Wrexham Win FA Trophy. Credit: wembleystadium.com
Wrexham AFC secured a defining moment in their modern history on 24 March 2013 at Wembley Stadium, defeating Grimsby Town on penalties to win the FA Trophy in front of 35,266 supporters, with around 20,000 travelling from North Wales despite heavy snow.
It came at a time when Wrexham were rebuilding under fan ownership, just two years after the Supporters’ Trust took control to stabilise the club’s future following years of financial uncertainty. The victory offered a clear sign that progress was possible.
The context mattered. Wrexham had dropped out of the Football League in 2008 and were still fighting in the Conference, yet this run to Wembley provided both belief and a tangible reward for sustained support.
Supporters played a central role before a ball was even kicked. Severe snowfall across North Wales disrupted travel plans, but thousands still made the journey after digging out vehicles and navigating difficult conditions.
What followed at Wembley was a performance and occasion that would become a reference point for everything that came next.
The frozen journey that defined Wrexham’s support
Heavy snowfall of up to 20cm created major disruption across the region, yet Wrexham supporters continued their plans to travel to London for the final.
Supporters’ Trust chairman Peter Jones described the conditions as “pretty horrendous”, with around 150 buses making the journey after fans spent hours clearing snow from roads and vehicles.
The scale of the support was significant. Around 20,000 Wrexham fans were inside Wembley, a figure far beyond typical home attendances at the time and reflective of the importance of the occasion.
How Wrexham delivered at Wembley under Andy Morrell
On the pitch, Wrexham faced promotion rivals Grimsby Town and delivered a controlled performance across 120 minutes.
After a goalless first half, Andy Cook gave Grimsby the lead on 70 minutes before Kevin Thornton equalised from the penalty spot with nine minutes remaining to take the tie into extra time.
Wrexham had been pushing for a breakthrough and carried that momentum into the shootout, under the leadership of player-manager Andy Morrell, who later described the day as an “immensely proud moment” in comments to the BBC.
The performance also reflected the broader campaign. Around the time of the final, Wrexham were leading the Conference table, underlining that this was a side competing at the top end of the division.
Johnny Hunt’s moment and what it meant for the club
The match was ultimately decided from the penalty spot, where Wrexham converted all four of their attempts while Grimsby missed twice, according to the official record from Wrexham AFC Archive.
Johnny Hunt stepped forward to take the decisive kick and converted confidently to seal the victory and confirm Wrexham as FA Trophy winners.
Reflecting on the moment, Hunt said in an interview with The Leader:
I knew when I was walking up, I wasn’t missing.
The finish brought an immediate release inside Wembley, particularly behind the goal where Wrexham supporters had gathered in large numbers after their journey from North Wales.
Why 2013 still matters in Wrexham’s rise today
The significance of that day extended beyond the trophy itself. Wrexham had only recently been taken over by supporters, a move confirmed in 2011 and detailed by BBC Sport, marking a shift towards stability.
The FA Trophy win provided both financial and emotional momentum, reinforcing the connection between the team and its fan base at a critical stage in the club’s recovery.
In the years that followed, Wrexham remained in non-league football before a change in ownership in 2021 led to renewed progress, with multiple promotions achieved since.
That broader rise has brought new attention, but the foundations were already in place long before.
The contrast is clear. Modern Wrexham is associated with growth and visibility, yet the journey that led there can be traced back to a cold afternoon at Wembley when supporters dug themselves out of the snow and watched their team deliver a moment that still holds its place in the club’s history.
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