By Ian Gwyn Hughes
BBC Wales Football Editor
So Wrexham's fate has been confirmed.
For the past few weeks loyal supporters have been clutching at straws hoping that the failure of other sides above them would lead to an escape.
The likes of Mansfield, Dagenham & Redbridge and Chester have hardly covered themselves in glory, but Wrexham have shown a lack of ability in a very poor League Two to close the gap on those above them.
No doubt blame will be placed on the shoulders of various individuals but that will hardly help the progress. It will not turn back the clock.
The future and Wrexham's new position as a non-League club needs to be addressed quickly.
The big question is, can Wrexham bounce back in a short space of time? History shows that the obvious answer is yes.
Look at what happened to Colchester United, Darlington - ironically then managed by current Dragons boss Brian Little - Doncaster, Carlisle, Barnet, Lincoln City, Chester, Shrewsbury, Hereford, Accrington Stanley, Aldershot this season and Halifax.
Yes, Halifax Town did bounce back but were again relegated.
One can then point to the failure so far of the likes of Exeter City, Cambridge United, York City and Oxford United, but they have been there or thereabouts in terms of reaching the play-offs.
606: DEBATE
So the positives far outweigh the negatives.
And you could argue that playing the likes of Exeter, York and Oxford is no different, indeed perhaps more appealing, than facing Dagenham, Macclesfield and Accrington.
It is only a few years ago since Lee Trundle hit a memorable hat-trick against Oxford at the Racecourse in a 5-3 win.
Some point to the demise of another Welsh club, Newport County, but the comparison is not a fair one.
Newport had debts, had no worthwhile ground and within a short space of time folded.
Wrexham meanwhile, have a fine stadium, excellent training facilities and a manager in place for next season.
Little has experience of the Blue Square Premier (and formerly in the Conference) when he won promotion with Darlington.
However, that was a while ago and the league has since changed.
Some supporters might have preferred a Sammy McIlroy, Jimmy Quinn or Jimmy Harvey at the helm, managers who know what non-League football is all about and could entice the type of player Wrexham need to get the club back into the Football League.
The comparison to be made is with one of the teams who lost their League status a year ago - Torquay United.
There are few arguments that Wrexham are a bigger club than the Devon club.
But after a few seasons of struggle, Torquay actually started well, winning games, enjoying an FA Cup shock, finishing second in the Blue Square Premier and enjoying a day out at Wembley in the FA Trophy final.
Attendances have increased, turnover is up and the supporters have been watching winning football which creates a better atmosphere and confidence within a club.
That must be Wrexham's aim.
To maintain the support which has been excellent despite the awful quality on the pitch this season, Wrexham need a positive start to next season.
A winning start should convince the supporters that they are serious about regaining their status as a Football League club.
Wrexham next season will be the team to beat in contrast to the last couple of seasons.
Non-League clubs like Histon, Ebbsfleet and Forest Green Rovers will love it at the Racecourse. That in itself presents a new challenge.
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