The Leader's Richard Williams joins Wrexham AFC fans as they join the team in Portugal for pre-season training...
HUNDREDS of supporters have headed off to see their beloved Wrexham play in Portugal.
Tim and Sharron Walker, from Summerhill, are among the fans who have gone to the Algarve on the official sponsors trip from the club.
It is the second year in a row that Wrexham have held a training break in the region, with the Reds' party again based in Villamoura.
The couple, from Summerhill, are season-ticket holders at The Racecourse and they jumped at the chance to travel and spend four days in the same hotel as the players.
"We are really looking forward to it," said Tim.
"It was a great experience last year over in Portugal and hopefully it will be the same again.
"We will enjoy ourselves out there."
What was so special about the break in the company of the Wrexham players and management last year?
Reds supporters Andy Truss, Lynda Truss, Emma Truss, Bernadette Jones, Ady Jones and Callum Jones
"Talking to the players and how the trip was set out," said Tim.
"We intermingled with the other supporters and it was just a lovely nice break.
"Four days away, it will be nice out there.
"Going with the team makes it more special. Seeing how they train, seeing what the tactics are and just talking to the players."
Tim and Sharron will again be sponsoring a player for the 2018-19 campaign but they won't be revealing who it is just yet.
The couple last year sponsored influential midfielder Sam Wedgebury.
However, Wedgbury has been allowed to leave because of personal reasons despite having a year left on his contract, moving on just like other players who have been sponsored by the Walkers.
Wrexham fans Max Wiecko, Steve Lloyd, Graeme Allcock, Chris Peacock and Drew Peacock waiting at the airport
"We have been season ticket holders for the last seven or eight years and have supported Wrexham throughout the years we have been in Wrexham," said Tim.
"We have been sponsoring players the last few years," continued Sharron.
"Last year we sponsored Sam Wedgbury and before that we sponsored Dom Vose and Louis Moult.
"Some good players but unfortunately whoever we have sponsored seems to leave us!"
"We have got someone to sponsor this season but we are keeping that top secret just in case they leave," said Tim.
"We don't want to put the jinx on them.
An open training session is being held at Vale do Lobo today and Sam Ricketts' men will face Portuguese third tier side Louletano Desportes Club in a friendly at the 30,305 seat capacity Estádio Algarve, located near the town of Almancil, on tomorrow evening.
"We jumped at the chance to come on the trip again," added Sharron. "A little break from work."
Don't miss our exclusive coverage of Wrexham AFC in Portugal all this week, in the Leader and online.
Head to leaderlive.co.uk each day and follow Rich Williams on Twitter
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here