Ryan Reynolds Faces Wrexham FC Stadium Expansion Dilemma after League One Promotion

Ryan Reynolds and Wrexham FC and The Racecourse Ground expansion dilemma. Now Wrexham are promoted to league one where do we go next in terms of expanding the ground so more fans can fit it?
#ryanreynolds #wrexhamfc #wrexham #wrexhamafc #welcometowrexham
Footage includes, drone, microlight and stock video.

[@raketensven3127]

You got something many clubs could only dream of, a historic stadium. Never move, make it work where you are.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Hopefully we will.

[@jc3drums916]

I always find it sad when teams move from old stadiums that have historic names, to new stadiums named after a sponsor.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Yeah, but most fans still caught it by the original name anyway.

[@lilbaz8073]

From a spurs fan. Totally disagree. You don't have to move, have fond memories of the old whl. But the new stadium is so much better.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Of course you moved to a nice shiny new one!

[@andrewmoerschbacher2098]

As a US fan who found the club through the show, I love getting updates about the club on this side of the pond. Keep up the great work!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Thanks 👍, Andrew, much appreciated.

[@thejam82]

As a supporter who protested and marched to save the club from evil bastards who tried and very nearly succeeded in destroying the club, this stadium is and will always be wrexhams home that's why us lifetime supporters thought for it

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

My grandparents and parents did the same. I do have some photos on this channel of the protest at the guildhall. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6qylZidjbmnpacsi=u3FrFO1pJ3uEo1q1

[@thejam82]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone brilliant post

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Thanks so much!

[@TheWelsh0ne]

Never ever move the stadium.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Hopefully we won't have to.

[@camiloclarkson1122]

tbh that uni looks a bit sad. A nice shiny one somewhere else would be a good idea! It would also improve the profile of the town!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Its quite old. They might jump at being relocated into a nice new campus.

[@abakella]

No way they will. One of the biggest draws to Wrexham is the Racecourse being the oldest international football stadium in the world, and they have shown that they are serious about rebuilding the Kop

[@user-hs9tb8wf2l]

Then yous won’t ever be anything other then a league 1 club you have to move with the times and with the success in this day and age you have to make money by other means aswell as football your support has outgrew the stadium. If yous want to be in the bigger leagues and compete yous will have to move stadium

[@fallriverns]

It might be cheaper to tear down the student apartments, expand the stadium and build a new student build than to build a new stadium.

[@simonkendrick12]

Council wont allow that

[@raymondblood6322]

@@simonkendrick12 councils can be votrd out

[@iroscoe]

@@simonkendrick12 Maybe Wrexham fans need to get a bit political Like Charlton Athletic fans did with their 'Back to the Valley Party' , even the threat of it might sharpen the council up a bit .

[@DS9TREK]

​@@simonkendrick12they might if you throw money at it. When my team Arsenal needed a new stadium, the only viable location had a recycling centre on it. The council allowed Arsenal to build the new stadium there provided they built a new recycling centre a little while away first and paid to improve the public transport.

[@gruncletim]

That was exactly my thought as well.

[@ronaldwilson9525]

With success comes change. I personally think they would expand the Racecourse first before ever leaving. Old stadiums have been renovated here in the states like Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Boston’s Fenway Park.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

You're probably right! I have been to Fenway Park, nice stadium.

[@user-mv3ht6jy7g]

Exactly what I was thinking sitting here an hour north of Boston. Fenway’s site is even more limited than the racecourse, but ownership has found a way. Some places just require unconventional thinking to overcome challenges.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I am thinking back to Fenway, it was quite round if I remember rightly.

[@ArgentLost]

I am fortunate enough to be able to go to Camden Yards for baseball. The old stadium the Orioles played in was not a baseball park. Not to say it was bad, but Camden Yards just is an experience. Whatever happens keep it for the game, and not try to make anything else out of it. The others mention it. They will find a way to wedge it in. And make the existing structures perhaps into something not imagined. Like the Warehouse at Camden.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Good advice, time will tell what happens at the ground.

[@kYnTso]

AFC Bournemouth and Luton in the Prem with theyr 11k stadiums, Brentford got a 17k one so calm down, stay where u are and see if u can expand it somehow.

[@robertmccall8666]

Don't move ... Build on and go up... You might get around 35 thousand in with going up and expanding. A move is huge money in a new stadium. I can't see a new stadium and training ground in the works... That's huge costs .... I think bringing in a team of designers and figure out the max expansion on the racecourse and run with it.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I am hoping that is what will be decided but the land on the video could be good for a training facility I think.

[@AEXpnw]

They won't move to a different site. Knowing Rob and Ryan and how they want to support the local businesses etc like the Turf. Especially on matchdays.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

You'd think that, and it would be nice to have the ground in the same spot but it depends if we can expand adequately and how we expand when the season is in full force. The land I showed is minutes from the Turf and town centre.

[@DS9TREK]

The Turf is a problem if you want to expand that stand. You can't make the stand bigger and keep the pub. There's no space.

[@rrmandrews]

Like any expansion that comes down to finances and wins ya got a great men's and women's team and a successful docu, so if the wins continue I am sure that will increase the prices of the surrounding area. I'm a US fan, but from what I've seen from the locals I think a deal could be made that makes everyone happy. I enjoyed football before the show, but for me it's seeing a collective of people so devoted to a team that makes this show for me and look forward to watching a match in person.

