Racecourse misses out in key match – branded “disappointing blow and a missed opportunity”

Wrexham’s Racecourse ground was touted as a possible venue for a key qualifier match between the Wales Women’s team and cross border rivals England.

Sadly in a tweet earlier today the verdict was given that the match would be retained at Newport, rather than heading north:

CYHOEDDIAD STADIWM / VENUE ANNOUNCEMENT@Cymru v @Lionesses

Amser i chwifio baner Cymru!
Time to wave the flag of Wales!

🏟️ Rodney Parade, Newport
📅 31/08 KO 19:45
🎟️ For sale to #RedWall members 10am 12/07 #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/Nua4llE6LW

— FA WALES (@FAWales) July 2, 2018

Local AM Lesley Griffiths had written to the FA of Wales to encourage Wrexham as the venue for the match, and said of todays news: “With previous qualifying matches being played in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, this news is a disappointing blow and a missed opportunity.”

“Expectations were raised when Wrexham and Newport were announced as the frontrunners for the final qualifier. After writing to FA Wales on two separate occasions championing Wrexham’s cause, it is regrettable I have yet to receive a single acknowledgment or response from the organisation. I will be writing again to request an urgent meeting, for the FA to explain the rationale behind their decision and to remind them of the importance of looking further North.”

“As I said in my original letter to the Welsh FA, the appetite for international football in North Wales is enormous. A match of this magnitude would have had a lasting and significant impact and I firmly believe fans from across the region would have filled the Racecourse to help Wales over the line.”

“I will keep standing up for Wrexham and the Racecourse but it’s important the nation unites behind Jayne Ludlow’s remarkable team as they seek the victory that will secure their place at next year’s World Cup.”