Wrexham confirm Gresford mining disaster tributes

Wrexham have collected 13 of the 18 points on offer from their opening six matches of the 2024-25 League One season

Phil Parkinson has shown his Wrexham players a video related to the Gresford mining disaster ahead of his side's home encounter with Crawley Town.

The Red Dragons' League One fixture on Saturday (15:00 BST) comes a day prior to the 90th anniversary of the mine explosion that claimed the lives of 266 men and boys.

"It's a very special weekend for the area, with the 90th anniversary of the Gresford mining disaster," said Parkinson.

"We want to respect that and have a day that is a real tribute to all of those people who sadly lost their lives."

A minute’s silence will take place before kick off, while a wreath and a miner’s lamp will be laid on the pitch.

Team members will also wear a special edition of the club's black away kit, which pays tribute to the disaster.

The limited edition shirts will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Wrexham Miners Project, the club’s official nominated charity.

Parkinson added: "Today we showed the lads, and it's more for the new players, a short video to make sure everyone's got a clear understanding of the poignancy of the weekend."

The club remains determined to show their respects to those involved in the tragedy on September 22, 1934.

Co-owner Rob McElhenney has visited the mining wheel in Gresford and the Miners Rescue Station.

Both of Wrexham’s kits for the 2024-25 campaign include a pit wheel graphic and "266" on the nape in tribute to those who died in the disaster.

The game with Crawley comes just five days after Wrexham suffered their first loss of the League One campaign.

Parkinson's side were beaten 3-1 by Birmingham City on Monday night, but remain at the summit of the third tier table after their opening six league fixtures.

"We're not going to get too downbeat about the defeat, we're going to learn from it and look forward to the weekend's game," added Parkinson.

"Crawley have had quite a lot of change in personnel, but they've recruited well and they look outside the box.

"It's going to be one of those games like we've played before, we've got to make sure we give them the utmost respect, but be ready to impose ourselves on them as a team."