Cardiff City Forum



A forum for all things Cardiff City

Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Thu Apr 20, 2023 9:46 pm

Right this is not a wind up post and i know it could be controversial but just something ive been thinking.
Could wrexham in years to come end up being the biggest and best club in wales?
I know cardiff is biggest and biggest potential regards to population and fan catchment area capitol etc, BUT wrexham for me are being run very well and I can see them ending up being like a burnley,brentford,bournemouth type side (small population but run well and punch way above weight)
If that did happen, how many welsh fans across the whole of wales would they attract?
They are getting run and going the way cardiff should be, the way they are getting run is outstanding imo and seeing this makes me finally want vincent tan out and have an owner in who can make city reach its real massive potential. Opinions?

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Thu Apr 20, 2023 10:03 pm

I don’t think it woikd matter even if they were. We are Cardiff. Wrexham doing well won’t affect us as fans in so much - it won’t stop us supporting Cardiff. We are no more likely to lose future young fans to Wrexham as we are Man U. Liverpool etc. Cardiff fans will support Cardiff and all we can do is focus on us.

That said. I’m a massive Ryan Reynolds fan generally and think it’s brilliant how he and Rob have embraced the club with passion.

To have 4 clubs in the football league coming from Wales would also be fantastic.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:03 am

No I don't think so.

Wrexham actually caught us up in the 70/80s as far as the footballing went but never achieved the giant status over us. Although its looking good for Wrexham to progress under these new owners they will reach a peak that will keep them behind us.

We should be well up there though and leading the way but we are not going to achieve that under this owner we have.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:51 am

They will never ever get massive support, but their name due to amazing owners are more well
Known around the world than any of the other Welsh Clubs.
This summer they play Man United and Chelsea in America, that will once again lift their profile more.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:04 am

Forever Blue wrote:They will never ever get massive support, but their name due to amazing owners are more well
Known around the world than any of the other Welsh Clubs.
This summer they play Man United and Chelsea in America, that will once again lift their profile more.


Their getting marketed really well arent they and building good links with clubs like that can only benefit them in future for loans etc. Smart businessmen who seem to understand football and learning quickly. Our owners and the way we are run is the opposite, clueless.

I loved the way sam hammam marketed us with the welsh st davids flag, trying to tap in to our unique welsh identity, he compared us to barcelona being catalans in the spanish league, where as we are like the welsh catilans but in the english league, and capitol city. Thats the type of marketing and drive this club needs.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:11 am

Firstly no club could be run like Wrexham, they are a unique entity, an entertainment vehicle beyond just sport entertainment. It is the superstar status of its' owners that draws the interest.

They could easily become the largest club in Wales as a worldwide entity due to their Hollywood links.

Anyone who thinks they would never be bigger than Cardiff are deluded. The whole world of football has changed. Most of us see football as tribal, parochial and success comes from support on the terraces.

That has so changed and money is king nowadays. Wrexham are a new breed, a club bourne through celebrity status. "Normal" clubs like us and Notts County are fighting the new style of clubs, ones with money and now those with pull.

Wrexham could be a Premiership club with a 20k stadium. It wouldn't matter because their model would be built upon worldwide status and massive sponsorship.

Look at their Twitter following compared to other clubs in their league. It is even larger than ours. That is not just about football status.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:15 am

Welsh Giants wrote:
Forever Blue wrote:They will never ever get massive support, but their name due to amazing owners are more well
Known around the world than any of the other Welsh Clubs.
This summer they play Man United and Chelsea in America, that will once again lift their profile more.


Their getting marketed really well arent they and building good links with clubs like that can only benefit them in future for loans etc. Smart businessmen who seem to understand football and learning quickly. Our owners and the way we are run is the opposite, clueless.

I loved the way sam hammam marketed us with the welsh st davids flag, trying to tap in to our unique welsh identity, he compared us to barcelona being catalans in the spanish league, where as we are like the welsh catilans but in the english league, and capitol city. Thats the type of marketing and drive this club needs.


I totally agree that our club are run poorly but no club could learn from Wrexham's marketing without having their own superstar, social media savvy owner.

They are unique. Unless Beyonce wants to own a football club we will not see a similar run club.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:25 am

No

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:26 am

Welsh Giants wrote:
Forever Blue wrote:They will never ever get massive support, but their name due to amazing owners are more well
Known around the world than any of the other Welsh Clubs.
This summer they play Man United and Chelsea in America, that will once again lift their profile more.


Their getting marketed really well arent they and building good links with clubs like that can only benefit them in future for loans etc. Smart businessmen who seem to understand football and learning quickly. Our owners and the way we are run is the opposite, clueless.

