FA Trophy: Wrexham celebrate Wembley victory

Player manager Andy Morrell gleefully holds the FA Trophy

Wrexham are celebrating after becoming the first Welsh team to win the FA Trophy.

They beat Grimsby Town in a penalty shoot-out after the game ended 1-1 after normal time and extra time.

Fans defied the heavy north Wales snow to dig out their cars and follow their heroes to Wembley for the first time in the club's history.

First Minister Carwyn Jones was among the first to congratulate Wrexham on their "historic victory".

"Many congratulations to Wrexham on their historic victory today," he said.

"The team's success is not only great for Wrexham, but is also more great news for Welsh football and for sport in Wales."

Referring to troubled times which saw Wrexham drop out of the Football League in 2008 and face fears for their very existence, he paid tribute to the player-manager.

"Andy Morrell has done a great job - leading the club through troubled times and turning them into winners," said Mr Jones.

"Through his and the players' efforts, the FA Trophy is on its way to Wales for the very first time.

"Well done the Dragons - job done."

The assembly's presiding officer Rosemary Butler added her congratulations, saying: "This is fantastic news for the club and their fans, who have faced lots of uncertainty over the club's future in recent years.

"Let's hope that the team make it a double and win promotion back into the Football League by winning that Conference title."

Great-grandfather Tom Hughes has followed Wrexham for 91 of his 96 years

The FA Trophy final was Wrexham's first visit to Wembley in the club's 149-year history.

Among those attending was 96-year-old Tom Hughes, a lifelong Wrexham supporter.

The retired paramedic from Hightown saw his first game in 1921 and he called the occasion a "one off".

Wrexham were the fourth Welsh club to play at Wembley since February last year.

Swansea City won this season's League Cup, following on from Cardiff City's defeat last year in the same competition, while Newport County lost to York City in the 2012 FA Trophy final.