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The History of the Broadcast
The greatest season in the club's history was, of course, 1977-8, and the broadcast was there to cover every kick as the Robins claimed the Third Division title and the Welsh Cup with some sensational football, while reaching the quarter finals of the F.A. and League Cups.
There have been difficult times too. After the good times in the late seventies, the club plummeted back down to the Fourth Division and suffered a miserable spell devoid of success.
In 1990 relegation from the League looked likely, but Brian Flynn took over and inspired the team to an heroic fightback which saved their status at the expence of Colchester United.
The clash between the two sides was surely one of the most dramatic to be covered by the Maelor commentary team. Trailing twice, Wrexham looked doomed, but an incredible change in the weather, with a snowstorm blowing down the pitch, penned United into their own half for the last ten minutes, and goals from Gary Worthington and Andy Thackeray earned a crucial 3-2 victory. Ironically, the beaten 'keeper, Andy Marriott, would go on to become a Racecourse favourite.
There have been difficult times too. After the good times in the late seventies, the club plummeted back down to the Fourth Division and suffered a miserable spell devoid of success.
In 1990 relegation from the League looked likely, but Brian Flynn took over and inspired the team to an heroic fightback which saved their status at the expence of Colchester United.
The clash between the two sides was surely one of the most dramatic to be covered by the Maelor commentary team. Trailing twice, Wrexham looked doomed, but an incredible change in the weather, with a snowstorm blowing down the pitch, penned United into their own half for the last ten minutes, and goals from Gary Worthington and Andy Thackeray earned a crucial 3-2 victory. Ironically, the beaten 'keeper, Andy Marriott, would go on to become a Racecourse favourite.
In 1990 Wrexham took on Manchester United in the European Cup Winners Cup. Having reached the quarter finals of the European Cup WInners Cup in 1976, Wrexham continued to have remarkable success in their continental forays for such a small club. Victory over Porto and an heroic effort against Roma, managed by Sven-Goran Eriksson, in the next round marked a great run in 1984, and in 1986 Spanish Cup holders Real Zarragoza were fortunate to defeat the Robins on away goals after extra time.
In 1985 the Mold Road Stand was closed to fans, but the commentary box remained in use until 1992 when it finally became unsafe, and the broadcasts were halted, although not before the team could cover Wrexham's incredible F.A. Cup victory over Arsenal. Renovations in the Radio Maelor studio also delayed the return of the broadcast to the airways, but on August 12th 2000 the programme returned, with Kevin Russell joining commentator Mark Griffiths to cover the opening game of the season against Bristol City.
A further milestone was achieved when the 2000-1 F.A. Cup tie with Rotherham marked the first commentary provided for blind supporters within the Racecourse. Sky Sports were there tp film the use of the system, which was the first of its kind to be put into place in Britain, and Manchester United monitored it during a subsequent friendly as they investigated whether to use the technology at Old Trafford.
Previous provision for blind supporters has been rather ad hoc at The Racecourse. Commentator Mark Griffiths recalls: "When we were in our old commentary box on the roof of the Mold Road Stand a fan named Alf often came and sat in the back of the box to listen to the commentaries. However, that arrangement is impossible in our current position in the press box - there just isn't enough room, and someone sitting behind me couldn't hear the commentary anyway.”
A short range transmitter is used to broadcast commentary to visually-impaired fans, who can now order a seat behind the press box through the football club and enjoy the match with their friends while listening to full commentary which they can tune into via their radio.
In 1985 the Mold Road Stand was closed to fans, but the commentary box remained in use until 1992 when it finally became unsafe, and the broadcasts were halted, although not before the team could cover Wrexham's incredible F.A. Cup victory over Arsenal. Renovations in the Radio Maelor studio also delayed the return of the broadcast to the airways, but on August 12th 2000 the programme returned, with Kevin Russell joining commentator Mark Griffiths to cover the opening game of the season against Bristol City.
A further milestone was achieved when the 2000-1 F.A. Cup tie with Rotherham marked the first commentary provided for blind supporters within the Racecourse. Sky Sports were there tp film the use of the system, which was the first of its kind to be put into place in Britain, and Manchester United monitored it during a subsequent friendly as they investigated whether to use the technology at Old Trafford.
Previous provision for blind supporters has been rather ad hoc at The Racecourse. Commentator Mark Griffiths recalls: "When we were in our old commentary box on the roof of the Mold Road Stand a fan named Alf often came and sat in the back of the box to listen to the commentaries. However, that arrangement is impossible in our current position in the press box - there just isn't enough room, and someone sitting behind me couldn't hear the commentary anyway.”
A short range transmitter is used to broadcast commentary to visually-impaired fans, who can now order a seat behind the press box through the football club and enjoy the match with their friends while listening to full commentary which they can tune into via their radio.
The 2001-2 saw a further element added to the broadcast, with Wrexham F.C.'s official website, <a href="http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk,">www.wrexhamafc.co.uk,</a> carrying full commentary of all home and away games.
Another historic broadcast: the first Wrexham reserve game to be broadcast live, at home to Rotherham United, and as the reserve side battled to survive in the Avon Insurance Premier Division, the last fixtures of their campaign were also covered. .
The broadcast has moved on apace in recent years, though and the 2006-7 season saw the launch of <a href="http://www.wrexhamfan.co.uk,">www.wrexhamfan.co.uk,</a> offering podcasts, vlogs, blogs and video interviews.
Over a million hits registered over the course of the 2008-9 season, despite it being Wrexham’s first season in the Blue Square Conference was testimony to the twin facts that the site was flourishing and the club’s fans are as loyal as ever!
Another historic broadcast: the first Wrexham reserve game to be broadcast live, at home to Rotherham United, and as the reserve side battled to survive in the Avon Insurance Premier Division, the last fixtures of their campaign were also covered. .
The broadcast has moved on apace in recent years, though and the 2006-7 season saw the launch of <a href="http://www.wrexhamfan.co.uk,">www.wrexhamfan.co.uk,</a> offering podcasts, vlogs, blogs and video interviews.
Over a million hits registered over the course of the 2008-9 season, despite it being Wrexham’s first season in the Blue Square Conference was testimony to the twin facts that the site was flourishing and the club’s fans are as loyal as ever!