This is the first season Rovers have met Wrexham in the English Football League (EFL) since 2006/07 and tomorrow sees our first visit to the Racecourse Ground for a league match since 28th October 2006.
The Welsh club are currently seeking a third successive promotion having finished as National League Champions in 2022/23 and securing second place in League Two last season.
The first ever league meetings between the sides came back in 1962/63 when Rovers were beaten 5-2 at The Racecourse Ground on 1st September 1962 while the return game at Eastville on 11th May 1963 ended in a 1-1 draw.
In 2006/07 Wrexham were 2-0 winners at The Racecourse and also won the return fixture, 1-0 at The Mem, on 24th March 2007. It was the final league defeat of the season for Rovers who went on to clinch promotion via the play offs.
Earlier this season, on 21st December 2024, the sides played out a 1-1 draw at The Mem when Promise Omochere’s late header cancelled out a first half strike by Wrexham’s Elliott Lee.
There were also two games in our one season in The Conference; in 2014/15. On 9th September 2014 Rovers won 1-0 at The Memorial Stadium when a crowd of 5.082 saw Andy Monkhouse score the only goal of the game in the 34th minute.
The return fixture at The Racecourse Ground, on 2nd December 2014 and ended goalless. It was an eventful game for Rovers as they lost goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall to injury on 41 minutes. With no goalkeeper on the bench, skipper Mark McChrystal took on shot stopping duties.
Tomorrow’s fixture between the sides will be the 44th in the EFL, with Rovers having won 17 of the previous 43 encounters, Wrexham 18 and there’s been eight draws. In terms of goals, Rovers have scored 58 and Wrexham 53.
By my reckoning 11 players have turned out for both sides, namely Danny Allsopp, Phil Bater, Sam Finley, Kevin
Gall, Jefferson Louis, Chris Llewellyn, Paul Raynor, Scott Shearer, John Vaughan, Gareth Taylor and Danny Williams.
Among the 14 players who have made their Rovers league debut against Wrexham are; Mike England, Dave Palmer, Steve Williams, Ian Holloway, Kevin Westaway, Matt Hayfield, Mike Wyatt, Simon Bryant and
Jamal Easter.
Last Saturday Wrexham played out a goalless draw at Wigan to remain in second place in the league, with 82 points from their 42 games. At home this season they have won 15, drawn four and lost two of their 21 matches.
Rovers, beaten 2-1 by Exeter City at The Mem on Saturday, dropped into the relegation zone for the first time this season and are in 21st place with 42 points from their 42 games.
We’ve only won three games on our travels, drawn two and lost 16, so time for that to change if we are to perform the Great Escape!
While there is still a chance, and 12 points to play for, then we have to believe it’s possible to stay up though no doubt all eyes will be on St James Park prior to our game kicking off, as we will be looking for Exeter City to do us a favour and beat Burton Albion in their 1.00pm kick off.
We wish all travelling Gasheads a safe journey to and from the game at Wrexham and will be looking for a positive outcome.
UTG!