Wrexham poised for record crowd at West Ham | OneFootball

History beckons for Wrexham on Friday, with their first league meeting with West Ham in more than 45 years appearing set to deliver a club-record crowd. The mark to beat is 54,096 at Anfield from an FA Cup tie in 1970.

According to NY Times, eclipsing that figure at the London Stadium would underline the surge since the February 2021 takeover by Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds. West Ham’s home is the largest venue the second tier has seen since the mid to late 1970s, and last season only Old Trafford averaged higher than West Ham’s 62,347. This season their Championship gates have been 62,264, 59,113 and 61,180.

Midfielder Matty James says players relish big occasions and imposing arenas, calling this a chance to test themselves against the league’s best. He adds they must produce a performance and try to take three points, with no pressure on them. After a 1-1 draw with Burnley in midweek, he hopes the away form can continue.

The London Stadium’s sheer scale, and the gap between stands and pitch, is a world away from Upton Park. Wrexham recently handled similar quirks at Yankee Stadium against Liverpool in late July, adapting well despite a 1-0 defeat.

The clubs last met in 1997, when third-tier Wrexham won an FA Cup replay 1-0 at Upton Park. On the pitch this time they face a stern test, with West Ham going top of the fledgling Championship on Tuesday after a 3-2 win at Bolton. Wrexham have drawn four of six league games and are focused on extending their unbeaten run.

Source: NY Times

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