Growing up as a Wrexham supporter, Erin Lovett could never imagine playing at the Racecourse Ground herself.
That was until Sunday 26 March, a day on which records were broken and dreams were fulfilled.
Lovett lined up in defence for her childhood club on the iconic pitch as they triumphed 2-1 over Connah’s Quay Nomads to make it 12 wins from 12 games in the Genero Adran North this season, in front of a crowd of 9,511 – the biggest ever attendance for a domestic league fixture in Wales.
“My dad has had a season ticket at Wrexham for forever and I used to go with him all of the time – I still do now whenever I can,” Lovett says.
“I think he shed a tear watching me play at the Racecourse. Out of me and my brother, I don’t think he would have expected it to be me playing on that pitch! It was his birthday too on the day of the game, so that made it even more special.
“I think that game has been the highlight of everyone’s season. When I was a little girl watching the men play, I would never have dreamt of playing on that pitch in front of that many people.”
Wrexham lifted the Genero Adran North trophy after the game, with Hollywood co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds joining in with the celebrations as they got drenched in champagne.
“To meet Rob and Ryan, while enjoying the celebrations with all of the girls and the coaches, it was a feeling like no other,” Lovett says.
“The atmosphere among the group is amazing after every game and every training session. We put the work in so we can have our fun and enjoy those special moments.
“It has been an amazing season. It is definitely one that we have worked towards and it has not come easy. But everyone has put a lot of effort in and there has been some great work done behind the scenes by the coaches.”
Steve Dale’s side have one mammoth fixture remaining – the Genero Adran Leagues promotion play-off against Genero Adran South champions Briton Ferry Llansawel. The winner will earn the right to play in the Genero Adran Premier next season.
Lovett and her team-mates are aware of the challenge that awaits at Newtown’s Latham Park, but it is a task that they are relishing.
“It is a big game, but it is something that we have been working towards so we have had time to process it and prepare properly,” the defender says.
“It will be a really exciting game that we are all looking forward to. We believe that we can win it and get into the Genero Adran Premier, which has been our ambition all season.
“We have never played Briton Ferry before, but we certainly expect a challenge. It will be a great experience and it should be another great day for women’s football in Wales. I know that we will bring support in numbers, I have had loads of people tell me that they are coming!”
Everything will be on the line in the winner-takes-all clash and Lovett says promotion would be even sweeter due to her personal connection to the club.
“It would mean everything to this club to go up. From the owners to each individual player and staff member, it would mean the world to everyone.
“There are a lot of girls in this team who are Wrexham through and through, we have all grown up around the football club so it would be an amazing feeling to achieve promotion.”
The Genero Adran Leagues promotion play-off between Wrexham and Briton Ferry Llansawel takes place at Latham Park in Newtown on Sunday 16 April, with kick-off at 4:30pm.
Tickets for the afternoon can be purchased in advance from the two clubs and they will also be available to buy on the gate, costing £3 for adults and £1 for under 18s.