Wrexham

Garrett extends his Wrexham loan
Wrexham manager Brian Carey has extended the loan of Stoke midfielder Rob Garrett for a third month. The 18-year-old will now stay at the Racecourse until the end of April. Meanwhile, Danny Williams will miss Wrexham's next two matches against Macclesfield and Notts County after getting his 10th booking of the season. But Steve Evans and Ryan Valentine are available after finishing their bans, while Chris Llewellyn's four-game suspension ends after Macclesfield. Garrett has been a regular fixture since arriving at the Dragons, having made 10 appearances during his two-month spell since arriving at the League Two strugglers. The Northern Ireland Under-19 midfielder has been a regular in Stoke's reserve and Academy sides this season and has made one first-team appearance for them.

Despair banned at the Racecourse
Manager Brian Carey rallied his players after the 1-0 loss to Notts County saw Wrexham slip back into the drop zone. "It was a cruel loss, but you have to take it and move on," said Carey, after Simon Spender's 88th-minute own goal saw the Dragons to Racecourse defeat. "Players were lying on the ground with their heads in their hands at the end. "That's a natural reaction but I picked them up because the fans don't want to see that. There are five games to play and there's no talk of giving up here." Spender was devastated as a strong second-half performance went unrewarded. "It can be a cruel game, I saw the ball late and it went straight in off my shin," Spender told SSB. "But we have to get over that straight away. We're looking solid at the back and just need to start finding the goal. "Brian has told us that he will take all the pressure on himself, that we just have to go out and play our game. "There are 15 points to play for, and if we win all our five games we will get out of this no problem."

Carey hails vital Wrexham victory
Boss Brian Carey was relieved after Neil Roberts' late strike beat Torquay to earn Wrexham a vital home win and boost their League Two survival hopes. "This was vital, it was a huge game for us and credit to everyone because there was a lot of tension around," he said. "We can only cater for ourselves so we just need to win our own games and looking after what we do." "We just need to push on now, we've got a tough one at Shrewsbury on Tuesday night and then at Walsall on Saturday."

We have done nothing yet - Carey
Wrexham manager Brian Carey urged his side to maintain their focus after the 1-0 win at Shrewsbury took them three points clear of the relegation zone. "It was a great performance and a fantastic result, but we're still in a relegation fight and have done nothing yet," Carey told BBC Sport Wales. "We responded in the right way after Easter when people said we were dead, we went out and threw the shackles off. "But we can't let up now, we must go to Walsall and get a win on Saturday." If Wrexham win that match and other results go their way they could secure their League Two safety at the weekend. But their fate could still go to the wire, with a final-day 5 May Racecourse showdown against second-from-bottom Boston United. "It's in our own hands now," said on-loan Hartlepool striker Michael Proctor, who got the crucial winner at Shrewsbury, his first goal for the Dragons. "The goal's been a long time coming and I was getting some stick from the lads, but I couldn't have timed it better. "The main thing, though, was to get us three points closer to safety. Now we've got to do it again on Saturday." The Dragons have now won three games on the trot, with three clean sheets. "We defended from the front, it was a fantastic team performance at Shrewsbury," said on-loan keeper Anthony Williams, who is doing his chances of earning a permanent deal at the Dragons a power of good. "We had to play on the break away from home, they are a physical side and we met them head on. "We killed the game a bit in the first half, and when they got more anxious we were able to nick a goal. "It was a fantastic strike by Michael, he's looking very sharp and we know we've got the ability if we perform on the pitch. "The job is nearly done and the win was a massive step to keeping us up, but we're not there yet. "We've got a great platform, but can't blow this position now. We've got to do the business on Saturday."

Proctor to stay on with Wrexham
Wrexham have extended their loan of Hartlepool striker Michael Proctor until the end of the season. The 26-year-old joined the Dragons on a month's loan on 22 March and has scored one goal in seven games - a vital winner against Shrewsbury on Tuesday. Pools boss Danny Wilson has now agreed for Proctor to stay on at the Racecourse Ground. He will be eligible to play against Walsall and Boston as Wrexham continue their battle against relegation.

