Saunders expects Wrexham owners to 'put hands in pockets again'

Former Wrexham manager Dean Saunders believes that owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will again make funds available for manager Phil Parkinson to strengthen the squad for next season's Championship campaign.

Parkinson led Wrexham to their third consecutive promotion this season after finishing second in League One.

"It's unbelievable... they've done it, and it's brilliant for the town," said Wales striking great Saunders.

"I thought it was a joke when these two film stars came in. I think everyone thought it was a wind-up. But it looks to me as if they're going to put their hands in their pockets again.

"They're going to have to because obviously you're competing with Premier League salaries now.

"In League One and League Two and the National League, there's not a lot of difference in the wages – a couple of thousand either way – but some of these players playing for, say, Leicester and Ipswich – they're on £100,000 a week.

"You've got to try and put a team on the pitch that can compete with them, which is difficult."

Although the Wrexham face a steep step-up in competition, Saunders - who after finishing playing began his managerial career with the north Wales club from 2008–2011 - believes they be competitive.

"Definitely. If you've got that momentum," he added.

"Sorry to bring Man Utd up in this situation, but if you look at what gets into a club and makes the demise of it... Wrexham have got it the other way round, where they have got that winning formula, a winning confidence and everybody working their socks off at the club.

"And they have got that momentum which can make them compete. But it is going to be tough."