Trading places? Cardiff and Wrexham’s crunch weekend

Two of Wales’ biggest football clubs are gearing up for a potentially memorable weekend as they travel in very different directions.

Cardiff City lags four divisions ahead of Wrexham less than six years ago.

Wrexham were still a non-league team after losing to Eastleigh in the National League play-offs despite the Bluebirds’ victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United in the Premier League.

By Saturday night, we might have confirmation that Wrexham will advance to the division above Cardiff in the coming season.

22 years have passed since Cardiff last played in the third tier of English football, but after avoiding relegation from the Championship in two of the three previous campaigns, this season looks set to end in League One.

With only two games left, the Bluebirds are just three points clear of safety, just two away from the bottom of the championship.

Following Cardiff City’s 1-1 draw with Oxford United on Easter Monday, with home fans reportedly accepting that relegation is almost certain, there was a sense of resentment around Cardiff City Stadium.

Owner Vincent Tan, who spent 15 years at Cardiff, has had a significant impact due to his instability and upheaval.

Aaron Ramsey, the captain of Wales, was the most recently appointed after Omer Riza was fired, taking over the reins on a temporary basis last Saturday.

For his first game in the dugout against Oxford, Ramsey, who is still registered as a Cardiff player but is currently injured, was treated to a hero’s welcome.

Before kick-off, fans demanded that Tan and the rest of the board leave the club, which was in stark contrast to the protests outside Cardiff City Stadium.

With his 2012 change from the traditional blue to red redesign of Cardiff, Tan has ushered in a troubled era in the Welsh capital. He made a controversial decision in 2015 despite a fierce backlash.

Some of the old wounds have been healed, most recently with the promotion to the Premier League in 2018, but there is still a disconnect between the club and its supporters.

West Bromwich Albion travels to Cardiff on Saturday with the understanding that they must win in order to remain in the championship.

Even two victories in their final two games might not be enough to ensure their survival, though.

There is no avoiding that because this is a challenging situation for us to be in, Ramsey asserts.

“I’m enjoying it,” I say. Everyone who I’ve brought in is embracing it, and the people I’ve brought in have a certain level of freshness. It’s all about getting the players ready for Saturday’s game in the best possible way.

Wrexham are a club and city united on a steep upward trajectory as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime, while Cardiff continues to fall further into the depths.

Wrexham were transformed when they were bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021 after having been in the fifth tier of English football since being relegated from the Football League in 2008 and almost going out of business.

With a fly-on-the-wall documentary series and celebrities’ presence at games, the actors’ involvement has not only improved the club’s fortunes on the pitch but also raised its reputation internationally.

Wrexham won the 2023 National League title, and the following year, League Two was promoted to Wrexham.

With only two regular season games left, Wrexham are now in the second position for automatic promotion in League One.

Wycombe Wanderers, who are two points ahead of them when they travel to sixth-place Leyton Orient on Saturday at 12:30 BST, are two points ahead of them.

If Wycombe loses or draws that game, Wrexham will have a shot at beating Charlton Athletic, who are four points adrift in fourth place, at 17:30 BST on the same day.

We can’t hide from it because everyone will be watching it long enough before our game,” says Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson.

We are aware of what we need to accomplish, have two objectives in mind, and will work hard to do so.

Since 1982, Wrexham haven’t played in the second tier since being last relegated from the same level as Cardiff.