Wrexham

Image source, Rex Features

Phil Parkinson will return to one of his former clubs this weekend when he takes his Wrexham side to Bolton Wanderers - and he sees some similarities in what the two sets of fans have experienced.

Parkinson got Bolton promoted to the Championship in 2017 and kept the club in the division despite dealing with a transfer embargo.

Towards the end of Parkinson's reign in 2019, with Bolton just days from liquidation, Wanderers were saved when Sharon Brittan bought the club.

Despite their perilous financial state at the time - a far cry from their Premier League success of the early 2000s - Bolton have now stabilised in League One and have come close to promotion in the past two seasons.

Wrexham have also had to recover from hard times, having spent more than a decade in non-league football under fan ownership before they were bought by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Now, having won back-to-back promotions, Wrexham are back in English football's third tier and looking forward to facing Bolton on Sunday.

“Bolton could easily have gone out of business but fortunately Sharon Brittan was a resilient pursuer of the ownership of the club, and I think the supporters have a lot to thank her for," Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

“She’s built a real credible football club, done things the right way, and they started from a very tough situation. It took some courage to buy a club in that situation.

“You want good people to do well. The Bolton fans have been through it, the highs and lows, from European football under Sam Allardyce to being close to going out of existence.

“Wrexham fans have had some tough times. This club, like Bolton, is such an important part of the community.

“Now the good times have come and we have fantastic owners who run the club in such a professional way, building foundations. It’s great to see the club and supporters are really flourishing off the back of that.”

Image source, Rex Features

Wrexham have money available to attract more signings but will not make further additions "for the sake of it", according to manager Phil Parkinson.

The Welsh club have recruited 10 new players since earning promotion to League One, breaking their transfer record to sign midfielder Ollie Rathbone from Rotherham United.

With the transfer window shutting on Friday, 30 August, Parkinson is still keen to add to his squad.

“Numbers-wise, we’re pretty close to where we want to be but there is the room in the budget to bring in another player," he told BBC Sport Wales.

“We’re not going to bring someone in just for the sake of it because we’ve got good players who deserve an opportunity.

“We’re working extremely hard as we always do. We have a list of players and sometimes deals take longer than anticipated.

"Sometimes you feel a deal is very close but the goalposts move and you have to reassess. That’s just normal transfer window activity."

Image source, Getty Images

Phil Parkinson says he is looking forward to returning to one of his old clubs as he prepares his Wrexham side for Sunday’s trip to Bolton Wanderers.

Parkinson got Bolton promoted to the Championship in 2017 and kept the club in the division despite dealing with a transfer embargo.

The Wrexham boss says he is excited about renewing old acquaintances.

“We will have a good squad to choose from for Sunday,” Parkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

“Sunday has a big game feel about it. Bolton is a great club at a great arena and we are really looking forward to it.

“When you go back to an old club it always has extra importance… it is not a place I have been back to much, so it will be good to see some familiar faces.”

Parkinson expects Bolton to be promotion contenders in League One this season.

“They are a big club in this division. They haven’t spent as much as Birmingham City, but they have spent,” he added.

“My promotion there was in very difficult circumstances and keeping them up in the Championship with an embargo was a great achievement.

“It went a bit sour after that. But it is not about me on Sunday, it is about the team.”

Chris Wathan
BBC Sport Wales

Image source, Getty Images

James McClean may be a player many fans love to hate, but Wrexham new boy Seb Revan says he loves the inspirational Irishman.

Utility player McClean, 35, is a perennial pantomime villain for opposition supporters.

And the former Republic of Ireland international again received stick as the League One club bowed out of the Carabao Cup at Bramall Lane in a 4-2 defeat to Sheffield United.

But Revan, who grabbed his first Wrexham goal in the midweek clash, says McClean is “an amazing person”.

“I love him,” said 21-year-old Revan. “He’s a great guy. Obviously he’s got a reputation but I don’t take any notice of that, I just judge him for myself and I think he’s an amazing person.

“He’s so helpful on and off the pitch for me and my career, so it’s a pleasure to work with him.”

Revan started in the wing-back role McClean has held down, the veteran having started there in Saturday’s League One opening-day win against Wycombe Wanderers.