[@gracielynn9623]

US fan who found the team via the docuseries and who also has an appreciation for not so modern things, I sincerely hope that the race course is not done away with until it is absolutely positively legally mandated that it must be done away with. Such a historical venue. Now I don’t know and those who are more familiar with the stadium than I can maybe provide clariffication, but would it at all be possible to ad onto the top of the current seating, like a second and third deck? A second and/or third level around the top of what’s already there could double to triple the current capacity while keeping the original ground and the original design.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Hi Gracie, I think the aim is going to be to add stand by stand and build up and fill in the corners. Rob and Ryan spoke it about it last week. Although who knows? We have had encountered so much red tape from the council just for a temporary stand a new kop stand!

[@SofiaChambers]

Plenty of room to build on the current grounds.There are a lot of Stadiums around the world to take for inspiration when it comes to expanding in a small footprint. The town just needs to approve the construction!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Yeah agree. Bigger teams like Real Madrid have done wonders by moving underground as well as upwards.

[@RhysDavies-gi8uz]

Yes, recommend looking at Athletico Bilbao. Played with half a Stadium whilst rest was being built.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Oh realy? I never knew that. Spain seem very advanced when it come to stadiums. One that comes to mind is Real Madrid's.

[@SofiaChambers]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone I would also suggest looking at Providence Park in Portland Oregon. It's where the MLS Timbers and NWSL Thorns play. It's a 100+ year old city owned stadium that currently seats 25k people. 20 years ago it seated barely more than half of that in terraces that were built in the 1920s (the grounds though were part of an athletic club (that's still connected to the stadium) which began 140 years ago. The soccer club has done several extensive renovations of the stadium since 2009, the last one was vertical expansion of the East stands, building up with 4 levels. The upper stands are cantileavered above the road that runs along the east side of the stadium. They did construction during the off season and during the regular season. It was kind of amazing to watch. The Wiki link below has lots of pictures where you can see the evolution of the stadium. It sits on land that smaller than what Wrexham AFC owns today. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providence_Park

[@SofiaChambers]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone here's a very short video showing construction at the stadium in Portland, which was done during the off season. The team managed to play a full season at the stadium despite the construction. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZSxYXSIjrNsi9E

[@EverGameStudios]

1. we already talked about these options. 2. the expansion you talking about means getting rid of the parking area, which means we would have to rethink parking as well. 3. can't move to a new one anyway, cause part of the deal we made in order to obtain the rights was that we can't use another stadium for our senior team for the next 125 years or something like that. 4. also our next project is training grounds anyway. 5. also when you pan left, you can't really put the stadium so close to farming area, the farmers would go up against us.

[@northeastoutrider2124]

You don't need to move the stadium or relocate the school if you can acquire the newer looking buildings behind the stadium and the car park beyond that. You could turn the stadium 90 degrees making the original Macron stands an end zone stand and build the new stadium with loads of room for future expansion beyond the current league standing. You would begin by demolishing the two dormitory buildings behind the stadium and building the new opposite end zone stands well beyond the Lager Stand. Then play another season with the existing stadium as construction until that new endzone stand is completed. Once the season is over, demolish the Lager Stand and pitch and build a new pitch turned 90 degrees and begin the foundation work on the new Kop area which would be relocated to fit the new pitch location. For one season, you would play on the new pitch with the Macron stand and new stands at the opposite end as well as the Wrexrent Stand admittedly in a wonky position being off center and a ways away from the pitch. Construction of the new properly located Kop Stand can continue through the season to be ready for the next. Then with some luck, you will have advanced to the next level in the standings and you can afford to demolish and build a new wrexrent stand at the proper location for the new pitch. This helps you keep the history of the Macron Stand and the Pub while working within the existing towns infrastructure with loads of room remaining for future expansion. I wish I could include some architectural drawings as this plan could be done by demolishing only one of those two dormitory buildings. The existing building further away from the current stadium would be outside the footprint of the new stadium.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Wow you know your stuff! I would be lost with all of that. Ryan and Rob have since mentioned they want to make the stadium a massive 40-55,00 but not sure now feasible that is.

[@northeastoutrider2124]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone I think 55K is entirely feasible in that location if the stadium is reoriented as I've suggested. I drew up a 30K seat lower bowl of seating in AutoCAD which fit with plenty of room to spare. In fact, the Kops side of the stadium Could grow over time to include two to three levels of seating with a second level around the remainder of the stadium. For historic reasons, I would leave the current main stand as it is. You could make it even bigger if you were to buy the air rights over the road leading into the University next door. This of course all depends on purchasing and demolishing the newer building as I've mentioned previously. And for the record, I did work as an Architect more then twenty years ago and had the fortune of working on an American NFL stadium renovation.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Sounds a great job! Air rights? You mean we build over their building or overhang it in some way?

[@northeastoutrider2124]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone By air rights, I simply mean that the upper deck of the future relocated Wrextent Stand would slightly extend over the small road currently behind the current stand. It would not interfere with the buildings on that side at all.

[@griffcats]

League one is going to be a tougher road and cost a lot more. Wrexham already spends more than a lot of league one clubs. I would be surprised if they make it to the Championship. But they will have a wonderful packed stadium in League one, that will continue to greatly benefit the community. It should stay where it is and become a wonderful uplifting fixture in the community for years to come, its been fabulous so far, overambition could be an issue.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I agree about being overly ambitious but if we have owners who are willing to pave the way for us, then why not? I actually think we will be in the championship within 2 years.

[@alaricgoldkuhl155]

The beauty of the club is in its history so moving should be resisted if at all possible. Building up and adding levels to the current stadium seems by far the best option. Keep as much of the current structures as possible. The advantage of such a structure would be the cauldron-like atmosphere that you get at many Australian grounds. The SCG comes to mind, and the atmosphere there when the Swans are playing is electric!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think that is probably what will be done unless something really drastic happens. Wrexham fans are incredibly loud as it is so that cauldron atmosphere you suggest it would be so intense actually.Very intimidating for away teams!

