Wrexham AFC completes purchase of historic Turf pub next to stadium

Wrexham AFC has purchased The Turf pub, securing the future of the historic landmark where the club was founded. The deal between the club's parent company, Wrexham Holdings, and previous owners Admiral Taverns was confirmed on Monday, bringing the iconic venue into the club's property portfolio.

The acquisition ensures the pub, which sits directly next to the Racecourse Ground, will be preserved as a central part of the club's heritage and matchday experience. It will be incorporated under Wrexham Holdings alongside the football club and its stadium. The move is seen as a key part of the club's long-term strategy to protect assets integral to its identity, especially as the stadium's Kop Stand undergoes redevelopment.

Landlord Wayne Jones, who has run The Turf for two decades and is a lifelong Wrexham fan, will continue in his role. He noted the pub's history predates the club itself and that it served as a changing room for players from the 1940s onwards. The daily running of the pub will not change for regular patrons.

Strategic growth and community

The purchase allows Wrexham to control the business and its immediate surroundings, facilitating future stadium development and plans to enhance the fan zone on Mold Road. It follows other strategic moves like purchasing land for the new Kop stand, acquiring The Rock for the women's first team, and investing in a new training pavilion at Colliers Park.

Chris Jowsey, the CEO of Admiral Taverns, said the sale marked the right time for Wrexham Holdings to take over what he called a fantastic example of a community pub. The club's minority investor, Eric Allyn of Red Dragon Ventures, described The Turf as a second home to the community.

The news arrives as Wrexham sit 14th in the Championship with 10 points from their first eight games. Their recent form shows two wins, two draws, and one loss from their last five outings, including a 2-1 home victory over Southampton last week.

Founded at the Turf Hotel in October 1864, Wrexham is the world's third-oldest professional football team. The pub has become a major tourist attraction, featured in the 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary and visited by figures including Prince William. The purchase, described as a multi-million pound deal, effectively ring-fences a piece of living history for future generations of supporters.

The club's focus now returns to the pitch, with an away trip to face 22nd-placed Derby County on October 10 next on the fixtures list.

First reported at si.com