Ex-Wrexham defender Sean Newton has shed light on a dark side of his playing career, revealing a harrowing experience involving a fan wielding a knife.
Newton, who played for Wrexham between 2015 and 2017, found himself caught in the intense cross-border rivalry between Wrexham and their English neighbors, Chester. Prior to joining Wrexham, Newton had played for Chester, and in his introductory interview with Wrexham fans, he expressed his past desire to play for the Red Dragons.
This seemingly innocuous comment apparently riled a Chester supporter. Newton describes encountering a “balaclava-clad” fan brandishing a knife who threatened him with violence if they crossed paths outside the stadium.
“That is the gospel truth,” Newton said on the I Had Trials Once podcast. This incident underscores the fierce passion that can simmer beneath the surface in lower-league football rivalries.
The seriousness of the threat is evident in the increased security measures implemented during matches between the two teams. However, Newton also recounts the other side of the coin – the joyous celebrations that erupted after Wrexham secured a 3-0 victory over Chester.
“We used to get police escorts from the ground,” Newton said, contrasting this with the celebratory night out where fans treated him to endless drinks. “The fact that we beat Chester, they were just buzzing. It’s an incredible club.”
Newton, who currently serves as a player-assistant manager at Ashton United, made 61 appearances for Wrexham, scoring 8 goals during his tenure. The media has contacted Chester Football Club for comment on the incident.
