Wrexham

Wrexham
The Football League says it has not set a deadline for relegated Wrexham to give guarantees they can fulfil their League Two fixtures for next season. The club is in administration, with no party having yet offered a deal which is acceptable to owner Alex Hamilton. Property developer Hamilton has given the club notice to quit their Racecourse Ground home by 21 July. "We have not set any deadlines and do not want to panic people," a League spokesman told BBC Wales. "We will continue talking to the administrator and the administrator will continue to talk with parties interested in taking over the club."

Mixed feelings as club celebrates
More than 200 supporters of beleaguered Wrexham FC gathered in the town on Saturday to celebrate their team's LDV Vans Trophy win. Players, club officials, and representatives of Wrexham council greeted the crowd from the balcony of the Guild Hall. Members of the town's local brass bands also turned out to make the occasion one to remember. The team beat Southend 2-0 to win the trophy in Cardiff last month. Nevertheless, there were mixed emotions on Saturday as the celebrations took place with the club's future still uncertain. The club has debts of £4m and remains in administration. The 10 points deducted by the Football League for going into administration also contributed to Wrexham's relegation this month to Division Two - English football's bottom tier. It has also been given notice to quit its Racecourse ground by owner and property developer Alex Hamilton. Musicians joined the celebrations in Wrexham Wrexham manager Denis Smith said the civic reception was just what the club and its supporters needed. "This is the highlight we needed in a dismal season," he said. "The supporters have been superb all season. "It's very difficult to say what will happen, but I understand that the negotiations are going in our favour. "We want to be here again next season, celebrating promotion." Talks are being held with players and they are expected to decide whether to stay with the club next season by 21 June. Alan Watkins, head of Leisure, Libraries and Culture at Wrexham Council, said the mood was optimistic. Crowds turned up to celebrate Wrexham's LDV success "We are all going to do all that we can to secure the future of football in the town," he said. "Meetings are continuing this week with a locally-based consortium who are in a position to place a satisfactory purchase." Wrexham FC supporter Mark Butler admitted the fans had mixed feelings about the celebrations, but said the club should keep looking to the future. "We want to celebrate, but at the same time I felt a bit uncomfortable, and I think some of the players looked uncomfortable," he said. "But we've got to move on. We've been on the back foot and we've got the right man to sort it out. "While Denis Smith is still here I think we're in with a chance."

Wrexham warn Dons over Morgan bid
Wrexham manager Denis Smith has warned MK Dons to expect to pay a considerable fee if they want to sign Craig Morgan. The Wales Under-21 defender is out of contract but Wrexham would be entitled to a compensation fee if he moved on. The Dons have made an offer to the 19-year-old, but Smith said: "If MK Dons have got quite a bit of money to pay then we'll obviously discuss it. "They either pay us up front or we go to tribunal and I would be quite pleased to go to tribunal with them." Morgan and all the other out of contract Wrexham players have been offered new deals to stay at the troubled club. And Smith told BBC Wales Sport: "Generally they all want to stay. "They've got a month now to reply to me, so it's a month of waiting and seeing who taps into them. "They will get better offers financially, but as I explained to them, there's a quality of life in Wrexham that they shouldn't give up too easily. "It's lovely place to live; we play football the right way; we've got a nice training ground. "There's a lot of good things going for this club. So they might get a few extra bob, but is it worthwhile moving your family, putting your children in new schools and everything else that goes with it? "So I think hopefully I'll have the majority of the squad with me next season." Juan Ugarte's scoring exploits have brought him to the attention of many rivals. The Basque striker has said he wants to stay at the club, and Smith believes he owes the debt of gratitude to the club that resurrected his career by signing him from non-league Dorchester last November. "He's had offers from all over the country, but he knows how well he's been treated here," Smith added. "Our financial offer is a good one and he's got to decide where he wants to play. "Is he going to be as happy wherever and are the clubs that are interested going to have financial problems next season? "Are they going to be solid? Are they going to be a good place to be? "This place is going to be a good place to be in the near future."

