Wrexham: Boss Phil Parkinson relishes opening of Kop stand at Stok Racecourse
- Published
The temporary stand is on the site of the old Kop terrace - an all-standing area with a capacity of 4,900 before it was decommissioned 16 years ago.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson is relishing the opening of a new temporary Stok Racecourse Kop stand.
The club confirmed the 2,289-capacity facility will open in time for the League Two Welsh derby against Newport County on Saturday, 23 December.
"I'm so pleased, when the supporters arrive at the ground there's a different feel to the place," said Parkinson.
"We're very excited about getting the supporters in there."
The new stand will be open at 80% capacity for Wrexham's clash with Newport.
Tickets for the stand will be available to buy online, for Wrexham members only, from 4pm on Thursday, 21 December.
The development funded by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will take Wrexham's capacity beyond 12,000 for the first time in 16 years.
A new 5,500 all-seater stand is planned as a long-term replacement for the Kop end, unused since 2007.
After delays to the start of work, the temporary stand will be erected as Wrexham seek to cash in on their status as a rising club in English football.
They have regularly sold out home games since their high-profile takeover by Hollywood duo Reynolds and McElhenney in February 2021, including capacity 10,771 crowds following their return to the Football League after a 15-year absence.
Parkinson said: "When you look at it, there's a lot of people who support the club who have been unable to get tickets and this enables over 2,000 [to be] in the ground, but also it enhances the atmosphere around the stadium and that's what the Racecourse is all about."
Wrexham are currently third in League Two. Graham Coughlan's Newport are 17th.
Saturday's contest will be the first meeting between the sides since they faced off in the second round of the FA Cup in December 2018.