The Leader:

ONE Gwersyllt family thought they had missed their big chance to see Wrexham play abroad.

Cousins Lesley Griffiths and Kerri Scragg are huge Reds’ fans but were unable to make the trip to Portugal for the club’s pre-season tour last year.

But 12 months on and Wrexham have made the return trip to the Algarve, and there was no way the pair, along with Kerri’s two children Maisie and Jay, were going to be absent.

The Leader:

Cousins Lesley Griffiths and Kerri Scragg

“We are all massive Wrexham fans, we go home and away, but this is the first time we have done the Portugal trip,” said Lesley.

“We promised the children we would come after missing last year.

“After seeing the videos and all the fans having so much fun, we thought we would definitely do it next time and we have.

“We thought it might have been a one-off last year, that’s why we promised the kids we would come out if Wrexham did it again.

“Maisie pulled me one day and said we are going to Portugal, remember you don’t break promises, and here we are.

“We would definitely come again, without a doubt!”

If Lesley had forgotten about her promise then Maisie certainly hadn’t.

“Mum said that we weren’t coming last year but we would come to Portugal if Wrexham came again,” said Maisie, who is aged 10 and classes James Jennings as her favourite player.

“I don’t forget anything!”

The Wrexham management team and players are based in Villamoura in the Algarve.

Lesley, Kerri and the children have travelled with the club so they are staying in the same hotel as Sam Ricketts and his team, making the trip even more special for the family who are season ticket holders in the Mold Road Stand.

“It is a massive club and you have just got to go with where you are from,” said Kerri, 31. “I have been a Wrexham fan since I was five and I love my football, whatever league they are in.

“It has made it more special staying in the same hotel as the players.

“The two fans are massive fans as well so to do it all together is even more special.

“That is the special club we are, so together, with the players and the fans in the same hotel.”

The family attended an open training session held at Vale do Lobo yesterday and will watch Wrexham play Portuguese third tier side Louletano Desportes Club in a friendly at the 30,305 seat capacity Estádio Algarve, located near the town of Almancil, this evening.

Don't miss our exclusive coverage of Wrexham AFC in Portugal all this week, in the Leader and online.

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