[@iandonachie9549]

Expansion is always a difficult dilemma..... Currently your on a crest of a wave with 2 decent owners.... and the team is on an upward curve. Try not to lose your identity which is much of the attraction for existing and new fans. Keeping to your roots is long term better and safer, plus there is room to expand, maybe not great room but with careful organisation it looks like it can be done on the existing site. Councils are always a headache to deal with, but remember they need income too. You have ample support in Wrexham, should the council be difficult then you just replace them at the next election by contesting the wards with your own fans. Building up is better it will add to the atmosphere as well.... and it can be done in stages which is cost affective, yes the downside is a reduction in match day visitors, but not for too long. The corners can be filled in relatively quickly and you only get tougher regulations a you get promoted. Just remember the football bubble won't last for ever and who or what follows when Rob and Ryan have done their time you never know and when... Corners first, then upside both ends with another tier, then address the sides.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

It is easy to get carried away , that is something I must admit a lot , including me are guilty of. I do know the two guys could just up sticks and leave which is why we need to push quickly with the stand and anything else. I think getting the new stand up is a must along with the training ground. Like you said, everything else in stages.

[@iandonachie9549]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone Certainly wish you all the best.. having seen so many clubs go through the wringer, its good to see a recovery.

[@brynvjones6679]

Wrexham v Busby Babes 56-57. I was there. Opposite the penalty spot, kneeling on the pitch at the Minera end. So crowded, we kids were moved onto tthe pitch to avoid the crush. Can there really have been 34,445 in the ground on that day? You can see a picture of me and others in the Wrexham Leader. Happy days, apart from the score.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Wow Bryn that sounds like such an experience! I know they played Man utd for Gareth Davies testimonial but never realised we had played earlier too.

[@ethanbrown8132]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful town and football club with the rest of the world. It must feel nice to have first world problems like “how can we make the stadium bigger?” After what the town and club went through the last few decades.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Thanks, and yeah we have come such a long way with the club. Love the name and cow icon!

[@alanstewart4745]

A great season for Wrexham next season would be to consolidate and stay in League One. Wrexham are at the limit of what they have put in place up to now and will be up against clubs that can pay as much as they can in League One. This was probably not the case in League Two and definitely not the case in the National League. The wage advantage no longer exists and smart recruitment is now key for Wrexham going forward. As a club they have great momentum at the moment but if they stagnate in League One for three or four seasons the shimmer of the Wrexham project will dissipate. That being said from where they were to consistently performing in League One would be a great result for the team, the town and the fans.

[@barry-clark]

A stadium with a capacity of mid to late twenties should be achievable on that site with only slight border changes, that should suffice for the club. Wrexham is a small town (well city) and the owners and the publicity is all great, but if that was to stop or people grow tired of it all, the last thing you want is a huge stadium with a small actual attendance. The club should always be directed by the size of the local fanbase rather than out of towners, which may change.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Good point. At the moment we are winning promotions, we have a documentary which at some point will end.

[@apomikropedaki]

Iam an AEK Athens fan and i say DONT REMOVE THE STADIUM FROM THERE! We build our new stadium to the same place where is the old.The okd one capacity was 25.000 and the new one 33.000 .The solution is to build 2 floor like agia sofia stadium AEK Athens..

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Nice idea, thanks!😄

[@sharman8489]

Done right we could get 30k capacity at the Racecourse. I don’t think we’ll need more than that unless we become an established Prem League team.

[@loganleroy8622]

What about transforming the car parks at the university into a multilevel car park that way they could expand the stadium without removing parking spaces.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think this is definitely the way they should go.

[@Hahahaha.cgcsvjyexhmm]

I am a manchester city fan from India. But after watching the show 'Welcome to Wrexham' on disney, i have somehow felt connected to this club. This will be my second favourite football club from now on. Would definitely love to visit the etihad and the racecourse one day. Wrexham, What a town with great people. Love it!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Fantastic! Welcome to the channel! We are not too far from Manchester, roughly an hour or so.

[@TranscendentalDentist]

Cardiff fan. To put it in perspective, Wrexham's population is 135,000. Cardiff has a population of 360,000, and it cost us £48 million for a new stadium, which holds 33,280. Since it was built, we've averaged just over 21,000, with 2 promotions to the Premier League being the exception, i.e., sold out every game. Swansea has a population of 246,000, and they paid around £30 million for a stadium that holds just over 21,000. Like us, they filled it every game while in the Premier League, but this season, their average attendance is just over 16,000. However, football is not ours or Swansea's only income stream. We both have to fill our stadiums with conferences and events, which is viable based on our populations. Also, neither of us has Premier League clubs on our doorstep. Wrexham has to compete for fans with Liverpool, Everton, Man Utd, and Man City.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Thing is though, Wrexham is selling out every game and no season tickets. The show has given us international fans too. For us keeping Rob and Ryan is the key.

[@TranscendentalDentist]

@WrexhamAFCfanzone Good luck to you. I wish you every success, but your owners won't be around forever, and they don't have limitless funds. Enjoy the ride. 👍

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Thanks and yeah, I don't expect them to be here in 10 years time to be honest.

[@longtailgar]

Hello from Chicago! Thanks for the update!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Hi welcome to the channel.

[@lucianocarvalho7752]

Great job, man! I'm from Cabo Frio, Brazil, and my son and I always watch Wrexham games

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

That's great! So nice to see a Brazilian fan! Welcome to the channel.

