Wrexham

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Elliot Lee says Wrexham players have a fight to wear the shirt each week given the strength in depth within Phil Parkinson's squad.

Lee has been a mainstay under Parkinson since joining the Dragons from Luton Town in 2022.

But the midfielder, 29, says no player can take their place in the team for granted given the options Parkinson has at his disposal.

“I think it shows the quality we have in the squad, some of the lads that didn’t even make the bench [against Reading last weekend]," he said.

"The competition for places is so high and that's how the manager wants it, he wants a really strong squad to attack this season and everyone's going to be used and that's the way we always do it.

"The lads that aren’t even in the team have always had the right attitude in the two years that I've been here, and that’s why there's been so much success.

"The manager is so good at bringing in the right characters and treating everyone very similarly.

"It’s such a strong squad and you have to fight for your shirt every week, but hopefully that brings positive performances."

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Elliot Lee is targeting a return to the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Awards after being named in the 2023-24 League Two team of the season alongside Wrexham team-mate Paul Mullin.

The pair played key roles as Phil Parkinson's men gained a second successive promotion last term.

Both players attended the PFA's ceremony at Manchester's Opera House earlier in August, and Lee hopes another impressive season with the Dragons could see him return to next year's edition of the awards.

"It was an incredible experience," he said.

"It was nice to do it with Mulls (Mullin) and nice to be nominated for the top six and be in the team of the season. It's a nice accolade for last season, but it's done now and it’s on to this season and hopefully we’ll be there again."

Lee was among the scorers as Wrexham beat Reading 3-0 in north Wales to maintain their unbeaten start to the League One season.

Mullin made his return from a back injury as a second-half substitute against the Royals.

“I know he's been working hard to get back fit and you can't rush back injuries, especially if you’ve had a bit of back surgery," said fellow forward Ollie Palmer.

"So it's great to have him back. He's a big part of Wrexham and the way we play and what he's done for the football club.

"It's fantastic to have him back and I'm sure there’s not anyone more happy than himself."

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Phil Parkinson says Wrexham will continue to scour the transfer market with a view to making further additions to his squad prior to Friday's deadline (23:00 BST).

The Red Dragons have brought in Seb Revan, Lewis Brunt, Dan Scarr, Callum Burton, George Dobson, Arthur Okonkwo and Ollie Rathbone since winning promotion from League Two.

And Parkinson admits there may be a few departures from the club in the latter stages of the summer transfer window in addition to potential incomings.

"We'll have a look at a few things," said Parkinson following his side's 3-0 victory over Reading.

"The lads are stepping up to the plate and I'm not getting carried away, if the right player becomes available, we'll obviously make a move.

"There's a few of our lads we feel need to go out on loan, so we're not thinking we've cracked it by any stretch of the imagination."

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Ollie Palmer says Wrexham will not get carried away after what has been a positive start to the League One campaign for Phil Parkinson's side.

The Red Dragons beat Reading 3-0 at the Racecourse to sit fourth in the table having collected seven of the first nine points on offer this term.

But immediately after his side's convincing victory over the Royals, Palmer admitted his full focus was already on Saturday's trip to Peterborough United (15:00 BST), and not on the club's impressive August so far.

“It’s a good start to the season but that's all it is, we are not going to get carried away and I know the coaching staff aren’t going to get carried away," said Palmer.

"Obviously, you'd rather a good start than a bad start, but three games in against three top League One teams that will be fighting at the right end of the table, that’s all it is.

"It's something for us to build on, we go back to training on Monday and look forward to Peterborough away."

In beating Ruben Selles' side in north Wales, Wrexham extended their run of scoring the most home league goals, 68, of any side in England's top four divisions since the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign.

But Elliot Lee echoed Palmer's sentiments that the club will remain grounded after making their mark early on in the campaign.

“Everyone knows we had a bit of an unbelievable pre-season last season, but it was a bit disrupted and unorganised and that was probably the reason for a sloppy start to last season," said Lee.

"But this year we’ve had a brilliant pre-season, really organised and we’ve hit the ground running and we've had three great results.

