Wrexham

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Ollie Palmer admits he is glad he bought into the Wrexham project after signing a fresh contract with the club.

The forward, 32, joined Phil Parkinson's side from Wimbledon in the summer of 2022 and has enjoyed back-to-back promotions during his time with the club.

Ahead of Wrexham's trip to Rotherham United on Saturday (15:00 BST), Palmer put pen to paper on a new deal to remain at the Stok Racecourse until the end of the 2025-26 season.

And Palmer - who has netted two goals in League One so far this term - believes Wrexham have "many more ambitions" to achieve under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

"When I spoke to the gaffer before I signed, he told me his vision and where the club was going," he explained.

"When you add it all up and you look at the owners of the football club, the foundations, the fanbase, the community and the passion within Wrexham and the surrounding areas, why not buy into it.

"It's proved successful so far and I'm sure the club's got many more ambitions and things they want to achieve on and off the pitch.

"It's a great project to be a part of."

Wrexham sit second ahead of their fixture with Steve Evans' Rotherham at the weekend.

Despite there being 36 league fixtures remaining this season, Palmer believes Wrexham have already proven they are capable of challenging for a top six place.

"It's only 10 games into League One but I think we've shown we can chuck our hat into the ring and compete with the best teams in the league," added Palmer.

"It's down to us to keep growing on that momentum, and we're doing that, we work hard every single day.

"The gaffer doesn't let anyone get complacent and we'll be working towards our target of what we believe we can achieve this season.

"It won't be easy because there's a lot of big football clubs in this league, but I think we've shown we can compete there."

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Wrexham's FA Cup first-round contest with League Two side Harrogate Town has been selected for television coverage.

The fixture will now take place on Sunday, 3 November, with kick-off at 15:30 GMT.

The game at the Exercise Stadium will be shown live on ITVX.

Phil Parkinson's side reached the fourth round of the competition last season following wins over Mansfield, Yeovil and Shrewsbury prior to a 4-1 defeat by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

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Wrexham have the chance to prove Rotherham United boss Steve Evans right or wrong on Saturday.

In September, when his side were lying 15th in League One and only five games into the season, Evans described Wrexham as the "Harlem Globetrotters" of the division.

He also referred to Birmingham as the "Real Madrid" of the tier.

Rotherham are still 15th with three wins, five draws and three defeats thus far while second-placed Wrexham head there on Saturday hoping to rise above leaders Birmingham.

It's not difficult to understand why Evans took that view of the club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Before his side's 2-0 defeat by Birmingham in September, Evans said: "We've not played the Harlem Globetrotters, who will turn up when Parky (Phil Parkinson) brings Wrexham here with the stars that come with the ownership there.”

So it's over to Wrexham to live up to Evans' expectations as they return to league action after the international break.

They say don't look at the table until ten games in.

Well Wrexham fans won't need reminding that - now the League One campaign has reached double figures of games played - Phil Parkinson's side are doing just fine.

With ten games gone going into the international break, the Red Dragons are second with 20 points to their name.

Only big-spending Birmingham are ahead of Parkinson's promotion winners, Blues living up to their pre-season favourites' tag.

There were Wrexham fans - former player Waynne Phillips included - who always believed there could be a third challenge to go up on the way this term.

But there had also been plenty of talk of consolidation this season.

So has what you have seen so far changed your mind on what could be achieved in the club's first year back at this level in two decades?

Or are Wrexham simply showing that you were right to get excited all along?

Have your say by letting us know your thoughts here, external.

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Wrexham’s start to life in League One shows they are on track to challenge for promotion – and leave an exclusive club to start their own.

Only a handful of sides have the distinction of winning back-to-back promotions, as Wrexham managed in jumping from the National League to the third tier last season.

But no other club has earned three promotions in a row in English football’s professional game.

That’s the prospect Phil Parkinson’s side face if they can keep up the form shown over their first ten games in their return to this level for the first time in 19 years.

Making the leap from League Two to the Championship isn’t unheard of with five sides having completed the feat since the millennium.

