Blair Backs Red's bid for survival

18 November 2004

PRIME Minister Tony Blair has sent his best wishes to Wrexham Football Club as the fight for survival continues.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas brought the club’s plight to the attention of the nation’s leaders in Parliament yesterday.

Wearing his Wrexham FC tie Mr Lucas raised the issue of the club’s uncertain future during Prime Minister’s question time.

He asked what Mr Blair could do for community clubs who found themselves in situations such as Wrexham’s, and also raised the profile of fans who plan to show their support at this Saturday’s match against Bristol City FC.

He told the Prime Minister: “This Saturday, thousands of football fans will wear red to show their support for Wrexham FC.”

In his reply Mr Blair said: “Obviously I wish them well. Many supporters want to make sure their club is owned and based in the local community.

“But it’s not a matter for me to intervene in personally.”

Speaking after the Parliamentary session Mr Lucas said: “I was pleased to be able to bring the current situation of Wrexham FC to the Prime Minister’s attention.

“And I know thousands of my constituents, and football fans across the country, are following closely what is going on at Wrexham FC.

“I was glad to hear the Prime Minister’s best wishes are with Wrexham Football Club.”

Mr Lucas is now calling for fans to get behind their club on Saturday and will be putting Wrexham’s case forward at a meeting in the Welsh Assembly today.

He said: “The battle to save Wrexham AFC at The Racecourse Ground is entering a new phase.

“Everyone in Wrexham and across North Wales who wants Wrexham FC to survive should put a line through their diaries and get to The Racecourse Ground on Saturday afternoon for the most important game in Wrexham’s history.

“We need to show that North Wales wants its Football League club. Wrexham is a football town, the eyes of Britain are on our town and we now need to show that Wrexham FC is here to stay.”

Mr Lucas also outlined the case he will be presenting during his visit to the National Assembly today.

He said: “Both the Sports Council of Wales and the Football Foundation have invested more than £1 million pounds in The Racecourse Ground over the past five years. The stadium was a venue in the Rugby World Cup and has hosted international Rugby League, as well as football.

“In terms of finance and in terms of sport, The Racecourse must stay. The Assembly now needs to provide money to stabilise the position at Wrexham on condition that the club puts forward a coherent business plan for the way ahead.

“I expect the council will do what it can to support the club though it has little cash available.

“Wrexham has an asset for its people at The Racecourse. The way that the club has been run in the years since it received public funds must not be repeated.

“I will be working to make sure it cannot happen again. We need an open, accountable club with nothing to hide.”