Wrexham stadium petition hits 10,000-name mark

A petition calling on Wrexham council to protect the future of the town's Racecourse stadium has passed the 10,000 signature mark.

Fans want the ground included in Wrexham's local development plan (LDP), and preserved for "leisure activities".

The LDP sets out future long-term planning strategies and land use until 2021.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas said the fans' petition was a "major achievement".

Wrexham FC, who currently play in the Blue Square Premier league, are based at the Racecourse, as are rugby league side Celtic Crusaders.

Mr Lucas met council officials earlier this year to back the bid to have the football ground included in a list of named sites in the LDP.

"Getting 10,000 signatures is a major achievement for the organisers," said Mr Lucas.

"With just a few hundred more signatures, the petition's size will equal the capacity of the Racecourse ground itself.

"Fans of Wrexham FC have a long and honourable tradition of supporting football locally both on and off the pitch.

The petition was organised by fans at the Red Passion website for Wrexham football club supporters.

RedPassion said the stadium was a "landmark entrance to an important artery into the town" and any threat to its future in the town would "damage Wrexham's aspirations to city status".

The organisers now plan to hand it in to the council in the next few weeks, before public consultation on the LDP ends in July.