Racecourse’s New Stand Name Revealed

A section of the Wrexham Racecourse is set to be rebranded following a competition launched by Glyndwr University, and won by a local company.

Utilities Connections Management Ltd, a consultancy business based on the Wrexham Industrial estate, was the lucky winner of the competition launched by the stadium owners, Glyndwr University.

The Yale section of the stadium will be rebranded with Utilities Connections Management signage over summer. The signage will be in place for the 2014 – 15 football season.

Naming rights for the new football season, which begins in August 2014, were offered as part of a competition to support the university’s fundraising arm, Glyndŵr Giving.

UCML managing director Arwel Lloyd said: “A few of our staff are Wrexham FC season ticket holders and we wanted to do more to support the local community so the opportunity to have a named stand at the stadium was ideal.

“UCML has been around for 10 years now but we don’t really do any advertising so we see this as an opportunity to reinforce the brand both locally and around the country.

“This also builds on our already strong relationship with Glyndŵr University – we were involved with work at the Wrexham Village student accommodation and most of our staff have some connection to the university as current students or graduates.”

Money raised from the competition, which cost £250 per entry, will support campus development, improved facilities, academic excellence and community engagement.

All companies who entered will feature in a match-day football programme, seen by several thousand fans.

Anna-Marie Brown, sports manager at Glyndŵr University, said: “We are delighted that UCML will have a presence at the stadium throughout next season.

“They are a Wrexham company and we are Wrexham’s university so we hope the link-up will be mutually beneficial”

Glyndwr have also revealed they are going to make much needed improvements to the pitch and various facilities at the stadium, with the ground due to be closed for two months over the summer to allow work to take place.

Wrexham.com understands this will involve a complete replacement of the playing surface and improvements to the drainage underneath.

The Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium is recognised as the world’s oldest international football arena that still hosts international matches by The Guinness Book of World Records, having been the venue where Wales played its first ever home international match in 1877.

It is also home to North Wales Crusaders rugby league team and Wrexham FC, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.