Wrexham AFC says that they hope the clash between Wales’ World Cup Qualifier and Wrexham’s potential appearance in the National League Play-Off Final becomes a “momentous and memorable” day for the sport despite disappointment.

The club is currently second in the National League, seven points behind Stockport, and to fight for their promotion they will likely be in the play-offs.

The play-off final for the Vanarama National League was announced, however, to kick off at the London Stadium at 3 pm on Saturday, June 5.

Read more: National League play-off final to clash with Wales' World Cup play off

This means that they kick-off just two hours before Wales’ World Cup qualifier in Cardiff, which could see them reach their first World Cup since 1958.

Wrexham AFC has released a statement about the clash and choice of the stadium, which has been met with the disappointment of Welsh and Wrexham football fans.

The statement said: “The Club, like the FAW had asked that every effort be made to see if a clash with Wales’ World Cup qualifier against Scotland or Ukraine could be avoided. While the kick-off times are different, the reality is that fans will have to make a choice between which of the games they want to watch live, in person.

“We are aware that the representations were taken seriously, and the decision taken by the National League was simply down to the lack of any alternative date or stadium to host the game.”

They explained that the date had been announced at the start of the season and that it couldn’t have been envisaged that a World-Cup play-off would be scheduled on the same day.

Read more: Wrexham AFC beat highest attendance record AGAIN as over 10,000 fans witness 4-0 win

They added: “The disappointment of the potential clash is shared by everyone, and should the Club compete in the National League Play-Off Final, we hope that it becomes a momentous and memorable day for football in Wales.”

Lesley Griffiths, MS for Wrexham, expressed her disappointment when she posted a letter she has written to Jack Pearce, the Charman of the National League.

 

On Twitter, the Member of Senedd wrote: “Obviously no guarantee @Wrexham_AFC will be involved but still disappointed by today’s announcement that the London Stadium will host the National League play-off final.

“I struggle to see how it can be the “perfect fit” for fans and I look forward to receiving a response.”

The Vanarama League general manager Mark Ives, however, welcomed the selection of the stadium.

He said: “It is a fantastic sporting arena with a rich history and very befitting of our showpiece promotion final.

“Whilst we don’t know who will get to the promotion final yet, what we can now promise is a stadium worthy of hosting such a huge game.”

Wrexham is currently joined in the play-off positions by Halifax, Solihull Moors, Chesterfield, Grimsby, and Notts County.