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Changed name of Glyndwr University to Wrexham University (with reference to its original name where appropriate) |
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{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = {{lang|cy|STōK Cae Ras}}
| nickname = {{native name|en|STōK Racecourse}}
| logo_image =
| logo_size =
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| image_upright =
| image_alt =
| fullname = Racecourse Ground<br>{{native name|cy|Y Cae Ras}}
| caption =
| location = Mold Road, [[Wrexham, Wales]] LL11 2AH
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| architect = Ward McHugh Associates (Yale Stand)
| tenants = [[Wrexham A.F.C.]] (1864–present)<br />[[Wales national football team]] (selected matches)<br />[[North Wales Crusaders]] (2012–2016)
| seating_capacity = 13,322<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=Wrexham_AFC |number=1827369548762292554 |title=Brilliant support again at the STōK Cae Ras}}</ref> (Football)
| dimensions = {{convert|102|x|68|m|abbr=on}}
| website = {{url|www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/club/stok-cae-ras/}}<!-- {{url|www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/club/the-racecourse-ground/}} -->
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| former names = My Racecourse<br />Wrexham Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium
}}
The '''Racecourse Ground''' ({{lang-cy|Y Cae Ras}}), known for sponsorship reasons as the {{lang|cy|italic=no|'''STōK Cae Ras'''}} (or '''STōK Racecourse'''), is a football stadium in [[Wrexham]], [[Wales]]. It is the home of [[Wrexham A.F.C.]]
It is the world's oldest international football stadium that still hosts international matches, having hosted Wales' first home international match in 1877,<ref name="dailypost-20080618">{{
The Racecourse Ground is the largest stadium in [[
Its sponsorship name was effective from 1 July 2023,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=STōK CAE RAS {{!}} Stadium sponsorship now live |url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2023/july/stk-cae-ras--stadium-sponsorship-now-live/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=www.wrexhamafc.co.uk |language=en-gb}}</ref> following a sponsorship deal with STōK Cold Brew Coffee.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
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==History==
===Inception (1864–1952) ===
Wrexham Football Club have played at the Racecourse Ground since being formed in the local [[Turf Hotel]] public house in October 1864. However, Wrexham played their home games in the 1881–82 and 1882–83 seasons at the [[Rhosddu Recreation Ground|Recreation Ground]] in [[Rhosddu]] due to an increase in rent from the then owners, Wrexham Cricket Club, while also changing the name to Wrexham Athletic for one season. Before the club was formed the ground was mainly used for cricket and occasionally, horse racing.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/club/history/ | work=Wrexham FC | title=History | date=6 December 2012 | access-date=6 December 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215212034/http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/club/history/ | archive-date=15 December 2012 | url-status=live }}</ref> The Racecourse was used extensively for flying before the First World War, with [[Gustav Hamel]] making public displays in August 1912 and June 1913. Wrexham Borough Council considered making the racecourse the town's municipal airport, however this was later developed at Borras. <ref name="jones-2008">{{
===Expansion (1952–2002) ===
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In 2002 then Wrexham F.C. chairman William Pryce Griffiths secured a 125-year lease on the Racecourse with Wolverhampton Dudley Breweries for £750,000, and a [[peppercorn (law)|peppercorn]] annual rent of £1. The club hosted [[The New Saints F.C.|TNS]] vs [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in a [[UEFA Champions League]] qualifier in 2005.
