Questions about Wrexham for new fans

[LWR]

I thought about this a bit over the weekend. My current theory that I haven't completely thought through yet is that being a fan is different in the UK than being a fan over here. Same words, different meaning. Its like religion and politics at work; you don't talk about them normally because people identify with it. I'm a fan of hockey, and have a favourite team, but I don't see myself AS that team if that makes sense. Like I have a favourite brand of coffee or favourite foods but I'm not those things either.

My current half thought out theory is, is that in the UK the fans ARE the team. The players may come and go, most probably don't really matter, but the fans are the real team. Here its more like the fans are customers and if the sport isn't selling a strong enough product we spend our attention and money elsewhere. So if you basically are the team and its interwoven into your region, history, community... I can see how it'd be like politics in the US. All discussion here on politics has been extremely polite. In the US it quickly devolves into attacks and threats usually. Most would be more comfortable with their kids dating a different race or religion than a different set of political beliefs.

Here if the NHL team left I'd just watch AHL and wouldn't be that sad about it. There it's a piece of you, which I think makes tempers flare so much as if they attack your team its as if you yourself are being attacked. You, your history, your community. Is that in the range of being correct?

That’s not a theory. I think you’ve got that spot on.

 

[Dondelinger]

Working on the basis that the game isn't being televised (Please someone correct me if I'm wrong), and that you have a ticket?

The Fat Boar is good for food, we often go there 11ish for something to eat prior to heading to the pubs. They do 'match day burgers' and stuff.

The Maesgwyn, especially if nice out is always good. Normally have a few hundred in there, almost a bit like a 'fanzone'. Normally some live music. It's also near the Turf so if you can't get in there then can head to the Maesgwyn instead.

Hill Street Social is good on match days.

The above 3 are always busy with Wrexham fans on a Saturday.

We used to go Vasco De Gama for some food but heard they've become a lot more pricey now?

The Drunk Monk is also a nice little pub.

Thanks, Rene. Yes, I was lucky enough to get a global ticket on Friday and will be looking for a place to go beforehand. This is very helpful! Cheers

 

[rob_1072]

Thanks, Rene. Yes, I was lucky enough to get a global ticket on Friday and will be looking for a place to go beforehand. This is very helpful! Cheers

There’s lots of bars/ pubs in the town and you will be welcome in all, although some have characters shall we say.
With it being Shrewsbury, a local rival you will see a heavier police presence around the ground and town generally. I’d be surprised if you see much trouble and the likely flash point would be when the train arrives with the away fans. But these will probably be escorted right into the stadium. Hope you enjoy the trip over

 

[Dondelinger]

There’s lots of bars/ pubs in the town and you will be welcome in all, although some have characters shall we say.
With it being Shrewsbury, a local rival you will see a heavier police presence around the ground and town generally. I’d be surprised if you see much trouble and the likely flash point would be when the train arrives with the away fans. But these will probably be escorted right into the stadium. Hope you enjoy the trip over

Thanks for this, Rob. Are there many foreigners in town for the games these days?

 

[rob_1072]

Thanks for this, Rob. Are there many foreigners in town for the games these days?

I’d say the majority do head to the turf for obvious reasons but yes I do see/ hear foreign fans in the other bars. Mostly US and Canadian with some Aussies, I think it’s amazing people are willing to come so far to see the team and lend their support so always happy to chat and have a drink with them. From what I hear it’s a lot cheaper over here for food and drink than in the US right now

 

[Dondelinger]

I’d say the majority do head to the turf for obvious reasons but yes I do see/ hear foreign fans in the other bars. Mostly US and Canadian with some Aussies, I think it’s amazing people are willing to come so far to see the team and lend their support so always happy to chat and have a drink with them. From what I hear it’s a lot cheaper over here for food and drink than in the US right now

Yes I'm coming from Canada and would agree. Already arrived in the UK and even with the low Canadian dollar food and drink have been very affordable. Glad to hear no one thinks we're obnoxious. See you in two weeks! Cheers

 

[yannick]

Having trouble wrapping my head around the tribalism of teams in the UK. Is it just football or all sports? Is it beyond sports and extends into business? Is it due to the bloody history of the UK, or did their fans start some sh*t or... why would they? Nothing like it here really. There's rivalries but we don't extend it much beyond a friendly fist fight.

One thing to say is hooliganism is associated with the UK but these days it's almost non-existant, bar a few flash-points.

In the Netherlands and Poland hooliganism is really bad at the moment; in Italy, Spain and Germany, football hooliganism has political connotations as clubs have political affiliations in the Balkans hooliganism has been an outlet for ethnic violence. Nothing like that really happens in the UK these days.

Part of the reason for football's tribalism is that crowds are segregated (that's kinda chicken and egg cos it's segregated because of tribalism and violence). But it's harder to get out-of-your-tree furious about a throw in when you're sitting next to someone with a different view.

UK football tribalism is really rooted around the narcissism of small differences. There's not a lot of difference between your average Wrexham fan and your average Chester fan - they probably come from similar social backgrounds, work similar jobs. Parts of Chester are as deprived as the worst parts of Wrexham. But where football is concerned, the differences as magnified and fixated on.

 

[noneya_bizness]

I’m a newer fan from the US. Where do you get kits with players names and numbers on them?

 

[Yeoman204]

I’m a newer fan from the US. Where do you get kits with players names and numbers on them?

The club shop used to do names and numbers, but think the volumes are just too great for them to offer that generally any more. You could always ask and see if they do one as a one-off?

 

[LWR]

2 fans today. Not together. North American accents.

1 with an Arsenal top on. 1 with a Portland Timbers top on.

What possess fans to wear shirts from other teams to Wrexham home games. Do they think it will convince other fans that they're actually fans of soccer. Its makes no sense to me.