Getting To Know You - Wrexham
Last updated : 01 November 2002 By Robert Craven
 | Carlos Edwards |
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Jim Whitley
Squad Number: 2
Position: Defender
Age: 27 Height: 5ft 9ins Weight: 10st 12lbs
Born: Zambia
Career (103 League Appearances/ 1 Goal): Manchester City (38/0), Blackpool [loan] (8/0), Norwich City [loan] (8/1), Swindon Town [loan] (2/0), Northampton Town [loan] (13/0), Nottingham Forest [loan] (0/0), Wrexham (34/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 19/1
Details: Whitley was born in Zambia, but has three Northern Ireland caps to his name, all made whilst he was at Manchester City, where he spent eight years, mostly on the sidelines. Was raised in Wrexham, and returned to his adopted home-town club in October when Denis Smith arrived. The right full-back has doubled his career goals total this season, and has since been offered a contract until the end of the season. During his time at Maine Road he was shipped out to Blackpool, Norwich (where he spent some time with our own Danny Gay), Swindon, Northampton and Nottingham Forest, although none of those moves became permenent.
Shaun Holmes
Squad Number: 3
Position: Defender
Age: 21 Height: 5ft 9ins Weight: 10st 7lbs
Born: Derry
Career (40 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Manchester City (0/0), Wrexham (40/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 10[7]/0
Details: The left-back was spotted by former manager Brian Flynn at the same time as he was courting Whitley, and was on Northern Ireland international duty when his signature was finally captured. He has since won full Northern Ireland honours with a substitute appearance against Leichtenstein. Started his career as a youth player at Manchester City, but despite signing professional terms he never made it in to the City first team.
Brian Carey
Squad Number: 5
Position: Defender
Age: 34 Height: 6ft 3ins Weight: 13st 2lbs
Born: Cork
Career (285 League Appearances/ 11 Goals): Manchester United (0/0), Wrexham [loan] (3/0), Wrexham [loan] (13/1), Leicester City (58/1), Wrexham (211/9)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 4[1]/0
Details: Carey is a tall and strong central defender, who began his English career at Old Trafford, although he never made a League appearance with the Red Devils. He was brought to the country from Cork City by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson, and he won two Republic of Ireland caps whilst he was there (plus another later on). During that time he also had two loan spells at the Racecourse Ground, but Wrexham could not afford to buy him and he moved instead to Leicester. The club captain has been injured, but has since returned to the side, adding assurance and experience to the starting line-up.
Dennis Lawrence | Brian Carey |
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Squad Number: 6
Position: Defender
Age: 28 Height: 6ft 7ins Weight: 11st 13lbs
Born: Trinidad
Career (35 League Appearances/ 2 Goals): Wrexham (35/2)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 7[2]/0
Details: The Trinidad and Tobago International, who has thirty full caps to his name, has been recalled to the squad due to an injury to Tuesday's goalscorer Stephen Roberts. He stands tall at six foot seven inches, and really should be a fast bowler rather than a central defender. He has appeared sparsely for Wrexham in the three seasons that he has spent with the Red Dragons due to International duties, but he is reliable when called upon.
Carlos Edwards
Squad Number: 7
Position: Forward
Age: 24 Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 11st 1lb
Born: Trinidad
Career (62 League Appearances/ 9 Goals): Wrexham (62/9)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 15[1]/3
Details: Another Caribbean Internationerted to type, and he has now not found the net since 28th September.
 | Darren Ferguson |
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Paul Barrett
Squad Number: 12
Position: Midfielder
Age: 24 Height: 5dt 10ins Weight: 11st 4lbs
Born: Newcastle
Career (67 League Appearances/ 2 Goals): Newcastle United (0/0), Wrexham (67/2)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 15[1]/0
Details: Barrett joined his home-town side Newcastle as a youngster, and progressed through their ranks, but a lack of first-team opportunities meant that a free transfer to North Wales in 1999 was the perfect opportunity. Injury has hampered his Dragons' career, but he has been almost ever-present so far this year, and is ready to pose problems for the opposition.
