Wrexham

Wrexham get Ulster warm-up tour
Wrexham have announced details of a pre-season trip to Northern Ireland. The Dragons will play the first of three matches against Irish League clubs on Monday, 25 July against Newry City. Crusaders will host Wrexham two days later before the tour ends with a match against 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. "We have benefited from our visits to the Isle of Man in previous years," manager Denis Smith told the club's website. "Unfortunately, that was not an option this summer, but thanks to the help from several different sources we have been able to replace it with this tour of Northern Ireland. "We know we will get a number of decent games against the Irish League clubs and it will also give us a chance to introduce our new players to the rest of the squad." Before heading to Ulster, Wrexham will play Conference side Hereford United on 19 July and Welsh Premier outfit Newtown the following day.

Football shirts sale raises funds
A builder is paying £13,000 for a unique collection of 92 signed soccer shirts with the proceeds going to help save Wrexham Football Club. Tony Pritchard, from Anglesey, made the offer after the shirts failed to reach a £10,000 reserve price at auction. The collection, signed by every team in the Premiership, Championship and Football Leagues, was assembled by Wrexham fan Neil Williams. The cash from the sale will be used to help the club which has major debts. The collection of signed shirts was originally put up for auction at Sotheby's in London in May with a reserve price of £10,000. But after it failed to reach the asking price, Mr Pritchard, who is the managing director of a development firm made an offer to buy the collection for his three "soccer mad" sons, Jason, Mark and Darren. Mr Pritchard, who collects sporting memorabilia, said: "I'm going to frame them and then I'm hoping we can put them on show. "In total, it's probably going to cost me about £20,000 but I think it's money well spent. Fund-raising effort "I'm glad I can do something to help Wrexham football club - I'm a big rugby fan and if football ceases at Wrexham it will mean no rugby internationals in north Wales as the Racecourse ground is the only suitable venue." Mr Pritchard, from Llangefni, is now looking for a suitable venue on Anglesey where he can display the shirts and is also considering building a museum to house them and other sporting mementoes. Dragons fans Neil Williams put together the collection to raise money for the club. He said that the cash would go to the Wrexham Supporters Trust which is involved in the campaign to keep the football club in business after it was placed in administration with debts of more than £4m. "I'm delighted that we've got a buyer for the shirts after the disappointment at the auction and it's great that they're going to someone in Wales," said Mr Williams who will travel to the Racehorse ground to hand the collection over to its new owner.

Footballer's art for stadium show
A Wrexham footballer is returning to his old Premiership club - to exhibit paintings. Midfielder Jim Whitley, 30, is already carving out a name for himself as a portrait painter in his spare time. Subjects have included David Beckham, Manchester United stars Ryan Giggs and Alan Smith and his old school friend Robbie Savage, now of Blackburn Rovers. Ten portraits and landscapes of Venice will be on show at an exhibition at Manchester City's stadium next week. Whitley, a former Northern Ireland international, went to school at Ysgol Bryn Alyn in Wrexham before joining Manchester City as a young apprentice at 16. He studied art at A level and his talent for painting - particularly fellow footballers - emerged quite quickly during his sporting career. "When I was at City - especially in my younger days - I would trade a painting for a track suit. It was a cheap way of doing things," said Whitley. He is currently involved in a project with Manchester City painting legendary footballers for their website and souvenir shop. But he has also put brush to canvas to capture a number of rival Manchester United footballers including Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith. A painting of England captain and Real Madrid star David Beckham was bought by Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor. "It was easy to paint footballers ," said Whitley. "And it certainly does not affect my football. Holiday "More recently I have been doing a lot more stuff - including landscapes and still life." Among those present at the opening, he said he hopes, will be his old school mate Robbie Savage. "Of course, it's footballer holiday time so I'm not sure who else will be there," added Whitley. The exhibition is held at the City of Manchester stadium on 21 June.

