A SPECIAL guest will be donning the ‘Wrex the Dragon’ mascot outfit tomorrow after losing a bet.
The Red Dragons take on Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup and Alan Alger, spokesman for league sponsors Blue Square, will be carrying out a forfeit, for a losing bet, at the match.
The Blue Square man will be dressing as the Wrexham mascot and leading out the team after a Twitter exchange with midfielder Lee Fowler in November.
Mr Alger predicted a Wrexham defeat in the previous FA Cup round at Brentford and was challenged by Fowler to ‘be mascot’ if the team progressed to the next round.
Wrexham’s 1-0 win at Griffin Park has left the PR man red-faced – literally – as he will don the costume for the pre-match warm-up.
Wrexham boss Andy Morrell said: “I know a few of the players were on Twitter saying Alan hadn’t given us a chance at Brentford and then heard that Lee had taken it one step further with the bet. Fair play to Alan though, he’s coming down to show he’s not afraid to pay up. Let’s hope he’s lucky for us.”.
Mr Alger said: “I was delighted for Wrexham when they got through, but obviously thought that Brentford were going to be too strong for them. It just goes to show the strength of the Blue Square Bet Premier and although I want to get it over with quickly, I’m happy to pay the price.
“It’s not the first time my predictions have got me in trouble as last season I predicted that Hayes & Yeading would be relegated and was offered an ice bath on the pitch as a forfeit from their manager at the time Garry Haylock. That was an unpleasant experience even in August at the start of the season – I just hope the dragon suit is warmer.
“Wrexham are priced at 6/1 with Blue Square to beat Brighton on Saturday but I won’t be offering a prediction – I’ve learnt my lesson.”
- DEDICATED Wrexham fan Alan Sutton is travelling all the way from the Ukraine to cheer on his beloved club when they play Brighton tomorrow.
Wrexham secretary Geraint Parry said Alan has been supporting Wrexham for decades and is currently working as a lecturer in the Ukraine.
“He is going to be flying in to London and travelling from there down to Brighton. Alan is a real enthusiast. In his younger days he used to cycle to away matches, even going as far as places like Sunderland on his bike,” said Mr Parry.
Wrexham look set to be taking more than 2,000 fans to the English South Coast for their third round FA Cup tie at Brighton and Mr Parry added the club was delighted with the backing being given by supporters.