Blundering MP gets name of her town’s football club wrong twice in Parliamentary tribute
- Tory MP Sarah Atherton congratulated Wrexham AFC in speech in the Commons
- She called Wrexham Association Football Club ‘Wrexham Athletic FC’ twice
- Ms Atherton was debating Wrexham’s bid for the UK City of Culture 2025 title
A blundering MP has been slammed for getting the name of her town’s famous football club wrong twice in parliament.
Tory MP Sarah Atherton for Wrexham made a ‘balls-up’ speech in the Commons congratulating Wrexham AFC on their success in reaching Wembley.
But Ms Atherton, 54, twice referred to the club – owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – as ‘Wrexham Athletic’ – but they are actually called Wrexham Association Football Club.
During the speech, she said: ‘Wrexham is a town built on brewing, football and mining. To take football, which is very topical right at this moment, Wrexham Athletic Football Club is on a high.
Wrexham’s Tory MP Sarah Atherton, 54, (pictured at The Racecourse Ground) made a ‘balls-up’ speech in the Commons congratulating Wrexham AFC on their success in reaching Wembley in the FA Trophy final on Sunday
‘And on Sunday, I will be cheering on the Reds at the FA Trophy Final against Bromley at Wembley. And of course, we will win.
‘But, of course, you would have to have your eye off the ball to have missed the fact that Wrexham Athletic Football Club is now owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
‘Wrexham has certainly been put on the map.’
Ms Atherton was debating the bid for Wrexham’s place in the UK City of Culture 2025 title in the House of Commons.
One user wrote on Twitter: ‘Where’s “Wrexham Athletic” football club then?’, and John Gillibrand joked: ‘@WrexhamAthletic – what an amazing team! But with just one fan..’
But Ms Atherton, 54, twice referred to the club – owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – as ‘Wrexham Athletic’ – but they are actually called Wrexham Association Football Club
Pictured with former Wrexham player Mickey Thomas. Ms Atherton was debating the bid for Wrexham’s place in the UK City of Culture 2025 title in the House of Commons
One said: ‘Is there a new club in Wrexham? Up the Athletic I hope they score lots of tries at the grand national.’
Ian Bateman wrote: ‘Well, at least she didn’t say they were playing Wembley at Bromley.’
Another said: ‘Wrexham Wednesday didn’t even get a mensh!’
Wrexham are heading to the FA Trophy final on Sunday 22 May at Wembley Stadium after beating Stockport County FC at home in The Racecourse Ground.
Their Hollywood actor owner Ryan Reynolds was there amongst record-breaking numbers in attendance to watch The Dragons get through to the FA Trophy final.
One user wrote on Twitter: ‘Where’s “Wrexham Athletic” football club then?’, and John Gillibrand joked: ‘@WrexhamAthletic – what an amazing team! But with just one fan..’
They will go head-to-head against Bromley FC.
Wrexham AFC last went to Wembley for the same final back in 2015 but lost on penalties to North Ferribly United.
Before that, they beat Grimsby Town on penalties in the 2013 final.