Each year, Wrexham commemorates the Gresford disaster. The 1934 disaster was an explosion and underground fire that occurred in a coal mine resulting in the death of 266 men. The incident has archival footage that is shown in ‘Gresford’ of families gathering around the entrance of the mine to see if their loved ones survived the explosion. Gresford was one of the worst mining disasters in British history and the event has a unique tie to the Wrexham team. 

Wrexham, known for its blue collar labor, increasingly relied on mining in the early 20th century as the shipyards and steel industry struggled. Wrexham miners were paid a measly $115 per week adjusted for inflation, but had little opportunity for employment elsewhere. When not working, the miners would often attend Wrexham matches and swap shifts with their fellow workers in order to attend matches. These matches were a source of pride and entertainment for fans and a well-deserved break from hard manual labor.

The Gresford disaster lingers in Wrexham’s collective conscience, Welcome to Wrexham interviewing children of the fathers that were killed in the explosion. Rob McElhenney visits a memorial site for the disaster and proposes that the renovation of the Kop should include a mining pit wheel to commemorate Wrexham’s history. ‘Gresford’ builds up to Wrexham fans singing ‘Yma O Hyd’ (‘Still Here’) at the Racecourse and represents another peeling back of layers of Wrexham’s history to show us.

On a less solemn tone is ‘Yn Codi’ (‘Rise’), where we have returned to the women’s season. The women are at the cusp of an undefeated season and Wrexham leadership decides it is time for the Wrexham women to play a match at the Racecourse. This match, the final match of the regular season, represents an opportunity to break a Wales record for a women’s football match attendance. And break it they do. Shatter it in fact. 9,500 fans are in attendance, beating the prior record by almost 4,000 attendees. The game is a nailbiter, but a late goal by Rosie Hughes places the game out of reach for Connah’s Quay. 

To win this massive home game is exciting, but, unlike the men’s league, placing top of the league does not convey promotion. To be promoted, the Wrexham women, champions of Adran North, must face the champions of Adran South. Goalkeeper Delyth Morgan proves to be the most valuable player in the match, but Hughes makes her presence known by scoring a goal with the most impressive kick we’ve seen in Welcome to Wrexham yet. Will we see equal brilliance from the men’s team? We’ll have to wait until next week’s episode of Welcome to Wrexham to see.