I loved the way sam hammam marketed us with the welsh st davids flag, trying to tap in to our unique welsh identity, he compared us to barcelona being catalans in the spanish league, where as we are like the welsh catilans but in the english league, and capitol city. Thats the type of marketing and drive this club needs.


Your so spot on :thumbright:

They are being marketed so well.

Tans regime are clueless and got us known for the wrong reasons.

Where as Sam Hammam put us on the map and knew how to promote us.

This lot are worse than clueless.


WE ARE POTENTIALLY MASSIVE :bluebird: :bluebird: :bluebird: :bluebird:

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:31 am

Welsh Giants wrote:
Forever Blue wrote:They will never ever get massive support, but their name due to amazing owners are more well
Known around the world than any of the other Welsh Clubs.
This summer they play Man United and Chelsea in America, that will once again lift their profile more.


Their getting marketed really well arent they and building good links with clubs like that can only benefit them in future for loans etc. Smart businessmen who seem to understand football and learning quickly. Our owners and the way we are run is the opposite, clueless.

I loved the way sam hammam marketed us with the welsh st davids flag, trying to tap in to our unique welsh identity, he compared us to barcelona being catalans in the spanish league, where as we are like the welsh catilans but in the english league, and capitol city. Thats the type of marketing and drive this club needs.


Im sure the Cardiff Celts idea will go down well again! :banghead:

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 10:06 am

:o
1980s Bluebird wrote:
Welsh Giants wrote:
Forever Blue wrote:They will never ever get massive support, but their name due to amazing owners are more well
Known around the world than any of the other Welsh Clubs.
This summer they play Man United and Chelsea in America, that will once again lift their profile more.


Their getting marketed really well arent they and building good links with clubs like that can only benefit them in future for loans etc. Smart businessmen who seem to understand football and learning quickly. Our owners and the way we are run is the opposite, clueless.

I loved the way sam hammam marketed us with the welsh st davids flag, trying to tap in to our unique welsh identity, he compared us to barcelona being catalans in the spanish league, where as we are like the welsh catilans but in the english league, and capitol city. Thats the type of marketing and drive this club needs.


Im sure the Cardiff Celts idea will go down well again! :banghead:
:o not convinced :lol:

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 10:16 am

1980s Bluebird wrote:
Welsh Giants wrote:
Forever Blue wrote:They will never ever get massive support, but their name due to amazing owners are more well
Known around the world than any of the other Welsh Clubs.
This summer they play Man United and Chelsea in America, that will once again lift their profile more.


Their getting marketed really well arent they and building good links with clubs like that can only benefit them in future for loans etc. Smart businessmen who seem to understand football and learning quickly. Our owners and the way we are run is the opposite, clueless.

I loved the way sam hammam marketed us with the welsh st davids flag, trying to tap in to our unique welsh identity, he compared us to barcelona being catalans in the spanish league, where as we are like the welsh catilans but in the english league, and capitol city. Thats the type of marketing and drive this club needs.


Im sure the Cardiff Celts idea will go down well again! :banghead:


We had an Inter Cardiff they folded, we now have Cardiff Metro.

Tan, I honestly dont understand??

Explain????

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 11:18 am

Wayne S wrote:Firstly no club could be run like Wrexham, they are a unique entity, an entertainment vehicle beyond just sport entertainment. It is the superstar status of its' owners that draws the interest.

They could easily become the largest club in Wales as a worldwide entity due to their Hollywood links.

Anyone who thinks they would never be bigger than Cardiff are deluded. The whole world of football has changed. Most of us see football as tribal, parochial and success comes from support on the terraces.

That has so changed and money is king nowadays. Wrexham are a new breed, a club bourne through celebrity status. "Normal" clubs like us and Notts County are fighting the new style of clubs, ones with money and now those with pull.

Wrexham could be a Premiership club with a 20k stadium. It wouldn't matter because their model would be built upon worldwide status and massive sponsorship.

Look at their Twitter following compared to other clubs in their league. It is even larger than ours. That is not just about football status.


I'm always fascinated to understand what people's idea of club size is. Personally I think it's crowd numbers as opposed to a social media following. Therefore, I can never see Wrexham being bigger than us. They are having their moment in the sun now, and despite the fact that they don't really like us, we wish them well simply because they're a Welsh club. Getting into the EFL will be a great achievement for them this year, then moving up the leagues is the aim, but not easy by any means, a drop down the leagues would mean their support dropping off and back to the numbers it was when they were in the EFL before, which is probably about 3,000 to 4,000. Bigger than us? Never.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 11:53 am

Don Keydick wrote:
I'm always fascinated to understand what people's idea of club size is. Personally I think it's crowd numbers as opposed to a social media following.


