2014–15 Wrexham F.C. season

Wrexham_FC_commerative_badge_-_150_years.jpg

The 2014–15 season is Wrexham's seventh consecutive year in the Conference National since their relegation from the Football League. As they were formed in 1864, this will be Wrexham's 150th year as a football club.

This article will show statistics and list details of all matches played by the club during the season.

Glyndŵr Wrexham Football Academy

For the 2014-15 season, Wrexham football club, in conjunction with Glyndŵr University created the Glyndwr Wrexham Football Academy (GWFA) which aims at overturning the idea that young players are forced to choose between football or higher education at the age of 16. This is with the backing of the Professional Football Association (PFA) and support from the League Football Education (LFE), the initiative will provide them with a unique educational strategy whilst still playing and training within a full time professional football environment. Patrons include former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen, Arsenal and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, and Swansea City left-back Neil Taylor, who is a product of the Wrexham youth academy.

Kit

With it being Wrexham's 150th anniversary as a football club, a commemorative golden badge was unveiled to be used for the 2014-15 season and a special one off kit was announced. The Kit will be made by Nike and Wrexham will be playing in red and black hoops, harking back to their earliest known colours. Glyndŵr University will remain as shirt sponsors for their third full season with the club. AEC Engineering will feature as new 'Back of Shirt Sponsor'. The kit was launched at Eagles Meadow on August 1, with fans queuing for several hours to get their hands on the Sesquicentennial shirt. 700 shirts were sold on the first day alone.

Season diary

Pre season

Wrexham's retained list was announced on the 1st and 2 May, with David Artell, Joe Anyinsah, Stephen Wright, Robert Ogleby, Jay Colbeck and Kyle Parle all released from the club. Dean Keates, Mark Carrington, Theo Baily-Jones, Steve Tomassen and Leon Clowes accepted new deals. Manager Kevin Wilkin made his first signing of the summer on the 28th of May, bringing in defender Blaine Hudson from Cambridge United on a one year deal. On May 29, Gary Mills was named as Wilkin's assistant manager. On June 4, Wrexham unveiled their second signing of the summer, with the capture of Wesley York, from Nuneaton. Goalkeeper Andy Coughlin re-signed a one year contract on June 5. Forward Nick Rushton re-signed with the club on a one year deal on June 12. Midfielder Joe Clarke re-signed with the Reds for a further year on June 26. Striker Louis Moult signed from fellow Conference side Nuneaton Town on June 30 linking up with manager Kevin Wilkin once again. On July 12, Wrexham Football Club announced their first intake of players as part of the Glyndwr Wrexham Football Academy (GWFA), which will see young players released from clubs, train with the squad hoping to break into the first team, while earning a degree at the University. On July 11, Wrexham announced their fourth signing of the summer, forward Connor Jennings. Wrexham played six pre-season friendlies in July, Winning three matches (Swansea City, Colwyn Bay and AFC Fylde) drawing twice (Hednesford Town and Rhyl) and losing only once, to Everton.

August

Wrexham's only pre-season game in August was a 0-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers whose squad included Liam Trotter, David Wheater and Robert Hall. Kevin Wilkin's fifth signing came on August 4, with goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann joining on loan, initially, until January 1. Central defender Manny Smith signed a one year deal following his successful trial with the club on August 5. Wrexham started the 2014-15 campaign on August 9, at Dartford, winning 2-1 with a Brace from winger Wes York on his debut for the club. Wrexham's first home game of the season drew a crowd of over 4,000 as they were beaten 0-3 by Gateshead. Wrexham returned to the Racecourse on the following Saturday and beat Nuneaton Town 1-0, thanks to a 4th minute volley from Louis Moult. Wrexham's fourth game brought them a third win, against Alfreton Town, winning 3-2 with goals from Louis Moult, Blaine Hudson and Connor Jennings. The latter two being their first for their new club. Wrexham's final two games of August were played at home, drawing with Macclesfield Town and losing 1-2, to Woking.

September

On September 1, Wrexham confirmed that former utility man Johnny Hunt would return on loan until January 1. Wrexham's winning away form continued with a 1-0 victory at Forest Green Rovers, striker Louis Moult scoring a superb 25-yard free-kick. Wrexham suffered their first away defeat of the season at Bristol Rovers on September 9, midfielder Andy Monkhouse scoring with a first-half header to secure the win for the hosts. Wrexham bounced back to winning ways with a somewhat fortunate win over Welling United, with two late goals in as many minutes from Louis Moult and Joe Clarke. Wrexham travelled to top of the table Barnet on September 16, recording a fine 0-1 win, with the solitary goal coming from Rob Evans in the second-half, his first senior goal for the club. The midfielder netted from 20 yards to beat goalkeeper Graham Stack. On September 19, Wrexham confirmed that striker Dan Holman would be joining on loan - initially for a month - from League One side Colchester United. Wrexham continued their good form and moved up to third in the table, after two home wins against Eastleigh and Kidderminster Harriers.

