West Ham United and Wrexham will renew an unusually rare rivalry at London Stadium on Friday night.
The Championship fixture will be the clubs’ first league meeting in more than 45 years and their first competitive encounter of any kind since January 1997.
West Ham enter the game after climbing to the top of the Championship with Tuesday’s dramatic victory at Bolton, while Wrexham arrive having extended their own unbeaten league run.
Despite the enormous gap between meetings, the historical record is remarkably close.
Wrexham actually lead the overall competitive head-to-head.
West Ham vs Wrexham head-to-head record
The clubs have met 13 times in competitive football.
The record stands at:
| Result | Total |
|---|---|
| West Ham wins | 3 |
| Draws | 6 |
| Wrexham wins | 4 |
| West Ham goals | 13 |
| Wrexham goals | 14 |
Wrexham therefore hold a one-win advantage in the series.
At West Ham’s home ground, the Hammers have had the better of the fixture.
Across six competitive home meetings, West Ham have won twice, drawn three and lost once.
That solitary home defeat was also the most recent meeting between the clubs.
What happened the last time West Ham played Wrexham?
Wrexham produced a memorable FA Cup upset at Upton Park on 25 January 1997.
The sides had drawn 1-1 at the Racecourse Ground earlier that month, with Hugo Porfirio equalising for Harry Redknapp’s West Ham after Bryan Hughes had given Wrexham an early lead.
The replay was eventually staged at Upton Park after an earlier attempt had been postponed because of thick fog.
It remained goalless until the final minute.
Kevin Russell, introduced from the bench, scored in the 90th minute to give Wrexham a 1-0 victory and knock West Ham out of the FA Cup.
West Ham’s starting XI that afternoon included Julian Dicks, Slaven Bilić, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.
Friday will therefore be the first opportunity for West Ham to face Wrexham since that defeat almost 30 years ago.
When was the last West Ham vs Wrexham league game?
For a league meeting, supporters have to go even further back.
West Ham last faced Wrexham in league competition on 2 May 1981, when John Lyall’s side won 1-0 at Upton Park.
Ray Stewart scored the only goal from the penalty spot after 40 minutes in front of 30,515 supporters.
That West Ham XI featured Phil Parkes, Billy Bonds, Alvin Martin, Alan Devonshire, Trevor Brooking and Frank Lampard Sr.
The result means Friday’s Championship fixture comes 45 years and four months after their previous league encounter.
West Ham’s last league defeat against Wrexham came at the Racecourse Ground in August 1979.
West Ham’s previous wins against Wrexham
West Ham have only beaten Wrexham three times competitively.
Their victories came in:
November 1979: West Ham 1-0 Wrexham, Division Two
May 1981: West Ham 1-0 Wrexham, Division Two
February 1992: Wrexham 0-1 West Ham, FA Cup replay
The 1992 tie followed a 2-2 draw at Upton Park before West Ham travelled to Wales and won the replay.
The history also contains several tight cup encounters.
Their 1981 FA Cup third-round tie required three matches to settle. A 1-1 draw at Upton Park was followed by a goalless replay after extra time at Wrexham before the Welsh side finally won another replay 1-0 after extra time.
Close games have therefore been a recurring theme.
Eight of the 13 previous competitive meetings have either finished level or been decided by a single goal.
West Ham and Wrexham meet again on Friday
The circumstances around meeting number 14 could hardly be more different.
West Ham are back in the Championship for the first time since 2011/12 and enter Friday following three consecutive league victories.
Tuesday’s 3-2 success at Bolton sent Nuno Espírito Santo’s side top of the Championship.
Wrexham also arrive in improved form.
Their 1-1 draw with Burnley extended their unbeaten league run to three matches, as examined in our latest Wrexham opponent-watch report.
The game takes place at London Stadium on Friday 11 September at 8pm BST, with West Ham officially confirming the fixture and ticket information.
Supporters can also find the West Ham vs Wrexham TV channel and live-stream information ahead of kick-off.
Forty-five years after their last league meeting and almost three decades after Wrexham’s famous FA Cup victory, an old fixture is finally back on West Ham’s schedule.
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