WREXHAM AFC are aiming for the big league with a new pop-up store where fans can hit the back of the net with their Christmas shopping.
The club are aiming to boost their coffers as they push for promotion on the 40th anniversary of their greatest ever season when they won a place in the old Division Two and reached the quarter finals of the FA and League Cups in 1978.
The temporary store in a prime spot at the Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre will be open through the Christmas rush and into the first week of January.
Early signs are good was the new shop notches up sales to fans clamouring for match-day kits, training kits and a whole host of other branded goods, including ties, mugs and babywear.
Its staffed by club employee Matt Jones and a host of dedicated volunteers.
Matt said: “Many clubs in the National League only have one small shop or even a Portacabin but it says something about our fan base that we need two shops, one at the ground and one in Eagles Meadow so we can cope with the Christmas rush.
“The Eagles Meadow shop will remain open until the first week of January and we are delighted to be back here in Eagles Meadow. It’s great for our loyal fans as it means they don’t have to go over to the ground to buy shirts, balls or any Wrexham AFC merchandise.
“With the club on the up we are expecting a busy Christmas. I’d like to thank Eagles Meadow manager Kevin Critchley and operations manager Stuart Bellis for their support.”
Volunteer Dave Weaver, a retired IT consultant, volunteered to work at the Eagles Meadow club shop out of pure love for the club he has supported for more than 55 years.
He said: “I’m happy to give some time to a club that means so much to me. I went to my first game all those years ago and supported the club ever since. I love the camaraderie and enjoy working in the shop here at Eagles Meadow.
“I’ll be working three-and-a-half days a week throughout the six weeks the shop will be open. We are all of the same mind and just want the club to succeed, it’s in the blood!”
“Eagles Meadow is a superb location and the layout of the shop is fantastic. We have some great merchandise on offer and I’d encourage all Wrexham fans to get down here and do their Christmas shopping.”
Fellow volunteer Gary Jones, who works for Ellesmere Port-based Viola Environmental Services as a control operator, is volunteering at the club shop on his days off.
He said: “I’ve supported Wrexham for more than 40 years. I went to my first match as a small lad and have been supporting the club ever since.
“I am a season ticket holder and rarely miss a game. I go to the away games I can get to but it’s not always easy. I’m volunteering to work at the shop purely out of my love fort the club.
“The shop is fantastic and being at Eagles Meadow is a huge boost. It’s a fabulous set-up and the shop looks brilliant.”
Stuart Bellis, a big Wrexham AFC fan and Eagles Meadow Shopping Centre operations manager, is thrilled to have the club shop on site until January.
He said: “I like to support the club as much as I can. The club Christmas shop has proved a very popular addition to our retail offer in the past and I’m sure Matt and his team of volunteers will have a very successful Christmas.
“Next year will be the 40th anniversary of the celebration parade through the town after the club were promoted to the old Division Two. It would be nice to be able to celebrate promotion back to the Football League at the end of this season.”
