Key Information about The Racecourse Ground

The Racecourse Ground is the world’s oldest international football stadium which still hosts international matches.

It opened back in 1807, and has been used for football since 1864 with Wrexham Football Club moving in after being founded during the same year. The Racecourse Ground has hosted the most Wales international matches out of any other ground in the Country, and it is the largest stadium in north Wales with a capacity of 10,771.

The infamous ground is divided into four famous stands; the Kop, Bkoncepts Stand, University End, and Hays Travel Stand.

A history of The Racecourse Ground

Since being formed in the local Turf Hotel public house in October 1864, Wrexham Football Club have played all of their home matches at The Racecourse Ground, with the exception of a couple of seasons in the late 1880s. The concrete terracing on the Kop end was laid down in 1952 and it is the oldest part of the ground to this day. Five years later in 1957,

The Racecourse Ground witnessed a record attendance of 34,445 as fans gathered to watch Wrexham take on Manchester United in an FA Cup Fourth Round tie. Two years later on 30 September 1959, floodlights were installed at the ground for the first time which meant that Wrexham could now host night-time fixtures in darker conditions.

In 2002, then Wrexham FC chairman William Pryce Griffiths agreed a 125-year lease on the Racecourse with Wolverhampton Dudley Breweries for just £750,000. Soon after in 2005, the club hosted a second-leg UEFA Champions League qualifier between TNS and Liverpool, where Steven Gerrard famously scored five goals over both legs of the tie.

On 26 June 2002, the freehold to The Racecourse Ground was acquired by Wrexham AFC from Wolverhampton Dudley Breweries for £300,000, and on the same day the ownership of the freehold was transferred to another one of chairman, Alex Hamilton’s companies – Damens Ltd.

In spring 2014, work commenced on redeveloping The Racecourse Ground, and this included a new pitch and sprinkler system and changing rooms for players. In addition to this the medical and treatment facilities were also upgraded along with enhanced floodlights and the removal of camber lights at the Kop end.

This now meant that the stadium had been reclassified to Category 3 level, which entitles it to host international football matches once again. In August 2016, Wrexham Glyndwr University and Wrexham AFC signed a 99-year The Racecourse Ground stadium lease, as the university had previously purchased the landmark in 2011 to prevent it from extinction.

Tickets to Watch Wrexham at The Racecourse Ground

Adult ticket prices are ranged from £16-20, concessions at £7-15, and under-11s can attend a match for just £1. Current adult season ticket prices stand at £182-322 for all members of the club.

Related Links

https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/ – Official website of Wrexham FC

https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/tickets/home-tickets – Wrexham FC Ticket Office

As per Football Insider, no less than six players have been mentioned as potential replacements for Alfredo Morelos at Glasgow Rangers.

The report says that the Gers expect Alfredo Morelos to leave Ibrox this summer, although they will only likely get £15m instead of the £30m they had previously been hoping for.

If the Colombia international does depart, the 54-time Scottish champions will need a new striker, and Football Insider say that six players have been discussed. They are Josh Maja, Lyle Taylor, Rhian Brewster, Lawrence Shankland, Lyndon Dykes and Mohamed Buyda Turay.

Morelos’ departure would leave a big hole in Steven Gerrard’s starting XI. After all, he scored 29 goals last term and has 77 in 137 matches in all competitions since moving to the blue side of Glasgow – that kind of clinical touch is hard to replace.

Still, there is plenty of goals amongst the players mentioned. Turay has scored 15 goals in 29 games in the Swedish league this term, whilst Taylor has 11 in 22 for Charlton in the Championship to date. Shankland has been prolific in the Scottish Championship with Dundee United, scoring 24 times in 26 matches, whilst Dykes has amassed nine in 25. Maja and Brewster have scored less, but they have still managed six in 21 and four in seven respectively.

If they were to receive £15m for Morelos, that would likely cover the fees of any of said players – their Transfermarkt values are as follows: Turay, £1.08m; Taylor, £1.26m (although he is set to be a free agent); Shankland, £428,000; Dykes, £428,000; Maja, £5.67m; Brewster, £4.86m.

