By RICHARD WILLIAMS
10 July 2006
DENNIS
LAWRENCE was delighted with the way Trinidad and Tobago performed in the World
Cup.
Wrexham centre-half Lawrence was today back at Colliers Park for pre-season
training, one week after his fellow Reds’ team-mates, following his exploits
with Trinidad in the finals in Germany.
Trinidad did not qualify from the group stages after picking up one point from
their three matches but the small Caribbean nation won many plaudits for their
performances.
Leo Beenhakker’s side held England for 80 minutes before being sunk by two late
goals and Lawrence was proud of the way Trinidad performed.
“We went to Germany to try and send the message that we can play football at the
highest level and hopefully we did that,” said Lawrence today.” I think we did
and you can’t ask any more than that.
“We gave a good account of ourselves and did not deserve some of the results. We
battled well against England but in the end they scored the goals.
“It was a great honour to represent my country on the biggest stage and I really
enjoyed it.”
Meanwhile, Wrexham supporters flocked in their droves to The Racecourse on
Saturday for the club’s Open Day and Reds’ boss Denis Smith was overwhelmed by
the turn-out
Local businessmen Nev Dickens and Geoff Moss hope to conclude a deal to buy the
club this week, meaning Wrexham will come out of administration, and Smith said
things are looking up both on and off the field.
“It went tremendously well,” said Smith. “Far more people attended than
anticipated and it was a busy day. There were definitely far more people there
than at any other open days we have had.
“If this is anything to go by, things are looking good. You always get die-hard
fans and there are floaters. If you give people an excuse not to come they
won’t, but if you take away that excuse like we have done, you will find out how
big the club is.
“But at the end of the day, we also have to win matches and that is the best way
to get people through the gates. It is a new start for us and I feel it is a new
club. Nev and Geoff deserve support for what they have done, though you can’t
force people to spend money.
“This is the only club of this level in North Wales and is a major part of
society . You can’t let something like that go.”
Smith gave his squad a run-out at the open day and is now preparing for the
visit of Liverpool to The Racecourse on Saturday in what will be Wrexham’s first
pre-season friendly.
“I want to start putting the team together now,” said Smith. “We have not really
done the tactical work yet, and what way we will play this season, but that is
what pre-season is all about.
“I will try things against Liverpool and maybe something different against
Manchester City next Wednesday.
“I have a squad of players that I can work with and now I have to find the best
team that will win matches. The materials are there.”
Smith has made four new signings this summer with Welsh quartet Neil Roberts,
Ryan Valentine, Chris Llewellyn and Steve Evans all joining the Reds.