Wrexham must survive says Speed
New Bolton first-team coach Gary Speed says local side Wrexham must avoid relegation not just for their sake but also for the good of Welsh football. The former Wales captain, 37, was born just down the road in Hawarden and has spent time with Wrexham's academy to help qualify for his coaching badge. "Wrexham FC mean a hell of a lot to football in Wales, especially to people like me who grew up there," he said. "To lose Wrexham out of the top four leagues would be a disaster." When Speed passed his Uefa A licence last summer he took several informal sessions with Wrexham's talented schoolboys. However, he called time on his spell with the League Two club because he felt it would interfere with his playing duties at Bolton. But Speed has followed the Dragons' plight, which comes down to the final day of the season this Saturday where they must avoid a home defeat to Boston to avoid relegation to the Conference. "I stay in touch regularly and I hopefully they'll win Saturday to keep themselves up," Speed added. "We've only got Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham (in the Football League), so to lose one of them would be a disaster for them and for Wales in general. "Wrexham have got a fantastic youth set-up there and for a club in the position they are, the development they've got there is a fantastic organisation." Former player Lee Trundle has his own crunch match on Saturday when current club Swansea make one last bid to secure a League One play-off spot. But the Scouse striker, who started his career in Wales with Rhyl before joining Wrexham in 2001, echoes Speed in the importance of the Racecourse club to football in Wales. "It's a massive game, but they only need a point and I'm sure they'll do it, (Wrexham manager) Brian Carey will get them out of it," Trundle said. "They are one of just three Welsh sides in the football league and we need to keep them there, they're not a club you expect to be in such trouble. "They are so important to north Wales football, if we lose a professional club it limits the chances for young kids coming through."

Carey set to secure Wrexham job
Wrexham co-owner Neville Dickens says caretaker manager Brian Carey is likely to get the job full time after helping save the club from the Conference. "He's certainly in the front line for it after what he's done in the last month," Dickens told SSB the 3-1 last-day win over Boston. "We'll meet shortly and I'm sure everyone can guess the outcome. "Everybody connected with the club has worked hard to save it, and there are brighter days ahead at the Racecourse." Former Wrexham defender Carey, 38, took over at the Racecourse following January's shock dismissal of manager Denis Smith. After a difficult start, the Irishman and assistant Joey Jones helped to save the season with four wins from the last five games. They were staring down the relegation barrel at half-time in Saturday's crunch game, trailing Boston 1-0 after an awful first 45 minutes. The players have credited Carey and Jones with giving them the "rollocking" that helped inspire three second-half goals to send the Pilgrims down, but the manager was keen to praise the efforts of others. "The players did this, not me," Carey told SSB. "They realised they were on the way down to the Conference, and that snapped them into life. "It was a dreadful first half, the occasion got to us, but we had too much quality in the end. "Ryan Valentine was really annoyed at the break and ready to chop someone's head off, so he deserves credit for the composure he showed to score the crucial penalty. "That was the biggest game in the club's history and people will remember it for a very long time. "But we can't really celebrate because we haven't done anything. This is a game that we must use as a springboard for the club. "It's an opportunity to take strides forward and put fears of relegation from the league a long way behind." Carey would not be drawn on the belief that he is about to secure the manager's job, though. "I would love a stab at it, it means a lot to me and we've come a long way in a short time," he said. "I'd be proud and privileged to take the job, but that's for others to decide."

Carey 'rollocking' saved Wrexham
Wrexham's players say Brian Carey's half-time team talk helped inspire the comeback for a 3-1 win over Boston to save their Football League status. "It was an edgy start but we had a good conversation when we were 1-0 down at half-time," said captain Neil Roberts. "I can't repeat what was said, but it gave us the kick up the backside to come out for the second half." Midfielder Danny Williams added: "Brian and (assistant coach) Joey Jones gave us a real rollocking at the break." Carey is set to take the Wrexham job on permanently, having served as caretaker since Denis Smith left the club in January, and seems a popular choice with the squad. "Brian was a top player for Wrexham and now he's proving a top man in charge," Williams told SSB. "We've shown promotion form in the last five games and he's kept us up. "We have to make sure that we're not in the same position again, we want to be looking at promotion from now on, not relegation." Roberts says that this year's flirtation with non-league obscurity will serve the club well in future campaigns. "We'll enjoy the victory, but we know that we've massively under-achieved this year, we can come back and do a lot better," he told BBC Sport Wales. "It's a good base for us to have come through this relegation battle, especially for the younger lads."

