Marriott has 'pedigree' to shine - Parkinson

Jack Marriott has matched his tally of goals for Wrexham in the second half of last season after only one game of the 2024-25 campaign.

Marriott, 29, scored only once in 17 League Two appearances – though just three of those were starts – after joining Wrexham from Fleetwood Town last January.

For a player of Marriott’s calibre, that was a disappointing return.

Yet he started the new season in style, scoring a fabulous goal as Wrexham marked their return to the third tier – after 19 years away – with a 3-2 victory over Wycombe.

“Jack has had a good pre-season - he was superb [in the friendly] against Chelsea,” said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

“The goal [against Wycombe], I don’t think you will see too many better in the EFL.

“You could sense our supporters warming to him because of his work for the team. He is a team player but all strikers want to put the ball in the back of the net and he has done that.”

Marriott has vast experience of League One and Championship football after spells with Peterborough United and Derby County.

He also played in the third tier for Fleetwood before moving to the Stok Racecourse.

“Jack has got good pedigree. He has scored goals in the Championship and at the top end of this division,” Parkinson added.

“He has moved into the area now which is great. We have got him settled, where we want him, so we can really work with him. He is not travelling too much.”

Parkinson also praised veteran former Scotland forward Steven Fletcher after he scored what proved to be the match-winning third goal against Wycombe.

“Fletch has missed a bit of pre-season because his groin tightened up in San Francisco,” Parkinson explained.

“He has only trained two days, but in those two days he has shown what he is all about. He is a maestro, he really is. What a player to come off the bench.”

Fletcher could be a contender to start when Wrexham go to Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup first round on Tuesday.