Lawrence faces mixed emotions in FA Cup visit to Coventry

COVENTRY CITY v WREXHAM

By Matt Green

WREXHAM’S FA Cup third-round trip to Coventry City will be an emotional one for the National League high fliers’ supporters – and for one of the club’s legendary former players.

Dennis Lawrence made 198 appearances for the Dragons between 2001 and 2006 and is now the Sky Blues’ first-team coach.

The Red Army at the Ricoh Arena next Saturday (5.30pm) are sure to sing the name of their 2003-04 player of the year who became the first Wrexham player to feature in a World Cup finals when he appeared for Trinidad & Tobago in Germany in 2006.

The central defender also scored 14 goals for Wrexham before leaving for Swansea City.

Since hanging up his boots, Lawrence, now 48, has managed the Trinidad & Tobago national team and enjoyed coaching success in the FA Cup, working under Roberto Martinez at Wigan Athletic as the Latics won the 2013 competition, beating Manchester City at Wembley.

Lawrence was appointed by Coventry manager Mark Robins to head up his coaching team and he even stood in as caretaker for one Championship game when his boss had Covid-19, masterminding a 4-1 win over Sheffield United.

Phil Parkinson’s men will be roared on by 4,500 fans in Warwickshire after they quickly sold out their allocation.

Wrexham, of course, are no strangers to FA Cup third-round success against former Cup winners, with their 2-1 success against first division champions Arsenal in 1992 the stuff of legend.