WREXHAM’S memorable title-winning 1977/78 season included a fabulous FA Cup adventure to the quarter-finals in a remarkable run that was dominated by replays and Dixie McNeil.

Reds legend McNeil scored an amazing 11 goals in nine FA Cup ties before the Reds were controversially knocked out by Arsenal in a last eight tie at The Racecourse on March 11.

“I loved that FA Cup run,” said McNeil, whose £60,000 move from Hereford United kick-started Wrexham’s super season.

“I was cup-tied for the League Cup so I never got the chance to play against Liverpool in the quarter-final at home.

“That year certainly everyone at the club thought we would get to Wembley. We honestly thought we’d be the first Third Division side to do it. I love the FA Cup and still do.”

McNeil scored in every round that season – in 2-0 wins at home to Burton Albion, and away at Preston and another against Bristol City in a 3-0 replay win after the first leg at Ashton Gate ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

In the battle of The Robins, City went 2-0 up before Bobby Shinton and an own goal from Geoff Merrick brought the Reds level.

McNeil and Shinton again then put Wrexham 4-2 ahead but in a game of superb comebacks, Bristol hit back to score twice in the last 10 minutes.

“I remember John Roberts was so frustrated at the end that he punched a hole in the tunnel canopy and ended up cutting his wrist,” said McNeil.

Then it was Newcastle United at St James’ Park where his two goals – including a last minute half volley to secure a 2-2 draw – earned Wrexham another replay.

“I remember that equaliser,” recalled McNeil. “I hit it so hard that the policeman behind the net ducked and I think his helmet fell off!

“It was so noisy. They were winning 2-1 but then the crowd went totally silent when I thumped in that equaliser.

“If I could play anywhere I would always go back to St James’ Park because the crowd were fantastic.”

After his last minute leveller, McNeil couldn’t wait to make it two for joy against The Magpies.

And 10 days later, he scored with a superb volley in the first minute of a wonderful Wrexham team display that saw McNeil add another one in a 4-1 win.

“It was a mud-heap of a pitch that night and the groundsman, Johnny Edwards, told us not to warm up in the goal area,” said McNeil. “But I ignored him because I always liked to get a feel of where the goal is and that’s why I scored that first. It was pure instinct and I hit it on the turn knowing where the posts were.”

McNeil added another for good measure and Shinton was also on the scoresheet as his good scoring run in the competition saw him net his fourth goal of the competition. But the goal of the tie was scored by Les Cartwright with a superb chip that had the Magpies keeper Mick Mahoney slipping and sliding all over the place.

A controversial last-minute leveller from McNeil against minnows Blyth Spartans meant another trip up north in a match should never have taken place as the Racecourse pitch was frost-bound.

“A lot of the lads played in trainers it was that bad,” said McNeil, whose stoppage-time leveller was all down to the frozen ground.

The referee ordered Cartwight to retake a corner kick because the corner flag had toppled over. He took it again and McNeil bundled the ball over the line to keep his remarkable run going and upset the the non league club’s travelling army of fans behind the goal at the Tech End.

“When the draw came out, Blyth had to face Stoke City in a replay and we thought that Stoke would win,” added McNeil. “But it didn’t turn out like that so we felt we had a great chance.

“There was a lot of controversy. It shouldn’t have been a corner to us because it came off one of our players and then we had to take the kick three times because the corner flag would not stay in the frozen ground.

“Their goalkeeper cleanly held the first two kicks but he completely missed the next. The ball just hit me but I definitely headed it, even though it might have gone in off my shoulder.”

But the plucky part-timers had stirred the interest in Geordie-Land, so much so that they switched the replay to St James’ Park. Cue McNeil.

“It was my best goal ever for Wrexham. We were up against it. 28,000 had watched the Newcastle tie but there were more than 40,000 there for the Blyth game and thousands locked out,” added McNeil. “I remember Shinner picking up the ball, breaking out on the wing like only Shinner could do and he sent in a brilliant cross.

“I just hit in on the half volley from 25 yards and it flew in the top corner. It was the goal dreams were made of and put us 2-0 up after Graham Whittle had snatched the ball off me and smashed home a penalty like only he could.

“At 2-0 it should have been all over but Dai Davies went down injured and when he got up he said, ‘don’t tell anyone but I’ve broken my hand.’

“There were no substitute keepers in those days so he had to get on with it and he was very brave. They got a goal back and we had to dig deep, but we hung on.”

It was billed as the battle of the SuperMacs – Wrexham’s Dixie against The Gunners’ Malcolm as Arsenal headed to The Racecourse Both scored but Arsenal won 3-2 – a result that ended McNeil’s cup final dream.

“Dai was still injured and Eddie Niedzwiecki came in for him. There was a bit of a mix-up for the first goal between him and the back four. No-one blamed Eddie, it was just one of those things but maybe if Dai had been there we might not have conceded it.

“You look back and think we could have got to Wembley but we didn’t have any luck on the day and that’s something you always need.”

“We deserved to beat Arsenal but we had a goal disallowed and it was one of those days,” added McNeil. “Arsenal got Leyton Orient in the semis but lost out to Ipswich in the final. But at least we got a bit of revenge with Mickey and Steve Watkin in 1992!”

The magic of the Cup was a spell McNeil still conjured up with goals against Tottenham, Chelsea, Brian Clough’s European Cup champions Nottingham Forest - as well as a third round third replay winner over West Ham.

McNeil, pictured above celebrating with boss Mel Sutton, was joined on the scoresheet at The City Ground by the late Mick Vinter, and defender Steve Dowman.

“Forest were European champions at the time and we beat them. Mick scored a good goal but mine was better - a 20 yarder into the top corner past Peter Shilton!” said McNeil.

Asked what Forest’s then infamous manager Brian Clough said to Wrexham boss Mel Sutton and the Reds players, McNeil added: “Nothing. He wasn’t there! I’m sure he was on holiday and left Peter Taylor in charge that day. I don’t think he was expecting us to beat them. But we did!”