KING CHARLES was mixing with Wrexham FC royalty in his pre-Christmas trip around The Racecourse.

Dixie McNeil - Wrexham’s player-turned-manager and now club president - admits he was taken aback to meet King Charles and chat about what he describes as ‘the buzz’ around The Racecourse.

“It was a pleasure to meet him and I wasn’t expecting to,” said McNeil.

“He just came across as a really nice fella. He knew all about the club and the interest that’s been created since Rob and Ryan bought the club.

“He really impressed and it was so lovely to chat to him.”

McNeil has plenty of stories to tell about his long association with the club and a town that he calls home.

He first moved to Wrexham in 1977 where he embarked on one of the best goalscoring runs in FA Cup history.

Wrexham’s memorable title-winning 1977/78 season included a fabulous FA Cup adventure to the quarter-finals in a remarkable run that was dominated by replays and McNeil’s scoring exploits.

“I think I still hold the record for scoring in 10 rounds on the trot,” said McNeil, who scored an amazing 11 goals in nine FA Cup ties before the Reds were knocked out by Arsenal in a last eight tie at The Racecourse on March 11.

“I loved that FA Cup run. That year certainly everyone at the club thought we would get to Wembley. We honestly thought we’d be the first Third Division side to do it. I love the FA Cup and still do.”

McNeil scored in every round that season – in 2-0 wins at home to Burton Albion, and away at Preston and another against Bristol City in a 3-0 replay win after the first leg at Ashton Gate ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Then it was Newcastle United at St James’ Park where his two goals – including a last minute half volley to secure a 2-2 draw – earned Wrexham another replay where he notched another two in a 4-1 win.

A last-minute leveller at home to minnows Blyth Spartans meant another trip up north and back to St James’ Park where he scored in a 2-1 win.

“It was my best goal ever for Wrexham. We were up against it. 28,000 had watched the Newcastle tie but there were more than 40,000 there for the Blyth game and thousands locked out,” added McNeil. “I remember Shinner picking up the ball, breaking out on the wing like only Shinner could do and he sent in a brilliant cross.

“I just hit in on the half volley from 25 yards and it flew in the top corner.”

The quarter-final tie at home to Arsenal was billed as the battle of the SuperMacs – Wrexham’s Dixie against The Gunners’ Malcolm as Arsenal headed to The Racecourse. Both scored but Arsenal won 3-2 – a result that ended McNeil’s cup final dream.

The magic of the Cup was a spell McNeil still conjured up with goals against Tottenham, Chelsea and Brian Clough’s European Cup champions Nottingham Forest - as well as a third round third replay winner over West Ham.

McNeil, who celebrates his 76th birthday this month, may have hung up his boots but it won’t stop him imaginary kicking every ball in the stand at Coventry City as Wrexham head off in search of more FA Cup glory on Saturday afternoon.

McNeil was assistant manager at Coventry in the 1990/91 - and has fond memories of the club and boss John Sillett, who was also his manager at Hereford United.

Sillett had originally slapped a £100,000 price tag on McNeil, who had scored 85 goals in 129 appearances during an explosive three year stint at Edgar Street - and Reds boss Arfon Griffiths didn’t want to pay that much.

“John told me to go to Wrexham as soon as they stepped up their interest,” added McNeil.

“Arfon knew I was on a good weekly wage at Hereford but didn’t know how much.

”John told Wrexham I was on 50 per cent more than I was actually getting at Hereford so money-wise, I did pretty well out of the move!”

So did Wrexham for whom McNeil is one of a number of links with the Sky Blues, who lifted the FA Cup under Sillett in 1987.

That long list of players, who have turned out for both sides, includes Les Cartwright, Chris Dunn, Craig Faulconbridge, Lee Fowler, Paul Hall, Ron Hewitt, Jordan Maguire-Drew, Andy Morrell, Jordan Ponticelli, Stephen Wright and their current first team coach Dennis Lawrence.