Ex-footballer Bob Scott on Wrexham AFC and Scotts nightclub

Weekends were not complete for many without a visit to Scotts nightclub.

The driving force behind the popular venue was Bob Scott, and he was hands on with it from day one.

The Leader spoke to the former businessman and footballer about his path from pitch to club owner and host...

Wrexham AFC player Bob Scott.

Bob, now 71, was born in Liverpool but put early roots down in Wrexham.

He said: "I was playing for Liverpool as a kid, from about 15 to 17, with my friend Graham.

"Wrexham always had a scout at Liverpool and he had spotted us two and that's when we came over to Wrexham, and had a couple of trials and were signed.

David Platt wins Player of the Season at the Footballers Association, pictured with Bob Scott.

"At the time it was a big deal for a 17-year-old to go to a professional club and then get signed pro at 18. You think 'great, I'm on the way'."

Defender Bob went on to serve twice with the football club, from 1970-76 and again in 1986, with successful spells at other clubs including Crewe Alexandra.

His return in the 80s saw him under manager Dixie McNeil, aged 32 and "still fit".

Read more: Looking back over Bob Scott's Wrexham nightclub venue

Bob Scott with friend and Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.

Bob, now with wife Angela, has been living in Wrexham since he was 17, adding: "My base has always been Wrexham, no matter what club I went to. Even while on loan to Reading, I tried to get home at the weekends.

"In the early days we were only on £12 a week, £2 of that went on tax and National Insurance and £5 for the lady we lived with for our digs.

"That left £5 for all week, pay for our dinners."

Bob and Angela Scott.

An unexpected side of his days at Wrexham that Bob loved, was the charity work, which included an incredibly moving trip to Bosnia with Operation Christmas Child.

After ending years of professional football, Bob worked in insurance in Chester for a time but it wasn't something he was enjoying.

Things changed when he was contacted by Charles Roberts, then a director at Wrexham AFC.

Read more: Loved and lost nightclubs of Wrexham

Door staff at Scotts nightclub in Wrexham.

Charles had put to Bob plans for a club in the town, and so a local legend was born.

Scotts ran from 1989 to 2010, when Bob called it a day with growing overheads and competition, plus a young family.

In the early stage, it was suggested someone should come in and do the design for the venue but Bob had his own ideas.

Staff at Scotts nightclub in Wrexham.

Putting his house at the time up against the potential success of the club, he wanted to design it himself, from where the bars were to the dance floors and staff.

He said: "I designed every floor. I had been to clubs and seen how they were run, what worked.

"One of the important things was door staff. I said to the lads 'you don't want to be a bully or I'll sack you straight away'.

Bob Scott with his sister Lynda, who was part of the team at Scotts.

"The staff felt a part of everything, and they were respected."

Bob's no nonsense approach meant jeans and t-shirts were an automatic no entry but it proved a hit, and certainly didn't keep people away.

He would see about 1,000 people through the doors every Friday and Saturday, and made a point of being there himself.

Would he ever consider being part of a Scotts revival for Wrexham? He remains coy, saying "Maybe. You'll have to see."

Bob Scott wearing the 'Scotty's gonna get ya!!' t-shirt.

While Bob remains a part of Wrexham AFC's history, it's very much their future that is in the spotlight, and he is fully onboard.

He adds: "What's happening now at the club, with the new owners, is tremendous. It's just what they needed, a kick up the backside."

While he admits life as a footballer hasn't been without its ups and downs, Bob's advice to young players is simply "give it everything". A motto he has followed, and continues to follow.