WALES' First Minister congratulated the newly crowned National League champions on their success – and said Wales’ newest city is on the up.

His comments came after Clwyd South MS Ken Skates asked the First Minister for an update on the Wrexham Gateway project, which will see the Racecourse Ground’s famous Kop stand rebuilt and major improvements to public transport infrastructure.

The Welsh Government has already committed £25m and is working with Wrexham Council, Wrexham AFC and The Football Association of Wales to deliver it despite the UK Government twice snubbing the project and choosing not to invest in Wrexham.

Mr Drakeford told the Senedd: “The Wrexham Gateway Partnership has stepped in to support the redevelopment of the Racecourse Ground and the return of competitive international football to the north of Wales in the light of UK Government’s failure to do so. Work to design a new public transport interchange at Wrexham General station is also now under way.”

The Leader: The Racecourse Ground. (Stu Roberts).The Racecourse Ground. (Stu Roberts). (Image: Stu Roberts)

Ahead of last night’s victory parade, Mr Skates said: “It’s a very special day for Wrexham today. There’ll be an open-top bus progressing through the city with the team on board; with the owners, Rob and Ryan; with, no doubt, representatives of the club across the board, and hopefully the supporters trust as well. They all deserve huge thanks for what they’re doing.

“First Minister, can you outline what you believe the Wrexham Gateway project, funded by the Welsh Government, will do to the city and the football club in terms of the economic benefits and the benefit to the prestige of Wrexham itself?”

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The First Minister responded: “These are great days for Wrexham. Of course, great days in football, but also everything that that has done to raise the profile of the city. The Welsh Government goes on being absolutely committed to the Wrexham Gateway project.

“Twice it’s been turned down by the UK Government, and now Welsh authorities are stepping in to make sure that the redevelopment of the ground can be completed – not simply to the standard that will be required for Wrexham’s return to the Football League. Football, rugby union, rugby league have all been played internationally at the Wrexham ground, and we want to make sure that that is possible for Wrexham in the future.”

He added: “But it’s not just the football ground itself, it’s everything that lies behind it. It’s all those years of dedication from volunteers who kept the club afloat and are now looking forward to what lies ahead. A story which, I’m sure, has many successful chapters to come.

“We will continue to work with our partners, all our partners, in Wrexham to achieve our shared ambition for the redevelopment of that part of the city, and the message it sends out about the successful future that lies ahead for Wrexham itself.”