All likely affordable, and all with their own pros and cons – it is up to Ross Wilson and co to decide who would be the best option.

Let us know what you think!

Glasgow Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has rejected an approach from Birmingham City to become their new boss, according to Football Insider.

Gerrard has been at Ibrox for two years now, and has been mentioned as a potential successor to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. However, it is another English club, Birmingham, who have made an approach, offering him the hot-seat after the imminent departure of Pep Clotet.

Despite the chance to move back to England, though, Gerrard has decided to knock back the offer, instead choosing to continue in his job in Scotland. The quest to win a first trophy as manager is believed to be one of the main reasons why he does not want to switch clubs at this point.

This, of course, was an ambitious move from the Blues, and would have been a huge capture for them. Whilst Gerrard has been unable to get his hands on any silverware so far, his ability to make the Gers competitive in Europe gives the indication that he may not be too far away from that first trophy.

For the Gers, this a huge boost for their future. It shows that Gerrard is still committed to his job in Glasgow, and is unwilling to give up too easily. Both he and the club will be hoping they can topple Celtic this coming campaign in one of the three trophies on offer to them.

Let us know what you think below!

واصل ماركو أسينسيو تألقه وأحرز ثاني أهدافه والثالث لريال مدريد، في المباراة الجارية أمام ريال مايوركا بمنافسات الدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.

الهدف جاء في الدقيقة 29، حيث مهد كريم بنزيما الكرة بطريقة رائعة إلى أسينسيو، والجناح الإسباني حصل على الكرة وتوغل لمنطقة الجزاء وسدد في شباك الحارس رينا.

وكان بنزيما أحرز هدف ريال مدريد الأول في الدقيقة الثانية، ثم أضاف أسينسيو الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 24، وعقب ذلك بدقيقة سجل لي كانج إن لمايوركا.

تشير النتيجة إلى تقدم ريال مدريد على ريال مايوركا بنتيجة (3-1)، ويمكنكم متابعة البث المباشر لمباراة ريال مدريد وريال مايوركا لحظة بلحظة بالفيديو من خلال الرابط. هدف ماركو أسينسيو الثاني في مباراة ريال مدريد وريال مايوركا 

Chelsea have been on a rampage in the ongoing summer transfer window. After already finalising a couple of rather impressive deals, the Blues have reportedly turned their attention to West Ham United’s Declan Rice.

So much so that one of the transfer news suggested Frank Lampard’s squad has tabled a £50m bid to bring the young star to Stamford Bridge. This, however, was promptly dismissed by the Hammers, as reported in Sky Sports’ latest update.

The same outlet states West Ham are adamant on keeping Rice at the club and maintain that he is simply not for sale. Therefore, a bid of £50m would hardly make them reconsider their stance. David Moyes is seemingly keen on the 21-year-old midfielder staying at the club for many years to come and West Ham’s rebuild for the upcoming campaign would very much be centred around him.

Of course, Rice has played in Chelsea’s academy when he was a youngster but was then released aged 14. Now, he still has a long contract with the Hammers that runs until 2024 and the club have an option to extend it for a further year. For that reason, getting him now would be easier said than done for the Blues.

Still, West Ham are in dire need of quality reinforcements themselves but with no money for such endeavours, they might indeed be forced to sell some of their prized assets.

Rice, however, they maintain, won’t be one of those players.

Verdict

The situation at West Ham is far from ideal. Even though they managed to secure their stay in the Premier League, now comes another difficult part of actually repeating that feat next season.

For that to happen, Moyes will undoubtedly have to refresh and further improve the squad this summer. And that only makes the task of keeping Rice in the team that much more important.

MatériaMais Notícias

A preparação do Flamengo para o clássico diante do Vasco começou nesta terça-feira, no Ninho do Urubu. Isso porque os jogadores se reapresentaram nesta terça depois da derrota para o Atlético-MG. A novidade ficou por conta das presenças de Wallace e Sheik, que ainda estão em fase final de recuperação de lesões nas coxa, e fizeram um trabalho intenso de movimentação sob os cuidados do preparador físico Daniel Félix. A dupla, porém, ainda não tem participação garantida no domingo.