Totally agree with you, club status should be based on history, success and bodies in the stands.

But the world is changing. The physical is being replaced with the artificial. Already TV money outweighs turnstile cash.

Online advertising is worldwide, ground advertising is pitchside. An online presence is far more reaching than a stadium presence.

Any club or fan thinking parochial may be left behind. It will be a travesty but a club with an online worldwide fanbase buying TV season tickets and next day delivered merchandise could easily outgrow your traditional football team.

Let's be honest, us fans are an absolute pain for clubs. They would replace us with online subscription cash in an instance.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:47 pm

BBC Wales news @ 1-30 today. They were interviewing fans outside the Racecourse looking forward to being promoted tomorrow. One lady with a small boy being interviewed saying how great it will be for the "City", club and community etc. The small boy was wearing a football shirt. BARCELONA. I know he was only a small boy, but for me that says it all! :banghead:

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 12:48 pm

What their owners are doing is brilliant, but in terms of club size (history, success, crowds as said by others) I can't see Wrexham ever being as big a club as us.

In the same way Man City will never be as big as Man Utd and Everton will never be as big as Liverpool.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 3:38 pm

A big club has to have a big fan base .most of its history in the top Division and won major trophys
You can have all the Media exposure you want but unless you are continuously success on the field eventually interest will start to wane.thats why clubs like Sunderland still get massive crowds when they drop down they are traditionally in the top Division (80 plus seasons) so you know eventually they will return.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 3:57 pm

Wayne S wrote:
Welsh Giants wrote:
Forever Blue wrote:They will never ever get massive support, but their name due to amazing owners are more well
Known around the world than any of the other Welsh Clubs.
This summer they play Man United and Chelsea in America, that will once again lift their profile more.


Their getting marketed really well arent they and building good links with clubs like that can only benefit them in future for loans etc. Smart businessmen who seem to understand football and learning quickly. Our owners and the way we are run is the opposite, clueless.

I loved the way sam hammam marketed us with the welsh st davids flag, trying to tap in to our unique welsh identity, he compared us to barcelona being catalans in the spanish league, where as we are like the welsh catilans but in the english league, and capitol city. Thats the type of marketing and drive this club needs.


I totally agree that our club are run poorly but no club could learn from Wrexham's marketing without having their own superstar, social media savvy owner.

They are unique. Unless Beyonce wants to own a football club we will not see a similar run club.


I see what your saying and agree with a lot. But their celebrity status alone wont bring them success its how they run it. If we had a big money owner come in they could learn lessons from wrexham and their branding/marketing for example, and be savvy in other ways to tap into cardiffs huge potential. We need someone in who has fresh modern ideas like the wrexham owners, our current owners ways have failed and they never learn their lessons

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 4:01 pm

Forever Blue wrote:
Welsh Giants wrote:
Forever Blue wrote:They will never ever get massive support, but their name due to amazing owners are more well
Known around the world than any of the other Welsh Clubs.
This summer they play Man United and Chelsea in America, that will once again lift their profile more.


Their getting marketed really well arent they and building good links with clubs like that can only benefit them in future for loans etc. Smart businessmen who seem to understand football and learning quickly. Our owners and the way we are run is the opposite, clueless.

I loved the way sam hammam marketed us with the welsh st davids flag, trying to tap in to our unique welsh identity, he compared us to barcelona being catalans in the spanish league, where as we are like the welsh catilans but in the english league, and capitol city. Thats the type of marketing and drive this club needs.


Your so spot on :thumbright:

They are being marketed so well.

Tans regime are clueless and got us known for the wrong reasons.

Where as Sam Hammam put us on the map and knew how to promote us.

This lot are worse than clueless.


WE ARE POTENTIALLY MASSIVE :bluebird: :bluebird: :bluebird: :bluebird:


Fullly agree

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 6:02 pm

"Welcome to Wrexham" was as you'd expect so well edited and portrays the two owners in such a good light, it is a great story.

They already have a greater budget than a lot of L2 teams, will they have an L1 budget next season to continue the journey?

Hope they do it tomorrow, as the Welsh element in the Disney series was brilliant.

Welsh Derby to look forward to as well

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 7:55 pm

llan bluebird wrote:"Welcome to Wrexham" was as you'd expect so well edited and portrays the two owners in such a good light, it is a great story.

They already have a greater budget than a lot of L2 teams, will they have an L1 budget next season to continue the journey?