They include two teams who went on to eventually reach the top-flight. They include Brighton in 2000-2002 under Micky Adams and Peter Taylor, and Luton Town - who had earlier won promotion from the National League at the expense of Wrexham – under the stewardship of Nathan Jones and Mick Harford.

Former Wrexham captain Darren Ferguson managed it with Peterborough between 2007 and 2009, as did Burton under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Nigel Clough in 2014-2016, the Brewers another side who had previously gone up from the fifth tier.

And current League One rivals Rotherham have pulled it off twice, first in 1999-2001 under Ronnie Moore and then again between 2012 and 2014 under Steve Evans who is now back at the club for a second spell with the Millers.

Wrexham’s current tally of 20 points after ten games stacks up well against the most recent teams to go from fourth to second tier, although lag behind Luton who amassed an incredible 28 points from the first 30 on offer before going on to win the title with 98 points, 12 ahead of their nearest rivals.

Burton were only two points better off than Wrexham on their way to a second-placed finish in 2016, while Rotherham (19) and Peterborough (17) were both behind Parkinson’s points return to date, Posh going up automatically behind future Premier League champions Leicester and Rotherham going up via the play-offs.

Of course, such numbers will mean little to Parkinson and his composed managerial style which has served the Dragons more than well during his time at the Racecourse.

But it does show – if the table did not already – that Wrexham should already be taken seriously as challengers as they back up James McClean’s claim that they are “more than a match” for their League rivals.

And if they do, they would not only emulate Swansea City’s successive climb from fourth tier to second under John Toshack, but stand alone as back-to-back-to-back promotion specialists.

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Given that his team have played 13 games in all competitions already this season, Phil Parkinson may be grateful Wrexham have a break before they return to action against Rotherham United on 19 October.

The Red Dragons were due to host Lincoln City at the Stok Racecourse on Saturday, but the game was postponed owing to international call-ups within the Imps' squad.

Wrexham will hope to benefit from additional time on the training ground, plus a few days off.

Yet the Welsh side might have wanted to take to the field this weekend given their astonishing home record.

Wrexham have won each of their opening five home games in the current League One campaign.

The last time they achieved a better return from the outset of a season was in 1975-76, when John Neal's side won their first six home Third Division fixtures.

Last weekend's 4-1 triumph over Northampton Town took Wrexham to nine consecutive home league wins, matching the run set during the 2022-23 season when Parkinson's side were promoted from the National League as champions.

However, they have some way to go when it comes to their best ever home sequence.

Wrexham won 29 consecutive home matches between February 1904 and September 1905, with 19 of those triumphs coming in the league.

Nevertheless, it is fair to say Parkinson's home league record since becoming Wrexham boss in the summer of 2021 is formidable.

Wrexham lost just one regular season home fixture - against Yeovil Town in November 2021- across their two seasons under Parkinson in the National League.

Last term, MK Dons, Bradford City and Tranmere Rovers were the only sides to secure league wins in north Wales as Wrexham gained promotion from League Two.

That means Wrexham have won 59 of their 73 home regular-season league games under Parkinson at a win rate of 81%. They have lost just four of those matches, with the remaining 10 being draws.

These impressive numbers will undoubtedly be put to the test over the coming months as the likes of Huddersfield Town, Mansfield Town, Blackpool, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers come to town.

But with increased crowds and an ever-growing feel-good factor around the club, Wrexham's Stok Racecourse fortress is proving pivotal in the club's quest to continue their climb towards the upper echelons of the football pyramid.

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Mo Faal opened his goal account for Wrexham in style on Tuesday night, hitting a spectacular volley to round off a 3-0 EFL Trophy win against Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s.

The 21-year-old striker has had to be patient since joining from West Bromwich Albion on transfer deadline day for £500,000, and has yet to makes his League One debut for Wrexham.

But Faal was one of a number of youngsters including Aaron James and Harry Ashfield who were given a chance to shine in the EFL Trophy by Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

"It was good, I came into that game wanting to score a goal and I put a little bit of pressure on myself," said Fall, who was born in The Gambia but from the age of seven grew up in Birmingham after his family moved to England.

