WREXHAM FC officials have apologised as the club's dire financial situation means they will not be able to fulfil their part of the ambitious name on a shirt scheme launched in the summer.

In June 2004, the project was launched with the aim of encouraging people to put names forward to be woven into the Dragons' away strip this season.

However, with the club's bank accounts frozen and its future uncertain, it has proved impossible to pay the deposit to the shirt manufacturers.

Organisers have asked the Leader to print the list of names as a thank you to those who paid £10 per name to help the club.

They have assured fans that the more than £100,000 raised had proved vital to the club's survival before the start of this season. It is also hoped it may be possible to produce the shirts in time for next season.

Football secretary Geraint Parry said: "It was a great idea and was really well received during the summer time, which is a very quiet period for the club in money coming in. All we had was the money from season tickets and the shirts, so it was a very important contribution to keeping the club going. It was a big help and it is so disappointing not to be able to keep our end of the bargain.

"Some people put forward six or eight names, so it was a big investment for some of them, and we are very sorry and disappointed that we are unable to continue with it at this time. That money has not gone; it went into the club's bank account and helped pay players' wages and other bills.

Minimum

"When it came to guaranteeing the order for the shirts we would have had to have orders a minimum of 1,200 shirts. That would have cost more than £15,000 - we do not have £15,000."

Pub regulars and business colleagues got together to back the promotion, and many people submitted names in memory of loved ones or as Father's Day or birthday presents.

The Oak Tree pub, Ruabon Road, was the first of many companies to sign up.

And in a single day, 160 people signed up at a stall in Queen's Square, Wrexham.