Wrexham’s Latest Ex-Liverpool Signing Has a 77-Year-Old Connection: Hannah Keryakoplis’ Great Grandfather Was Record Signing for the Red Dragons

Wrexham AFC fans were blown away by the tale of Hannah Keryakoplis. As fans gear up to welcome the ex-Liverpool star, her 1945 connection with the club resurfaces. Little did many know that one of her family members also once sported the Wrexham jersey.

Wrexham Women’s team made a significant scoop of the transfer window. They added an experienced soccer star to their ranks ahead of their crucial season in Wales’ first division. Keryakoplis boasts the experience of playing in the WSL for Liverpool and Birmingham City. However, she isn’t the first player from her family to represent the Reds. Her great-grandad did it 77 years back. 

Wrexham AFC’s new signing’s family legacy dates back to 1945

The moment Wrexham announced Hannah Keryakoplis’s signing, another former Reds star came to the limelight. It was the club’s record signing in 1945, Thomas Gardner. The Reds signed Tommy Gardner on December 19, 1945. Born in 1910, Gardner represented the world’s third-oldest club until 1947. He made his league debut for Wrexham on August 31, 1946, in the Division Three North against New Brighton.

He scored five goals in 39 appearances for the club over that period. His first goal came against New Brighton on his league debut. His last appearance for the club came on April 26, 1947, against Southport. Another resemblance between Gardner and his great-granddaughter Hannah Keryakoplis is that both represented Liverpool, too. 

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Liverpool-born Gardner began his career with native clubs, Marine FC and Orrell FC. Liverpool FC signed him next. But after a few appearances, Grimsby Town signed Gardner. Before playing for Wrexham, he played for clubs like Hull City, Aston Villa, and Burnley. The Reds broke their bank to sign him as a player-coach. Gardner also made two appearances for England. Apart from accolades in soccer, Keryakoplis’ great grandad once won a throw-in competition by making 32 yards and two inches throw.

His last stint as a player came with Oswestry Town FC, after which he joined Chester City FC as an assistant trainer from 1954 to 1967. He continued as a steward after that. And now, 77 years later, his great-granddaughter will represent the club that made him its record signing. Hannah Keryakoplis will hope to leave her mark on the Reds after signing with them from Derby County. 

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Let us know your thoughts on the connection that emerged between Wrexham AFC and its latest acquisition.