'We want to achieve again' - Wrexham season preview

Phil Parkinson (right) with Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney

The Wrexham story continues to evolve and the latest instalment sees the Welsh club in League One.

Back-to-back promotions have seen the Dragons reach English football’s third tier, a division they last played in back in 2005.

That goes to show how far the club had fallen before Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney became custodians in 2021.

Under their ownership not only did the club finally secure a return to the EFL after a 15-year absence but also gained promotion to League One at the first attempt.

With each promotion comes new challenges and the forthcoming season will provide a stern test for the club, both on and off the pitch.

But there will be plenty to keep the fans – and documentary viewers – on the edge of their seats.

How did last season go?

Wrexham had a mixed start to life back in the EFL – a 5-3 defeat at home to MK Dons on the opening day of the season had many wondering what the campaign had in store.

Paul Mullin’s early season absence, after suffering a punctured lung on the club’s American tour, did not help but the arrival of internationals Steven Fletcher and James McClean added experience and quality to the squad.

Wrexham picked up six points from the subsequent four games before a run of three consecutive wins was halted by a thumping 5-0 defeat away to old National League foes Stockport County.

That defeat at Edgeley Park proved to be something of a watershed game in Wrexham’s season as they embarked on an eight game unbeaten run including a 2-0 win at Notts County.

There were bumps along the way – three consecutive defeats away to Newport County and Salford and a home loss to Bradford City early in the New Year threatened to de-rail promotion ambitions.

But Wrexham overcame that bad run with just three defeats in their final 17 league games, during which a fit again Mullin chipped in with 14 goals, and they secured promotion for the second successive year.

What are their prospects this season?

Arthur Okonkwo has joined Wrexham following his release by Arsenal

Manager Phil Parkinson is a calming and experienced influence leading Wrexham into League One this season.

Parkinson has managed two of Wrexham’s opponents this season – Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic – so is accustomed to pressure and expectancy.

The Hollywood factor – in owners Reynolds and McElhenney – adds an extra element of interest and expectation.

Parkinson insists Wrexham’s players – and supporters – must remain humble on the back of two successful promotion seasons.

But Parkinson’s aim will not merely be to make up the numbers in the third tier – the manager wants his side to be competitive.

With that in mind he has strengthened his squad with five new players arriving at the club.

Seb Revan and Lewis Brunt have joined from Aston Villa and Leicester City respectively while George Dobson comes to Wrexham after leaving Charlton Athletic and Dan Scarr switches from Plymouth Argyle.

The permanent signing of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo following his successful loan spell with the club last season was a deal Parkinson had been keen to tie up.

Wrexham started last season without talisman Mullin and will do the same this campaign.

The striker is recovering from minor spinal surgery, but Parkinson hopes to have him back "sooner rather than later."

Home form – and backed by weekly capacity crowds at the Stok Racecourse - will once again be key for Parkinson’s side as they take on some big clubs in the division.

How will the season end? Who can tell with the Wrexham story.

Manager Phil Parkinson said: “I think there’s an air of excitement more than anything because we’re going into a season where we haven’t operated in for 19 years.

“Some of the games coming up are really mouth-watering games for us, home and away.

“Everybody’s really ready now to get started.

"We've come a long way, we want to achieve again, but we've got to make sure there's that real togetherness in the Racecourse with the supporters and players and that connection we've created in the last few years."

Transfers In

Arthur Okonkwo (Arsenal - free), Lewis Brunt (Leicester City - undisclosed, George Dobson (Charlton Athletic - free), Callum Burton (Plymouth Argyle- free), Seb Revan (Aston Villa - undisclosed), Dan Scarr (Plymouth Argyle - undisclosed).

Transfers Out

Aaron Hayden (Carlisle United - free), Ben Tozer (Forest Green Rovers - free), Luke Young (Cheltenham Town - free), Jordan Tunnicliffe (Solihull Moors - free), Scott Butler (Marine - free), Owen Cushion (Prescot Cables - free), Dan Davies (Flint Town United - free), Rob Lainton (Released), Callum McFadzean (Released).