Ugarte urged to stay at Wrexham
Wrexham manager Denis Smith says Juan Ugarte should accept the club's offer of a new contract. "He's had offers from all over the country, but he knows how well he's been treated here at Wrexham," said Smith of the season's top scorer. "Our financial offer is a good one and he's got to decide now where he wants to play. "Is he going to be as happy, and are the clubs that are interested going to have financial problems next season?"

Roberts commits to Doncaster move
Wrexham defender Stephen Roberts has confirmed to manager Denis Smith that he will join up with his striker brother Neil at Doncaster Rovers. News of his move filtered out last week, to the surprise of Smith. Roberts, 25, was out of contract at Wrexham and keen to secure his future after the club entered administration. "He has done the right thing and told us about the move, now I can set about confirming my retain list," Smith told BBC Sport Wales. Wales international Roberts played a part in Wrexham's LDV Vans Trophy success and has made more than 100 appearances for the Welsh club.

Edwards poised to sign for Luton
Carlos Edwards will quit Wrexham after agreeing a three-year contract with new Championship side Luton Town. The Trinidad and Tobago international joins fellow defender Stephen Roberts - who will join Doncaster Rovers - in leaving the Racecourse. Edwards, 26, was offered a new deal by the Dragons, but becomes a free agent on 1st July and will join Luton then. Mike Newell's side were promoted from League One as champions, while Wrexham were relegated to League Two. Edwards' agent confirmed the move to BBC Wales and revealed that both Plymouth and Coventry were keen to sign the player. Wrexham have struggled to pay wages this season and were forced into administration, being docked the 10 league points in the process that pushed them towards relegation. The north Wales club still faces an uncertain future off the pitch. Owner Alex Hamilton has served Wrexham FC with a notice to quit the Racecourse Ground this summer, although administrators running the club are ready to go to the courts to stop Wrexham being evicted. Edwards joined Wrexham in June 2000 from Trinidad side Defence Force FC and has been one of the team's most consistent performers, catching the eye on both flanks with his attacking flair and defensive qualities. The player was the subject of a £350,000 bid from Preston last season before he suffered a serious knee ligament injury while on international duty that sidelined him for seven months

Premiership dream lured Edwards
Wing-back Carlos Edwards says Luton's ambition persuaded him to join the club from Wrexham on a three-year deal. "I love Wrexham but couldn't pass the opportunity to play at a higher level," the 26-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international told the Daily Post. "Luton are now just one step away from the Premiership, which is where I have always wanted to play." Wrexham boss Denis Smith said: "Carlos has left in the right manner. The move will free up money for the squad." Wrexham assistant manager Kevin Russell has been given a testimonial game against a Manchester United XI at the Racecourse on Tuesday, 2 August.

Keeper Dibble released by Wrexham
Wrexham have released Andy Dibble, Scott Green and Chris Armstrong. Club captain Brian Carey will have to prove his fitness over the summer before earning a new contract, while Alex Smith is expected to sign a deal. Midfielder Green, 35, and striker Armstrong, 33, have both had their chances limited by injury. Dibble, 40, has missed most of the last two seasons with a broken arm and a thigh problem, and the Dragons have signed Sunderland keeper Mike Ingham. "Andy's been a great servant, but he's been injured and it's getting to the stage where it's harder for him to get fit," Wrexham manager Denis Smith . "If I can do something for him where he comes in on a coaching basis then I will. "Scott has done a good job since he came here on a short-term basis. "Chris' goal-per-game ratio has been good, but he hasn't played enough - and in the end I have to make decisions on that." Smith has also released goalkeeper Ryan Harrison and youngster Keiran Quinn.

Morgan upbeat on Wrexham future
Wrexham centre-back Craig Morgan says he will hold talks with manager Denis Smith on Tuesday after returning from Wales' training camp in San Sebastian. The talented 19-year-old is out of contract and is an MK Dons target. "Wrexham have been a great club for me," he told the Daily Post. "I understand their financial problems, but I'm not happy with my offer. "Hopefully Denis can come up with a bit more money, but other clubs are showing an interest, there's lots to weigh up."