On 26 June 2002, the [[freehold (law)|freehold]] to the Racecourse Ground was acquired by Wrexham A.F.C. from Wolverhampton Dudley Breweries for £300,000. On the same day, the ownership of the freehold was transferred by the chairman, Alex Hamilton, from Wrexham A.F.C. to another of his companies, Damens Ltd, for a nominal fee. After this controversial change in ownership, the 125-year lease on the Racecourse held by Wrexham F.C. was renegotiated. The new lease stated that Damens Ltd could evict Wrexham F.C. from the Racecourse Ground upon 12 months' notice and payment of £1,000,000. The new lease also saw the club's annual rent increase from £1 to £30,000. In 2004 Wrexham F.C. was given a years' notice to quit the ground;<ref name="bbc-20041119">{{
===Transfer to Wrexham Village Ltd (2006–2016)===
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To put a permanent cash injection into the sporting clubs, Wrexham Village proposed in 2008 a joint venture development with a yet to be chosen third party, to develop a student village area near the site of the KOP stand. The £40 million project would be developed in conjunction with [[Wrexham University]] to house over 800 students, and take place in two phases. The club would benefit from either land-lease income, or joint ownership within the development and hence rental income direct from the tenants. However, due to the global recession, the company found it hard to find a development partner, and the land and project was eventually sold freehold in 2009 to another company owned by Moss and Roberts.
In August 2011, after a period of instability at Wrexham Village Ltd, the owning company of the stadium and both the football and rugby league clubs, the company agreed to sell the stadium and associated training grounds to Wrexham University (then known as Glyndŵr University). The proposed deal, subject to completion and contract under the financial terms agreed by both parties, would allow both sporting teams to continue using the facilities.<ref name="bbc-20110803">{{
On 19 May 2014, work began at the Racecourse;<ref name="wrexhamuni-20214">{{
===University ownership (2016–2022)===
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===Stands===
;The Kop
:The originally all-standing home stand is named after the [[Battle of Spion Kop]], as many grounds in the UK used to have [[Spion Kop (stadia)|ends named similarly]]. Behind the goal, it is known officially as the Crispin Lane End or "Town End". With a capacity of 5,000, the Spion Kop was the largest all-standing terrace in the English Football League. Since 2008, it has been unused on safety grounds. In November 2022, Wrexham Council's planning committee approved plans for a 5,500 capacity seater stand including a hospitality lounge, office and retail space for the club as well as further facilities for the club's community trust.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63554065|title=Wrexham AFC: Racecourse Stadium's Kop redevelopment plans given council approval|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 November 2022|accessdate=8 November 2022}}</ref> The stand was demolished in January 2023 for a complete rebuild, as it has been unused for a number of years by that point, being deemed a health hazard;<ref>{{Cite
:On 4th December 2023, the club announced that permission had been sought to install a temporary stand at the Kop End.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Dec 2023 |title=Capacity Increase |url=https://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/2023/december/statement--stk-cae-ras---capacity-increase/ }}</ref> The temporary stand will allow for an additional 2,289 home supporters, as well as accommodation for 20 wheelchairs with access via Crispin Lane. The temporary stand was opened at 80% capacity in time for the fixture against Newport County on 23 December 2023. The temporary stand
;Wrexham Lager Stand
:Capacity 4,200, backing onto where [[Yale College, Wrexham|Yale College]] used to be. It was built in 1972 in preparation for the club's first venture into Europe, and also provided new dressing rooms, club offices and entertainment suites. The Centenary Club is also located here. The stand is
;STōK Cold Brew Coffee Stand<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-02 |title=Wrexham AFC announce name change for stand at the Racecourse Ground |url=https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23627630.wrexham-afc-rename-stand-racecourse-ground/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=The Leader |language=en}}</ref>
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The stadium has eight allocated spaces for those who are [[Visual impairment|visually impaired]]; the commentary provided is also broadcast to the [[Wrexham Maelor Hospital|local hospital]].
In October 2013, the stadium hosted the [[United Kingdom]]'s first '[[autism]] friendly' football match. A group of around 50 attended the Racecourse to watch
In August 2015, a new viewing platform was opened by [[Richard Faulkner, Baron Faulkner of Worcester|Lord Faulkner of Worcester]], using funding from the Premier League's Football Stadia Improvement Fund.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lord Faulkner Officially Opens Improved Stand|url=http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/article/lord-faulkner-officially-opens-improved-wrexham-afc-stand-2667874.aspx|publisher=Wrexham AFC|access-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226221120/http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/article/lord-faulkner-officially-opens-improved-wrexham-afc-stand-2667874.aspx|archive-date=26 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Located at the rear of the Macron Stand, this further increased the number of places available to disabled fans, as well as providing protection from the elements. It has space for six users and carers.
