WREXHAM boss Denis Smith has praised fans for their hard work in their fund-raising efforts to save the club - but appealed for some of that cash to help pay wages, writes IAIN St JOHN.

Smith received a standing ovation when he appeared at last night's Wrexham Supporters' Trust meeting.

He praised the trust and its members for their work in raising £50,000 but added: "All of that money you are raising... I am not getting any of it. The good thing is Alex Hamilton is not getting any of it either, but I would like some help with paying players and scouts."

However, it is unlikely any money will be made available at the moment as the trust made it clear at last night's meeting that the cash was being raised so the body would be able to buy a stake in Wrexham FC once a new buyer was found.

There has been interest on that front from Surrey-based businessman Andy Smith and from another southerner, Paul Buttivant, who runs a consultancy company in Middlesex.

Reds boss Smith is being kept in touch by the administrators, who are appealing against the Football League's 10 points deduction. That hearing will take place before the end of the year.

Smith said: "Every day the lads come in and ask have we got the points' back yet gaffer?"

"Of course it affects the players. You are in a different mindset if you are in the bottom three rather than half way up the table.

"Hopefully we will get help with the league not taking the 10 points, but I am convinced we can get out of it ourselves anyway once we get players back from injury."