Ugarte keeping Barnsley guessing
Out of contract Wrexham striker Juan Ugarte is unlikely to accept an offer from Barnsley as the Spaniard wants to join a Championship club. "We made an offer to Juan and his agent spoke to us this morning," manager Andy Ritchie told the Barnsley FC website. "It was a positive reply but the player wants to test himself at Championship level and I know that Crewe Alexandra and Coventry City are interested." Oldham are also thought to be courting the striker who hit 22 goals last term. But Ritchie revealed that Barnsley have not yet given up hope of signing the man from the Basque country. "His agent also told me that Juan would be still interested in a move to Oakwell if nothing came from the Championship," Ritchie added.

Fans digging deep to help Wrexham
Wrexham Supporters' Trust has pledged £3,000 each month to help fund the financially-crippled club. The Trust's members agreed to the funding during Thursday's annual meeting and are backing businessman Neville Dickens' efforts to take over. The Dragons were relegated from League One last season after being docked 10 points and going into administration. Talks are still going on to find someone to buy the club from current owner Alex Hamilton.

Dickens hopeful of Wrexham sale
Businessman Neville Dickens says he is hopeful that his aim of buying Wrexham FC from owner Alex Hamilton could soon become a reality. "Hamilton has shown an interest and a willingness to deal with me and we're getting very close," Dickens said. "I'm sure we'll have a deal towards the middle of next week." Hamilton has so far rejected several bids for the north Wales club, but long-suffering fans will hope that at last a deal can be struck.

Wrexham keep Ugarte hopes alive
Wrexham boss Denis Smith is still hopeful of keeping last season's top scorer Juan Ugarte at the Racecourse. The Spaniard is out of contract and has attracted interest from a host of clubs including Crewe, Coventry, Oldham, Barnsley and Cardiff. But the fact that Ugarte has yet to accept another offer gives Smith hope. "I have spoken to Juan and I believe there is a good chance of him staying, he says we're up there near the top of where he wants to go," Smith said.

Wrexham to host Wales U21 match
Cash-strapped Wrexham have been boosted by the promise that age-grade Wales international matches will be held at their Racecourse Ground next season. The decision follows talks between the club's administrators, Begbies Traynor, and the Football Association of Wales. One guaranteed fixture is the Uefa Under-21 Championship qualifier against England on Friday, 2 September. There will also be at least one Uefa U17 Championship qualifier, against Switzerland, Kazakhstan or Estonia. These matches are scheduled to be played at the end of September.

Wrexham FC sale moves step closer
The sale of Wrexham football club has moved closer, BBC Wales has learned. Prospective buyer Andy Smith has said he has negotiated a three-week period with owner Alex Hamilton to finalise a deal for the League Two outfit. Surrey-based businessman Mr Smith plans to take the club out of administration and complete the buy-out of the club before the 21 days expire. He intends to work alongside a partner who will look after the football side of the club. Last December, the club went into administration with debts of more than £4m, and 10 points were deducted by the Football league relegating the club. Speaking to BBC Wales on Tuesday, Mr Smith said: "We have actually entered into a lock-out agreement so that Mr Hamilton will only deal with us while we go to exchange and complete. The club went into administration in December 2004 "We look forward to pushing it through to a completion very quickly now and seeing the football club put back on a firm footing. "We are very confident - we have spent months doing this job, we have had some bumps and some lumps along the way, but we believe we are nearly there now." Mr Smith wants to build a hotel, shops and flats next to the Racecourse ground, but has faced competition by the club's former director Neville Dickens. Mr Smith, who has admitted he is "not a football expert", said that Mr Dickens, a local car dealer, could still be involved in the club's future if his deal goes through. Fans had backed a different bid for the club "We are looking for someone to actually operate the club, and I am hoping that Mr Dickens, who has obviously expressed his great enthusiasm for the club, will be the one," he said. "We have never hidden the fact that we are not football people - we will assist the club and, subject to everything going through, we will look at a sponsorship package for them as well." He added that he will be contacting the administrators on Wednesday and would be talking to manager Denis Smith "as soon as possible". On Tuesday night, administrator David Acland said he had not heard anything about the agreement, but was looking forward to finding out more. Last week, it emerged that Wrexham supporters have agreed to help pay £3,000 a month towards the club's wage bill next season.

