Yesterday had special significance to everyone involved with Wrexham AFC as it marked the two-year anniversary since co-chairmen Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds completed the takeover of the Football Club. Marking this special occasion the club has shared the great news that the playing squad will also become semi-professional.
This follows the recent announcement that the club would be applying for a Tier One licence, which would mean that they compete with Welsh giants Cardiff City and Swansea in the Adran Premier for the 2023-24 campaign. I understand that some fans do not welcome clubs being promoted without going through the leagues but if there is going to be a huge mismatch then in this case I support it.
The club advise, “The decision to apply for the Tier 1 licence was made, to ensure that if performances on the pitch make the Club eligible for a place in the FAW Women’s Premier League, we are eligible to join the top-flight.
“The decision to allow the players to become semi-professional is to provide them the best chance of being successful and help the Club achieve its objective of becoming the best women’s team in Wales, in the shortest period, practically possible.”
Gemma Owen has been appointed as the full time Head of Women’s Football Operations and will report directly to CEO, Fleur Robinson.
The club added, “The commitment of the Club’s owners in their Mission Statement was clear, in that their ambition was to grow all areas of Wrexham AFC, not just the first team and this is an important step towards achieving this.”
Our Wales football expert Siôn Misra told us, “It’s great! Considering they’re a second tier side, as long as they get promoted, they’d be the only semi-pro team in the country, which is huge when clubs like Cardiff City and Swansea still aren’t semi-pro, but promotion will be tricky.”
Further announcements in respect of the Club’s development programmes for both boys and girls will follow in the next couple of months.
