Sponsorship bonuses piling on the pounds for the Reds

By STEVE GRAVES

28 December 2006

WREXHAM FC’s players have netted almost £5,000 in sponsorship bonuses for the club this season.

The club’s Ewloe-based sponsors, Leasedirect, has offered a number of incentives to encourage the Reds, and the cash has been coming in steadily despite inconsistent league form.

While the Reds missed out on the offer of £20,000 for winning all four games over the Christmas period after their Boxing Day draw at Rochdale, the prize pot is looking healthy as the New Year beckons.

The biggest bonus so far was the £2,500 secured after the side reached the FA Cup third round for the first time since 2000, but £1,500 has also rolled in thanks to six clean sheets so far at £250 a piece.

Leasedirect also promised to bet £100 on the fans’ choice for first goalscorer ahead of each League Two fixture.

So far, Wrexham’s luck has only been in once, when Mark Jones opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw with Barnet on August 26.

The club also pocketed £500 after managing three goals against Grimsby Town in the first game at The Racecourse since emerging from administration in August.

Club secretary Geraint Parry said: “Leasedirect has been very innovative in its ideas, and each time it has been them coming to us rather than us asking for extra bonuses.

“So far it is pretty lucrative, and hopefully we can earn plenty more as the season goes on. A lot of the money was made in the early months of the season when results were really going our way, but we are hoping to have more bonuses in the New Year.

“They do have an impact on the side. I know people say the players should still perform to their best regardless of the money, but nevertheless it does affect our performances.

“I spoke to Chris Llewellyn about it during one game, and I know he was keeping in mind the money that could come in if we could score three and keep a clean sheet.”