As a lad born and raised in Wrexham, North Wales, I should be rejoicing and laughing at the financial turmoil over the border at Chester City, that has seen their 125 year history obliterated by a High Court winding-up order. But I can't help but feel compassion for them.
Local football rivalries are what make the game we love so special. What would Liverpool's fixture list be without the annual trip over Stanley Park to Goodison? Local bordering village clashes at amateur level are always heated and the most enjoyable to be a part of.
The reason the local derby is so exciting is because they are played and observed with equal passion, but ultimately played with sincere respect for each other, despite certain chants you may hear on the terraces.
Every club wants to beat the local enemy, to ensure bragging rights until the next meeting. And every fan withholds their undying hatred of the old adversary, but when asked alone, without fear of castration - I believe that every single right-minded fan would hate to see their local derby vanish forever.
It's a little like the Bond villain who thinks he wants to kill 007, but when it comes down to it, he wants to preserve Bond's life, so he can enjoy the pleasure of defeating him for as long as possible.
So, as Chester City fans stand amongst the debris of their broken club, they must realise that they do not stand there alone.
Here at Wrexham, we know the perils of financial instability all too well, after our own 10-point penalty that saw us relegated from League 1 in 2005. We can empathise, if somewhat reluctantly, with our English foes and can wish them a speedy recovery.
And by whatever name they chose to play under once they reform - all Red Dragon's supporters can relish the possibility of seeing the Racecourse scoreboard flash Wrexham 3-0 Chester Tigers Saracens United FC PLC.
You can vote your choice for Chester City's new name here. (Don't be too harsh Wrexham fans) Or choose in my poll in the sidebar.
As a football fan and occasional watcher of Wrexham FC I have to agree that as much as Chester are hated by Wrexham fans, and vice versa, the fixture list seems a lot less enchanting when both sets of fans are not able to count down the games to a heated and passionate local derby!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great shame that Chester City no longer exist. Lower league clubs like Chester are the foundation of football in this country. But even though I sympathise with the Chester fans, I can't help but think that lower league clubs aren't helping themselves fight off the financial troubles.
ReplyDeleteI too am from Wrexham, within an hour of my house there are a number of football clubs.. Wrexham, Tranmere, Liverpool, Everton, Man Utd, Man City, Bury, Stockport, Oldham, etc.. I am a season ticket holder at Liverpool, it costs £35 a ticket. At Wrexham, who languish in the Blue Square Premier, a ticket costs around £20. This is far too high. For only £15 more I get to watch the best players in the world. Lower league prices are too expensive. Clubs should lower their ticket prices in order to entice more fans through the gate, increasing gate receipts and also the sales of merchandise in the club shops or food outlets.
Another reason, is inflated transfer fees. In the past Liverpool used to raid lower league clubs for their players.. Kevin Keegan, Ray Clemence, Ian Rush, etc. Nowadays, if an Ian Rush were to appear at a team like Bury, Bury would slap a ridiculous transfer fee on him. The big clubs, rather than take a very expensive risk, instead opt for a safer option, often a foreign player, meaning the transfer money leaves the english game.
I think the Premier league could also help the lower league teams. More money should be made available to the lower leagues, which would a) allow lower league teams to take control of their finances and b) reduce the gaps between the quality of the leagues, therefore making the game more competitive overall.
Cheers for the feedback lads.
ReplyDeleteBurnsy - yeah glad you agree, football would be pointless without it wouldn't it?
Robbie - Good points there about ticketing prices, its definitely something that the lesser clubs need to consider. And agree about the lower league signings - Jermaine Beckford for a couple of million or a safer few spent on a proven European striker - only one way the big clubs are going to go.
yes totally agree Robbie, the prices at Wrexham are stupidly high and it is actually cheaper to get into a Blackburn home game! Cheaper to watch a Premier League team where some of the best athletes in the world are on the pitch than to watch a game where some teams have players who only play part time and the rest of the time they are doing plumbing or working in supermarkets.
ReplyDeleteFootball would be pointless without the heartfelt local derby's yes they are what all passionate fans and players look forward to!