Kristian Rogers
Squad Number: 13
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 22 Height: 6ft Weight: 11st 12lbs
Born: Chester
Career (33 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Wrexham (33/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 2/0
Details: Rodgers will be a substitute on Saturday following impressive performances from Paul Whitfield and injury to Andy Dibble. He has made two appearances already this season, includign a clean sheet against Oxford. Has just completed the third year of his scholarship, which included a spell as the first-choice custodian at the beginning of last season.
Paul Edwards
Squad Number: 14
Position: Midfielder
Age: 22 Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 10st 12lbs
Born: Manchester
Career (20 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Swindon Town (20/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 9[4]/0
Details: Edwards began his career in non-League football, and joined Swindon from Altrincham Town before the start of last season. He started 14 matches for the Wiltshire club, but never really settled in the south-west, and a move further north to Wrexham was more to his liking. The winger had been offered a proper contract at the County Ground, but refused it, and since movig to Wrexham his speed on the wing has impressed manager Denis Smith. Yet to score a League goal.
 | Andy Morrell |
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Dan Bennett
Squad Number: 15
Position: Defender
Age: 24 Height: 6ft 1in Weight: 12st 5lbs
Born: Great Yarmouth
Career (6 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Wrexham (6/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 10[4]/0
Details: Bennett is a central defender who has the ability to play in the centre of midfield if required. Despite being born in East Anglia, he lived mainly in Singapore, joining Tanjong Pagar, where he was voted Player Of The Year. Trial periods at Oldham, Bradford and Swindon eventually led to Denis Smith snapping him up towards the back end of last year, and his versatility has been important to the balance of the Wrexham side.
Shaun Pejic
Squad Number: 18
Position: Defender
Age: 19 Height: 6ft Weight: 11st 7lbs
Born: Hereford
Career (13 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Wrexham (13/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 19/0
Details: Pejic is an ever-present central defender in the Wrexham side this year who has followed in the footsteps of his father Mel, who played 106 times for the North Wales side. He is an excellent prospect who had impressed in the Reserves before breaking into the first team alongside the now injured Stephen Roberts. Confident and composed on the ball.
 | Shaun Holmes |
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Stephen ThomasSquad Number: 19
Position: Midfielder
Age: 23 Height: 5ft 10ins Weight: 11st 7lb
Born: Hartlepool
Career (50 League Appearances/ 3 Goals): Wrexham (50/3)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 8[2]/2
Details: Despite hailing from the north-east, Thomas has represented Wales at Youth and Under-21 level, and has only ever played for Wrexham. An ankle injury, amongst others, has limited his opportunities at the Racecourse Ground, although he made 38 League appearances last year. Struggling to hold down a regular spot this year though.
Paul Whitfield
Squad Number: 21
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 20 Height: n/a Weight: n/a
Born: St. Asaph
Career (0 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Wrexham (0/0)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 3[2]/0
Details: Whitfield is a young shot-stopper who has impressed in his replacement of Andy Dibble, and has kept Kristian Rodgers out of the side. Loaned out to TNS and Connor's Quay Nomads during the past couple of years for experience, he has since got call-ups as standby for the Welsh Under-21 set-up.
Hector Sam
Squad Number: 23
Position: Forward
Age: 24 Height: 5ft 9ins Weight: 11st 5lbs
Born: Trinidad
Career (49 League Appearances/ 11 Goals): Wrexham (49/11)
This Season (Total Appearances[as substitute]/Goals): 8[10]/4
Details: Sam has played for his country (Trinidad and Tobago) on ten occasions, and joined the Red Dragons along with Carlos Edwards and Dennis Lawrence during the 2000/1 season. He has manged a goal every four games during his time in English football, troubling defences with his pace, and also his passing ability. Much of this season has been spent on the bench, but with Morrell startign to falter, he will be lookign to establish himself in the starting line-up.