Lawrenson speaks out

Last updated : 23 November 2004 By Charles

Speaking in today's Daily Post, TV pundit Mark Lawrenson had this to say about the problems at Wrexham AFC.

Lawrenson of Liverpool and Ireland fame also played for Wrexham's friends Brighton and Hove Albion before joining Liverpool and was capped 38 times for Ireland.

It must be sheer hell to be a Wrexham supporter at the moment.

For the club to owe the taxman nearly £900,000 with little hope of paying it off is a terrible state for any club.

Given that they are looking to go into administration, things are bleak, but there are a few rays of hope out there.

Even though plenty of clubs have been in the same situation as Wrexham over the years - and especially in recent seasons - how many of them have ceased to exist? I'll tell you, not many.

There always seems to be some way of working out a deal to pay the Inland Revenue the money over time.

Secondly, even though Wrexham will be docked 10 points if they go into administration, I believe they can come through a relegation battle.

I know Denis Smith well enough to know he is a good manager and his teams play in the right way.

On top of that, players like Andy Dibble and Carlos Edwards must make a difference when they return.

For all the time we spend going on about Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and so on, it is clubs like Wrexham who are the lifeblood of football in Britain.

That was shown by the turn-out of supporters from all over the country at the weekend. They realise that there are thousands of people to whom the Racecourse Ground is more than a waste of a good building site.

Wrexham don't deserve to be in such a mess.