FRESH evidence suggests Wrexham FC has an even longer and more distinguished history than previously thought.
Last week, the Leader revealed historical newspaper reports indicate the club, which officially came into existence in 1873, may have been formed in 1872.
Now, further articles have been discovered that show the Reds could have been operating as far back as the mid 1860s.
Peter Jones, chairman of the Wrexham Supporters Trust, said: “A member has got in contact with me over this matter.
“He had been researching his family history, during which he had come across evidence of Wrexham Football Club being in existence in the mid 1860s.
“This evidence has come about since the British Newspaper Archives website put up a local newspaper of the period called the Wrexham Advertiser.
“It means that instead of trawling through the old newspapers with the naked eye, researchers can now do a specific search on any subject.
“The search brought a number of articles to light that show the club was formed earlier than 1872.
“In fact, the earliest date we have discovered so far is February 1866.”
Mr Jones said other newspapers of the time were now being checked in an effort to corroborate the reports.
He said: “We are grateful to the trust member for bringing the information to light, but the ongoing saga relating to the formation of Wrexham Football Club continues.
“We are hopeful further research will now confirm the actual date.”
The WST is holding a special general meeting at the Centenary Club, with a new date set of February 27.
It had been planned to consider the correct year of Wrexham FC’s formation and whether AFC or FC should appear on the club’s badge.
But Mr Jones said both resolutions had now been withdrawn.