Yellow and Blue, commonly known as the YaB Hub, is a community hub in the heart of Wrexham, operating a non-stigma approach to a community space, and was among the first to benefit from the Club’s major CSR initiative for 2022/23, Racecourse Live.
Designed to ensure Wrexham AFC remains accessible for all, the initiative will see 200 free tickets ‘reserved’ for each league game in the Wrexham Lager Stand, as the Club look to continue growing the fanbase rather than capitalise on the short-term financial return of over £70,000 that could have been achieved by selling the 200 seats as season tickets or on a matchday.
After completing the simple ticket application process prior to our opening home match of the campaign against Eastleigh, Yellow and Blue Founder, Pete Humphreys, explained how those who make use of the hub were able to benefit.
“Having lived experience myself in needing community support, the ethos of the project is to give moments, memories and opportunities to those who need them, and we support anyone we can in the community, working with people who are going through various issues terminal illnesses, learning disabilities, mental health, recovery and homelessness,” he said.
“Recently, we heard about the Racecourse Live opportunity, and had lots of people message us to inform us. After speaking to [Wrexham AFC Head of Ticketing] Pete Wynne, we told him all we do in Wrexham, and at that current time we had just started working with some recently arrived Ukrainian refugees… learning a second language with some input of Welsh too. The opportunity to utilise the tickets we received to have a fantastic day out watching Wrexham win was golden!
“The whole process was easy from start to finish, the seats were fantastic and the impact it had on the people attending - smiles from ear to ear, was heart-warming. Sitting with us in that day from YaB… was homeless, recovery, people with mental health, the Ukraine refugees, youth and so much more!
“We would wholeheartedly recommend Racecourse Live to others; the process was simple, supportive and created the impact we wanted to see on the faces of the people who matter - our community.”
Having enjoyed a positive experience through Racecourse Live, Humphreys says the role of the Club in the community is an important one.
“Football feeds the soul, we can already see the impact Wrexham AFC is having on the community - we are very lucky to have the rainbow numbered shirt in YaB, which was match worn by Pearson on one of Rob and Ryan’s first games in charge. Our community see this on the wall, and we now have Racecourse Live and that cohesion is growing,” he added.
“To have Wrexham AFC in the heart of the community is hugely beneficial, we often see these things at bigger clubs like Manchester City, so to see it at this level so pronounced is huge! Keep up the good work. We can’t wait to do more and more together at Yellow and Blue, with Wrexham AFC at the heart of the smiles in the community.”
Learn more about Racecourse Live here.