Carey is handed reins at Wrexham
Brian Carey has been appointed Wrexham manager on a two-year contract. Carey had been in temporary charge at the Racecourse since the shock dismissal of Denis Smith in January, guiding the club to League Two safety. The 38-year-old former Wrexham captain will continue to be assisted by the former academy boss Steve Weaver. "It's a huge honour for me. This club has been a part of me for a long time. Last season was torturous, but I'm delighted to take the job," he said Carey's first act as manager was to release goalkeeper Mike Ingham and defender Lee Roche. Northern Ireland goalkeeper Ingham lost his place after Carey brought in Anthony Williams on loan from Carlisle. Williams, who has expressed his desire to sign a permanent deal at the Racecourse, conceded just five goals in nine games as Wrexham avoided relegation to the Conference with a late-season revival. Roche's two seasons at Wrexham had been plagued by injury and the defender did not feature in any of the final six games of last season. But Carey has given Matt Crowell a chance to prove himself after injury problems by awarding the midfielder with a short-term deal. Shaun Pejic and Simon Spender have been offered new long-term deals, together with youngsters Marc Williams, Gareth Evans, Michael Carvill, Jamie Reed, Levi Mackin and Andy Fleming. Carey will therefore start next season with virtually the same squad that almost sent Wrexham down to the Conference. But club owners Neville Dickens and Geoff Moss have promised to make funds available to sign new players over the summer. "We're targeting positions right now - we've got an idea of the type of players we need," said Carey, who first joined Wrexham on loan from Manchester United back in 1991. "We've got a few players in mind, but competition is fierce these days and we've got to do our utmost to make sure we get them." As well as goalkeeper Williams, Michael Proctor is understood to be on Carey's wish list after also impressing during a short loan spell. Proctor is available on a free transfer after being released by Hartlepool this week, and fellow Pools reject Eifion Williams could also find himself to be a summer target. Carey was virtually assured the manager's job after securing Wrexham's Football League status by beating Boston 3-1 on the final day of the season. After a difficult start to his managerial career, Carey led his side to a superb late surge with four wins in the final five games. And despite the tension and stress of the relegation dogfight, Carey insisted he had no hesitation in accepting the manager's job on a long-term basis. "There can be no let up, we've got to push on now," Carey told BBC Wales Sport. "It's been a difficult and emotional time since I took over in January, and when we got the result on Saturday it wasn't a celebration whatsoever "It was more of a release of that emotion because it was quite torturous and we put the supporters through a lot. "But they backed us right to the end and we got there. Now we need to push up the leagues again because off the field the club is doing really well. "We need to get a blend of youth and experience so we can do that job properly and start winning more games."

Wrexham add Hope to new recruits
Wrexham have signed Richard Hope after the defender was released by Shrewsbury Town last month despite being captain. The left-sided centre-back was a surprise departure from Gay Meadow having played in all three of the Shrews' failed play-off campaign. Hope's arrival at the Racecourse Ground is subject to a medical after agreeing a three-year deal with the Dragons. The 28-year-old former Blackburn trainee has also played for Darlington, Northampton, York and Chester. Hope will undergo a medical early next week once physio Mel Pejic returns from his duties with the Wales team. No issues are expected as the 6ft 2in defender has no history of injury problems.

Wrexham snap up striker Williams
Wrexham have signed striker Eifion Williams on a free transfer. The 31-year-old, who was released by Hartlepool at the end of last season, passed a medical at Wrexham on Monday and signed a two-year contract. Williams follows striker Wayne Proctor in switching to the Racecourse this summer from Victoria Park. "I'm delighted to have joined Wrexham and after a successful spell with Hartlepool, I'm hoping I will enjoy something similar here," said Williams. "I spoke to Brian Carey several times and to be honest, once I knew he was serious, I was pretty much set on coming here. "It will also be nice moving back to Wales after 10 years away, but that was not my prime consideration - I wanted to join a club that was looking to go up." Williams began his career as an apprentice at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but failed to win a professional contract. He returned home to Anglesey and joining League of Wales side Caernarfon, where his scoring exploits earned him a £25,000 move to Barry Town in 1997. Less than two years and 68 goals later, Torquay paid £70,000 for him, and Williams made an immediate impact by scoring a hat-trick on his debut. Injuries then began to plague his career and he was offloaded to Hartlepool for £30,000 in March 2002. He finished as The Pools' top-scorer with 15 goals in his first full season, helping them to win automatic promotion to League One.

