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Welcome to Wrexham: How an Australian bar was saved by Wrexham's footballing rise | Welcome to Wrexham: How an Australian bar was saved by Wrexham's footballing rise |
(1 day later) | |
York Lane has been the unofficial spot for Wrexham fans in Sydney for the past three years. | York Lane has been the unofficial spot for Wrexham fans in Sydney for the past three years. |
Wrexham's fairy tale success story under their Hollywood owners has seen the football club gain fans across the Atlantic. | Wrexham's fairy tale success story under their Hollywood owners has seen the football club gain fans across the Atlantic. |
And that success has also helped a struggling Australian bar change its fortunes after being inspired by the story. | And that success has also helped a struggling Australian bar change its fortunes after being inspired by the story. |
York Lane, a bar in Sydney's Central Business District (CBD), adopted a Wrexham AFC theme three years ago, and even serves Wrexham Lager. | York Lane, a bar in Sydney's Central Business District (CBD), adopted a Wrexham AFC theme three years ago, and even serves Wrexham Lager. |
It has now become an unofficial home of the club's Aussie supporters ahead of the club's summer tour to the country this year. | |
"It's down to my friend Mike," said Dieter Steinbusch who owns the bar. | "It's down to my friend Mike," said Dieter Steinbusch who owns the bar. |
He recommended the hit television series, Welcome To Wrexham, and the storyline "mirrors what I've tried to do with my bar", he said. | He recommended the hit television series, Welcome To Wrexham, and the storyline "mirrors what I've tried to do with my bar", he said. |
Mike Roberts has lived in Australia for 57 years, after moving from Wrexham when he was 10-years-old as a "10 Pound Pom", a term used to describe British citizens who migrated to Australia and New Zealand after the Second World War. | Mike Roberts has lived in Australia for 57 years, after moving from Wrexham when he was 10-years-old as a "10 Pound Pom", a term used to describe British citizens who migrated to Australia and New Zealand after the Second World War. |
"Three years ago if I mentioned Wrexham, people would just look at you and they wouldn't have a clue," said Mike. | "Three years ago if I mentioned Wrexham, people would just look at you and they wouldn't have a clue," said Mike. |
"Now, I'm not joking one in three people not only know of the team, they actually follow the team, and it's just stunning." | "Now, I'm not joking one in three people not only know of the team, they actually follow the team, and it's just stunning." |
Mike (left) and Dieter watch their beloved Wrexham with other fans in the bar | Mike (left) and Dieter watch their beloved Wrexham with other fans in the bar |
The bar boasts a mural of Wrexham's Hollywood owners Rob McElheney, Ryan Reynolds and club memorabilia . | The bar boasts a mural of Wrexham's Hollywood owners Rob McElheney, Ryan Reynolds and club memorabilia . |
When Wrexham secured their third successive promotion to the Championship Dieter offered his customers free Wrexham Lager. | When Wrexham secured their third successive promotion to the Championship Dieter offered his customers free Wrexham Lager. |
"My punters like it," said Dieter, "it's like Aussie beer, but, I think it's better and it goes down very well." | "My punters like it," said Dieter, "it's like Aussie beer, but, I think it's better and it goes down very well." |
He said Wrexham fans in Sydney always visit the bar before they return home. | He said Wrexham fans in Sydney always visit the bar before they return home. |
"When they come to visit, not that I've ever met them in my life, it's just like a family. It's brilliant," he said. | "When they come to visit, not that I've ever met them in my life, it's just like a family. It's brilliant," he said. |
Dieter says he was inspired after watching Wrexham in the series "Welcome to Wrexham" | Dieter says he was inspired after watching Wrexham in the series "Welcome to Wrexham" |
Wrexham will play three pre-season fixtures against A-League opposition during a summer tour of Australia and New Zealand. | Wrexham will play three pre-season fixtures against A-League opposition during a summer tour of Australia and New Zealand. |
Phil Parkinson's side will take on Melbourne Victory at Marvel Stadium on 11 July before facing Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium four days later. | Phil Parkinson's side will take on Melbourne Victory at Marvel Stadium on 11 July before facing Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium four days later. |
The north Wales side will then play Wellington Phoenix at the Sky Stadium on 19 July. | The north Wales side will then play Wellington Phoenix at the Sky Stadium on 19 July. |
"We're going to Melbourne and we're going to go to Sydney," said Mike, adding: "but all of my friends, every single one of them, are going as well because they just love this thing." | "We're going to Melbourne and we're going to go to Sydney," said Mike, adding: "but all of my friends, every single one of them, are going as well because they just love this thing." |
Mike believes there is no other football team in the world that has "done what Wrexham's done". | Mike believes there is no other football team in the world that has "done what Wrexham's done". |
"They've galvanised people somehow, it's amazing!" | "They've galvanised people somehow, it's amazing!" |
Dieter said the last time he felt this excited about a sporting event was watching Cathy Freeman win a gold medal for Australia in 2000 Sydney Olympics. | Dieter said the last time he felt this excited about a sporting event was watching Cathy Freeman win a gold medal for Australia in 2000 Sydney Olympics. |
"I'll say this now is one of the biggest things besides that," he added. | "I'll say this now is one of the biggest things besides that," he added. |
Dieter and The Turf's landlord Wayne Jones have shared customers over the years | Dieter and The Turf's landlord Wayne Jones have shared customers over the years |
Dieter has built a friendship with Wayne Jones, the landlord of The Turf, which sits just outside Wrexham's stadium. | Dieter has built a friendship with Wayne Jones, the landlord of The Turf, which sits just outside Wrexham's stadium. |
Their customers have taken some items, such as a the York Lane t-shirt, from one landlord to another as the bond has grown. | Their customers have taken some items, such as a the York Lane t-shirt, from one landlord to another as the bond has grown. |
"It's great to be so far away yet so so close," said Dieter. | "It's great to be so far away yet so so close," said Dieter. |
In previous series of Welcome to Wrexham, Rob and Ryan have popped in to the Turf for a few pints. | In previous series of Welcome to Wrexham, Rob and Ryan have popped in to the Turf for a few pints. |
With the fourth season on the horizon, Dieter and Mike are hoping they might make an appearance at York Lane in the near future. | With the fourth season on the horizon, Dieter and Mike are hoping they might make an appearance at York Lane in the near future. |
"It's hard to find because it's down a little unique lane in Sydney," said Mike. | "It's hard to find because it's down a little unique lane in Sydney," said Mike. |
"It's not the sort of place you'd pass if you didn't know where it was." | "It's not the sort of place you'd pass if you didn't know where it was." |
Dieter said Rob and Ryan would be "very, very welcome" adding that the Wrexham fans will always have a special place in his heart. | Dieter said Rob and Ryan would be "very, very welcome" adding that the Wrexham fans will always have a special place in his heart. |
"Just come and find us. There will always be a welcome for you here." | "Just come and find us. There will always be a welcome for you here." |
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