The North Wales club put their relegation woes behind them and proved their true class. They played their way out of the Third Division and only just missed out on the championship.

BBC Sport takes a look at the ups and downs, highs and lows, tears and smiles that made up Wrexham's promotion winning season.

Denis Smith won Manager of the Year

The Manager: Denis Smith had the pedigree to shoot Wrexham straight back into Division two.

The 55-year-old had managed four promotion-winning sides prior to his appointment at the Racecourse.

When he took over in September of 2001 he was quick to make his mark on the side, and although he couldn't save his side from relegation, he was always confident of achieving success.

Smith is top boss

He steadily went about making Wrexham a hard side to beat.

He restored the players confidence and made them play attacking, exciting football and all on a shoe-string budget.

His achievements were recognised when he was named Manager of the Year for Division Three.

Best Player: So often it seemed that all of the players clicked at the correct time. Passing was fluid and the big name players delivered when it was required.

Jim Whitley, Carlos Edwards, Darren Ferguson and Stephen Roberts have all done well, but one player shone the brightest.

Morrell was the leagues top scorer

Andy Morrell, with 35 goals, set a new post war recorded at the club and finished the leagues top goal scorer.

Best Result: Both Hartlepool and Rushden were beaten well. Carlisle were beaten 6-1 at home as were Newport County in the FAW Premier Cup final.

Indeed, lifting the cup was the icing on the cake for both the fans and players.

Cup crowns Wrexham season

Worst Result: Losing 1-0 on March 4 against Exeter. Denis Smith went ballistic with his team after the embarrassing defeat away.

Although bitterly disappointing at the time, it acted as the catalyst to spur the team on.

Where it was won / lost: That loss to bottom of the league Exeter was a blessing in disguise.

Wrexham could have dipped in form at a crucial time. Instead they responded by going on a 16 game unbeaten run, notching up no less then 12 wins and 47 goals.

Money woes for Smith

Hopes for next season: The club will look to build on this seasons success and do well in a Division they should never have left.

Smith has got a good group of players and plays the type of football which makes then dangerous both home and away.

Mid-table should be a certainty for the Dragons, but don't be surprised to see them in the play-offs this time in 2004.