Wrexham rise again: Six games that shaped the promotion to League One

Wrexham returned to the EFL at the start of the 2023/24 season following a 15-year absence

The much-anticipated third season of the Disney documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham' begins next month.

Charting the fortunes of Wrexham AFC under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the series has proved highly popular in particular with viewers in north America.

The first two seasons followed Wrexham's bid to get out of the National League and having succeeded in that aim, season three will focus on the club's first season back in the English Football League (EFL).

No doubt the series will feature plenty of highs and lows but ultimately, with Wrexham securing a second successive promotion to climb into League One - courtesy of Saturday's 6-0 thumping of Forest Green Rovers - there will be a happy ending.

BBC Sport Wales looks back at six significant games in Wrexham's promotion-winning season.

Midfielder Elliot Lee joined Wrexham on a three-year contract in July 2022

Wrexham 5-5 Swindon Town - 19 August, 2023

Wrexham had a mixed start to life in League Two and after defeat to MK Dons on the opening day, picked up four points from the subsequent two games.

Elliot Lee's stoppage-time goal saw Wrexham come from 4-1 down to secure a point in a 10-goal thriller against Swindon at the Stok Racecourse.

Jake Young and Charlie Austin put Swindon 2-0 up and although Jake Bickerstaff replied for the hosts, Dan Kemp and Young's second made it 4-1.

Lee's penalty and James Jones gave Wrexham hope before Kemp scored Swindon's fifth, only for late goals from Jones and Lee to seal a dramatic comeback.

"Wrexham never know when they are beaten," former player and manager Andy Morrell said post-match.

"A point at home I suppose you'd say is not a bad result, but from where they were it's a brilliant result."

Manager Phil Parkinson conceded that his newly promoted side said had "a lot of work to do".

"As a group, every single one of us, we need a good week on the training pitch and we need to review everything," Parkinson said.

"On the positive side of it, at 4-3 I thought we'd go on and win the game. We've had a lot of games like that here and I really felt we'd go on and win the game.

"They scored their fifth but even then I felt there's always a chance because the lads will never, ever give in. If you pull on a Wrexham shirt, that is a requirement."

The game would prove to be veteran goalkeeper Ben Foster's last match, with the former England stopper announcing his retirement a few days later.

Stockport's Will Collar tries to evade the tackle from George Evans during County's 5-0 win

Stockport County 5-0 Wrexham - 23 September, 2023

"Today we were sloppy in everything we did and we've got to take our medicine today."

That was Phil Parkinson's reaction after Wrexham's seven-game unbeaten run come to a spectacular end away to their old National League rivals.

Isaac Olaofe's hat-trick and goals from Louie Barry and Paddy Madden sealed Wrexham's fate at Edgeley Park.

Wrexham were down to seventh following their first league defeat since the opening day of the season.

"It's as bad a first half as I can remember us playing in terms of all the fundamentals in football," Parkinson added.

Wrexham fans had plenty to say on the performance on BBC Radio Wales' Call Rob that evening.

"Is this what it felt like to be a Wrexham fan pre-takeover? I don't like it," one fan's message read.

Another fan described it as a "disgraceful performance" but supporter Mark said: "It does look like a bad day in the office but we all have them, as long as we can learn from it."

Jordan Davies celebrates his late winner against Salford City in front of the fans

Wrexham 3-2 Salford City - 14 October 2023

It was another dramatic late show at the Stok Racecourse as goals from Steven Fletcher and Jordan Davies saw Wrexham snatch a thrilling victory.

Matt Smith and Matty Lund had scored to put Salford in control, only for Lee to head a goal back before half-time.

Fletcher, the ex-Scotland international who had joined the previous month, turned home Paul Mullin's cross to level with two minutes remaining before local boy Davies scored the winner a minute later.

"I think it's character, strength and mentality in the group," Parkinson said of the win.

"When you look around the group there's some real strength there.

"Once it got to 2-2 the whole stadium lifted and it felt there was only going to be one winner."

Wrexham were now up to fifth, three points behind leaders Stockport County.

James Jones scores against Newport County at the Racecourse

Wrexham 2-0 Newport County - 23 December, 2023

More than 12,000 fans, the highest attendance at the Racecourse since 2007, saw Wrexham beat their Welsh rivals on the day the temporary Kop stand was opened.

Such was the demand for tickets to watch Parkinson's side that owners Reynolds and McElhenney funded a temporary stand.

Newport has enjoyed the better of the first half but second-half goals from James Jones and Lee in front of the Kop end saw Wrexham secure a sixth successive home league win to maintain third spot.

As well as Welsh pride, this was the first time the sides had met in the league since Newport had beaten Wrexham in the National League play-off final in 2013 to secure a return to the EFL.

"We spoke to the lads about the importance of this game for our supporters, explaining the history of the play-off final and the Welsh derby situation," Parkinson said.

"It was a great atmosphere. I always feel privileged to be managing Wrexham and on the touchline in that atmosphere and the new stand being open today enhanced that, it was fantastic."

Wrexham fan Wayne from Caerphilly told BBC Radio Wales' Call Rob: "It wasn't the best display, we haven't played to our best.

"We need to strengthen in the January transfer window. For once in our lives we've got the finances to do it.

"I've been watching Wrexham 35 years and I've seen some dross, but I really, really think that the momentum is with us and I really think we can go up, possibly automatically."

Andy Cannon (centre) is congratulated by Elliot Lee after scoring one of his two goals at Grimsby

Grimsby Town 1-3 Wrexham - 23 March 2024

Wrexham came into the game at Blundell Park having failed to score in their previous two home games, which included a 1-0 loss to local rivals Tranmere Rovers.

But Andy Cannon's two goals and Mullin's volley - all of which came during the first half - saw Wrexham take control of a game they would go on and win 3-1.

"It's going to be a really exciting end to the season," Mullin said.

"But I don't worry about the other teams - we concentrate on ourselves."

Wrexham's win at Grimsby saw them move up to second and three points behind leaders Mansfield Town, a side they would beat 2-0 at home the following Friday.

Ryan Barnett scores Wrexham's opening goal in the 4-1 win over Crawley Town

Wrexham 4-1 Crawley Town - 9 April, 2024

A comfortable victory over in-form Crawley saw second-placed Wrexham guarantee a play-off place and edge closer to automatic promotion.

It marked manager Parkinson's 100th win as Wrexham boss since he took the helm in July 2021.

Ryan Barnett and Mullin struck in the first half for Wrexham before Cannon put the result beyond doubt and Mullin scored his second of the night.

Victory meant Wrexham needed only five points from their remaining three games to secure back-to-back promotions.

"The way the lads approached the game was excellent and obviously very pleased with the win," Parkinson said.

"It was a convincing one and a lot of quality shown on the night.

Former midfielder Waynne Phillips was a member of the squad which last won promotion to English football's third tier in 2003.

"They're one step away from making that jump into League One," Phillips told BBC Radio Wales after the Crawley game.

"National League football last season, League One next season? Wow, I'm excited."