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In November 2018, the DSA started the Audio Descriptive Commentary service, where blind or visually impaired supporters can listen to the game, live in the stadium. There are 10 handsets available, on a first come first served basis.
==Rugby League==
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===International===
International Rugby League games have also been staged at the ground. The stadium hosted [[Wales national rugby league team|Wales]]' clash with [[England national rugby league team|England]] in the [[2012 Autumn International Series]]. In 2013, it held Wales' [[2013 Rugby League World Cup]] home game with the [[United States national rugby league team|USA]] on Sunday 3 November 2013, with the Tomahawks ending the home side's chance of a quarter-final appearance with a 24–16 win. The win by the USA, a team expected to be
As part of the [[2014 Rugby League European Cup]], the Racecourse Ground hosted the match between Wales and [[Ireland national rugby league team|Ireland]] on 2 November.
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! Date !! Competitors !! Attendance !! Part of
|-
| 30 Aug. 1997 || {{ru-rt|WAL}} 70-21 {{ru|ROM}} || || Autumn Internationals
|-
| 3 Oct. 1999 || {{ru-rt|SAM}} 43-9 {{ru|JAP}} || 15,000 || [[1999 Rugby World Cup#Pool_D|1999 Rugby World Cup Pool D]]
|-
| 1 Nov. 2002 || {{ru-rt|WAL}} 40-3 {{ru|ROM}} || || Autumn Internationals
|-
| 27 Aug. 2003 || {{ru-rt|WAL}} 54-8 {{ru|ROM}} || || 2003 Rugby World Cup Warm-Up Tests
|-
|}
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==Other uses==
The first concert to be held at the Racecourse was in the summer of 1976 with the 'Festival of Entertainment.' Mac and Katie Kissoon, Junior Walker and KC and the Sunshine Band gave the occasion a distinctly soul/disco feel.
The second concert to be held at the stadium took place in July 1982, when [[Motörhead]] headlined with [[Twisted Sister]] making their UK debut as the support act.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dee Snider Reveals How Lemmy Helped Twisted Sister Break Through|date=29 December 2015 |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/dee-snider-book-excerpt/|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|access-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315013923/http://ultimateclassicrock.com/dee-snider-book-excerpt/|archive-date=15 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=How the UK changed Twisted Sister |date=9 August 2016 |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-the-uk-changed-twisted-sister-dee-snider/|publisher=Metal Hammer|access-date=16 May 2020}}</ref> Other concerts at the venue have included [[Stereophonics]], as part of their [[Keep the Village Alive|Keep The Summer Alive]] tour,<ref>{{cite news|title=After success of Stereophonics Wrexham gig, fans demand more big act stadium gigs for town|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/after-success-stereophonics-wrexham-gig-11559608|access-date=26 December 2016|work=Daily Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226220709/http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/after-success-stereophonics-wrexham-gig-11559608|archive-date=26 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[UB40]]<ref>{{cite web|title=British Reggae Legends UB40 Will Perform Live At My Racecourse – May Bank Holiday 2017|url=http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/british-reggae-legends-ub40-will-perform-live-at-my-racecourse-3433047.aspx|publisher=Wrexham AFC|access-date=26 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226220520/http://www.wrexhamafc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/british-reggae-legends-ub40-will-perform-live-at-my-racecourse-3433047.aspx|archive-date=26 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Olly Murs]].<ref>{{
The stadium was used as a filming location in the
==Location==
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{{Wrexham A.F.C.}}
{{EFL League
{{Wales national football team}}
{{Crusaders Rugby League}}
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