MARK JONES knew more than most players how much it meant to Wrexham supporters having a cup final day out at The Millennium Stadium to look forward to.

Off the field issues during the 2004-5 season meant that Jones' home-town club had no choice but to enter administration and the 10-point deduction as punishment saw Denis Smith's Reds plummet down the League One table.

But the LDV Vans Trophy proved to be a welcome distraction from the relegation battle and Wrexham made their way through the rounds to reach the final in Cardiff.

Thousands of fans headed down to the capital for the clash with Southend and Jones, who hails from Rhos, says it was a day that long-suffering supporters could forget about relegation fears and the future of their club.

"It is scary to think it has been 15 years," said Jones, who lined up in midfield that day and was also capped by Wales during his time at The Racecourse.

"I remember it quite clearly to be honest, it was the best day of my club career.

"The amount of fans that went down there, I think Wrexham was empty that day!

"I had a lot of friends and family at the game and it was a brilliant day.

"It was just more of a release for everyone.

"Forget about the league for a minute and what was going on at the club, and just enjoy cup final day. And everyone did."

That was because Wrexham beat Southend, who were flying high in League Two, 2-0.

On-loan goalkeeper Ben Foster kept the Reds in the game with some fine saves before prolific striker Juan Ugarte and captain Darren Ferguson netted injury time goals.

"We beat some good teams on the way to the final," recalls Jones.

"Southend were top of the league below and we were obviously struggling so we were underdogs going into the game purely because of how our seasons were going.

"But we were the better team on the day and deserved to win.

"Ben was brilliant when he came in and Juan was scoring goals left, right and centre.

"Darren got a late second goal and obviously everyone was extremely happy.

"There were a few celebrations after the game as well!"

Midfield partner Ferguson led by example but he wasn't happy with Jones in the semi-final first leg against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.

Wrexham won 5-3 - Smith's side were 5-1 up before Oldham rallied - and Jones, who scored one of the Reds' goals, wasn't in Ferguson's good-books at one-stage.

"I remember in the first leg at Oldham, Darren had a right go at me because the centre-back played the ball to the full-back and I should have got there," said Jones.

"Instead of sprinting I kind of just did a three-quarter jog and he wasn't happy. That sticks in my mind now 15 years later!

"I scored in the game so it was a good job otherwise I would have faced the wrath of Fergie in the changing room afterwards!"

Wrexham, who won the second leg 1-0 to reach the final and subsequent success story on a never-to-be-forgotten day at The Millennium Stadium, found avoiding relegation was just a step too far.

The players had been left in a position through no fault of their own but Jones still felt there was a lot of quality in the side.

"We had a lot of good players, obviously Juan, Carlos Edwards, Darren, Chris Llewellyn, Steve Roberts, Dennis Lawrence and Danny Williams," added Jones.

"We had a solid team, Denis put a good team together."