[@merseydave1]

As a Tranmere Rovers fan (I wish you well) I think the club needs to "be sure" of your fan base and potential fan growth, before any decision on moving from your ground.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

🙏 thanks! I’m not saying we are moving but there are so many rumours and speculation.

[@merseydave1]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone First and foremost well done on your promotion!. In the context of my club, more concrete maneuverings of local and regional government have/are debating a move with part funding from them, yet its still up in the air!. As for your club, you still need to know what your "paying fan base" is before a move ... in the mean - time build a proper stand on your Kop.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

We were told the kop stand would begin construction when this season ends but no mention of it since. Who knows we may hear the lorries rumbling in next week to take the temp stand down but I have a feeling that isn't going to be the case.

[@merseydave1]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone I hope it all gets sorted for you. All The Best for next season.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Thanks, same to you. Would be nice to get the Tranmere derby again in league 1

[@gronklon]

I would invest first in training grounds, residences where players can concentrate before matches or after training, take care of the youth football academy (?) (sorry, idk the exactly word in english for the "kids teams") and a place where the women's team and other youth teams can play. Growth comes from the bottom, not from the top. In any case, they could always start by building stands in the corners or add a second level in the kop. Greetings from Spain, I hope to visit Wrexham very soon and that my local team will also get promoted in two weeks.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Hola!, yes I agree about the training ground and the academy is definitely where our players of the future should come from. Who is your local team?

[@gronklon]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone Gimnástica Segoviana. We are at the top of the table, one point ahead of second with 2 games left.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

That's not far from Madrid? Hope you win and get promoted!

[@RhysDavies-gi8uz]

Rotating 90 degrees, and acquisition of carparks and flats from the Uni, is probably the only option to expand beyond 22k seats up to 30k+

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Yeah, the flats deffo need to go!

[@keithwetherhold1255]

Going vertical for seats works - look at Anfield. It worked there. The problem Wrexham would have would be parking; maybe a parking deck offside with busses? I obviously don't know the rules, regs and laws, being from the US

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Parking for the teams is important but there is no fan parking on the ground at the moment anyway. Fans use the uni, park in the town centre or in surrounding streets.

[@anguspaterson5713]

What a shame that the previous owners carved up the land and sold off the chunk where the student accommodation is now. It would have been so much easier to expand the stadium if they hadn’t done that

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Exactly! There is a video here that tells you about the previous owners and what they did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/emeUc5V6epV5g7c

[@familydinner1]

There is no way they move to a new location. Why bother doing the KOP stand then if you are just going to move. I think you do the 2 behind goal stands first and then i have no idea beyond that!

[@zh2184]

Add a second deck to the Kop and the Stok Cold Brew Coffee Stand - that should get capacity up to over 16,000. Then build an upper deck over the Macron stand. Probably get seating to 25 - 30,000.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Totally agree, this would work.

[@cindyfandtx1337]

The fans will never sanction moving from The Racecourse due to its history. One possible solution would be closing Crispin Lane to allow the pitch to be moved nearer to it. This would free up land for a larger stand at the Tech End and siting the new Kop Stand nearer to the railway line. Another option would be to build the stand over Crispin Lane. Also demolish the student accommodation to allow the corners to be filled in thereby adding extra seats.

[@pulsed13]

Make the parking areas a multi-level parking building, which helps free up more space for expansion around The Racecourse Ground. Also, with the extra horizontal space, it makes it easier (relatively of course - it's still difficult and expensive regardless) to also expand vertically.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

They are going to have to plan it all carefully.

[@tomblackwell6374]

If they forsee delays straying beyond next season, I'd love them to look into a larger temporary stand

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

It might be a possibility, depends if the council allow it.

[@user-wg8mi8dd4c]

I’ve only attended one EPL game, Chelsea vs Liverpool at Samford Bridge and don’t remember any parking of any type near by. That said, phase one build as much multilayer car park on existing land beyond the temporary bleachers. Don’t know Welsh building code but use precast concrete panel construction. Goes very fast. That could happen during season. Next that super 22 million ( pounds or dollars?) structure tried to get the former Prince of Wales to back. More parking? Enter into a long term parking agreement with the university. They keep the land Club builds the multilayer car park and when needed uses ( charges) for game day parking. Last deal is I’d ever have a rain jacket in large, I’m buying.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Seats before parking 100% Thanks for the ideas, really nice to get some feedback.

[@sinep8008]

Look, the more successful the team is the more they will need to expand. The top 5 teams in the premier league all have stadiums that can seat 40 thousand plus people. If and when this team makes it to the premier league they will need to be able to make enough money to attract talent in order to compete. I don't want the team to end up getting demoted as soon as they get promoted because they can't afford better players. So the team should expand to the sides and up. They should start to build new kops and build them in a way that would allow them to expand them upwards as the team gains more and more success.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

You make a good point, the club needs to balance the finances and take into account players too.

[@wesleynetcher5369]

Given I don't live there, but I don't think you will EVER need more that 30k seating. From what I understand Wrexham are not located in a big city that would be able to CONSISTENTLY draw those numbers. You want a stadium that 1) meets EFL TV camera requirements, 2) seats all your expected home fans, 3) gives seating for away fans...but doesn't EVER give them a way to outnumber your home fans

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Maybe. We had just over 12,000 today but could easily have sold at least another 5000 plus to home fans, maybe even more! We also have a lot of worldwide reds now who also fly in needing tickets.

[@wesleynetcher5369]

That proves my point. Your are offering 20-22k max on a regular day. Worse tho g you can have is a stadium with too many seats that never get full. Harder in the owners pocket book as well

[@Inglese001]

Don’t know how ambitious these two owners are. Ideally a stadium of 30 000 would be good. Wrexham have a large catchment area. Club has a lot of potential.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I watched Rob and Ryan talk premier league in some interviews with Rob even expanding onto champions league LOL

[@sophiefortnite1869]

How much bigger does the ground need to be? Subscriber's are different from supporters. Surely replacing the temporary stand would be the way forward?