"When teams come to this place, it’s hard on them. [Against Reading] I think everyone was at it and we felt it out there, at one with the fans, and we can make it really tough for teams coming here and that's what we'll do."

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Elliot Lee believes Wrexham have had a target on their back ever since the club was bought by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The Red Dragons have gained successive promotions under the Hollywood pair and have made an impressive start to the 2024-25 League One season, collecting seven of the nine points on offer so far.

Lee, who scored in his side's 3-0 triumph over Reading, believes boss Phil Parkinson has played a key role in keeping the squad grounded amid the noise surrounding owners Reynolds and McElhenney.

“I think they’ve [other teams] been trying to shoot us down for the two years I've been here and we've been successful both years," Lee said.

"The gaffer is very good at keeping all that noise that surrounds such a high profile club.

"He keeps it away from us and makes us work harder every day, keeps us humble and keeps the lads together. He hasn't brought in the wrong characters who will get carried away by anything like that."

Lee added: "We're always there to be shot down because of the owners, but it might be a little bit less this season because there's a lot of other big clubs in this league, so we'll take that in our stride and see."

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Phil Parkinson says Paul Mullin will undergo a "tough week" in training after making his return from injury in Wrexham's 3-0 win over Reading.

Mullin missed his side's opening three matches of the 2024-25 season due to a back injury.

But he featured as a second-half substitute as goals from Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee and Andy Cannon earned Parkinson's side victory against the Royals.

And boss Parkinson says striker Mullin will be put through his paces in training ahead of Wrexham's trip to Peterborough United as he bids to return to full fitness.

"It was important to get Paul a little bit of game time," said Parkinson.

"It was never going to be more than that because he knows he's got work to do.

"It gives us another week with Mulls to really have a tough week with him on the training ground and see if he can go that step closer to being involved again next week."

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Phil Parkinson admits Wrexham enjoyed their 3-0 win over Reading even more due to the squad and staff's bond with supporters at the Racecourse.

Goals from Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee and Andy Cannon earned the Red Dragons an emphatic win over the Royals in north Wales.

Victory means Wrexham have collected seven of the nine League One points on offer so far this season.

Parkinson's men also extended their run of scoring the most home league goals, 68, of any side in England's top four divisions since the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign.

And Parkinson revelled in the occasion after his side secured a second home win from as many matches this season.

"It's a terrific atmosphere," he said of the Racecourse.

"There's a great connection from the stands with the players.

"I said to the lads at half time, 'you've got to really enjoy this, lads' because every tackle, every block, every time someone sprints back and every quality moment, the fans are right behind you.

"It's great, it really is. We enjoyed today."

It's been an unbeaten start to Wrexham's return to League One - and the fans have been impressed.

As Phil Parkinson's side look for a second Racecourse win of the season as they welcome Reading, we asked for your thoughts on the early days back in the third tier - and whether challenging at the top end of the table is out of the question.

Here's a selection of your comments.

Wes: I believe they will go up in the play offs - Hollywood script Part III

Rod: Pretty happy with the squad, think we need Paul Mullin back for the X-factor but Jack Marriott has been looking better this season. I think people are too quick to write off Ollie Palmer at this level; he still has a lot of assists and goals in him. We probably need to get two strikers out and one new striker in for us to challenge for play-offs.

Rich: We start games well, however second-half in games we seem to leak goals. The defence gets lost and we need to be more organised.

Mike: Owners, manager, players are pushing for as high as possible or actual promotion. The infrastructure isn’t there yet to sustain a Championship club, so we could go up but struggle to avoid coming straight back down. 10th to 15th would be lovely.

Tim: Consolidation. Most fans will settle for midtable; there seems to be a realisation this is a big step up. As for the owners, they want promotion ASAP which is a great mindset to have.

Mick: So far, so good. The new signings look to have improved an already League One-quality squad. Hopefully Paul Mullin is on the road to full fitness and returning to action soon. We can seriously challenge for play-offs, if not promotion.

Kev: Top 10 finish would be great for us Wrexham fans. Next year we can hopefully challenge to go up when we strengthen again.

