WREXHAM AFC Women Under-19s are leading the way at the club after being named champions.
The team was confirmed as Genero Adran U19s North champions with a game to spare after NFA’s heavy defeat to TNS on Wednesday.
🏆 CHAMPIONS! 🏆
— Wrexham AFC Women (@WrexhamAFCWomen) March 23, 2022
Following NFA's defeat to TNS tonight, our Under-19s have been confirmed as Genero Adran U19s North champions!
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/7cJGNPrqVv
The accolade led to messages of congratulations from fans as well as the club's Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
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Rob tweeted: "Hey @Wrexham_AFC today just feels brighter doesn’t it?"
Our goal in life is to kick as much ass as the @WrexhamAFCWomen’s team, but so far @RMcElhenney and I have spent all day trying to pronounce Llongyfarchiadau. #UpTheTown pic.twitter.com/pm5ZYlEv5a
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) March 23, 2022
And Deadpool actor Ryan said: "Our goal in life is to kick as much ass as the @WrexhamAFCWomen’s team, but so far @RMcElhenney and I have spent all day trying to pronounce Llongyfarchiadau. #UpTheTown."
To which Rob, creator of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, replied: "Full transparency, it’s been a week. And we’re no closer to either goal. Congrats again, @WrexhamAFCWomen’s team!"
A number of postponed fixtures meant that, although the Red Dragons were 11 points clear at the top of the table, third-placed NFA could still have mathematically caught them.
However, after a crushing defeat to TNS – who sit second in the table, seven points behind Wrexham, Gareth Owen’s side can no longer be caught.
What a team this is! ♥️
— Gemma Owen (@GemmaOwenRCF) March 23, 2022
It has been an absolute pleasure working with these girls this season, they are amazing….both as players and people.
We look forward to our last league game of the season on Friday 🔴⚪️ https://t.co/FJE7yxqet7
They conclude their season against Northop Hall Ladies U19s at Colliers Park on Friday, where they will be officially crowned champions in their first season.
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Manager Gareth Owen said: "The players have applied themselves so well over the season and really lived up to what we ask of them.
"We make sure they understand the Club, and the responsibility that comes with wearing the badge.
"They’ve really earned the title, and we’ll be doing everything we can to prepare them to defend it next season.
"There is a clear pathway to women's first team football within the club; something we are very proud of."
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As part of the expansion of the women’s game in North Wales, this is the first time Wrexham has fielded an under-19s team and it has been a memorable debut campaign for the team.
Six players – Amber Lightfoot, Ella Clifton-Stringer, Mia Roberts, Lili Jones, Natasha Spearing and Erin Dunkerley – have made their first-team debuts this season, helping Wrexham AFC Women finish second in the Genero Adran North.
Lightfoot and Wales Under-17 international Jones have been in fine goalscoring form in the Genero Adran U19s North league too, each scoring ten goals in six games this season.
Elana Harley has chipped in with nine goals, while both Natasha Spearing and Siwan Williams have scored eight times.
Hey @Wrexham_AFC today just feels brighter doesn’t it? 🏴 🇺🇸 🇨🇦
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) March 23, 2022
On the team’s achievements, Head of Female Football and Under-19s assistant manager, Gemma Owen, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure working with this group of players over the course of this season.
“We couldn’t have asked any more of them, they have given everything.
“They have worked extremely hard both on and off the pitch and represented the club, their team-mates and themselves brilliantly.
“They are not only talented players, but amazing people and they thoroughly deserve to be crowned champions of the Genero Adran U19s North league. We are incredibly proud of them all.
“Six of these players have featured in the first team this season and we look forward to seeing more Under-19s players making that step up next season.”
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