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think replacing that with a newer designed kop stand is going to be the way forward.

[@user-ib6bv3ot1h]

As a pompey fan we face a similar dilemma,I personally would prefer a whole new stadium,it can be built at a more suitable location for transport & can be moved into when ready, expanding & adapting current ground causes huge issues reduced capacity is inescapable & cost is eventually going to be close to a new ground anyway,you are in a fortunate position to have land nearby I think they should snap it up & a new ground is adding new history to your current one

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think they are replanning the Kop stand but it’s confusing when they one thing but the go quiet on the matter. Now we hear a dragon is going to stand at the new Kop but when that is anyone’s guess.

[@doberski6855]

Given the options it seems that improving the current stadium is the best choice. How much of an improvement will really depend on ticket demand and the crowds now that Wrexham is in the new league. So no final decisions can be made till at least next season ends I would imagine. Seems like any expansion at the stadium for seating will require plans to deal with expanded parking, or transportation in and around the stadium and University area. Someone must be doing impact studies for city, could those reports be behind the current delay in building the new permanent seating?

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Makes you wonder if holding off on the kop is actually a good idea until we know what happens next year.

[@moondoggy684]

Steady on geezers……..League one is an incredible achievement, the Championship is a whole another planet. Let just continue development at the Racecourse, after the new stand, the next end, let’s dream about a 50,000 seater when we’re troubling the playoffs in the championship

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

LOL, voice of reason! I understand, just thinking forward, being ambitious and maybe over excited but if we go up next year it will be a massive issue I imagine.

[@ashleysvids42]

I'm sure R&R have thought about this alot since Wreksam gained automatic promotion to league 1. Its obvious we need a bigger stadium for bigger revenue - giving us financial stability. Moving the student accommodation between the outskirts of New Broughton and the A483 would be the best option imo - and then expanding the lager stand into that space. But this is just my opinion. I can't wait to see what happens next season - and what becomes of the Kop (which is the priority at the moment)

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Student accomodation 100% has to go!

[@chriswilliams4731]

The student accommodation is a big problem. It should have never been built there. Previous owners just making profits out of the club promising the money would be reinvested back to the club.If you look at the site from above the staduim needs to move into the car park and towards the kop .That would enable expansion on all four sided.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Major problem! Not sure what we can do with them either as the building is owned by the uni. Unless we can come to some agreement.

[@garethmckee5927]

If building up, I wonder if they can charge entrance to watch on a big screen elsewhere in the town?

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

EFL rules and Sky tv probably would not allow it, but great though if they could!

[@Anhorish]

Liverpool constructed their new stands during the season with their old stands fully open.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I am sure we can find a way around it somehow!

[@FreezinFury]

As a neutral why don't you move the kop stand back 50 yards build the stand there moving the whole ground 50 yards further up. then re build the stands the accommodate the other .The 2 tier stand would have more space for a similar kop of 5 k making it symmetrical this would take alot of time and have to be done over 5 seasons but you would not have to move the capacity would increase by around 10 k also the pitch would have to be re laid that could be done close season

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

We have a road and railway station right behind the kop. I have a video coming which should provide more clarity.

[@kenbareilles2794]

I like the idea of building a much bigger stand over the road. It seems like making the road into a tunnel would be doable. The seats over the road would be much higher anyway. And of course, filling in the corners, possibly with terraced/safety bar/ standing areas would be great. Got to keep the pitch where it is. Sinking the pitch adds all sorts of playability issues. The training area in the undeveloped land a stones throw away seems like a no brainer. Are they looking to build the new KOP even bigger? Seems like every seat they can add is critical.

[@raymondporter2094]

Why not have a park+ride for the football stadium?

[@Anh1984Khoa]

Firstly your doing great work with all your content and updates for those of us who are on the other side of the world and can't get enough of everything Wrexham. Second The Cae Ras is Hollow Ground as such it can never be move not even an inch let alone 2 miles, it needs to stay right there next to The Turf. Third with a capacity of 15k+ when the Kop is build we will sit around 9th or 10th regarding stadium capacity in league one, I can't see us upgrading the whole Cae Ras until we are in the Championship league. Also what do you make of Bryan Flynn comment where his aware of Wrexham making a move a Premier league player for the summer transfer on sporting wales.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Thanks very much for the feedback, glad you like it. Re Flynn's comments, I think he is purely speculating to be honest. I can see where he coming from but I am not sure our wages would stretch to a premier league player unless he was coming to the end of his career. Even then we might be better off buying a couple of championship players.

[@heikokkrappmanm1147]

if you offer the adjacent parking space holders/property a parking garage then everything is possible... with money everything is possible! The only question is how arrival and departure will be arranged in the future. tt 15,000 it's still fine, if you expand it to 30-40,000 thousand, it gets very violent....

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Yeah money talks for sure.

[@maksimum018]

Stadiums are built and used for at minimum 30 years, if the plan is for Wrexham to be in the Premier league within 5-10 years, then there's a need for a stadium of at least 30.000 people. Is there enough space to build a stadium of that capacity without taking down and relocating parts of the University? I think there isn't, maybe it would be better to start talking with whoever decides and start building Uni buildings elsewhere so that within 2-4 years there are no problems and a new stadium can be built.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Makes total sense what you are saying. The silence here is deafening. We are left to speculate.