October

Wrexham first game of October was an away trip to Devon, where they faced Torquay United at Plainmoor. Wrexham took the lead in the 29th minute, Louis Moult scoring his sixth goal of the season. In the second-half, Torquay fought back to win the game with goals coming from Louis Briscoe and Luke Young continuing the Gulls' fine home form. Wrexham secured only their second draw of the season away to Halifax Town, thanks to a brace from top scorer Louis Moult. Wrexham's 150th Anniversary game was played on October 11, they hosted Grimsby Town at the Racecourse. Good luck messages came from Gary Lineker, Steve McManaman, Paul Scholes as well as former players Ben Foster, Neil Taylor, Darren Ferguson and Stoke City manager and Wrexham fan Mark Hughes. Over 8,000 fans turned up, with hundreds locked outside, after the stadium reached its safe capacity. Grimsby spoiled the celebrations with a 1-0 win, thanks to a penalty from Lenell John-Lewis. Manager Kevin Wilkin secured the signing of defender James Pearson on a one month deal from Leicester City of the Premier League on October 27th .

Transfers

In

Date

Player

Position

Transferred from

Fee

29 May 2014

Blaine Hudson

DF

Cambridge United

Free

30 June 2014

Wesley York

MF

Nuneaton Town

Free

4 June 2014

Louis Moult

FW

Nuneaton Town

Undisc.

11 July 2014

Connor Jennings

FW

Scunthorpe United

Free

4 August 2014

Daniel Bachmann

GK

Stoke City

Loan

5 August 2014

Manny Smith

DF

Notts County

Free

1 September 2014

Johnny Hunt

DF

Cambridge United

Loan

19 September 2014

Dan Holman

FW

Colchester United

Loan

27 October 2014

James Pearson

DF

Leicester City

Loan

Out

Date

Player

Position

Transferred to

Fee

1 May 2014

David Artell

DF

Bala Town

Free

1 May 2014

Joe Anyinsah

FW

Hayes & Yeading

Free

1 May 2014

Jay Colbeck

FW

Connah's Quay Nomads

Free

1 May 2014

Kyle Parle

DF

Connah's Quay Nomads

Free

2 May 2014

Stephen Wright

DF

Aberystwyth Town

Free

2 May 2014

Robert Ogleby

FW

Livingston

Free

9 June 2014

Kevin Thornton

MF

Tamworth

Free

11 June 2014

Johnny Hunt

DF

Cambridge United

Undisc.

Squad & Statistics

Appearances, goals and cards

Last updated on 29th October 2014

No.

Pos.

Name

League

FA Cup

FA Trophy

Apps

Goals

Apps

Goals

Apps

Goals

Apps

Goals

Apps

1

GK

Andy Coughlin

6

0

2

0

0

0

2

DF

Mark Carrington

13(1)

0

2

0

0

0

3

DF

Neil Ashton

17

0

2

0

0

0

4

DF

Manny Smith

17

0

2

0

0

0

5

DF

Blaine Hudson

17

3

2

0

0

0

6

MF

Joe Clarke

17

1

2

1

0

0

7

MF

Elliott Durrell

12(4)

2

2

0

0

0

8

MF

Jay Harris

8(1)

0

2

0

0

0

9

FW

Louis Moult

16

8

0

0

0

0

10

FW

Andy Bishop

2(10)

1

2

2

0

0

11

MF

Theo Bailey-Jones

0(7)

0

0

0

0

0

12

MF

Dean Keates

5(1)

0

0

0

0

0

13

GK

Daniel Bachmann

11

0

0

0

0

0

14

DF

Steve Tomassen

0

0

0

0

0

0

15

MF

Robbie Evans

5(1)

0

0

0

0

0

16

MF

Wes York

17

3

2

0

0

0

17

MF

Ross Weaver

0

0

0

0

0

0

18

DF

Ross White

3

0

0(1)

0

0

0

19

FW

Nick Rushton

0(1)

0

0(1)

1

0

0

20

GK

Louis Gray

0

0

0

0

0

0

23

MF

Jonathan Royle

0

0

0

0

0

0

24

FW

Connor Jennings

16(1)

2

1

1

0

0

25

DF

Anthony Stephens

0

0

0

0

0

0

26

DF

Johnny Hunt

3(3)

0

1(1)

1

0

0

27

FW

Dan Holman

0(4)

0

0

0

0

0

Non playing staff

Coaching staff

Name

Role

Kevin Wilkin

Manager

Gary Mills

Assistant Manager

Michael Oakes

Goalkeeping Coach

Joey Jones

Reserve Team Manager

David Spendiff

Head Physio

Andy Davies

Head Of Youth Development

Lee Jones

Academy Manager

Club officials

Name

Role

Dixie McNeil

Club President

Don Bircham

Chief Executive

Barry Horne

Head Of Football Operations

Spencer Harris

Director

Mark Williams

Director

Alan Watkin

Director

John Mills

Director

Steven Cook

Commercial Manager

Geraint Parry

Club Secretary

Matches

Pre-season friendlies

Football Conference Premier

FA Cup

FA Trophy

League Table

Conference Premier

Play-offs

Results summary

Results by round

See also

  • 2014–15 in English football
  • 2014–15 Football Conference Premier
  • List of Wrexham F.C. seasons