Buckley&District Reds

When, in early January 2005 with Matt Baker having joined MK Dons and Andy Dibble having suffered another injury relapse, Denis Smith found himself without a goalkeeper of any experience he turned to the Spaniard Xavier Valero. Allegedly Smith signed him on the strength of seeing him in action via a video.

At the age of 33 he’d had plenty of experience as a well-travelled goalkeeper for the likes of Real Mallorca and CD Logrones in the Spanish league. So what that we hadn't heard of him? We hadn't heard of the Basque striker Juan Ugarte until a few months before, yet he was beginning to score goals for Wrexham at a prolific rate. Hamstrung by debt and administration, beggars couldn't be choosers. Valero’s signing was made official whilst he was on the team coach to Peterborough United, just two-and-half hours before kick-off! Having had scant opportunity to get to know, let alone work with his new team-mates, nerves and communication problems were understandable. Nevertheless on his debut Valero played his part in gaining a point through a number of important saves in the 2-2 draw.

Days later Wrexham hosted local rivals Tranmere Rovers and by the end of the 5-1 mauling alarm bells were ringing. In an interview in the official programme for the game Valero had declared himself something of an intellectual, with an interest in Kierkegaard and philosophy. An unusual character then, but people were starting to harbour doubts about his goal keeping ability. As was fashionable at the time Shaun Pejic was harshly given the most blame for the Tranmere disaster by Wrexham fans. Valero kept his place for the televised FAW Premier Cup tie at Haverfordwest during the following week. He flapped, missed crosses and generally put the defence at unease. Colin Loss’s goal for Deryn Brace’s side came from a clear Valero error. Wrexham escaped with a 2-1 win but many were nervous about what the tall curly-haired ‘keeper’s next mistake would be.

He kept his place in the side at Chesterfield that weekend but didn’t last through half-time. Further errors led Denis Smith and Kevin Russell to toy with the idea of bringing on Michael ‘Carrots’ Jones in Valero’s place. ‘Carrots’ was then an untried 1st year YTS of 6 months with no senior experience. Having taken a vote of confidence from Wrexham’s two international centre-back’s (Steve Roberts and Dennis Lawrence), Smith decided to go with ‘Carrots’ instead. ‘Carrots’ had only recently turned 17, but kept his nerve despite facing a penalty on his debut. Wrexham went on to win 4-2, Ugarte bagging all four. Valero went back to Spain on the Monday, signing for Huelva. Until a few weeks ago, he hadn’t been heard of since.

What happened after Valero’s departure? Wrexham took Stoke City’s young, unknown, relatively untried, third-choice goalkeeper Ben Foster on loan. Foster proved to be virtually flawless. His heroic displays helped Wrexham on the way to the LDV Vans Trophy final. In the final at the Millennium Stadium Foster was again a hero with many crucial saves helping Wrexham to lift the Trophy. The subsequent prize money ensured Wrexham could survive the lengthy spell in administration, keeping the club alive, by which time Valero was long forgotten. Foster secured a £1 million move to Manchester United. He became an established Premiership goalkeeper on loan at Watford, having played a major part in helping them gain promotion through the play-offs. Having been on standby for the 2006 England World Cup squad, Foster won his first England cap against Spain in February 2007. Meanwhile ‘Carrots’ has continued his steady development at Wrexham, with a promising career still ahead of him.

Had Valero not been so bad and not departed so soon would the course of Wrexham FC’s history have changed? Would we still have won the LDV Trophy and the chance to save our beloved club? Would Ben Foster’s potential have been spotted elsewhere, or would he have been lost to Man.Utd, Watford and England as he continued to languish in Stoke’s reserves? It’s mind-boggling to think what might have happened. Perhaps we all have something to be thankful to Valero for. Meanwhile, let’s hope for Rafa Benitez’s sake that Valero proves a better coach than a player.