McClean signed from Wigan Athletic last August, the 103-cap former international making 44 appearances last season across a variety of positions, with his experience and double-figure assists playing a key role in the north Wales club's second successive promotion.

It was of little surprise, then, that McClean was offered a new two-year deal ahead of the return to the third tier.

With striker Paul Mullin still recovering from back surgery, McClean wore the armband through pre-season and led the side in midweek as the only survivor from the victory over the Chairboys.

Despite a career touching upon almost 600 games, the ex-West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and Stoke City man is still seen as one of the fittest in the Racecourse ranks.

Revan said: “His versatility is amazing and how fit he is – he’s probably the fittest in the team. It really helps the team how he can keep going, keep playing in many positions, he’s a great asset for the team.”

With another wing-back, Jacob Mendy, closing in on his return to fitness, Revan says he relishes the challenge for a starting spot in Phil Parkinson’s side, while pointing out he can also play in different roles.

The flier caught the eye in the defeat to Championship side Sheffield United as he made his first start since his summer arrival, his debut having been off the bench against Wycombe.

Revan’s late consolation was described by Parkinson as being “exactly where you want your wide players to be”, hailing his display that could have seen the youngster score a hat-trick.

Having tasted Championship action on loan at Rotherham United last year, Revan is now keen to kick-on at the Racecourse and follow in the footsteps of some his FA Youth Cup-winning teammates from his Aston Villa days.

“There’s a few who’ve done well: Carney Chukwuemeka went to Chelsea, and Omari Kellyman is there now, Aaron (Ramsey) at Burnley,” said Revan. “There’s been quite a few so hopefully I can get to where they are right now and kick on further.

“It’s (Wrexham) a club going in the right direction, a good group of players and staff and it’s well run overall so I’m glad to be here.

“They’ve had a great couple of seasons and moving in the right direction, so hopefully we can help each other on the way.

“There’s great quality all over the squad. In every position we have great options, so for the players that aren’t starting it’s a challenge to get in, but I just have to keep trying my best and hopefully I can get in.

“I’m a defender first, but I love to attack, it’s something I enjoy, so I love to get forward when I can so hopefully I can help us keep the ball out the net and put the ball in the other net.

“It was great to make my debut, hopefully I can keep performing well and get more starts, more assists, more goals.”

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson says his players will be sharper for their Blades’ experience after rotating his squad for much-needed minutes.

The north Wales club suffered a Carabao Cup first-round exit at the hands of Championship side Sheffield United on Tuesday night.

But rather than send a full-strength side to Bramall Lane, Parkinson opted to rip up his teamsheet from the opening-day League One win over Wycombe Wanderers.

Only captain James McClean survived from the Racecourse win on the club’s first game back in the third tier in 19 years.

“This (first-round game) is almost an extension of pre-season,” Parkinson said, despite being frustrated by the defeat.

“You want to win the game but you have to make sure everybody is ready for the season ahead - and we’ll have a huge benefit from it.

“There’s certainly areas we can improve on and we know that, but there’s certainly players who will come on from tonight’s game from the minutes.”

Parkinson tipped United – relegated from the Premier League last season – to be among the promotion contenders in the second tier this season.

But he was happy at being able to give minutes to some of last season’s key men such as midfielder George Evans, who saw new boy George Dobson impress in his place in the win over Wycombe.

And there was the opportunity for a first competitive look at several new faces, with Parkinson handing out debuts to goalkeeper Callum Burton, centre-back Dan Scarr, defender Lewis Brunt and midfielder Ollie Rathbone, the club’s record signing.

“I was pleased with the debutants,” said Parkinson. “We only had Monday to do some teamwork and the picture you put together of how well the team will play is never going to happen, because there’s relationships around the pitch which need to form.

“You saw some rustiness around that, but you saw some good performances. The back lads (defence) playing together for the first time will do them a lot of good.”

There was also a first start for wing-back Seb Revan, a summer signing from Aston Villa who came off the bench at the weekend, but marked his full debut with Wrexham’s late second at Bramall Lane.

Parkinson admitted the 21-year-old could have scored a hat-trick in the cup tie, adding: “He’s got a bit of everything: he’s a tenacious defender but also dangerous in the final third.

"His goal is exactly what you want from your wide players, getting inside the full-back and it’s a brilliant finish, so you have to be pleased with his contribution so far.”

