1876 and Welsh Football

Alfred Davies (26). 1876-style football kit, playing with an old-style football.

For Years 5-6

Yes, it’s the Racecourse. It didn’t look quite like this in 1876 – but Wrexham was big in the news back then. Just here, a few years back, me and a whole bunch of people got together and decided we should have our own Wrexham Association Football Club. That makes us the oldest football club in Wales. One of the oldest in the world. And I was proud as punch to play for Wrexham.

Then, this year, our own national Welsh football team. But imagine my surprise when they picked me – Alf Davies – to play for Wales. And we went off to Scotland to play our first international match. OK, so we got hammered. Lost the match four-nil. But we’ll do better next time. And Wrexham FC – that’s what we are now, in 1876. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll win the Welsh cup or something even better.

For Years 7-8 (or older)

Yes, it’s the Racecourse. It didn’t look quite like this in 1876 – but Wrexham was big in the news back then. Just here, a few years back, at the Turf, me and a whole bunch of people got together and decided we should have our own Wrexham Association Football Club. That makes us the oldest football club in Wales. One of the oldest in the world. And I was proud as punch to play for Wrexham. Of course, the game wasn’t quite the same then as it is now. Bigger teams sometimes. Sixteen or seventeen on each side, like. And the goal posts connected together by tape. No net or nothing.

Then, this year, our own national Welsh football team – and the Football Association of Wales was born. Made it official at the Wynnstay in town, we did. Grand, right? But imagine my surprise when they picked me – Alf Davies – to play for Wales. Me and my other Wrexham mate, Ed Cross. And we went off to Scotland to play our first international match. OK, so we got hammered. Lost the match four-nil. But we’ll do better next time. And Wrexham FC – that’s what we are now, in 1876. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll win the Welsh cup or something even better.

But enough about me. What about you lot? Fancy writing something about the early days of Wrexham football? About 1876 at the Racecourse. What about a good song to cheer us along? Or a picture, maybe? Did we look funny back then in our long shorts?