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Wrexham's Welsh Cup Victories
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1873 or 1864?
Keith Harding's research
adds weight to claim!
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The following remarkable enquiry was received from a Wrexham F.C researcher,
Dylan Jones
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Sir,
First of all may I congratulate you on an excellent site.
The reason for my contact is that I'm curious to learn of your source in respect of a statement in the page on your website entitled "A History of Football in Mid Wales", by Keith Harding.
The particular section is in reference to the 1879 Welsh Cup Final after dinner speeches, where the Wrexham President mentions his club was formed some 15 years previously, ie 1864.
You may or may not be aware there has been a recent media story regarding the actual formation of Wrexham FC initially whether it was 1872 or as per the badge 1873.
Recent research has in fact found that the club was founded in 1864, with documented evidence. The source mentioned above would be an additional confirmation.
The club has received all relevant details and an announcement will be made imminently.
I appreciate your assistance.
Regards
Dylan Jones | | |
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click here to access Keith's "A History of Football in Central Wales"
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Keith Harding was Newtown Football Club's Chairman, and researched the history of football in Central Wales.
His work appears on this website, by kind permission of his wife May and daughter Nicky.
Without their generous cooperation, the following piece from his work would not have been picked up by Dylan Jones |
"In the Welsh 'Soccer' scene, the earliest Clubs to emerge were exclusively in the North of Wales where the gentlemen farmers and University graduates had the leisure time to take up the sport. The Wrexham Club have the reputation of being the first organised Club to emerge in the Principality in 1873. There is however considerable evidence that the Druids, who played at Plas Madoc Park, Ruabon, were formed earlier. Yet in two articles in the local newspapers, mention is made of the formation dates of both clubs - the 'Druids' being formed some four years ago in a speech after a game in 1877 and in an after dinner speech in 1879 after 'The White Stars' Welsh Cup victory, mention was made by the President of Wrexham F.C. that the Wrexham Club had been in existence for 15 years." |
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Mr Evan Morris, President of Wrexham Football Club, in the above address in Newtown, following Wrexham's defeat to Newtown White Stars in the 1878/79 Welsh Cup Final, states that Wrexham had existed for 15 years - ie since 1864. |
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This information was passed on to Peter Jones, Chairman of the Wrexham Supporters Trust, and he sent this reply. KD |
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Hi Ken,
First of all thank you for copies of the cuttings from the Montgomeryshire Express, as the information gives even more clarity to the formation of Wrexham Football Club to what we have already uncovered the past two months.
I'm very aware of the excellent Penmon web site and the collection of the late Keith Harding from his days as Chairman of Newtown FC.
I will of course mention Keith's discovery when mentioning this piece of information.
Many thanks for your help,
Peter Jones (WST)
4th April 2012 | |
Wrexham F.C 1956/57Division 3 North - position 12th
Welsh Cup Winners (beat Swansea Town 2v1)
F.A. Cup 4th Round (lost 0v5 Manchester United) |
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Card kindly forwarded by Trevor Beal, Braintree Town F.C. |
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Wrexham A.F.C. 1968/69 |
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Back row; Steve Ingle, Tony Beanland, Dave Powell, Gordon Livesey,
Alan Bermingham, Eddie May
Front row; Stuart Mason, Ian Moir, Ray Charnley, Steve Stacey, Albert Kinsey | |
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In Other Colours |
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Ken Barnes
Wrexham 1961 - 1965 |
 Manchester City 1950 - 1961
Ninth from the left, second row |
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In Other Colours |
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Steve Fleet
Wrexham 1963 - 1966 |
Manchester City 1955 - 1963
Sixth from the left, back row |
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In Other Colours |
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RAY CHARNLEY
WREXHAM 1968/69 |
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Blackpool F.C.
Ray is second from the left, back row. |
| In Other Colours |
WYN DAVIES
WREXHAM 1960 -1962 |
 Blackpool 1973 - 1975
Far left, middle row |
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My oldest Wrexham F.C. Programme. |
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Division Three
Wednesday, September 2nd, 1959
Wrexham v Brentford |
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Genial and popular club Chairman, Alderman Eric McMahon was featured in the club's gallery of personalities who had given their services to Wrexham Football Club.
He started his career with the club as an amateur in 1927, playing at centre half and although he only played in the reserves, he always gave of his best.
