Congratulations, Wrexham!

Soccer may not be the biggest of deals in the States, even less so, soccer from England. While most sports fans have some familiarity with the big Premier League clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool, hardly anyone knows (or cares) about non-Football League Association soccer. One of the clubs competing in the Blue Square Bet Premier League (the fifth rung of professional football in England) is Wrexham, the largest town from the north of Wales. The most coveted prize in non-Football League soccer is the FA Trophy and the championship is played annually at London’s Wembley Stadium. During the course of the football season, Wrexham competed for the FA Trophy championship and secured a place in the finals at Wembley.

For an obscure football club whose venue seats only 6,000 to play on the famed Wembley pitch is akin to the “Hickory Huskers” playing on the big stage in Indianapolis in the fictional movie “Hoosiers”.  Just getting to this stage of the tournament was a fabulous accomplishment. Winning the tournament would be the crowning moment in the 100-plus year history of a club that has gained more notoriety in recent years for bankruptcy and relegation.  Over 20,000 Wrexhamites made the long journey to London to cheer on their beloved Dragons on March 24^th.  

Standing in the way of the championship was Grimsby Town. The match itself was a thrilling affair. After a scoreless first half, Cook put Grimsby Town ahead in the 70^th. In the 81^st, Wrexham was awarded a penalty and Kevin Thornton was given the honors to equalize. The sides played out the 90 and then the two extra periods before the match would be decided by a shootout. The Dragons converted on all four of their attempts to win the FA Trophy.

Congratulations go out to player/coach Andy Morrell and his mighty crew of Dragons. The town of Wrexham is probably head over heels in delight with this result. For a club that has suffered such financial difficulties in recent years, taking London by storm is a very, very special moment.