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There was a brief revival of races on the site from 1873 to 1876, but they then ceased, reportedly due to poor attendences.Pony racing, introduced to the course in 1890, initially proved to be very popular but ended, however, when a rail strike caused the 1911 meeting to be cancelled. The last ever race was run on August 26, 1912.The football club had been formed, in 1872, from Wrexham Cricket Club, who also used the Racecourse site.A meeting was convened at The Turf Hotel on September 28, 1872, for '"the purpose of starting a football club for the ensuing season (winter)".During the early part of the 20th century, the football ground had developed and, by 1912, had become fully enclosed.The running track was realigned so that the pitch was outside the racing circuit.The racetrack started to be used for aerial displays and one, in October 1912, featured pioneering aviator Gustav Hamel, with spectators watching the display from the stands of the football ground.The displays ended the following year after Hamel decided to land on the playing pitch.It had been raining and he was unable to brake on the wet surface, ultimately colliding with the crowd barrier at the other end of the ground.No-one was hurt, but flying displays were subsequently scrapped.The course was often used during the 1920s and 1930s as a private airfield by flying enthusiasts.Wrexham Borough Council wanted to create a municipal aerodrome on the site, and offered to pay for an aircraft hangar to be built, but the site lay outside the borough until a boundary change in 1935, by which time there were so many houses nearby that the the plans had to be abandoned.The racetrack finally disappeared under housing and the new technical college (NEWI) in the 1950s.All that is left of the course today is The Turf, five stewards badges held at the Denbighshire Records Office in Ruthin and the name of the famous old football ground.The Racecourse ground retains a special place in Welsh sporting history, particularly, of course, for Wrexham fans.Saturday's home game against Lincoln City kicks off at 3.00pm.Bright future if right plans get go-aheadWHILE the famous old ground has a proud history, the club which calls it home has one eye firmly on the future, with plans to make the Racecourse into a 'Millennium Stadium of the North'.Detailed plans of how the ground will look in the future are still yet to be revealed, but Wrexham's co-owner Neville Dickens told the Leader what he expects for the future of the ground.Mr Dickens said: "I hope we can secure the future of this historic ground and that 50 years from now, children will have similar fond memories to those I have."If we are successful in obtaining funding for updating areas of the ground that have been neglected for years it will go a long way towards international games being held here, thereby helping us achieve our aims for the future."We can achieve this with the ongoing support of the fans, Wrexham Council and various funding organisations."We have made great strides in building on the infrastructure of the club."We have, in Colliers Park, a first class centre of excellence that is the envy of many clubs in the higher divisions."When parents visit they are delighted to see the work of the professional coaches."The future of Wrexham Football Club also has to be to bring children up through the club, to play in the team."The future as we see it is to create an all-seater international stadium which can be the Millennium Stadium of the North – not just hosting league games but a venue for concerts, celebrity matches, rugby and international football."We want to create a stadium that Wrexham and North Wales can be proud of."This is what this part of the world deserves."With the help of Wrexham fans, the council and funding organisations I'm confident that this is what we will achieve."All the staff and the owners are determined to do this."Previous development plans for the ground and the area around it, included the building of apartments, shops and a new stand.These plans were sent back to the drawing board after developers McNiven Cameron said the plans would need to change to meet the changing demands of the housing market.Wrexham Council also raised some issues with the original plans and members of the community were worried the building of some apartments would be too high.The developers also reassured fans earlier this year that the historic pub, the Turf Hotel, would not be affected by the development.New plans are due to be submitted to the council shortly.What was your most memorable day at the Racecourse?For everyone associated with Wrexham FC, the ground has provided the setting for a host of treasured memories and golden moments.Dixie McNeil, legendary Wrexham goalscorer, said: "The Racecourse holds far too many good memories for me to single any out."I know it's a cliche but I really don't have any bad memories associated with playing at the ground."I started my career in the football league there, believe it or not playing for another club, Exeter City, way back in 1966."New stadiums are great but you can't beat the old grounds like the Racecourse – there is always such a wonderful atmosphere there."Phil Wynn, Wrexham Supporters Trust board member, said: "The first time I remember going to the Racecourse was, when I was a child, was to watch Wrexham v Middlesbrough in the FA Cup in 1973."All I can recall was that we won, it was a very muddy pitch, and the old away shed at the the paddock end of the Yale Stand was crammed full of Middlesbrough fans."I suppose that one of my happiest memories would be when we beat Rotherham 7-1 and were promoted to the second division."Neville Dickens, current co-owner of the club, said: "My memories of Wrexham Racecourse are many, including seeing stars such as John Charles, Trevor Ford, Ivor Allchurch and Cliff Jones, the flying Spurs winger, playing for Wales."One game in particular sticks out in my mind."I think it was Wales v Austria when John Charles, 'The Gentle Giant', lost his cool."Mel, his brother, was floored by a tough looking Austrian defender."John ran straight over, picked this guy up with one hand, as if he were a rag-doll, and gave him a warning about his future well-being.