He was elected to the Board of Directors in August 1950 and appointed Vice-Chairman in 1956 and Chairman in 1958.
Eric was elected Mayor of the Borough in 1953. | | Following their 3v2 victory against Brentford, Wrexham lost 8 of their next 11 matches.
13,112 spectators watched this Third Division match at The Racecourse!! |
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Division Three
Saturday, March 26th, 1963
Wrexham v Bury |
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The Secretary in his notes mentioned that it was becoming a habit of welcoming new players to the club. He introduced Archie Styles from West Bromwich Albion and Peter Jones from Manchester United. Archie made his debut for the club in this match, in which Harbeston scored Wrexham's goal in a 1v1 draw against Bury who were third. This result extended Wrexham's unbeaten run to 5 matches.
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Wrexham finished in 23rd place this season, and were relegated to the Fourth Division, despite winning the Welsh Cup, beating Cardiff City 1v0 in a replay, with a young Arfon Griffiths netting the winner. |
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Division Three
Saturday, May 18th, 1963
Wrexham v Brighton and Hove Albion |
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"Pride of place must go to our youngsters who have once again carried off the Welsh Youth Cup and are in the final of the North Wales Youth Cup. Mention must be made here of the fine work done by Ken Roberts, Dave McNeil and Les Speed."
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Wrexham's manager Ken Barnes wrote in the programme;When the bad weather came upon usat the turn of the year we were in quite a handy position in the League. A 5-1 defeat of Coventry City aand we were really in with a chance. The came the biggest disappointment since I have been at the club. For no apparent reason THE SAME TEAM slumped phenominally and in the following six games we gained only two points and in that short space of time we dived from the promotion race to the relegation zone.
The next five matches brought us nine points and we are now seventh.
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" Of the Youth Team, Alec Lucas is the captaain of the national side, Don Parrish and David Powell have appeared in the league and only on Tuesday did David sign professional forms for the club."
Club Secretary Clifford Lloyd wrote "One of our youngsters by the way, David Powell, signed professional forms for the club last Tuesday and I would like to wish him well in his new life in the paid ranks. I, for one, have every confidence that he will eventually reach the top."
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Division Three
Saturday, December 14th, 1963
Wrexham v Peterborough United |
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Wrexham were bottom of the League, and lost 2v3 with Ernie Pythian scoring both goals, in front of a 4,527 crowd.
Wrexham had beaten Luton Town 2v0 (Arfon Griffiths and Mickey Metcalf the scorers) in their previous match, which had ended a run of 12 games without a win, 11 of them being straight defeats.
In the Peterborough side was DEREK DOUGAN - the programme noted; 6ft 2 1/2 ins tall, this Irish International came to 'Posh' from Aston Villa. A personality who can play. "The Doug" is a maker and taker of goals, and at 24 years of age is due to grace the game for many years. |
Player / Manager Ken Barnes in his programme notes wrote; "What wretched luck befell DAVE MACKAY last Tuesday at Old Trafford and the sympathy of all the football world goes out to Dave, along with best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery." A year later, Mackay would break his leg again. |
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Wrexham 4 v
Friendly |
8 Leeds United
1964/65 |
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| Received an enquiry from John O'Keefe |
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Hi Ken,
I have followed Wrexham since 1963, the season after Kevin Keelan was sold to Norwich, Ken Barnes was the Player Manager.
I have a recollection of Wrexham playing Leeds United in a friendly at The Racecourse in the Sixties, the score as I remember it was Wrexham 4 Leeds 8.
I seem to remember that Steve Fleet was in goal for Wrexham, with Gary Sprake being the Leeds goalkeeper and Billy Bremner was in the Leeds team.
I also believe that the headline on the back page of the Wrexham Leader saying something like 'Wrexham lose to Leeds United but put 4 goals past the mighty Leeds'.
I remember Steve Fleet being in goal and kicking Billy Bremner in the backside in a jovial way inside the six yard box.
I assume that Arfon Griffiths, (Prince of Wales), played alongside, say, Albert Kinsey, Sammy McMillan, possibly Ernie Phythian and Martyn King, what about Clive Colbridge and Alan Fox.
