Supporters' fears over stand size

The Supporters Trust claims the proposed stand (green shading) would not hold 5,000 fans without including the land indicated in pink

Wrexham Supporters' Trust fears plans for a 15,000-seater stadium in the town have been scrapped.

It claimed current development plans at the Racecourse ground would not allow sufficient space to increase the size of the famous Kop stand.

But Wrexham FC said the development was still at its first stage.

It said it was aiming to secure the club's future, wanted to continue to stage internationals and would consult on "ultimate capacity" requirements.

Supporters' trust board member Lindsay Jones said the trust had analysed plans for a development at the Racecourse, which includes student accommodation and some retail premises.

Mr Jones said the club had previously claimed it wanted a 15,000-seater stadium which would attract international sporting fixtures.

Wrexham Supporters Trust members Peter Jones, Lindsay Jones and Hadyn Taylor

Wrexham Supporters Trust wants Wrexham FC to put "club before profit"

However, he said analysis of the current plans revealed there was only sufficient space for 2,500 seats in the Kop.

He said it would have to hold 5,000 people in order for the stadium as a whole to contain 15,000.

Mr Jones said: "The council have said all along that they want to see a 15,000-seater stadium and the club has said that's what Wrexham is going to get.

"The have promised to apply for every grant available in order to deliver a 5,000-seater stand. But the footprint shows a stand that's only big enough for 2,500.

We will continue to consult with our own stadium experts throughout this process so that we can establish the ultimate capacity requirements of the club

Paul Retout, Wrexham FC director

"At the end of the day, the more space they give to a stand, the less space there is to make money from the other areas of the development."

He added: "What we want is a stadium that serves Wrexham in the best possible way. The club should come before profit."

Board member Haydn Taylor said: "We would like the council and the developers to take these concerns seriously, to take them on board and hopefully to meet them.

"We feel confident it can be done."

Paul Retout, director of Wrexham FC said: "The key thing to remember here is that we are only at stage one of the development and awaiting approval of the plans which were only submitted less than two months ago.

"Our focus is still very much on securing the long term future of Wrexham Football Club and this is driven by the first phase of development being approved.

"As we have previously stated, all profits from the development will be going back into the Wrexham FC which will help secure its future as it will pay off all debts and put working capital into the club."

"As far as international/friendly games are concerned and attracting grants to support the build of the stadium we fully understand that it is of interest to all our fans as it is indeed to the club."

He said the club would consult with all the main bodies including Fifa, Uefa and the 2012 Olympic committee to understand exact requirements in terms of facilities and number of seats."

"We will continue to consult with our own stadium experts throughout this process so that we can establish the ultimate capacity requirements of the club."

He said the final size of the stand would be designed based on involvement from fans and would ensure that the space was "maximised to its full potential", taking on board changes in stadia design that are appropriate at the time.

"I must stress the long term aim is to secure the future of the football club and to have a stadium at the Racecourse that Wrexham and North Wales can be proud of," said Mr Retout.

"We are entering a very exciting phase of the season, and it would be great for the Fans to get fully behind Dean and the boys and turn up on Thursday night for the game against Cambridge."