[@hellofromrob]

Trying to rebuild or expand during the season is a real challenge. When Tottenham replaced their White Hart Lane grounds with the their current magnificent stadium, they ended up playing at Wembley stadium for quite some time.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Yeah and the problem we have is that there is no place really for us to play.

[@hometechUK]

The design of those students accomodation was always stupid, it limits the size of increasing the stand.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

It was very shady and should never have been allowed.

[@arwelp]

They were a result of the Hamilton era :(

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Its so disgusting what happened back then. My family have told me stories that make me sick to my stomach about him and Guterman.

[@fallriverns]

Have you considered going over the highway (Mold Road)? Tunnel for cars under the stands. On the North side you could take over the parking lot and built a proper stands for half of the field. From the corner of the field up to the apartment building.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I am not sure what they would do but you have to be mindful of the residents living nearby. Some live right across the road from the ground.

[@lubo25]

Best option is the area of farmland just down the road. Can turn original site into luxury flats to recoup some money. Moving the uni is very iffy, would have endless hidden costs and end up being a small fortune.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Yeah moving the uni would be a huge undertaking and very expensive!

[@lubo25]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone I've had a better look at this. Student accommodation is a proper annual earner. A lot of the recommendations for Wrexham uni are in Chester. There is a way to kill several birds with two stones. The current stadium - the pitch and one stand (presumably the main stand) transformed into training base, club admin and function suites. Flatten the other 3 stands and build one or two sides of luxury homes and one as student accom. The new site: A new suitably-sized stadium but vitally does not need any of the above. This means the fabric of the stadium can be ultra cheap or, if budgets can squeeze it, have office space, more student accom, a hotel (see Hearts in Edinburgh) or a variety of all those and more. Things that will keep the till ringing, every month. It will be far easier to get funding if the plans amount to useful additions to the area. The club retaining the old stadium as a base of operations and training pitch should also be enough to appease those who don't want a wholesale move.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Wow, you've really thought it through! Maybe you should write to the club! All the planning stuff goes whoosh over my head but some many people who have commented have great ideas.

[@sakenu16]

Why is this an issue? There are some smaller stadiums like Kenilworth where Luton Town FC play (and they are in premier league). What they have is bigger than Luton Town FC and if they complete the KOP change the stadium will be bigger. They have history there so just stay there.

[@JBurky15]

I would say, build a new stadium across the way there. But you have to keep the race course grounds, so make that into the training facility and rent it out to the university and other local clubs on the weekends when the team isn't using it. That way it'll generate some extra income and still remain standing. You can't just remove a historical landmark like that.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

It will be so interesting to see where we are in five years time, what league, any successes etc... I do think whatever happens the Racecourse should belong to the community and not be built on.

[@cppodcast3617]

Build a new KOP stand and integrate a new Miner's History and Miner's Rescue Museum into it where they currently want to build the KOP! Second, on the opposite end, purchase an additional 30-40' of parking area and construct a larger area for seating on that end, as well as a large parking garage that can help the uni and the larger fan pool for game days at the Cae Ras. 17,000 would work for League 1 for sure.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Lots of great ideas there thanks. The miners rescue might not want to move though?

[@alickakrotiri6939]

you would have to share a ground with a another team, rent it out for a season or two, and go for a full rebuild on the grounds. i would not move from that holy ground at all! you have magic at the racecourse

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think Ryan and Rob will attempt to upgrade the present one based on recent reports.

[@garyowens1517]

Get established in league 1 next season. The club have done brilliant in the last two season. If you go up next season, then perhaps think about expansion.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

If we go up next season I will need pinching! How incredible would that be?

[@garyowens1517]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone wouldn't surprise me if you did!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

We are bookies favourites which I find a bit bemusing. We did cut it fine this season with some bad results against teams we really should have beaten. Its all about squad for next season and making the right choices.

[@billybooger1]

Stay put, because as sure as night becomes day those Americans will bail out sooner or later.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Hope not but who knows?

[@user-gl6lp7xi6w]

It would be nice to build a multi-level parking...

[@MartynHughes-ge7wl]

Genuinely don’t know why they can’t obtain the multi by island green

[@deanrogers807]

We can't leave the Racecourse - too much history. We can shift the pitch towards the Kop and build up at the Tec End. We could also buy the flats, move them to where you suggest a ground could go (or help pay for a new Uni campus) and build up and out in the Wrexham Lager Stand as well then. We only need get to £30k. With the club booming that's very doable.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Yeah , build up, even down then get rid of the flats is something that would work.

[@brymbomedia7805]

Rotate pitch by 90 degrees, which would allow greater scope for expansion while keeping the main stand and Turf in current position.

[@danta2er]

I think they should build up...the Race Course is too important a piece of the club and the town

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Up and down, both won't need space and is a good option.

[@ToxicManFlu]

What a nice problem to have considering where the club was four years ago. But you can not survive on other people's money forever. The club will need to be profitable soon, and that means decisions have to be made. Some of those will be unpopular.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

We have a loan with Ryan Reynolds company which apparently does not have to be repaid straight away. They estimated that we should now be sustainable but you know it is a worry. We don't see any of the welcome to wrexham money but reap the benefits in other ways.

[@ToxicManFlu]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone You cannot put a price on the benefits from the show, the world wide interest such a feel good true story brings drives sales of merchandise and tourism to the area. Personally I think the training ground is top priority. With that you can build state of the art facilities for training and medical that will draw and keep quality players and staff, provide a place for community programs and events. Maybe now the local councils can see this is real and not some Hollywood flash in the pan.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Training ground is a definite priority. I think they have four on the shortlist.