The reason I am contacting you is that I can't find anyone who remembers the game and have been having a difference of opinion with a Leeds United supporter who is adamant that Wrexham and Leeds have never played each other, can you help me please? |
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I made an enquiry to Gareth Davies, a Wrexham FC Historian through Ian Garland, authors of the A-Z of Welsh International Footballers, and received the following reply: |
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I've spoken to Gareth. Two matches were played against Leeds in the1964-65 season, home and away. They were friendlies and played in midseason. The 4-8 score rang a bell with him. The match programmes areamong the rarest Wrexham programmes - even Gareth doesn't have them. Buthe confirmed the matches straightaway and added the two sides have nevermet in a competitive match.
Hope this helps. |
| My thanks to Gareth and Ian for their assistance. KD |
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I'm very grateful to Dave, webmaster of The Mighty Leeds website for supplying me with a press article, part of which appears here. It confirms that Wrexham also played Leeds United away in a friendly that season. |
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Yorkshire Evening Post Wednesday 23/9/64
Debut for Belfitt in United cup-tie team
Terry Lofthouse
Rodney Belfitt, one of Leeds United's string of promising youngsters, makes his senior debut against neighbours Huddersfield Town in the second round of the Football League Cup at Elland Road tonight.
Doncaster born Belfitt (18) was signed by Leeds in July 1963, after being released by Arsenal, for which club he played as an amateur. He joined the Highbury staff from Yorkshire League club Doncaster United. He has been a regular member of United's Central League side, and he got a taster of first team football when playing in the second half in the pre-season friendly with Wrexham at Elland Road. |
Thanks for all your help and information,JohnO'Keefe.
If you can help with additional information on the
Wrexhamv Leeds Utd friendly,John can be contacted via mail@penmon.org |
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In Other Colours |
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George Showell
Wrexham 1966 - 1968 |
 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1951 - 1965
Far right, back row |
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WREXHAM F.C CONNECTIONS
Southend Utd v Workington 1965
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Personal note;The Southend team was managed by Penmon born Alvan Williams, who became manager at Wrexham in 1967. He took Terry Bradbury and Ray Smith with him. He also appointed John Neal as his first team trainer. All three appear on the team sheet.
John later became Wrexham managed, laying the foundations for Arfon Griffiths to take the team into the then Second Division of the Football League, in 1977/78 | |
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In Other Colours |
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Mel Sutton
Wrexham 1972 - 1982 |
Cardiff City 1967 - 1972
Second from left, back row |
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In Other Colours |
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Dave Powell
Wrexham 1962 - 1969 |
Sheffield United 1968 -1973
Second from left, middle row. |
Cardiff City 1973 - 1974
Second from left, seated |
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Dave Powell
Wrexham 1962 - 1969
(click here)
Dave Powell was born in Dolgarrog, and started his professional career with Wrexham. He gained his first Welsh International cap against West Germany in 1967/68 , eventually winning 11 caps.
Dave was transferred to Sheffield United and finished his career at Cardiff City | |
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European Cup Winners Cup
Second Round, First Leg
Wednesday, 25th October, 1972
Wrexham v Hajduk Split |
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Wrexham qualified for the European Cup Winners Cup
by beating Cardiff City in the 1971/72 Welsh Cup Final.
ECWC Round 1 1st Leg;
Sep 13. F.C. Zurich 1 v 1 Wrexham
ECWC Round 1 2nd Leg;
Sep 27. Wrexham 2 v 1 F.C. Zurich
Wrexham won 3 v 2 on aggregate
19,013 of us saw Wrexham beat Hajduk Split 3 v 1 at The Racecourse with goals by Brian Tinnion 2 and Dave Smallman. Unfortunately, the Yugoslavian team scored an away goal, which was all important as Hajduk won the second leg 2 v 0 - 3 v 3 on aggregate, but Hajduk went through on away goals.
Hajduk beat Scottish side Hibernian 5 v 4 on aggregate in the third round,
but went out to Leeds United in the semi final, 1 v 0 aggregate.
Milan were the eventual winners, beating Leeds 1 v 0. |
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Football League
Division Three
Saturday, March 3rd
1973 |
BLACKBURN
ROVERS
1 V 1
WREXHAM |
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I am very grateful to Dave Almond for donating this programme to my collection.
Dave is a great Billy Ashcroft fan, and has set up the following brilliant blog about his hero!