Alec: Wrexham's biggest weakness the past three years has been its defence. This year it's much improved with a firm structure. Once Paul Mullin returns, League One better watch out!

Ian: I went to the Wycombe game and the crowd was like an extra man for Wrexham. Bolton away was hard but we handled the pressure with an excellent point. Play-offs at very least and promotion a big possibility.

John: They need another striker - or two - to support Mullin and, hopefully, Marriott. I think, sadly, that the league will prove too strong for us this year and we will fall short of the play-offs, but achieve an upper half finish. We need to be clinical at set pieces as we may get ‘out-footballed’ and need to take every chance we get.

Rich: The sky is the limit for Wrecsam. Realistically, a successful season will be a top ten finish with positive steps towards the Championship. But given the rapid progress, intent from the owners and recent signings there is no reason to believe that promotion is impossible!

Robert: Top half of the table (between 6 &10), but still shy a few offensive pieces. We are relying too much on some old/ageing players to have a serious chance for promotion this year. A few years of "seasoning" for younger players and a few more dollars spent on outside talent and the Reds will look like a contender in 2026-27.

Johnnie: The team is definitely showing its credentials but it's still early days yet. I hope that the team can make history which no other team has ever made: back-to-back-to back.

Rob: Will be happy top half / top eight this year; it's a season of consolidation, building and preparing for the next push up to the Championship. It may take a couple of seasons but, if that what it takes, I'd be happy with that.

Alun: It would be sensible to learn the difference between the higher leagues. Look for the top ten and pick up some higher-class players in the future. No sense in going up and going back down right away.

David: Not quite yet. They need another striker. Good result at Bolton but played it safe and were satisfied with a draw.

Andrew: Encouraging start....shown we can compete against teams who finished in the top half/play-offs last season. Just need Mullin back fit.

You can have your say after this weekend's game against Reading here, external

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Following last weekend's 0-0 draw at Bolton Wanderers - one of the clubs he previously managed - Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson comes up against another former club on Saturday.

Parkinson played for Reading between 1992 and 2003 and won the Second Division title with the Royals in 1994.

“I’m looking forward to another test for us against a club who have had financial problems,” Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

“But they’ve managed to keep everyone together and obviously the benefit of producing players from the academy.

“Even in the tough times they’ve been having, they’ve still managed to have that supply of players.

“They’re a decent side who have had a good start so we’ve got to go into it fully respectful, which we will do.

“But equally we’re looking to improve and maintain certain standards.”

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Jordan Davies was forced off the pitch through injury after just 12 minutes of Grimsby Town's 4-1 defeat at Notts County.

Davies was making his fourth appearance of the campaign for the Mariners after joining the League Two club on loan from Wrexham for the duration of the 2024-25 season.

But the Welshman sustained a hamstring injury and had to be substituted off the field against Notts County - with Grimsby boss David Artell confirming the former Wales under-19 international will undergo a scan to determine the extent of the issue.

"Obviously he's extremely upset, he's tweaked his hamstring," Artell told BBC Radio Humberside.

"That's probably the most disappointing thing tonight. We'll get him scanned and assessed and then we'll see what the prognosis is."

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, after sustaining the injury, Davies said: "The highs and lows of football all in a week, I’ll be back as soon and as strong as possible."

Davies, 26, featured for Grimsby against Fleetwood Town and Bradford City before scoring twice in a 3-2 win over Cheltenham Town.

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Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo hailed Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as "incredible owners" following the club's remarkable success since the duo took over the club.

Following back-to-back promotions, actors Reynolds and McElhenney were in attendance as Phil Parkinson's side beat Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 on Wrexham's return to League One on 10 August.

And having joined Wrexham on a permanent basis after being released by Arsenal in the summer, Okonkwo opened up on the impact of the Hollywood pair on the Racecourse dressing room.

"They're two incredible owners," he told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"They were in the changing room with us before the (Wycombe) game. They're so involved.

"I've had the calls and the messages like some other players have said. It's just amazing, after the game to get a message from Ryan Reynolds saying 'well done' or a call from Rob.

