Wrexham AFC remind public “you will need photo ID to vote in parliamentary elections” after UK Gov turn down Levelling Up fund

Wrexham AFC’s Executive Director Humphrey Ker has offered some advice to those wanting to engage in local democracy.

Last night we reported that the ‘Levelling Up’ bid for the Wrexham Gateway project, including elements of a new Kop stand at the Racecourse, had been rejected by UK Government.

The Club had told us, “This is the time for Plan B to be implemented and while there will be some uncertainty in the short term, the longer-term outlook remains positive.”‌ ​‌‌‌‌​

This morning Executive Director Ker issued a longer comment in his now regular column on the club’s official website, praising Wrexham Council, Wrexham Glyndwr University, Welsh Government and the FAW.

Conspicuously absent from the list is Wrexham’s MP Sarah Atherton – who was the champion of the constituency based bidding process.

Mr Ker goes a step further, pointing to the next time Wrexham will decide it’s Member of Parliament, “By the by, you will need photo ID to vote from 4th May 2023 in parliamentary by-elections and in General Elections from October 2023. Just if anyone was wondering.”

A copy of the column from the official site is below…

Well, yesterday’s announcement that the Club wouldn’t be receiving any financial support from UK Government to help with the construction of the new Kop stand was received with bitter disappointment by all of us that have worked for 18 months to try and secure the Levelling Up Fund assistance.

I have seen many and varied responses to the news, from the crowing of rival fans to the understandable disappointment of those who felt, as we did, that this was the fastest way to access the necessary funds in a low-risk fashion.

I will say, I’ve seen some people turn their ire on Wrexham County Borough Council, but any such anger is entirely misplaced. WCBC have been excellent partners throughout this process, as have Glyndwr University, Welsh Government and the Welsh FA and collectively we remain as committed to the delivery of the new Kop Stand as ever. This decision was made by the UK Government.

We have, as was announced last night, a Plan B. The Kop will rise again, it will just have to do so via a different method to the one for which we had so long planned. More to come on that.

On the pitch, much has happened since last I wrote. Coventry were tumbled out of the FA Cup in front of 4500 raucous Wrexham fans, Bromley came, saw and were conquered at the Racecourse and a very young Wrexham side exited the FA Trophy with their heads held high.

This weekend sees Phil and the boys travel all the way down to Maidstone to resume National League action, before an almost equally long trip to Gateshead. Two fixtures where the club will be, as always, targeting maximum points, but each with their own unique set of challenges.

The rest of the season stretches out in front of us and provided we can keep our nerves and our fitness, something very special awaits us at the end. There is much to be hopeful for, even with setbacks strewn along the path like the one we have encountered this week.

By the by, you will need photo ID to vote from 4th May 2023 in parliamentary by-elections and in General Elections from October 2023. Just if anyone was wondering.

Last night Wrexham’s MP Sarah Atherton told us, “Wrexham Council submitted two bids for the Levelling Up Fund. The first, £13.3 million for the Trevor Basin, Llangollen and Corwen Bid and the second for the Wrexham Gateway Bid. Given that Wrexham Council chose to submit two bids, it is not unreasonable that only one was successful. It is important to note that in the past few years, with the help of the UK Government, Wrexham has been awarded Platinum City status, was runner-up in the 2025 City of Culture and has been awarded £22.4 million from the Shared Prosperity Fund.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Of course, whilst it is disappointing that the Wrexham Gateway bid hasn’t been successful this time, I will continue to work with Wrexham Council, Glyndwr University, and Wrexham AFC to prepare for resubmission in Round three. In the meantime, we will work together to promote and raise Wrexham.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

You can read our report from last night here.