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Sunday Football
Football League Division Three
20th January 1974
kick-off 2.30
Walsall v Wrexham |
  "Admission to the ground will be afforded free to anyone who has purchased an Official Team Sheet, which will only be available at the turnstiles"
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The winter of discontent had hit the Football clubs.
Wrexham were 5th with 30 points from 25 games, behind Bristol Rovers top, Bournemouth, York and Chesterfield. Walsall were 13th, but ran out 3v0 winners.
On the Walsall team sheet was a certain Bobby Shinton, who would help transform the fortunes of Wrexham F.C. when he signed from Cambridge United for the 1976-77 season. |
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The end of the road........... |
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F.A.Cup 6th Round
9th March 1974
Burnley v Wrexham |
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Wrexham's magnificent cup run came to an end - through a deflected own goal.
Wrexham had beaten Shrewsbury 1v0 in a replay after a 1v1 draw in the first round, saw off Rotherham in the second round 3v0, beat Crystal Palace 2v0 at Selhurst Park, conquered Middlesborough at the Racecourse 1v0 in the fourth round, shocked Southampton 1v0 at The Dell, in the fifth, then that own goal at Turf Moor.
Travelled up to Burnley with some mates in my Ford Anglia, not knowing where Turf Moor was. Then, as if by magic on entering Burnley, we saw a 'Beadles Bus' from Newtown in front of us, and followed them to the ground!
We lost 1v0. | |
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In Other Colours |
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Joey Jones
Wrexham 1972 - 83, 1987 - 1992
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Liverpool 1975 - 78
Far left, top row |
Wrexham 1v0 Mansfield(Billy Ashcroft)
1st November 1975
Trevor Beal has kindly been in touch and writes;
Braintree Town, earlier this season, 2012/13, were due to play Wrexham in a League match which was postponed prior to kick off. We had a visit from Mickey Thomas in the Supporters Club Shop (which I help run). I asked him to sign an old copy of a Wrexham v Mansfield Division 3 programme from 1975, and he happily obliged. |
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F. A. Cup 4th Round
Cardiff City
3v2
Wrexham
29th January 1977
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I am delighted that Cardiff City supporter, Dai Woosnam,
has got in touch with this cup tie memory |
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May 18th 2011
Dear Ken,
I see that you are a Racecourse fan from your site.
I could talk a lot about games between the two clubs.
The best I ever saw was a tremendous encounter in the 4th Round of the FA Cup in January 77.
Wrexham - the better team throughout - had a great team then under John Neal. Mel Sutton (ex-City), Arfon Griffiths, Billy Ashcroft, Bobby Shinton, Graham Whittle, Mickey Thomas ... and a few others whose names will come if I think about it. Was Dai Davies playing in goal? No, I don't think he had arrived by then. Was John Roberts at centre half? I cannot recall.
I remember Billy Ashcoft equalising just as the game went into injury time, and then John Buchanan going straight down the other end and scoring the winner. 3-2. Heck of a game. Peter Sayer also scored for City. He had scored in the third round win over Spurs, pictured here.
 Photo copyright; Football Echo |
But I go back even further with Cardiff City. I never missed a game as a boy and youth ... even saw all the Welsh Cup home games like the time they defeated Knighton Town 16-0.
I even recall the great Wyn Davies playing for Wrexham, before moving on to Bolton and even greater glory. He was - after John Charles - the best header of a ball that I ever saw.
We have a good friend who is 87 and is a retired GP who has lived in the Wrexham area since starting married life there 60 years ago. We were over at his house on top of the mountain in Llanfynydd, just 3 weeks ago. He told me how sad so many Wrexham fans are these days, and how there seems no immediate solution.
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WREXHAM A.F.C. 1977/78
click here to visit the whole season
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I have supported Wrexham since the 1960's when my father used to take me to The Racecourse Ground, in the days of Albert Kinsey, Dave Gaskell, Dave Powell and many others. It really saddens me to think of their current plight in the Blue Square Premier League.
I have pleasure here in featuring one of the most memorable seasons in the club's history - 1977/78 - Third Division Champions, having come so very close under John Neal the previous season. If you have any Wrexham memories you'd like to share, please contact me on mail@penmon.org |
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Robin Remembers
Wrexham's first League match
in the 'old second division',
currently the Championship
on Saturday 19th August 1978
following their promotion in 1977/78 |
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Alan Davies
is a keen Wrexham fan
living in South Africa |
My name is Alan Davies. I discovered your site just the other day and have not yet had the time to go through everything but I did come across your section on Wrexham AFC 1977/78, which I remember very well.
