Wrexham are the third oldest football club in the world, which has given them plenty of time to hand appearances to players, allowing them to become household names in North Wales.
While the club’s narrative may have changed since the takeover by Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, and with that bringing huge success in a short time frame, there was a history before the pair.
Formed over 161 years ago, with the club recently celebrating this anniversary at the start of October, it was the perfect time to commemorate some of the most memorable serving players the Racecourse Ground has ever seen.
While Wrexham’s £33 million summer investment is exciting, and some of the new signings have already seen fans fall in love, like with Issa Kabore, it remains to be seen whether they will break the records of these stalwarts for the Red Dragons, according to Wrexham AFC Archive.
Wrexham’s top five all-time appearance holders
5. Mickey Evans (463)
Beginning our list is Mickey Evans, a stalwart of the side between his debut in the 1966-67 season, when he appeared against Exeter City in a stalemate in August, and when he decided to leave the club in 1979, spending 12 seasons with the Red Dragons.
Across his 463 appearances he would score 25 goals, which is not surprising for the right-back, whose first job was to ensure that the ball stayed out of his net.
Evans would manage an impressive 43.5% winning record across his career, and he would even make 10 appearances in the European Cup Winners’ Cup, during an era when Wrexham were regular participants.
4. Phil Hardy (481)
The most recent player to be named on the list, as he played his football for the Welsh club between 1990, when he made his debut in May, and when he decided to leave the club in May 2001.
Phil Hardy’s final appearance for the club would be a special one as he helped them to an FAW Premier Cup win over Swansea City, a month after his first ever goal for the club.
It is not a fine goalscoring record for him, only managing one across his 481 games at the Red Dragons; however, as a left-back, this was not his first priority.
3. Alf Jones (581)
The second right-back, the third full-back and also the last of this position to enter this prestigious list. Wrexham have clearly had some dedicated and talented players in this position, as Alf Jones made 581 appearances for the club, scoring a total of six goals.
He made his debut in August 1923 against Ashington, with his first goal for the club coming only three weeks later in September against Rotherham County.
Jones would end his Wrexham career in April 1936 in a 1-1 draw with Carlisle United.
2. Gareth Davies (604)
The reliable centre half was a constant in the team after making his debut for the club against Bradford City in February 1968 until he left the club in October 1982, with his final appearance being a 1-1 draw with Walsall.
Davies would also earn three Welsh caps while playing for Wrexham, a great honour for the player during his career for the man born in Bangor.
1. Arfon Griffiths (713)
The only non-defender on this list is Arfon Griffiths, who was a wide player with incredible ability on the ball and one who knew exactly where the net was, as he scored 143 times for Wrexham in his 713 appearances, with a winning percentage of 42.4%, with a spell at Arsenal in between two at the Welsh club.
He would make 17 international appearances for Wales, scoring six goals, with his debut coming in April 1971 against Czechoslovakia.
Griffiths was a local Wrexham lad, and he wore the red jersey with pride, as he was able to play on the continent with his club, making seven appearances in the European Cup Winners Cup.