Wrexham sale move 'surprise'
The administrators running Wrexham Football Club have expressed "surprise" at the news that a businessman has entered into an exclusivity deal to buy it. Surrey-based Andy Smith said he hoped to complete the purchase from owner Alex Hamilton within 21 days. But the administrators said they would have "concerns" until they had evidence that Mr Smith had financial backing. The Wrexham Supporters' Trust also expressed its worries. It is the latest twist in the long-running saga of the club which went into administration with £4m debts last December, and was later relegated to League Two following a 10 point penalty imposed by the Football League. On Tuesday Mr Smith revealed that he had negotiated a three-week "lock-out agreement" with Mr Hamilton to finalise a deal. We are prepared to work with any other party who can demonstrate in financial terms that they are up to the task Administrators Begbies Traynor He wants to build a hotel, flats and shops on land adjoining the club's Racecourse ground in the town, and has said he wants to work with a partner to look after the footballing interests. But in a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the club's administrators Begbies Traynor said they would continue to have "concerns as to Mr Smith's intentions regarding the club and its assets" until they had some evidence of his financial backing. The administrators have been working closely with local car showroom owner Neville Dickens, a former club director, and partner Geoff Moss about a deal. In a statement, the administrator said negotiations had led to a recently revised offer which was "very attractive" and which Mr Dickens felt deserved "serious consideration" by Mr Hamilton. The administators said they were disappointed that his offer had been apparently dismissed at such "a late and critical stage". Long-term interests The statement said the support of Mr Dickens and his partner plus significant financial commitments were "vital" in demonstrating to the Football League that the club was viable going forward into next season and beyond. The administrators said they would also continue with the legal proceedings to restore the freehold of the Racecourse Ground "for the benefit of the club and its creditors". Wrexham Supporters' Trust, which last week voted to pay £3,000 towards the players' wages bill each month next season, were unconvinced about the Smith deal. A previous attempt by Mr Smith to buy the club earlier this year fell through. Trust chairman Bruce Clapton said: "We would be much happier with Mr Dickens taking over the club because he's a local man and we know that he has the long-term interests of the club at heart and can turn things around. Mr Dickens said he did not know anything about Mr Smith's latest agreement with Mr Hamilton and declined to make any further comment.

Wrexham boss targets flying start
Wrexham boss Denis Smith wants to put last season's relegation woe behind him by starting the new season in style. The Dragons begin life in League Two at home to Boston, followed by away trips to Notts County and Northampton before the visit of promoted Carlisle. "It's difficult to judge at this stage because you need to see what ambitions they have," Smith told BBC Wales Sport. "We've got three teams who have got a chance of doing well, but it's up to us to make sure we do better." Opening day opponents Boston finished 18th in the table last season, Notts County a place below while Northampton made the play-offs by finishing seventh. Carlisle jumped straight back into the Football League after relegation through the Conference play-offs. Wrexham's relegation was mainly down to their 10-point deduction for going into relegation. The beleaguered club have been installed by joint second favourites to win the League Two title, and Smith is quietly confident his side's class will tell this season. He added: "Boston haven't done a great deal since they've come up so you'd think we've got a good chance to get off to a good start. "But there are no guarantees because they might be going for it this year so you don't know. "Notts County are a big club who've had their bad times but they should be coming back. "They've got a new manager and things could be coming right for them. "Northampton spent a lot of money last year, made the play-offs and looked a good side; and Carlisle will probably get the biggest gates in the league."

TNS to play Liverpool at Wrexham
Total Network Solutions have confirmed the home leg of their Champions League qualifier against Liverpool will be played at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground. After drawing Liverpool, TNS considered playing the tie at a larger venue such as the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. But TNS managing director Mike Harris said: "Having weighed up all the possible options, we are more than happy to play the game in Wrexham." The tie will be played on 19 July, with the first leg at Anfield on 13 July. It had been suggested that TNS were considering playing the match at Everton's Goodison Park. But Harris denied that was ever an option. "As for stories that we were considering Everton's Goodison Park as another possible venue, people must be making stories up," added Harris. "The Millennium Stadium probably wouldn't be available to us as there's a three-day convention being held there in the days prior to the game. "We decided taking the second leg to Anfield would've been too much trouble to organise. And how many of our fans would've actually wanted to travel to Liverpool for it?" The Racecourse Ground has a capacity of 10,000 and was the venue for last season's Uefa Cup tie against Swedish side Osters IF. Both legs of the tie have a kick-off time at 1945 BST.

