wrexham games always use to kick off at 3.15? I thought it was cos of shifts at Gresford Colliery? At least they didn’t go to Chester.......

[jackwilliams]

Originally Posted by Blazes

This has been a great thread.
My first game was at Easter 1950, playing Lincoln. Billy Tunnicliffe, outside left, scored. Been absolutely hooked ever since, even though have suffered from the Welsh syndrome of "heroic defeat" all too often.
Since I left Llangollen for Canada (Victoria BC) in 1965, my most vivid memories are of games in the 1950s. I was in the 34,500 who packed the Racecourse for Man U in 1957. We almost scored in the first minute. But, soon after, Man U began passing at will. Albert Parker tried a shot from the half-way line. Almost beat the Man U keeper (Wood?). Tommy Taylor back-heeled a goal ....


As a teenager I was used to seeing 7,000 gates as normal. How times have changed, though this past season was brilliant for "gates'.

Best player memories: Ken Barnes, Gren Jones, Alan Fox, Aly McGowan, Ron Hewitt, Arfon Griffiths, Rolando Ugolini, Don Weston.

Alas, I only get to see occasional matches when I return from Canada. Saw the Eastleigh game...another heroic defeat. We get used to it.
Or, as my father used to say, after witnessing yet another home defeat, "never again".

But he was always there for the next home game!!

You picked out some of my favourites! I also liked Ron Barnes and David Powell when he was fit!

[Willywill]

My dad used to say that Dave Powell was our version of Duncan Edwards!

[BillEBadass]

I too thought that Ken Barnes was a great player (the best uncapped half back in Britain).
As a manager he also won us promotion - however there was a downside, after a couple of youth trial games and training sessions he pulled me to one side and said, 'you're a grammar school boy aren't you - concentrate on your studies as you'll never make a footballer'. I was pretty upset but I knew he was right.

I did qualify as an FA Coach in 1971, one of the youngest in Britain at that time.

[jackwilliams]

Originally Posted by BillEBadass

I too thought that Ken Barnes was a great player (the best uncapped half back in Britain).
As a manager he also won us promotion - however there was a downside, after a couple of youth trial games and training sessions he pulled me to one side and said, 'you're a grammar school boy aren't you - concentrate on your studies as you'll never make a footballer'. I was pretty upset but I knew he was right.

I did qualify as an FA Coach in 1971, one of the youngest in Britain at that time.

Ken Barnes, a super player, was not great with young lads in my opinion. I also trained a couple of times in midweek on the main pitch with the Youth squad at Wrexham. Not much feedback. Maybe it was the Grammar school boy bit he did not like or maybe I just was not good enough. I signed for Chester a couple of years later!

[Lord Derfyl Cadarn]

Originally Posted by dragon48

I’m so ancient, my favourite player as a boy was Kevin Keelan. Keeper, went to Norwich I believe.
Also, side issue if I may. Why did Wrexham games always use to kick off at 3.15? I thought it was cos of shifts at Gresford Colliery? At least they didn’t go to Chester.......

It is because Border Breweries owned The Racecourse and lots of pubs in the town. In those days pubs had to close at 3pm due to licencing laws. Border thought that by delaying the kick-off it would encourage less fans to leave the pub before closing time.