Parkinson recalls Bolton 'carnage' as Wrexham rise

Wrexham have won 112 of their 181 league matches under Phil Parkinson

Phil Parkinson says he is relishing a return to the Championship with Wrexham following the "complete and utter carnage" of his last stint in the division with Bolton Wanderers.

The Red Dragons sealed a third successive promotion last time out by beating Charlton Athletic 3-0 at the Stok Cae Ras to secure a return to the second tier for the first time since 1982.

Having led Bolton into the Championship in 2017 and kept them in the division the following season amid turmoil at the club, Parkinson was unable to keep the Trotters in the second tier for a second successive year.

Parkinson and assistant coach Steve Parkin departed the club in August 2019 after the club had been placed in administration, but the Wrexham boss says he is looking forward to testing himself against a higher level of coaches again.

"I always think, me and Steve that year we kept Bolton up was one of our greatest achievements of working together. That was tough and then the summer," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"We actually started the next season well and then we had five months without getting paid. It was just complete and utter carnage, I've never experienced anything like that.

"When people say about pressure and stress, I always say working at Bolton and not getting paid for five months and trying to get a team motivated, who were all out of contract, to play, was tough.

"Coming into the first division, as a staff first of all we're looking forward to testing ourselves against a higher calibre of managers, coaches, analysts, fitness coaching, sports scientists, because everything is better. So we can't wait to test ourselves next year."

Club co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney were both in attendance as Wrexham secured their all-important victory against Charlton.

Parkinson revealed he held talks with the Hollywood duo in the aftermath of the match in north Wales to reflect on the latest glorious chapter in the club's meteoric rise.

"I had a good chat with Rob after the game and on Sunday," added the Wrexham boss.

"Me and Ryan have exchanged quite a few messages this week and everyone's just reflecting, not getting too carried away.

"We were just reflecting on the occasion because for those people who were there at the weekend, to seal Championship status and the whole atmosphere of the day is just something people won't forget.

"I'll never get bored of speaking to our supporters who were at the game."

Wrexham sign off the 2024-25 campaign at Lincoln City on Saturday (15:00 BST).