Swansea handed difficult cup test
Swansea have been handed a tough draw in the first round of the Carling Cup after being drawn away to Reading. But the Swans came away with a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium last season in the FA Cup, narrowly losing the replay 1-0 at the Vetch Field. Cardiff City are also away in the first round, to be played the week commencing 22 August, at Colchester United. Wrexham are the only Welsh side with a home draw, with Colchester's League One colleagues Doncaster the visitors. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carling Cup first round draw: Preston v Barnsley Chesterfield v Huddersfield Blackpool v Hull Mansfield v Stoke Rotherham v Port Vale Nottingham Forest v Macclesfield Sheffield United v Boston Derby v Grimsby Leeds v Oldham Wrexham v Doncaster Scunthorpe v Tranmere Stockport v Sheffield Wednesday Bury v Leicester Rochdale v Bradford Hartlepool v Darlington Wolves v Chester Lincoln v Crewe Burnley v Carlisle Reading v Swansea Gillingham v Oxford MK Dons v Norwich Plymouth v Peterborough Shewsbury v Brighton Cheltenham v Brentford Northampton v QPR Millwall v Bristol Rovers Watford v Notts County Rushden & Diamonds v Coventry Bristol City v Barnet Colchester v Cardiff Torquay v Bournemouth Ipswich v Yeovil Southend v Southampton Crystal Palace v Walsall Swindon v Wycombe Leyton Orient v Luton Ties will be played on the week commencing 22 August. Clubs entering in the 2nd round: Aston Villa, Birmingham, Blackburn, Charlton, Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Brom, West Ham, Wigan. Clubs entering in the 3rd round: Arsenal, Bolton, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle.

Legal move to control Racecourse
Administrators at Wrexham Football Club have begun legal action to seize its ground from the owner, Alex Hamilton. They are seeking a high court order to force one of his companies to hand back ownership of the stadium to the club. Wrexham went into administration last December with debts of over £4m. Mr Hamilton gave the club until July to quit the Racecourse ground. But last month he backed down after administrators challenged the validity of the leasing arrangements. The administrators took steps in the High Court in Birmingham on Friday to take the stadium out of his hands. Mr Hamilton's company has 28 days to defend itself in the proceedings. Developers have been interested in developing the ground In a statement, Wrexham's administrators said: "We are disappointed to have been forced to take the proceedings in respect of the ground and will continue to explore the possibilities of a consensual sale in the hope that further litigation can be avoided". They added that their plans for the new season in League Two were continuing "apace" and that a steering committee of local businessman had been formed for that purpose. The statement said indemnities to help manager Denis Smith with player contracts were being arranged by the steering committee and possibly by Wrexham Supporters' Trust as well. Season tickets "One of the first tasks facing the committee is the issuing of season tickets. "Application forms will be issued this week and we would strongly urge all fans to continue to show their unstinting support for the club by submitting an early application for renewal of their tickets." The administrators had been optimistic that a bid involving Wrexham car dealer Neville Dickens would come to fruition. Then, last week, Surrey-based property developer Andy Smith - who had previously been linked with a takeover - said he was involved in exclusive negotiations with Mr Hamilton to buy the club. It is understood Mr Dickens is now part of the steering committee and is still hoping to pull off a deal.

Wrexham land Liverpool friendly
Wrexham have arranged a glamour pre-season friendly with Liverpool on Saturday, 9 July (1500 BST). The Racecourse match has been organised hastily as Liverpool open the defence of their Champions League title against TNS on the same ground (13 July). Liverpool have waived a match fee and Wrexham get the gate receipt balance. Wrexham also have a home friendly with manager Denis Smith's old team Bristol City on 23 July (1500 BST). Smith's contract at Wrexham ends on Thursday, but he will continue at the troubled club at the request of the administrators. "They are not in a position to offer me a new deal, but the administrators have asked me to stay and it's my choice to carry on," Smith told the Daily Post.

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