"Coming in at half-time, speaking to the gaffer [Parkinson], he just said, 'look, just keep doing the right stuff and it will come' and that's exactly what happened so I'm delighted, I'm buzzing."

Faal - who also scored in the EFL Cup for the Baggies in August before his transfer - struck in the 57th minute at the Stok Racecourse, but admitted he only attempted his eye-catching goal thinking an offside flag was imminent.

"It [the finish] was decent wasn't it?" he said.

"I've just said... if I didn't think I was offside I probably wouldn't have gone for it... because I thought I was offside I just went acrobatic. It doesn't get much better than that for a first goal, does it?"

The Wrexham fans responded to Faal's talent and enthusiasm by naming him player of the match, and Faal is eager to take any future chances he earns.

"I don't know how I nicked that man of the match award, there were so many great performers out there, but I'm just pleased they thought I did alright," he said modestly.

At the very least, with Wrexham now having secured a place in the knock-out stages of the EFL Trophy, Faal will continue to get opportunities in cup games as he continues to improve.

"It's definitely about building confidence, definitely gelling with the team, and to be honest even gaining a bit more fitness," Faal added.

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Teenager Harry Ashfield faces the challenge of turning himself into a regular having made his first senior start in Wrexham’s EFL Trophy win over Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s on Tuesday.

Local lad Ashfield, 18, has been at Wrexham since he was aged six and was named academy player of the year in 2023-24.

The midfielder made his senior bow as a late substitute in the EFL Trophy last season, and came off the bench again in the same competition against Salford City last month.

But Ashfield was picked from the start – and played 80 minutes – as Wrexham beat Wolves’ youngsters 3-0 at the Stok Racecourse.

“He works had in training all the time,” said Wrexham first-team coach David Jones.

“He has been playing for the youth team, the reserves and has appeared a few times for the first team.

“For him to continue that progression [with a first start], as well as other players like Aaron James… hopefully they will keep building on those performances and be an integral part of the squad moving forward.”

Fellow youth product James, 19, made his fifth Wrexham start – and first appearance this season – in the Wolves win.

Wrexham triumphed thanks to goals from Lewis Brunt, Paul Mullin and Mo Faal.

Dylan Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales at the Stok Racecourse

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Wrexham are through to the knock-out stages of the EFL Trophy after a convincing 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s with one game remaining in the group.

Manager Phil Parkinson made 11 changes from the side that started Saturday's 4-1 win in League One against Northampton Town, with Paul Mullin named captain.

Wrexham took the lead after 22 minutes when defender Lewis Brunt slotted home Anthony Forde’s free-kick, and seven minutes before half-time Mullin lobbed Wolves goalkeeper Tom King.

Wrexham dominated possession and striker Mo Faal extended their lead in the second half, scoring his first goal for the Welsh club with an acrobatic volley.

The Dragons will face Port Vale next month in their final game in Northern Group B.

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Assistant manager Steve Parkin expects changes to be made to the Wrexham team for Tuesday’s EFL Trophy match against Wolves.

That could mean starting places for strikers Paul Mullin and Steven Fletcher, who came on as substitutes during the 4-1 win against Northampton Town in League One.

Manager Phil Parkinson made several changes for the EFL Trophy win over Salford City in September and Parkin expects the same against Wolves.

“There are key players in the building that definitely need some minutes, so I won’t see that changing,” said Parkin.

“They are a great bunch of lads and are really good to work with. Sometimes it’s not easy being out of the team and seeing the team winning but the boys that train with us have been magnificent”.

Parkin says recent injury replacements in the team has shown the strength of the current squad.

“We got an unfortunate injury to Max [Cleworth] last week and somebody has to step in, i.e. Scarry [Dan Scarr],” Parkin added.

“We’ve got a strong squad and they are all motivated to get in the team so to see some of them play on Tuesday night will be good”.

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James McClean says he feels a significant responsibility to set the tone at Wrexham having been handed the club captaincy for the 2024-25 campaign.

The midfielder has worn the armband this season following the departures of Luke Young and Ben Tozer over the summer.