Em campo, Oswaldo só pôde contar com os reservas, já que os titulares ficaram apenas na academia para um trabalho regenerativo. Os suplentes, por sua vez, tiveram que suar a camisa em um treino físico/técnico bastante puxado.

Em uma das atividades, Oswaldo de Oliveira, com o auxílio de todos os preparadores e auxiliares, jogavam a bola no alto ou para o chão, e os jogadores tinham de devolver de cabeça, em movimentos rápidos, com duração de um minuto. No fim, todos muito cansados, se jogaram ao chão do campo 2.

Na quarta e quinta-feira, o trienador fará treinos integrais com o período da tarde voltado para a parte tática. Por conta disso, a imprensa não poderá acompanhar as movimentações.

Com 41 pontos ganhos, o Flamengo ocupa a sexta colocação do Campeonato Brasileiro e segue como líder do returno da competição. Depois do Vasco, encara Joinville e Figueirense na tentativa de ganhar posições na tabela.

Former Spurs star Paul Robinson believes Bournemouth ace Josh King could make a “huge” difference for Tottenham if he joins Spurs in the summer.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Robinson insisted his old teammate has massively improved as a player since the two were at Blackburn Rovers together.

Last month, Sky Sports revealed four of the Premier League’s top six clubs want to sign the striker in the upcoming transfer window.

King’s contract is set to expire next year and Bournemouth may try to cash in on the Norwegian beforehand, as they face growing economic uncertainty as a result of the  pandemic.

The pundit feels the 28-year-old will be guaranteed game time in North London, given Harry Kane’s injury list over the course of the past few seasons.

Robinson told football writer Dylan Childs “I played with Josh King at Blackburn and he has developed hugely as a player.

“He came as a wide player after a very good academy upbringing. He was a talented player but he was not the finished article.

“I think he has got better and he now prefers to play down the middle. He has grown in stature and increased his physique. His speed used to be his real asset but now he has got end product as well.

“I can certainly see him fitting into one of the top four’s squads. If Harry Kane is fit, he plays, but he has not played a full season in years. He is guaranteed games even if he is not a starter.”

As it stands, it is hard to argue with Robinson here.

After arriving at the Vitality Stadium from Blackburn on a free transfer, King has excelled for Eddie Howe’s side over the years, bagging 48 goals and providing 15 assists in 163 appearances for the Cherries so far. He is currently valued at £14.4m via Transfermarkt.

The Norway international has scored 4 goals, created 2 assists, made 1.2 key passes per game, and successfully completed at least 2 dribbles on average in the Premier League this season. It is also worth remembering he netted 12 goals in the English top flight last season. (WhoScored).

While he has often been deployed as a second striker, he can also play in a variety of positions, as he has played across the midfield in this campaign.

His versatility is surely an added bonus for Jose Mourinho, as the Spurs boss has been hit by a string of injuries to a number of his forwards, including Kane, Son Heung-min and Steven Bergwijn.

King can provide solid cover for the attacking options and he would certainly be a useful asset to keep on the bench.

The Lilywhites have also been linked to his clubmate Ryan Fraser but whether or not the South Coast stars end up in North London remains to be seen.

Tottenham fans, should Daniel Levy sign Josh King in the summer? Let us know by commenting below! 

Henry Winter has suggested that the Premier League chief Richard Masters was disrespectful when talking on the proposed takeover of Newcastle United as he shared his thoughts on his official Twitter page.

As per The Times journalist, Masters should have shown his sympathy to the fans and been more respectful, but instead his update has not really given any more clarity on the whole situation at all.

Winter implies that the top flight or its CEO himself should take into account what the members of the Toon faithful have been through in terms of the process and suggested that Masters did not take their feelings into account when giving his rather blunt response.

Indeed, the Magpies have been waiting for around three months now as to whether the prospective £300 million deal between Mike Ashley and Amanda Staveley’s Saudi Arabian-led group will be approved or not by England’s highest division, with no official announcement date set and no further confirmation as to how far in the process the bid is.

