First-team coach David Jones is relishing the opportunity to take Wrexham to America, as he leads the Red Dragons in the The Soccer Tournament in North Carolina.
Jones will be player-manager of the team, which will be called the Wrexham Red Dragons, for the tournament in Cary – taking place from June 1-4.
The former Manchester United midfielder, 38, will lead a team comprising former Wrexham players, current rising stars and guests.
And having managed Wrexham’s reserve team this season, Jones is relishing the chance to lead the Wrexham Red Dragons at Wakemed Soccer Park too.
“It’s a great opportunity and will be a great experience for everybody that’s going,” he said.
“It’s good for the Club to be invited to form a team to play in this competition.
“It will be great to have players who have been part of the recent history of the Club playing in the tournament. It keeps the connection with the former players, which is an important part of continuing to progress the Club.
“This has been a constant theme and message from the owners since they took over and they recognise that the fabric of the Club, which involves everyone from staff, former and current players, fans, and the local community, as a vital part of the journey they want to take the Club on.”
Jones has featured once for Wrexham’s first team this season, in the FA Trophy at Altrincham, to add to his appearances for the reserves.
And he admits he still enjoys the opportunity to pull on the Wrexham shirt.
He added: “I’m feeling good physically. I’m out of the rhythm of playing every day – age isn’t the issue, it’s just the rhythm – but I still enjoy it and I still feel like I have something to add alongside the reserves in terms of experience.”
And Jones is also looking forward to the opportunity to meet some of Wrexham’s Stateside fans, having experienced plenty of tours in his lengthy playing career too.
He said: “It’s fantastic to be able to go out on tour and meet new fans. It’s great to experience new things together and to engage with fans who aren’t necessarily over in Wrexham.
“To think our fanbase has widened and we’ve become more well-known as a Club… we’re historically a big Club, but the way the Club is going allows us to engage new fans and that’s going to be special as well.”
For more information on The Soccer Tournament, visit Supporter's Guide - TBT & TST (thetournament.com)