Younger workers enjoy easier transition to 401(k)

When Shirley Hsieh joined IBM in 2004 after earning a master's degree in public policy, retirement benefits weren't on her mind.

She was more interested in the details of her new job, consulting with clients in the federal government and defense industry in Washington, D.C.

"It was a good company. I liked the job they were offering me. It wasn't until the first week of orientation when they were explaining the benefits to me that I thought, 'Oh, this is pretty good,'" she said.

Hsieh, who is 28, got in just under the wire before IBM stopped offering pensions to new hires in 2005.

But her benefits stopped accruing Jan. 1, like those of the rest of the 107,000 U.S. employees with pensions.

She is now enrolled in IBM's beefier 401(k) and will receive 2 percent of her salary as an automatic contribution.

Over 170 arrested at Scottish base

The world is an amazing place yet the mentality of the military minded is ignorant of this as throughout history the sadly flawed have seen it as their right to collectively destroy it as they seek superiority over others. RAB some people do care about the state of affairs regarding these onerous tools for MORONS. The problem is that there are far too many of them. Both the weapons and the MORONS who control them. .

Update: Library Has 10 Copies of "Water for Elephants"

At what point will it be so ridiculously convoluted to hand merchants money that consumers will revolt? I can remember taking a product to a cashier, handing over some method of payment and leaving. Those were the days. Now, we're asked a growing number of questions as clerks punch in dozens of data points. "Do you have our preferred card? Can I have your phone number? Is there another number that might work? Do you want our card? What's your ZIP code? Debit or credit? You can swipe your card now. No, the other way. No, the other way. I'll just punch it in over here. Do you have another card? My computer screen is frozen, can you wait? I need to start over. What's your phone number? What's your ZIP code?" Then after you've run the gantlet of questions, they tell you how much money you've saved.

Friday wild card

Or the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce should pick up the tab willingly to settle this ongoing tempest.

Britain ‘seen as a soft touch’

Imagine how many millions are wasted rearresting criminals over and over again. This money could be used to better police our streets.

Nigel (Scotland) - no one is suggesting that most immigrants are anything other than decent, honest, hard-working people. Given how many Blair and Brown have let in, it's just as well for us that they are! And yes, you're right, we all share one planet; and I'll happily invite Poles, Romanians, Nigerians or Filipinos to tea any time to enjoy a piece of cake and chat about our different cultures.

Valley briefing

Aurora University will offer information on adult degree completion programs at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Perry Theatre in the Aurora Foundation Center for Community Enrichment, 1305 Kenilworth Place.

University representatives will discuss admission procedures, academic programs and financial aid. Adult degree completion programs are available in accounting, business administration, communication, criminal justice and nursing.

Call (630) 844-5294 or e-mail AUadmission@aurora.edu.

A new Web site that allows home gardeners and professional horticulturists to gain information about plant pests, diseases, and performance in the USDA's hardiness zones 4, 5, and 6 has been launched by University of Illinois Extension.

News Briefs

Information, Tickets & Travel has Entertainment '08 Books on sale while supplies last for $18 each. Save up to 50 percent off dining out, up to 70 percent off travel, along with big savings on shopping services and entertainment.

Purchase yours today, and keep it for yourself or gift it away. For more information, call Information, Tickets & Travel at 777-3525.

Want to buy a new home?

A Home Buying 101 class will be held 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2 at the Airmen & Family Readiness Center. Learn tips on what's needed when considering the purchase of a home. Call 777-4681 to sign up.

Learn winter driving skills

A Winter Driving 101 class will be held 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3 at the Airmen & Family Readiness Center.