There has also not been a confirmed result from the Owners’ and Directors’ Test (ODT) set out to the buying side by the league which would also give more clarity on a saga that has dragged on and on.

Whilst the whole process is strictly confidential as Masters claims, it would arguably help out a lot to know some sort of time frame for when the decision will eventually be made, as NUFC supporters and the club itself could then prepare accordingly and the parties involved will know where they stand in terms of the deal.

Geordies, what do you make of what Masters has said? Comment below!

After 185 games for the club, Dejan Lovren is inching ever closer to the exit door at Liverpool this summer.

The Croatia international joined the Merseyside club from fellow Premier League side Southampton, but has found himself out of favour this season – in total, he made just 15 appearances across all competitions, with only ten of them coming in the top-flight.

Reports in recent days have suggested that the 31-year-old is closing in on a £11m move to Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, and that of course has prompted speculation over where the Reds will be entering the market for a replacement.

Can you spot your Xabi Alonso from your Bruno Cheyrou? This Liverpool quiz will have you questioning your knowledge…



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The Evening Standard have claimed that Brighton defender Ben White – who has been on loan at newly-promoted Leeds this season – is “highly-rated” by the recruitment team at Anfield, although there are concerns whether they would have to pay a premium for him considering he is an English player.

But if Michael Edwards can get a deal over the line for White, then Liverpool could be looking at someone who could form a major part of their back-line for the years to come.

His teammate at Leeds this year, Adam Forshaw, waxed lyrical about his abilities, saying: “He’s unbelievable. He literally hasn’t put a foot wrong. He’s so cool on the ball and he’s clever. He might not be the most physical centre back but he’s just clever. He nicks it, times his headers really well and looks like a top, top player. We’re lucky to have him.”

That idea of White being a “clever” player is backed up by former Premier League defender Danny Higginbotham who paid tribute to his reading of the game. He said: “One of the biggest compliments I can give White is that I don’t know how quick he is because he is rarely out of position and forced to step up a gear.”

Higginbotham’s remarks are eerily similar to how most people may describe Virgil van Dijk. The towering Dutchman never looks he’s ruffled by opposition players, and simply looks like he’s playing in cruise control, rarely bothered by anything.

White appears to be in the same mould, and is exactly why Liverpool must clinch his signing this summer.

Aston Villa have entered the race for one of the Premier League’s most in-demand youngsters and if they can snag him from their rivals, it would be very smart business indeed…

What’s the word?

According to the ECHO, the Midlands outfit have inquired about Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster over a potential loan switch this season.

The likes of Newcastle United, Brighton, Crystal Palace and newly-promoted Fulham have also been mooted with interest in the 20-year-old following a sensational spell at Swansea City in the Championship this term.

It’s claimed that the Premier League champions would sanction a move to either a Premier League club or a top European outfit, but he could also remain amongst the first-team setup for the new campaign.

Shades of Abraham

If Villa can clinch Brewster this summer, then it would certainly bring shades of Tammy Abraham back to Villa Park and would be a fruitful move for all parties involved.

The young Reds talisman only joined the Swans in January but went on to find the net 11 times, averaging 2.5 shots and 1.9 aerial duels won per game. He even won his temporary side 1.8 free-kicks per appearance too, via WhoScored.

In a similar vein, Abraham enjoyed successful spells away from Chelsea at Bristol City and the aforementioned Welsh club before linking up with Dean Smith’s side.

He quickly became a hit in the west Midlands after his 26 goals spearheaded Villa’s return to the top-flight. He has since gone on to become a mainstay under Frank Lampard.

Brewster’s time at the Liberty Stadium has seen his boss Steve Cooper claim that he’s a “real threat” whilst teammate Andre Ayew believes the young forward “has it all”.

The “exceptional” Englishman would be very welcome at Villa and could well be more suited to the top-flight than both Wesley and Mbwana Samatta.

Johan Lange must push ahead with this loan swoop.

AND in other news, Aston Villa selling summer signing a cold reminder of Suso’s failings