ANGRY Wrexham fans say the club has put a gaping chasm between its glorious past and dismal present by plunging to the bottom of the National League.

Last weekend’s 2-1 setback at basement rivals Ebbsfleet left the Dragons propping up the table as their fortunes go from bad to worse in the fifth tier of English football.

The Leader took to Wrexham town centre and found that some supporters recalling epic European campaigns under John Neal and Bobby Roberts in the 1970s and 1980s as well as the famous 1992 FA Cup third round giant-killing of Division One Champions Arsenal as a measure of how far their side has fallen.

Others called for changes off the pitch and want the Supporters’ Trust to appoint an experienced executive to run the business side of the club.

The Leader:

Kevin Williams

Former season ticket holder Kevin Williams, 56, of Ruabon says he was a regular attender at the Racecourse in the 1980s and 1990 and used to travel regularly to away games.

But he said: “I don’t bother now they are in the National league. I remember when we were in Europe and that Arsenal cup game.

“But it is shocking the way we have gone down. It has got worse and worse and something has got to change. I stopped going and spent my money watching my second team – Everton.”

The Leader:

Charlie Greatorex

Charlie Greatorex, 66, from Gresford, said: “My son and daughter in law are season ticket holders and take me to a few games.

“It’s been poor this season and I think the trust has got a lot to to with it. Apparently, they won’t let anyone invest in the club, but it is outward investment we need.

“Most of the teams in that league that get out of it have some money behind them.”

Thomas Parry-Jones, 70, of Rhosddu, said: "I used to sell programmes at the ground and it is really sad they are not as good sas they used to be.

"They should be doing better and they need someone in who can put the club back on the right track."

The Leader:

David Jones

Diehard fan David Jones, 63, believes a more business-like approach is needed off the pitch.

David, who runs Trader Paraphernalia on the town’s open air market, said: “It needs a professional CEO (Chief Executive Officer) to run it. I know the trust members give their time for nothing, but we need someone to run the football side better.

“The squad is too big for this level at 28 players and I don’t think we should have got Dean Keates back. We have got a bad record of appointing managers generally.

“The trust gave Bryan Hughes a three-year contract which was way too long for a guy who was inexperienced as a manager.

The Leader:

Thomas Parry-Jones

“If they were looking at that type of manager I’d have liked to have seen someone like Andy Morrison (of Connah’s Quay Nomads) been given a go as at least he is proven at a certain level.

“But to be honest the whole thing needs restructuring from the top.”

Fans have deserted Wrexham in droves as another season in the National League is followed by another season with just glimmers of hope they can retain their Football League status lost back in 2008.

Yet some re-emerged this season with their confidence restored following last season’s play-off involvement only to be meted out further punishment.

Dismayed Phil Jones, 64, of Borras Park, returned to watch games at the Racecourse this season after what he described as a "very lengthy break".

“I’ve only seen them win once,” he groaned. “We need a good old fashioned centre forward and Dean Keates needs to fetch in his own players.

“It’s just not right, both on and off the pitch.”

Wrexham issued a statement apologising to their fan base at the weekend and calling for “everyone to pull together in the same direction”.

In an unusual step for a side slipping to the bottom in mid-season, the message on the club’s web site also promised that cash would be spent on loan players during the January transfer window, which Wrexham are restricted by because of international transfers, unlike their NL rivals.

But celebrity fan and former Sky broadcaster Bryn Law was not impressed and joined those criticising the way in which the statement was delivered.

Law tweeted: “This Wrexham_AFC strategy of communicating with the wider fan base through statements is counter-productive. It enhances the sense of detachment, discussions behind doors closed to us. Use the media, answer questions, try and rally fans who now fear the demise of our club.”