I have attached copies of the front cover of the program from the two most memorable games of that incredible season; Arsenal in the Cup and of course Rotherham, - who can forget that match?
I have lived in South Africa since 1982 and still follow the town, but have only seen them once live back in 2007 against Hereford. It was when I visited the UK, when myself and my brothers got together for the first time in 26 years. I am originally from Llay.
I have a number of programmes from that season, including Newcastle, Blyth Spartans and Liverpool and a few from other seasons which I inherited from my late father in law, Bill Smith also from Llay. Bill was an avid Wrexham supporter. He would be devastated to see them in the Blue Square Premier (non) league.
Apart from the Hereford game, I did see one match live but on TV, in I think 1992. They showed West Ham v Wrexham FA Cup live on TV here in SA, 2 - 2 I think the score was. They showed highlights of Wrexham v Arsenal as well, quite a number of times actually.
Well I have a lot of browsing to do. So keep up the good work
Alan.
I am very grateful to Alan for getting in touch and for supplying many programme covers from the 1977/78 season which are included on this Wrexham webpage. KD
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In Other Colours |
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John Lyons
Wrexham 1974 - 1979 |
Cambridge United 1980 - 1982
Second from left, back row |
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F.A. Cup
Third Round Replay
Tuesday 6th January 1981
Wrexham v West Ham United |
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West Ham were the current F.A. Cup Holders.
Both teams were in the Second Division.
The Hammers had already reached the semi-finals of the League Cup.
Wrexham's first game was a 1 v 1 draw at Upton Park,
when the Hammers were awarded a dubious penalty to take the lead.
Skipper Gareth Davis equalised for the Robins.
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The replay was a 0 v 0 draw at The Racecourse, resulting in those days in a second replay which was also held at The Racecourse. Dixie McNeil scored the only goal of the match in extra time, to give Wrexham a home tie against Wimbledon, which they won 2 v 1.
Wrexham fell to Wolves 3 v 1 at Molyneux in the 5th Round. |
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F.A. CUP 4th Round
Tottenham Hotspur v Wrexham
Monday 12th February 1979
K.O. 7.30pm
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Second Division
1978/79 Season
Luton Town programme cover supplied by
Trevor Beal, Braintree Town
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EUROPEAN CUP-WINNERS CUP 1979-80
Round 1 (1st leg)
WREXHAM v MAGDEBURG
September 19th 1979
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Wrexham 3v2 Magbeburg
Fox, McNeil, Buxton |
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Wrexham; Davies, Jones, Dwyer, Davis, Roberts, Giles, Fox, Sutton, McNeil, Whittle (Buxton), Hill. |
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1st Round 2nd leg
Magdeburg 5v2 Wrexham
(after extra time)
Vinter, Hill
(Magdeburg win 7v5 on aggregate) |
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Wrexham; Davies, Jones, Dwyer, Davis, Roberts, Giles (Buxton), Vinter, Sutton, McNeil, (Whittle), Fox, Hill | |
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Robin Remembers
GEORGE BEST
playing for Wrexham |
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Robin Remembers
IAN RUSH's
debut for Wrexham |
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Third Division
1992/93 Season
Colchester United programme supplied by
Trevor Beal, Braintree Town
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Second Division
1996/97 Season
Millwall programme supplied by
Trevor Beal, Braintree Town
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Braintree Town v Wrexham26th November 2011
| Braintree Town |
0 |
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Wrexham |  |
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Wrexham v Braintree Town
28th April 2012
| Wrexham |
5 |
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1 |
Braintree Town |
Morrell (19)
Cieslewicz (42)
Pogba (59)
Wright (88)
Ashton (90+1) |
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Wright (52)
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Braintree Town v Wrexham27th October 2012
| Braintree Town |
1 |
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5 |
Wrexham |
Sheppard (18)
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Ormerod (16)
Rushton (39)
Wright (65)
Cieslewicz (79)
Wright (89) | Game played 20th November 2012 |
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My thanks to Trevor Beal,
of Braintree Town for copies
these Wrexham programmes. | |