"It's incredible to have those people supporting you. Normally it's a number from LA (Los Angeles) or with Ryan it can come as anything. You just don't know what to expect."

Okonkwo made 40 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell with Wrexham during the 2023-24 season.

And during a phone call with McElhenney prior to re-joining the club, Okonkwo overheard a fan urging the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star to sign the goalkeeper on a permanent deal.

"That is a true story," explained the goalkeeper.

"I was on the phone with him after the season, he called me to talk about the future before I'd signed. 

"I could hear the person saying 'sign Arthur Okonkwo'.

"It's amazing the support we have in America, especially in pre-season.

"We have more fans than I knew we had out there, it's always lovely to see."

So far, so good for Phil Parkinson's men on their return to League One.

A raucous Racecourse witnessed victory against Wycombe Wanderers on the opening day - with a couple of stunning goals for good measure.

And last year's play-off finalists were held on their own patch in last weekend's goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers.

With new signings settling in - and maybe more on the way - there are plenty of reasons for Wrexham fans to be content with the start to the season.

But are you confident of a promotion challenge based on the games so far?

Are last year's stars showing they can again aim for the top?

Or do you think the club need to add more before the transfer window closes next week - and if so, who needs to go?

We want your thoughts on the season so far, so send us your views here , external

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Wrexham will this weekend aim to end a 26-year wait for a win over Reading - a run part-inspired by their own manager.

The Royals arrive in north Wales with both sides looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the League One season.

The visitors, though, have relatively recent history on their side, with Wrexham winless in the last seven meetings.

Granted, the Red Dragons' demise into non-league and subsequent rise back to their third tier means that it has been some time since the last meeting.

In fact, Saturday will be the first since December 2001 when Alan Pardew's Reading ran out 2-0 winners at the Racecourse on their way to promotion - a side captained by a certain Phil Parkinson.

It was one of 415 appearances the current Wrexham boss made for the Berkshire club, a record that saw him achieve fan-favourite status as a tough-tackling midfielder.

Parkinson also played the full 90 minutes in the previous season's win at the Racecourse, Lee Trundle's goal not enough to stop Brian Flynn's side going down 2-1.

But he also played in the 4-0 Reading win at the Madejski Stadium in 1999, scoring in the 82nd minute to wrap up a 4-0 victory.

Parkinson had already been at the club seven years at that point, winning player of the season in that campaign under Tommy Burns.

Wrexham have not beaten the Royals since - one draw and six defeats coming in the games that followed - and you have to go back to early August 1998 for the last victory.

Karl Connolly and Peter Ward were on the scoresheet for Flynn's men at the Racecourse, as well as an own goal for former Cardiff and Swansea defender Andy Legg.

And the game also included a debut for Wales legend Ian Rush, making his first start in a fairly forgettable - and goalless - time with Wrexham after moving on a free from Newcastle.

More than quarter of a century on, Parkinson will not be fussed by such history given the way he has rewritten it during his time at the helm of the Hollywood-owned Reds.

Nevertheless, facing a club he represented for 11 years as a player will no doubt mean something. Even though he is closing in on 1,000 games in management, he has only come up against Reading seven times, with his only defeat coming in a FA Cup quarter-final replay while with third-tier Bradford.

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Wrexham will look to maintain their unbeaten start to League One against Reading this weekend, with one former player already convinced they will be promotion contenders.

Phil Parkinson's side face the Royals at the Racecourse after an opening day win against Wycombe Wanderers marked their first game at this level in 19 years.

They followed that up with a creditable goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers, the first time last year's play-off finalists had been held at home in 29 fixtures.

Not since a 4-0 defeat by Wigan on 19 August 2023 had Bolton been shut-out at the Toughsheet Stadium - almost one year exactly since Sunday's stalemate.

It did mean Wrexham had to show their defensive side at times, with goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo coming in for praise.

The Hollywood-owned Red Dragons will be expected to be more of a threat back in north Wales, even against a Reading team who have also picked up four points from their first two games.

But former Wrexham midfielder Waynne Phillips says Wrexham's start has shown why he thought a third straight promotion is not out of the question.