Hope they do it tomorrow, as the Welsh element in the Disney series was brilliant.

Welsh Derby to look forward to as well


There is another season of the show being filmed now and this can only increase their already substantial online profile as well as the whole of Wales. The marketing that RR & RM have managed to do in bringing in companies like tiktok & expedia bring the sort of coverage & awareness we can only dream about. But bigger than us in the traditional sense.............very unlikely.

From what I've seen & heard in my 20 years of living in the USA more people have actually heard of Wales in the last year than in the last 19 combined.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:43 pm

Financial rules in leagues 1&2 are a lot more strict than the National League in terms of % of budget you can spend on wages. Some reports suggest Wrexham's wage bill is more like a championship club than a league 2 club.
No doubt they've got much bigger sponsorship deals than anyone else at that level and will generate one of the top match day revinues.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:44 pm

No.
They are a Northern part scouser part Welsh outfit who brewed shit Wrexham Lager and developed dodgy Mickey Thomas. Nuff said about the hillbillies.

We are and always be the biggest club in Wales whatever division we are in.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:07 pm

New Day Rising wrote:No.
They are a Northern part scouser part Welsh outfit who brewed shit Wrexham Lager and developed dodgy Mickey Thomas. Nuff said about the hillbillies.

We are and always be the biggest club in Wales whatever division we are in.


Yes! We just need a top quality owner and run club to put wrexham and everyone else in their place : )

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 10:50 pm

Short answer, no...!

Not because I begrudge them as the oldest Welsh football team but more because there is a limit to which the movie stars can take them in a similar fashion to the Rick Wright era at Ninian Park, i.e. there will be a time when substantially more money is required...

The two guys at Wrexham have done a wondrrful job in raising the club/town's profile and they are currently on the crest of a wave. They could, assuming they do go up this season, go on to get promotion League. In Mullins they have an outstanding player and Phil Parkinson knows the lower leagues

In the meantime, I hope they do clinch it today and it will be good to see them back in the EFL... :clap:

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Sat Apr 22, 2023 1:17 am

BLUE54 wrote:BBC Wales news @ 1-30 today. They were interviewing fans outside the Racecourse looking forward to being promoted tomorrow. One lady with a small boy being interviewed saying how great it will be for the "City", club and community etc. The small boy was wearing a football shirt. BARCELONA. I know he was only a small boy, but for me that says it all! :banghead:


Wrexham’s a city now. Another shitty city to go with those down west.

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Sat Apr 22, 2023 7:48 am

Pigs might fly one day,,, but I don't think so!

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Sat Apr 22, 2023 9:00 am

New Day Rising wrote:No.
They are a Northern part scouser part Welsh outfit who brewed shit Wrexham Lager and developed dodgy Mickey Thomas. Nuff said about the hillbillies.

We are and always be the biggest club in Wales whatever division we are in.
:lol:
Spot on

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Sat Apr 22, 2023 11:22 am

Sven wrote:Short answer, no...!

Not because I begrudge them as the oldest Welsh football team but more because there is a limit to which the movie stars can take them in a similar fashion to the Rick Wright era at Ninian Park, i.e. there will be a time when substantially more money is required...

The two guys at Wrexham have done a wondrrful job in raising the club/town's profile and they are currently on the crest of a wave. They could, assuming they do go up this season, go on to get promotion League. In Mullins they have an outstanding player and Phil Parkinson knows the lower leagues

In the meantime, I hope they do clinch it today and it will be good to see them back in the EFL... :clap:


Yeh i hope they go up and do well as it will be good for welsh football. But i do see the side where it will be harder and more expensive for these owners the higher up the leagues they go.
And as another posted saying about their fan exposure for people across the world, there is some truth in that i believe but again that is limited. You can beat the real fan who lives close to the area, who attends the games at the stadium live and who creates that real atmosphere which really counts. And for cardiff city that is where we have a massive upperhand on wrexham and the other welsh clubs, and the same goes for why man u will always be bigger than city potential wise, chelsea and arsenal bigger than brentford, liverpool bigger than everton.
We just need an owner and football men at the club to make us realise this massive potential! You need more than just hollywood owners to build a successful football club, but i guess the point is, wrexhams owners are not just hollywood owners, they seem to be understanding and knowing of how to run a successful football side in many ways, thats what we need, the knowhow!

Re: Can Wrexham Be Biggest Club In Wales?

Sun Apr 23, 2023 10:55 am

Wrexham could easily become the second best team in Wales on current form and progression next season. Doubt they will be able to overtake Swansea as Wales best team for a few years yet.