Wrexham boss hails unknown talent
Boss Brian Carey believes the key to Wrexham's success this season lays in the unknown talent in his squad. He hailed midfielder Matty Done and striker Josh Johnson who helped knock League One Port Vale out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night. The Dragons won 5-3 on penalties with the match finishing 1-1 after extra time at Vale Park. "We've got a lot of players that a lot of people probably haven't seen, but we know what they can do," said Carey. "It was part of our game-plan to introduce players like that and unsettle them because very often you don't have to be the best player in the world, but if you're quick, you'll cause problems. "Josh came on tonight and gave us something to think about because he performed very, very well and really unsettled the Port Vale defence. Matty caused them problems as well. "We take a lot of encouragement but as I stressed to the players afterwards we've got to keep doing this every day in training, every game, set ourselves some standards and try and reach them every time we go on the pitch because you can't accept anything else at this stage." Carey played down the prospect of a money-spinning tie with Premiership side in the second round draw, instead insisting the focus must be on the league. "I'll leave that to the chief executive and the owners to go down that road," he added. "Of course it is very, very useful and much needed revenue for a club like ourselves but I just want to get through the next round. "We will worry about that when the draw is made, but right now we're focussed on Saturday." Newcomers, Morecambe are the visitors to the Racecourse at the weekend for Wrexham's first home game of the season.

T&T's Spann clear to join Wrexham
Wrexham are poised to complete the signing of Silvio Spann after the Home Office granted a work permit for the Trinidad & Tobago international. The midfielder, 25, is now set to leave the Trinidad club W Connection to join the Dragons on a three-year contract. Wrexham will start the process of applying for international clearance and then registering him with the Football League. "I'm delighted for the player," manager Brian Carey told the club website. "He has had a difficult pre-season travelling from club to club in search of a contract, but I know he feels at home with Wrexham and he has certainly set his heart on playing for us. "Hopefully we will have him with us at some stage over the weekend, then he can start training in earnest with the team next week." Spann - who has also played in Italy and Japan - has had trials with Sunderland and Sheffield United this summer. But T&T team-mates Carlos Edwards and Dennis Lawrence, both ex-Wrexham players, have given glowing reports of life at the Racecourse Ground. "I've looked around Wrexham and the club comes highly recommended to me by Carlos and Dennis," said Spann, who missed a place in the 2006 World Cup because of injury. "They have not suffered by playing their football there and I'm starting to feel at home."

Carey not pressing panic button
Brian Carey said nothing less than a win will do as Wrexham look to lift themselves off the bottom of the Football League. But the Dragons manager insisted there was no panic in the camp ahead of Rotherham's visit to the Racecourse. "We absolutely want to get ourselves off the bottom of the league on Saturday," Carey told the Daily Post. "The league table doesn't make good reading, but what we mustn't do is panic." He added: "We've got to just hold our nerve and take the game to them with a high-tempo, high energy game." Wrexham have not played since the 2-0 defeat to Hereford on 1 September because of the international break, but defender Shaun Pejic said the players were desperate to get back on to the pitch. "It's not always nice to have a break after a bad defeat," he said. "You can often find yourself dwelling on the game and the performance. "As players you just want to get into the next game as quick as possible to try and put the last game behind you. "But we have been working very hard over the last two weeks and we have used the break to the best way possible. "It's not nice having a break after a bad game, but we have worked hard and everyone is very positive in the club - we will turn it around." And Pejic doesn't mind which way they get wins providing the three points are on the board. "I think we would take a scrappy game as long as we got the win, but that's not going to happen every week, so we need to make sure we start to put the performances together," he added. "If we can put a few good results together each month then we will reassess our goals at the end. But I do think we should be looking to push on. "You are always to go better than before and if we can put a few good results and good performances together then why not?"

Bottom club Wrexham staying calm
Wrexham manager Brian Carey and keeper Anthony Williams insist there is "no need for panic" after the 0-1 loss to Rotherham at the Racecourse. "The table isn't nice reading," said Carey, whose team prop up League Two, having only been saved from relegation on the final day of last season. Added Williams: "It's early days, there's no doom and gloom in the camp." In better news for the north Wales side, their Racecourse home will host Wales' 6 February friendly with Norway. The club will also welcome Wales Under-21 for their Uefa European Championship qualifiers against Malta (17 October) and France (21 November). Williams was frustrated by the Dragons' poor show as they fell to a late Chris O'Grady strike against Rotherham. "We didn't create many chances and gave away a sloppy goal, it's frustrating," the goalkeeper told SSB. You can take a more realistic look at the table after about 10 games Wrexham goalkeeper Anthony Williams "We cancelled each other out with our tactics, it was pretty poor. "You never want to be bottom, but you can take a more realistic look at the table after about 10 games." Wrexham have three points from six games this season, lying one point below Bury, Mansfield and Grimsby.

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