[@sinep8008]

@@ToxicManFlu A lot of people like myself who did not have a football team before, now do. Thanks to the show a lot of those people are Wrexham fans like myself. I think they said that 23% or more of the kit sales are overseas. That's a lot of money that would not have been there if it wasn't for the show. And if the team continues to get promoted it will only increase. Of course with success comes decisions that some people of Wrexham will not like.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

You make a good point. The higher we go the less fan orientated the club will be and we could be merely customers.

[@camiel221]

not too familiar with stadiums in around wrexham. But wouldnt it be a possibility to close the stadium for a season and play home matches in a nearby stadion? if the owner/footbalclub of that stadium would allow it.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Closest would be our arch rivals Chester and their ground is awful, wouldn't hold our fans either. Bad idea to play there, would be riots! But I know what you mean, just not feasible though.

[@hanyhash2218]

That is a historic stadium. It should be maintained but modermised. Rob & Ryan would want to support the town's people & businesses. If there's a will, there's a way.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I am sure we will find one! There are clever architects out there who could work some magic!

[@DS9TREK]

Not really, sadly. There are lots of examples of it being impossible. Arsenal had to leave Highbury because expanding the Grade II listed East and West stands was and still is illegal. Newcastle is talking about a new stadium because one stand can't expand due to housing estates, and another stand is hemmed in by a road that's used by ambulances doing to and from the local A&E. There are solutions for Newcastle, like relocating the entire hospital, but then you're talking stupid money and it's much cheaper to build a new stadium elsewhere.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Sounds a nightmare for everyone then.

[@Gpz0]

There's a lot of history at the Cae Ras, maybe too much for the club to grow conventionally. Personally I think Rob and Ryan, while hating the stress, love the challenge of making the club the best it can be without taking away what made it Wrexham in the first place. Judging on how the supporters trust were consulted on even getting a sponsor for the Racecourse, any big changes will probably be run past them first.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Yeah I think the history is a good point because it is not something you can buy.

[@MrJudgementday99]

Turn the pitch around by 90 degrees and expand into the car park

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

The car park area does seem to be an option.

[@andyjames3483]

Wrexham needs to consolidate their team, League 1 means they will need major team changes to remain competitive. The Luton and Brentford stadiums in the premiership both have smaller capacity, am sure the 2Rs would like to keep the historic value (which was one of the attractions) of the stadium, and focus on developing the team for next season.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

A good squad is essential for next year.

[@marsspacex6065]

You could play somewhere temporarily while you fully rebuild

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Could be hard to find somewhere in this location.

[@robbieevans6536]

I think they have time...I don't see them being promoted out of League 1 anytime soon...Just build up little by little.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

The bookies have us favourites to go up apparently!🤣

[@robbieevans6536]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone Would have to spend some money for that to happen.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

The transfer window is going to have to be a good one! I feel we messed it up last time!

[@chrisdraves33]

What's the hold up on the new Kop stand? It seems like the town is trying to keep Wrexham from growing?

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

They said end of the season but have now gone quiet.

[@kevs6402]

Dig down and begin the stadium underground. Put the playing field below sea level and the parking lots. Then build up and out. less space more seating.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Yeah building up and down is the way does seem the way to go to avoid moving

[@kevs6402]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone The site has much potential and much history. Absurd to move.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Its all purely speculation and looking at different scenarios based on comments I have read up and down and people I've spoken to. There is something very special about the Racecourse ground.

[@Ethan-Entah]

The only stand that can be expanded is the Kop end, as the rest is either public roads or University owned land

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Doesn't the club own the big car park where the players park?

[@jph418]

Nice video. Do you know who owns the land to the left, the one that’s a “stones throw” away? Desperately need a training ground, at the very least.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think it might ( could be wrong) be owned by the butcher who has a farm shop, either that or a farmer. Never seen crops or animals on there though.

[@TheWelsh0ne]

A new training ground is all we need away from the stadium.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I wonder if it'll be announced soon or next season?

[@houseatreides4128]

I know the history of the Racetrack, and I do appreciate history. It comes down to the club surviving vs. prospering, the club needs ticket sales desperately to be able to compete and advance. To keep the Racetrack then all the stands needs to be torn down and rebuilt for a 30,000 to 40,000 seat stadium. There is only so much Ryan and Rob can do on there own, the 3 tiers of government need to help with funding along with private partnerships funding as well.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think Rob and Ryan but especially Ryan will have no problems inviting investment into the club. if we did that we would have to build one stand at a time so not to interfere with the matches too much.

[@houseatreides4128]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone I've seen estimate that the new stand will take 12 months to complete, this alone will affect seating revenue. Ryan and Rob have invested in Wrexham in loans to the club, plus the new price tag if the club were sold today would cover those costs. A 20 million pound investment is not something Rob and Ryan would do. They didn't buy Wrexham to lose money. They do want to help the community prosper. Hopefully the American tour with Chelsea and Man United will help get more investors to help fund the stand.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Probably longer than 12 months even. We've not seen much of Ryan this season because he's been so busy.I know Rob is coming over on Saturday without him. I think Ryan probably knows people who could invest.

[@mohammedfrancis]

The stands are often half capacity during the league games draped in red covers.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think you might mean the bit that separates away and home fans?

[@sharman8489]

It’s the away section when away fans don’t sell all their allocation. The home ends always sell out.

[@alancoomber]

Great to have a new stadium but what about the history all that will have gone right out the window!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

100% and I'd like to think IF we had to move they'd use it for club related stuff too.

[@patbrown47]

Wouldn't it be cool for the women's side to get big enough for the racecourse ground if the men move to a new stadium?

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

The women's team have a big game this weekend against Cardiff City. I am not sure they'd ever be big enough to fill the racecourse ground but its nice to think they could be .

