FEATURE: What next for Steve Dale? and who will take over Wrexham AFC Women?

Steve Dale’s resignation as Wrexham AFC Women manager on Friday throws up two very interesting questions – where might he turn up next and who will replace him at the North Wales based Adran Premier club?

After four fine seasons in charge of the Red Dragonesses, did Dale feel he’s simply gone as far as he can go with the team, or is there a bigger challenge awaiting elsewhere? His fine record with the women’s team should not leave him short of offers.

Will his replacement at Wrexham be someone currently involved in the North Wales pyramid, or possibly an unexpected name from outside?

Perhaps the answers to all these questions may be already known or ‘out there’. When it comes to Wrexham, I’m afraid my ‘insider’ knowledge is non-existent.

Will, I wonder, owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney be involved in the selection of the new manager, or will this one not involve the USA connection.

I think the first thing I’d want to say is well done to Steve, who has done a superb job at Wrexham, leading them to the Adran North title as invincibles in 2022-23 before achieving two top-four finishes in the Adran Premier, as well as reaching successive Welsh Cup finals.

One of his best achievements was ending the South Wales ‘hoodoo’ with Wrexham beating Cardiff City and Swansea City twice in 2024-25, something they had not managed since the team was relaunched in 2018.

Dale leaves the team in a good position, stronger and better prepared for the top level of domestic women’s football than when he arrived.

Speaking of his departure, Dale told the Wrexham AFC website: “After four fantastic seasons in charge of Wrexham AFC Women, I have made the decision to step down as manager to pursue other opportunities.

“I would like to thank everyone at the Football Club for their support during my time here, and especially to the staff and players for helping us to make history with Wrexham AFC.

“I am hugely proud of our achievements on the pitch, and honoured to have been able to play a part in the growth of women’s football not just in Wrexham but the whole of North Wales.

“I would like to wish all at Wrexham the very best of luck for the future.”

Dale first took temporary charge on November 7, 2021, after Mari Edwards’ departure.. Starting off with a 3-1 win at Llanfair United, he was appointed manager on a permanent basis on November 22, 2021.

The 34-year-old transformed the team’s season with a 10-game winning streak that ultimately resulted in a second-place finish – narrowly missing out on the title on the final day to Llandudno.

The following season, Dale’s Red Dragons won all 12 league matches to win the Genero Adran North and enjoyed giant-killing runs to the quarter-finals of both cup competitions, before victory in the play-off final against Briton Ferry Llansawel to earn promotion.

Elevation to the Welsh top-flight ensured Wrexham could become semi-professional – the first team in Wales to do so – and Dale has seen led the team to back-to-back top-four finishes, as well as reaching the Bute Energy Welsh Cup Final twice in succession.

• Steve Dale was in charge of Wrexham AFC Women for 90 competitive matches, 63 victories giving him a tremendous win ratio of 70%

STEVE DALE’S RECORD AS WREXHAM AFC WOMEN MANAGER

2021-22

League: Played 11 Won 10 Lost 1 Goals For 68 Goals Against 17 Positon 2nd
Adran Trophy: Played 1 Lost 1 Goals For 0 Goals Against 6
NEWFA Challenge Cup: Played 1 Lost 1 Goals For 2 Goals Against 5

2022-23

League: Played 12 Won 12 Goals For 70 Goals Against 6 Position 1st
Adran Trophy: Played 5 Won 4 Lost 1 Goals For 26 Goals Against 4
Welsh Cup: Played 3 Won 2 Lost 1 Goals For 8 Goals Against 5
NEWFA Cup: Played 1 Lost 1 Goals For 3 Goals Against 3 (lost on pens)
Adran Promotion Play-Off: Played 1 Won 1 Goals For 1 Goals Against 0

2023-24

League: Played 20 Won 11 Drawn 2 Lost 7 Goals For 41 Goals Against 37 Position 3rd
Welsh Cup: Played 5 Won 4 Lost 1 Goals For 17 Goals Against 2 – Runners-up
Adran Trophy: Played 2 Won 1 Lost 1 Goals For 5 Goals Against 3

2024-25

League: Played 20 Won 10 Drawn 2 Lost 8 Goals For 40 Goals Against 32 Position 4th
Welsh Cup: Played 5 Won 4 Lost 1 Goals For 31 Goals Against 3 – Runners-up
Adran Trophy: Played 3 Won 2 Lost 1 Goals For 9 Goals Against 5

TOTAL RECORD

League: Played 63 Won 43 Drawn 4 Lost 16 Goals For 219 Goals Against 92
Welsh Cup: Played 13 Won 10 Lost 3 Goals For 56 Goals Against 10
Adran Trophy: Played 11 Won 7 Lost 4 Goals For 40 Goals Against 18
NEWFA Cup: Played 2 Lost 2 Goals For 5 Goals Against 8
Promotion Play-Off: Played 1 Won 1 Goals For 1 Goals Against 0

ALL COMPETITIVE MATCHES

Played 90 Won 61 Drawn 4 Lost 25 Goals For 321 Goals Against 128