See also

>> SLIDESHOW: Look back - Wrexham v Rotherham 1978 game
>> Wrexham's Graham Whittle will be cheering on the Reds
>> Wrexahm legend talks about his 1978 Reds team

Les Cartwright was part of the famous Wrexham team that won the Division Three championship back in the 1977-78 season.

Thirty years this weekend Wrexham clinched the title, and promotion, with a 7-1 victory against Rotherham United at a packed Racecourse Ground.

Left winger Cartwright was in the side that famous day and scored one of the goals as Arfon Griffiths' side picked up yet another victory on their way to making history.

Wrexham did it with stylish, attacking football that turned heads in higher divisions.

And Cartwright spoke fondly of those glory days.

"The quality of the football was superb," said Cartwright. "We were an attacking team and at times the state of the pitch was poor. When I saw the pitch on the tapes at the recent reunion it was unbelievable we played like we did and scored so many goals.

"The reunion was fantastic and it brought back some happy memories.
"It was good to see everybody. All the boys looked well - they could still play today - and it was a brilliant day."

The old saying that winning becomes a habit was certainly true of that legendary season.

As well as proving themselves to be the best in the division, Wrexham took on some of the top teams in the league - and were not embarrassed.

Wrexham bowed out of the FA Cup and League Cup quarter finals at the hands of Arsenal and Liverpool respectively, but Cartwright said the Reds believe they had what it took to topple the top division giants.

And that came from the growing belief that the high on confidence Reds developed through the season.

"We seemed to get on a roll and the whole thing developed," said Cartwright. "As the momentum picked up there was a belief we could do something.

"We were confident we would get results.

"The impetus generated by winning, the confidence you get, is difficult to manufacure and we had that.

"You can't train it, it comes with results.

"When you are on a roll like we were, it generates that feeling you can't have enough games and everything is enjoyable.

"The cup runs were the icing on the cake and just added to it.

"Even when we played Arsenal and Liverpool we had the belief we would win.

"Sadly, you have the other side of the coin, the negative effect of losing."

Unfortunately, getting beaten has become a habit at The Racecourse as Wrexham have found to their cost.

Wrexham, who entertain Notts County, could end their 87 year Football League status tomorrow if they fail to get a better result than third from bottom Dagenham and Redbridge.

Hugely disappointed to see Wrexham set for an inevitable relegation, Cartwright is hoping Brian Little can regroup and put together a side capable of challenging for promotion.

But Cartwright warned it would not be easy.

"You always think Wrexham would get out of it," said Cartwright. "Now they are more or less dead and the only consolation is that clubs can now come up from the Conference so it is not the end of the world.

"But my son plays in Conference North so I know the standard of non-league and it is not easy to get out of.

"And there are some horrible places to go and play.

"Oxford thought they would come straight back up and they haven't. You have to plan properly and have to bring the right players in.

"You have to regroup and go again.

"The set-up is fantastic but that does not get you promotion."

"The other two Football League clubs have hit the highs this season."

Cardiff have reached the FA Cup final where they will face Portsmouth at Wembley next month while Swansea City have won promotion to the Championship.

Unfortunately, Wrexham are as low as they have even been but Cartwright is backing Little to turnaround the clubs fortunes next season.

"Football throws up ironies," added Cartwright, with Wrexham staring at relegation on the weekend Griffiths' Reds lifted the third division title.

"When you look at Cardiff and Swansea, and the rugby, Wrexham are the only glitch in a year that has been fantastic for Welsh sport.

"You just have to start again, dig deep and get the base right."