And he claims their "different" display to restrict a side who were the second-highest scorers in the third tier last term only adds to his confidence.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Sport, Phillips said: "It’s not the Wrexham that we’ve come to be familiar with in the way they go away and create chance after chance, it was a different type of game.

"They’re playing against a top League One side who have come close on a number of times over the past two seasons and, sometimes you have to accept playing a different way; I’m sure the 4,000 travelling fans accepted it as well.

"We all want to see them winning every game, but it’s not going to happen – certainly not this season in the division they’re in - but it could be a valuable point.

"It’s proven to me they can compete with the best in the division and it hasn’t changed my view that Wrexham are going to be one of the contenders themselves this season to win promotion."

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Wrexham duo Paul Mullin and Elliott Lee have missed out on winning the PFA League Two player of the year award but were recognised as part of the team of the year.

Notts County winger Jodi Jones took home the player of the year award as part of a six-man shortlist which included Mullin and Lee.

League Two team of the year:

Ben Hinchliffe (Stockport), Aiden Flint (Mansfield), Fraser Horsfall (Stockport), Mikey Demetriou (Crewe Alexandra), Ibou Touray (Stockport), Elliott Lee (Wrexham), Davis Keillor-Dunn (Mansfield), Daniel Crowley (Notts County), Macaulay Langstaff (Notts County), Paul Mullin (Wrexham), Jodi Jones (Notts County).

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Defender Eoghan O’Connell says Wrexham won’t be 'getting ahead of themselves' despite an unbeaten start to their League One campaign.

Wrexham’s 0-0 draw at Bolton came off the back of an opening day win against Wycombe for the newly promoted side.

“[We have an] unbelievable following and when you come out for the warm up you feel the amount of people behind you," said O’Connell.

“But we won’t be getting ahead of ourselves, it’s a decent start but that’s what it is - just a start”.

On Saturday the Dragons host Reading, who were a Championship side the season before last before relegation and a series of off-field financial problems.

“They are another big club. In our last two promotions we’ve never taken any game for granted and with the size of the clubs in this league we definitely won’t,” added O’Connell.

"I watched snippets of their [Reading's] game against Birmingham and they looked a really good team, so it’s a really tough game but I’m sure we’ll be ready for it.

“We’ve used our home form in the last few years but it’s about winning games and just because it’s at home, doesn’t mean we can just turn up. So we need to keep on it and keep that form going.

“When we play at home the crowd is unreal for us and we need to make it the fortress we want - the same as last season - and play as well as we can”.

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Wrexham defender Jacob Mendy has stepped up his recovery after returning to action for the first time in four months.

The Gambia international, 27, underwent surgery after suffering a hamstring injury at the tail-end of Wrexham's promotion from League Two.

But after a successful return to training, the full-back completed more than an hour as Wrexham's reserves beat Stoke's Under-21s 3-2 in a Central League fixture.

Mendy helped provide an assist for striker Jake Bickerstaff who scored a hat-trick against the Potters XI managed by former Premier League defender Ryan Shawcross.

Billy Waters and Anthony Forde also featured alongside several youngsters in the Red Dragon's side.

Mendy was a key part of Phil Parkinson's team last year, playing 37 times before damaging his hamstring in the April win at Colchester.

His return will boost Parkinson following an unbeaten start to their League One campaign, while striker Paul Mullin is also closing in on a return.

Mullin, Wrexham's top scorer for the past three seasons, has been back on the grass training after minor spinal surgery over the summer.

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Wrexham duo Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee will find out tonight if they have won the PFA League Two Player of the Year Award.

They are two of six shortlisted for the accolade recognising performances for the 2023/24 season.

Notts County duo Macaulay Langstaff and Jodi Jones, and fellow promotion winners Davis Keillor-Dunn (Mansfield) and Paddy Madden (Stockport County) are also on the list.

Mullin scored 24 league goals last season, including hat-tricks against Morecambe and Accrington Stanley as Wrexham gained automatic promotion.

Lee scored 16 goals and contributed six assists across the league season.