WREXHAM FC’s historic Racecourse ground looks set to stay exactly where it is for years to come, a packed fans meeting heard last night.

The meeting, organised by Wrexham Supporters' Trust, was told all bids by parties hoping to buy the club centred around keeping The Reds playing at their beloved Mold Road home.

The meeting at the Miners' Institute, heard the trust were in talks with yet another new party interested in buying the club but were still hopeful they could buy the club themselves.

And fans were delighted to hear the trust had raised £50,000 through various fund-raising initiatives.

The future of the beloved Racecourse stadium was at the forefront of many trust members´ thoughts during a question and answer session.

One fan asked Reds manager Denis Smith and club directors Dave Bennett and David Griffiths what would happen to the bricks supporters bought to help fund the Pryce Griffiths Stand if controversial owner Alex Hamilton succeeded in his proposal to tear the ground down to make way for housing development.

And supporters were delighted to hear Denis Smith say: “I don´t believe it will come to that. That is not going to happen. I don’t believe that ground will be flattened in my lifetime anyway.

“The council is very much involved in most of the talks with the offers going on at the moment. For the club´s point of view that ground is safer in the council´s hands as long as they charge us reasonable rent. That is what the council is working towards and I think the people involved in these offers are working with the council with that in mind.”

Referring to Wrexham Council´s plans to buy the ground to safeguard the venue, Cllr Keith Hett added: “We have been in talks with the Welsh Assembly. Everybody is committed to keeping the ground there.

“There is legislation there. It´s unlikely they will get planning permission off this council. Councillors in Wrexham make that decision and everybody is supportive of keeping the ground here.”

Charles Wardle from the trust confirmed the organisation had met Surrey businessman Andy Smith and had been in touch with Middlesex businessman Paul Buttivant over their offers to buy the club.

Mr Wardle stressed the trust would only give its backing to either bid once members were satisfied either offer safeguarded the future of the club and The Racecourse ground in the long term and the short term.

“The jury is still out on both offers,” he said.

He revealed the trust were in talks with another party and that group was looking to put a deal together with the council and the trust. Mr Hamilton was unaware of this particular party, he said.

And Mr Wardle said the trust had not given up hope of acquiring the club outright themselves. The group was still talking to the blue chip company who were willing to back the trust´s bid. Mr Hamilton had already turned down two bids from the trust but the organisation had not ruled out a third bid, Mr Wardle said. Both groups´ identities had to stay confidential he said.

“The more money we raise, the more chance we will be involved in a deal,” Mr Wardle said.

On the financial situation, board member Mark Williams revealed the trust had now raised £50,000.

Around £10,000 had been raised through merchandise sales, member donations and standing orders had raised £5,300, bucket collections at The Racecourse had raised £3,200 throughout November, Huddersfield fans had donated £3,700 from a recent game, fans at the Scunthorpe FA Cup clash donated £800 and Brighton fans had sent £1,000.

Supporters from various other clubs had also donated cash,

Wrexham FC stewards donated their fees to the fund from the Bristol City game he revealed.

Liverpool FC had agreed to allow a bucket collection at tonight´s game at Anfield against Portsmouth. Wrexham FC´s Joey Jones and Kevin Russell would be accompanying trust members for the bucket collection.

Mr Williams said: “We now have £50,000 in the bank account."