‘Return and play on your own turf’ – journalist’s clueless attack on Wrexham
A journalist at the Nottingham Post newspaper has been roundly criticised by Wrexham fans after writing a column which questioned why the club was playing in an English league, and imploring the Dragons to go and ‘play on your own turf’.
Notts County fan Pam Pearce, who writes a regular column for the newspaper, was roundly criticised when the article appeared today.
Many Welsh fans pointed out her ignorance and lack of footballing history when she wrote: “Notts County is the oldest football club in the world and should be in the league.
“The past is another country, but so is the location of Wrexham. Why are they even interested in playing in an English league? Wrexham is in Wales.”
She then implored Wrexham to return to “play on your own turf”.
As many Wrexham fans pointed out all Pam needed to do was do little research, even consult Google, and she would understand why Wrexham play in the English League system, alongside, Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Merthyr, because they always have.
There were lots of comments on Twitter when the offending article was posted.
Fearless In Devotion, the Wrexham AFC pod & fanzine wrote: ‘You do realise the Welsh clubs were begged by the English league bosses at the time to join the league because of their much bigger crowds? That’s the reason. Bit of research would’ve shown you that.’
Wrexham fan Cerys Kes posted: ‘Pam, I can see the passion and support for your club which is fabulous. Just a shame your piece descends into unnecessary commentary on a rival clubs nationality. Verging on “go back home”. Shame on you.”
‘The Voice of Wrexham’ club commentator Mark Griffiths ‘I don’t like how Notts County were @d to this. A great club, packed with top people who treat you right, that clubs should try to emulate, whose current side is superb (sadly!) They don’t deserve to have their name unwittingly exploited to earn clicks for this embarrassing bigotry.”
Pam means ‘why’ in Welsh. All we can ask is why this was allowed to be published!
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
I wonder if this person realises that Notts County’s number 1 fan Vicky McClure is a shirt sponsor at Merthy football club along with her other half Jon Owen who’s also a director at Notts Forest.So Vicky sponsors a team “on our turf”.I wonder if she sponsors Notts County in any way?.
But she’s right. Clubs in Wales should be playing in the Cymro league. If the like of Swansea, Cardiff, Newport and Wrexham were, you could argue for an Automatic European spot. But as it is, The Cymro clubs like the smell of English money more than their own self respect.
I think your understanding of Cymraeg is sadly lacking. Plus your message is pathetic.
Btw, i don’t like speakin Welsh because it’s not foreign to this island. So until people stop referring to it as such, I’ll refuse to speak it.
I realise that you can’t speak Welsh. That l can understand, but the rest of your message is confusing.
Regarding Cymraeg he’s doing pretty well for a Russian.
Then where do you draw the line.Does this mean that TNS who are based in England should no longer continue in The Welsh League.Furthermore there are Shropshire based teams on the Border who play in The Local Mid Wales league.
Even Berwick Rangers who are in England play in The Scottish league and Derry City in Northern Ireland play in The ROI league.
And Monaco play in the French league.
ChatGPT: the oldest football club still in existence is Sheffield Football Club, which was founded in Sheffield, England in 1857.
Notts County FC, also known as Notts or The Magpies, was founded on November 28, 1862.
Of course all Welsh teams should play in the Welsh pyramid. European competition could be very likely for the top teams in Wales.
With the exception of Barry Town back in The 90s the performances of Welsh Premier League Teams in Europe has been abysmal.This would also continue if All the teams were to play in The Welsh pyramid.
As a Notts fan I and all Notts fans want to distance ourselves from this article, badly written and totally ill informed. We are having the greatest title race this tinpot league has ever seen or will ever see again so let’s not let this drivel sour it.
Pams comment does appear to be completely unnecessary, Welsh teams playing in the English league have always been as such and added to the success of the system. I get the arguement regarding playing in the Welsh league may benefit the smaller clubs in Wales, but not the bigger teams.
Celtic and Rangers would jump at the opportunity.
It is a shame there is not a British league, would be interesting. Although may mean the argument for separate national teams would diminish and I think we can all agree we do not want that!!
Pam does not speak for Notts County fans…whoever goes up this season deserves it.
Welsh clubs should play in a welsh league, make the welsh league stronger. Get a backbone. Scottish and irish sides dont play in england.