The former Republic of Ireland international has led by example as Phil Parkinson's men claimed 20 of the first 30 points on offer to sit second in the League One table after 10 matches.

He scored twice as Wrexham beat Northampton Town 4-1 in north Wales to move within two points of league leaders Birmingham City.

And the 35-year-old - who won 103 caps for his country - hopes his efforts continue to rub off on his Wrexham team-mates.

"To be trusted with that role, for me, my motto has always been to work as hard as I can each day and never get out-worked," McClean said.

"If that rubs off on all of the players then absolutely brilliant, because this team is built on hard work.

"For me to be given the armband and the opportunity to lead this team out then I feel it's a responsibility for me to make sure that I'm bang at it every game when it comes to setting the tone."

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Ryan Barnett is rivalling Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer for assists this season after the Wrexham defender’s hat-trick of set-ups against Northampton.

Barnett laid on goals for Elliott Lee and James McClean in the 4-1 Racecourse win that kept Phil Parkinson’s side second in the League One standings.

It took the 25-year-old right-back’s tally for assists to five for the season after also laying on goals in the wins over Reading and Shrewsbury.

Only Arsenal ace Saka and Chelsea star Palmer have registered more in the Premier League, with Saka already with seven assists to his name in the top-flight. England midfielder Palmer also has five, as has West Brom midfielder Tom Fellows.

Barnett was named Wrexham’s man of the match against Northampton having also had a role in Jack Marriott’s strike, the former Derby striker’s fifth goal of the season.

It also takes Barnett’s assists past last season’s tally of four as he played a key role in Wrexham’s promotion back to the third tier for the first time in 19 years.

The performance against Northampton earned Barnett a standing ovation, something the player admitted was “brilliant”.

On social media, captain McClean described the display as a “masterclass” while executive director replied to Shrewsbury-born Barnett’s own post celebrating the win dubbing him “The Shropshire Shevchenko”.

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Waynne Phillips hailed Wrexham's "classy performance" as they returned to winning ways by beating Northampton Town 4-1 at the Stok Racecourse. 

A James McClean brace along with goals from Jack Marriott and Elliot Lee earned Phil Parkinson's side an emphatic victory over the Cobblers in north Wales.

And former Wrexham midfielder Phillips hailed some of the Red Dragons' goals in the contest as "outstanding".

"Brilliant afternoon for Wrexham, it was very comfortable," he told BBC Radio Wales.

"They started the afternoon on the back foot, Northampton asked a few questions early on. Wrexham became dominant and got the goal they deserved; they were sailing. 

"The shock of the half came when Northampton found an equaliser. Not for one moment did I see that coming. 

“Wrexham got back to their game well and got that all important second goal before half-time.

"In the second half, the two goals that Wrexham scored from Elliot Lee and James McClean were outstanding.

"The last 15 minutes then became simply ‘ole football’. It was a classy performance."

Victory over Northampton moved Wrexham - who sit second - to within two points of League One leaders Birmingham City.

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Ryan Barnett described the standing ovation he received after being withdrawn during Wrexham's 4-1 win over Northampton Town as "one of the best feelings" of his career.

The right wing-back played a key role in all four of his side's goals against the Cobblers and registered three assists as Phil Parkinson's men moved to within two points of League One leaders Birmingham City.

Barnett was replaced by Seb Revan in the 86th minute of the contest with Jon Brady's outfit and received significant applause from the home supporters as he walked off the pitch.

"It was nice to be honest, I was absolutely shattered," he said.

"When the gaffer brought me off, you want to be there for the 90 minutes but sometimes when the games come Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, it's a tough ask.

"The reaction when I came off was brilliant, it's one of the best feelings of my career."

Victory was Wrexham's sixth from 10 League One matches so far this season, and Barnett was pleased his side could react after failing to score against Leyton Orient and Stevenage in their previous two outings.

"I think from the start if you said where we were now, you'd 100% have taken it," added Barnett.

"There's been a couple of dodgy performances in there, but if you look at today, we've reacted to it straight away.

"We'll take the start, but it's only the start, we've got to keep it going."