Ex-Wrexham\u00a0 boss Brian Flynn is amazed at the way things have changed – and not just at the football club.<\/p>\n
Brian was back in town 10 years after his managerial reign ended at the Racecourse when the club was still in the football league.<\/p>\n
This time he returned as manager of the Wales Under 21 side taking on Montenegro on Saturday and the Czech republic in Tuesday’s game.<\/p>\n
The respected Welsh stalwart,\u00a0 who earned 66 full caps as a player,\u00a0 took the Under 21s for a meal to Frankie and Benny’s at the town’s Eagles Meadow shopping centre.<\/p>\n
Brian couldn\u2019t hide his delight at being back in Wrexham having managed the town\u2019s club for 12 years between 1989 and 2001.<\/p>\n
Since then Eagles Meadow has created a net increase of more than 1,000 new jobs and underlined the town’s credentials as the shopping capital of North Wales.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt\u2019s a special place Wrexham and I have nothing but good memories of the town.<\/p>\n
\u201cMind you, Eagles Meadow wasn\u2019t here when I was manger of Wrexham Football Club. I\u2019m very impressed by what\u2019s on offer. It\u2019s a great facility to have and is certainly thriving with busy restaurants to complement all the stores.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been made very welcome here at Frankie and Benny\u2019s and it\u2019s a chance to let the lads have a relaxing meal and a good get together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wrexham goalkeeper Chris Maxwell is thrilled to be part of the squad and was made up to show his team-mates what Wrexham has to offer.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt\u2019s great. I have recently moved to the town having been brought up in Llandudno. So I already use Eagles Meadow a fair bit anyway. I go bowling quite a lot and, to be honest, I eat at Frankie and Benny\u2019s quite regularly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to be playing international matches in Wrexham, which is of course the world\u2019s oldest international football venue still\u00a0 in existence. We are looking for a couple of good wins out of our two games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nottingham Forest midfielder, Keiran Freeman and Shrewsbury Town striker Tom Bradshaw both say they have been enjoying their time in Wrexham ahead of the two qualifying matches.<\/p>\n
Keiran said: \u201cWrexham seems a really nice place and we have been made very welcome at Frankie & Benny\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tom added: \u201cPlaying just down the road at Shrewsbury I know Wrexham quite well. It\u2019s a great town and we have been made to feel really welcome by everyone we have met.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rob Lightfoot, Frankie and Benny\u2019s duty manager, said he was thrilled to welcome the Wales Under 21 squad to the restaurant.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe are delighted the team\u2019s management chose our Eagles Meadow restaurant for a team meal.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice for the staff to get to meet all the players and as I was born and bred in Wrexham it\u2019s great to get to meet Brian Flynn who will always be a Wrexham legend.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone here at Frankie and Benny\u2019s hopes all the squad enjoy their stay in the town and wish them well for their forthcoming matches.\u201d<\/p>\n