[@jordanledoux197]

Rob and Ryan seem to really personally enjoy having a stadium that is so historic. I don't think they would really want to move it.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Rob was there today and last I heard he was in the Turf pub after the match necking beers!

[@_vikram]

I mean, just take inspiration from "La bombonera" and rebuild the whole thing in multiple stages. It will be one of the most intimidating stadiums in EFL if it happens

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

La bombonera is such an incredible stadium!

[@adam248]

They will need to have a bigger stadium when they make to Premier League for sure

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I don't know how far off that it is, or even if its possible but it is so nice to dream!

[@calou0165]

Hello from France if you want to make something new with something old!!! it could be very expensive plus you will have to find a place to play practically for 2 seasons... in any case I wish you the best for the future !!!!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Yeah I think expense is going to be unavoidable either way. I think the aim now is to build new stands bit by bit. Which part of France are you from?

[@calou0165]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone I am from the southwest of France I live near Toulouse!!!! the country of rugby and airbus but I am a football fan....thanks to the series drawing on the history of your city and your club I discovered that I had Welsh fiber.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

We have an airbus factory here too. We make the wings in Broughton which is about 10 miles from Wrexham. The beluga flies over my house each day! They take the wings to Toulouse and other places.

[@calou0165]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone I knew the wings were made in Broughton but I didn't know it was so close to Wrexham !!!!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I know! Small world huh? Lots of people in Wrexham work at the factory building the wings. There is an airport on site called Hawarden airport. The Wrexham team and Ryan Reynolds sometimes fly in and out of there too.

[@meklavier4664]

How much does it cost to build a new stadium? Given the high inflation around the globe, cost will be much higher

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I don't have a figure but it would be millions and millions! I think Everton's new ground is in the region of 500 million! Wrexham's would be 350 million or more! It's hard to put a figure on it. We don't have that money at all.

[@alexdavies8142]

Never ever ever move, ever.

[@whitters1980]

The racecourse ground is historic. It should be wrexham’s forever home.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I am sure it will, and if not it would have something else club related on the land.

[@jaya1000]

If they make the championship league there could be enough revenue to add a 2nd deck one side at a time

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think building up and bit by bit probably is the way to go.

[@Neto76]

Sou do Brasil..mais acompanho tudo sobre clube.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Fantástico! Bem vindo ao canal

[@kenbareilles2794]

One more question, and maybe this is too ambitious, but Wrexham is only a one hour bus ride to Goodison Park. Everton needs the money. Would it be possible to simply schedule Wrexham home matches at Goodison Park (attendance 40K) for 2 years in a row, while a full rebuild of the Raceourse Ground happens?

[@kenbareilles2794]

Seems like with a well thought out rebuild, the Racecourse sight could fit a lovely 30K stadium. That should be enough.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Don't know to be honest but not a bad idea considering they would be using their new shiny ground. Not sure if fans would approve though.

[@humbertoavina1334]

I love this story…. It’s like FIFA manager mode but in real life! 😊

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

It would be great if we could control the opposition while the match was on!!

[@bradpolak6793]

Cantilever 2nd teirs on all 4 sides

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

It might go that way. It depends on the redesign.

[@thursday1679]

If you can't build out , then you have to build upwards , leaving the Racecourse ground isn't something you should do and when you get promoted at the end of next season you are going to need to do that anyway for the Championship and then the Premier League.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Do you think we will get to the championship and manage to stay there? We are going to have to get a lot of players in and have a whole lot more investment.

[@raketensven3127]

Build up, build steeper, close the corners. You could manage a 30000ish stadium there, easy. Even more but you got no standing areas in the UK anymore, right?!

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Not in our leagues, no. I think they are looking into closing the corners actually.

[@jeffhazel8589]

OK, I am not a Wrexham fan, how big you want the new stadium, 35,000 seater stadium? Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are Millionaires, not Billionaires. A brand new 35,000 seater could cost about half a billion. How popular is football in North Wales, would you like your stadium full of Tourists supporters? I am a West Ham fan, I can tell.you that does kill the atmosphere at home games. I know it's exciting times right now, watching the documentary series, I have seen what the Wrexham fans have been through. A Developer buying your club and trying to do a Brighton to it, that is horrible and well done to the Wrexham fans to stop it. Once the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney factor.wears off, they set up Wrexham AFC to get its own money in, without them helping out. It is interesting to see what happens to Bournemouth with their North American Owner, building a new stadium, how many fans can they get? You don't want a MK Dons situation, where the stadium is half full, I think the Owner of the MK Dons is finding out the hard way, why Milton Keynes never had a football club, before he stole Wimbledon FC and moved it to Milton Keynes.

[@kaiabelkis141]

Any chance to place the parking underground?

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

Not sure but I imagine there are clever people out there who could do it.

[@karltye5118]

I’ve seen snails move faster then the Wrexham council about granting permission for the new stand it should not take this long . It’s providing job and getting people into the town it’s self . But no there are dragging there hills in about trivial things instead of granting permission so it can get started, if they keep messing the owners around they will walk away 😢

[@simonkendrick12]

That student accommodation is a big problem. They wont knock that down.

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think at some point it will be a feasible option especially if the Uni is on board.

[@simonkendrick12]

@@WrexhamAFCfanzone Its only 10 years old and cost £40 million if im not mistaken, not a chance

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

I think the problem is when they were opened in 2011 the ground was owned by the uni and now it’s been bought back by Wrexham fc. It’s a stupid place to have the students.

[@DavidJones-or8ek]

The stadium will stay where it is.....end of

[@WrexhamAFCfanzone]

You think they will just upgrade the stands and build up?