Ingham swayed by Wrexham ambition
Goalkeeper Michael Ingham has revealed he rejected the chance to join a "big club" in favour of signing for Wrexham. The 6ft 4in stopper, 25 in July, is surplus to requirements at Sunderland and has agreed to sign a two-year deal at the Racecourse Ground. He told Sunderland's website: "There were four or five clubs interested, some of them big clubs, but I wanted first-team football. "I was impressed with what (Wrexham manager) Denis Smith had to say." Ingham spent 11 games on loan at the Racecourse at the end of the 2003/04 season. Despite a lack of first-team action, he looks back fondly at his six years with the Black Cats. But the Northern Ireland international says he is now focused on helping the Dragons fight their way back into League One at the first attempt. "I have had six great years at Sunderland, the only disappointing thing is the number of games I have played. "Even in the Championship over the last two years, I had Mart Poom and Thomas Myhre in front of me, both experienced internationals. "I would not want to swap my time at Sunderland for anything, but it is important for me to play some football now. "Wrexham is a good club and I see it as a good chance to play and develop my career. We want to go up next season."

Tipton interests Swans & Wrexham
Swansea City and Wrexham want to sign Wales Under-21 striker Matthew Tipton, according to the player's agent. Tipton, 24, is one of 10 players released by Macclesfield after their League Two play-off semi-final defeat. "Darlington, Mansfield, Wrexham, Swansea and Cheltenham have expressed an interest," said Wayne Elsey. "They all wanted to be contacted once Matthew had spoken to Macclesfield so I will be speaking to those clubs in due course." Bangor-born Tipton scored 50 goals in 151 league and cup appearances for Macclesfield after joining from Oldham Athletic in 2001.

Spender gets first Wrexham deal
Simon Spender has followed fellow youth team member Levi Mackin in signing his first professional contract at Wrexham. The 19-year-old defender made 19 league and cup appearances for Wrexham last season, seven of which as a substitute. Meanwhile, midfielder Matt Crowell has hinted he is also ready to commit his future to the Racecourse club. "After a couple of weeks away I'll be looking to forward to pre-season training and I'm optimistic it will be with Wrexham," said the 20-year-old. Having already seen Carlos Edwards and Stephen Roberts go through the Racecourse exit door, manager Denis Smith is hoping two new players will soon agree to join the club. "It's encouraging that both have shown that they want to come here, but few things in life are simple, so we will just have to see how they develop," said Smith.

Edwards snapped up by Latics boss
Oldham boss Ronnie Moore has signed Blackpool midfielder Paul Edwards on a free transfer and extended full-back Marc Tierney's contract by two years. Edwards, 25, has signed a one-year contract, while Tierney, 19 impressed Moore at the back end of last season. "Boundary Park is a great venue and the club has great ambition," Edwards said. "When I was playing for Wrexham, Ronnie tried to sign me. Now, as luck, would have it, I've ended up following him to Boundary Park and I'm delighted."

Wrexham plan pre-season matches
Wrexham have announced a series of pre-season friendly matches as they prepare for the next campaign. The Welsh club, who were relegated to League Two last season, have trips to play Hereford United on 19 July and Newtown the following day. There is also a trip scheduled to play Glentoran on 30 July at the Belfast side's Oval ground. Irish Premier League champions Glentoran travel to Wales on 2 July to play Welsh Premier champions TNS.

Armstrong ready to keep playing
Striker Chris Armstrong is confident he will find another club following his release by Wrexham. "I'm 34 now, but feel that I can play on for a while yet," said the injury dogged former Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur front man. "I've heard about one or two clubs that might be interested, but I need to speak to my agent to find out. "At the moment I'm just enjoying relaxing and having a break, but I hope to sort something for next season."

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