In some ways, history is repeating itself. In 1982, Chelsea and Wrexham met in the FA Cup after they had beaten Hull and Nottingham Forest respectively in previous rounds. The same has happened in 2026; but this is where the similarities end.
When the clubs met 44 years ago they were in the second tier and had huge debts. With Chelsea reportedly £1.6m in the red, the future of Stamford Bridge was in doubt as property developers hovered. Relegation-threatened Wrexham spent most of the 1980s merely trying to survive.
On top of inconsistent league form and financial woe, Chelsea also had problems with their supporters. After trouble at Derby in November 1981, the FA banned Chelsea fans from away matches. However, policing the ban proved almost impossible. Chelsea fans continued to travel and make their way into the home ends of various grounds. The ban was lifted after a few months and the episode did little for the club’s reputation.
The Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson makes three changes to the team that beat Charlton a week ago. Ryan Longman, Zak Vyner and Sam Smith come in for Issa Kabore, Nathan Broadhead and Kieffer Moore.
With Chelsea playing Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, Liam Rosenior has made nine changes to the XI that started at Villa Park in midweek. Jorrel Hato and Alejandro Garnacho are the survivors.