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham are prepared to add further signings to their squad before the transfer window closes – with a striker understood to still be among the League One club’s targets.

The north Wales club have added seven permanent signings to their ranks following promotion back to the third tier for the first time in 19 years.

But manager Phil Parkinson could yet add to his forward options, hinting he has already identified who he wants.

“We’re not a million miles off from the numbers where we want to be, but we’re always looking if we can add a player or two of quality,” Parkinson said.

“We know the players we like and we’ll keep trying to get the player or players in, and if we do great, if not you can see we have a strong squad and we’ll go with what we’ve got.”

Wrexham have been linked with a move for Sheffield Wednesday frontman Michael Smith, who is in the final year of his contract with the Championship side.

Smith, 32, played and scored in Wednesday’s opening weekend win over Plymouth.

Wrexham’s recruitment so far this summer has yet to include a striker, with goalkeepers Arthur Okonkwo and Callum Burton, defenders Lewis Brunt, Seb Revan and Dan Scarr, and midfielders George Dobson and Ollie Rathbone all added to the ranks at the Racecourse.

Rathbone, who made his debut in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Sheffield United, was a club record signing after his arrival from Rotherham last week.

Wrexham are thought to be ready to spend further, but Parkinson added: “When we target a player we decide where we feel that valuation is. More often that not we’ll stick to it and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

Paul Mullin, the club’s top scorer in the past three seasons, is closing in on a return after undergoing back surgery over the summer.

Both January signing Jack Marriott and veteran striker Steven Fletcher were among the goals in Saturday’s win over Wycombe Wanderers that marked their return to League One.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil Parkinson says he received an apology for a “key moment” match officials missed in Wrexham’s EFL Cup exit at the hands of Championship Sheffield United.

League One Wrexham bowed out of the competition after a first-round defeat at Bramall Lane despite taking the lead through Will Boyle.

But manager Parkinson claimed a “blatant” block on Boyle led to United’s leveller through Auston Trusty 10 minutes from half-time – and that referee Keith Stroud held his hands up ahead of the second-half.

The north Wales club’s boss says that Chris Wilder’s men are well-known for being potent at set-plays, admitting: “They work at them, we knew that and you can make the players aware of (blocking) but you need help from the officials.

“It’s clear and right in front of him. The referee apologised at half-time; someone must have told him because he said sorry he didn’t see it.

“But he needs help from the linesman and fourth official because we all saw it.

“In the Premier League with VAR you don’t get away with it, but unfortunately it was a key moment for us.

“Goals change games and we gave them a huge lift and we can do better in certain moments.

"It’s a good work out for us, we never like getting beat in any game, but we will take the lessons from it.”

Image source, Rex Features

Striker Sam Vokes says his Wycombe Wanderers side were taken aback by the atmosphere at Wrexham in Saturday's opening League One game, and believes it will play a crucial role for Phil Parkinson's team this season.

Wrexham scored twice in the opening half hour at the Racecourse in their first match in English football's third tier since 2005, going on to win 3-2.

"It was bouncing and for an away team it's going to be a tough place to go this year," said Vokes on BBC Wales Sport's Feast of Football podcast.

"They've got that extra stand at the end [behind the goal] that was full.

"I don't want to say just the atmosphere will get them through because they're a good team obviously, but I think that that can sometimes give you an extra 10 points during a season.

"It put us on the back foot. I'm not going to lie, the first 10-15 minutes we were probably taken aback by it.

"We were expecting it, but probably taken aback a little bit. Before we really got going in the game we were 2-0 down, and it was an uphill struggle."

Richard Kone halved the deficit in the second half as the visitors improved, but Steven Fletcher restored the two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes.

Former Wales forward Vokes gave Wycombe hope with a header three minutes after coming on as an 84th-minute substitute, but Wrexham held on for victory.

"I think there'll be up and around it," added Vokes of Wrexham's promotion hopes this season.

"The quality they've had to get through the divisions so far has been League One quality, and I see they've added a bit of quality.

"I think they'll be in and around it definitely. It depends how they deal with a few setbacks, I suppose, but their squad is huge.

"They had lads that we saw that weren't even involved at the weekend, so that will help them out this season definitely."

Image source, Getty Images

Club-record signing Ollie Rathbone could be handed a Wrexham debut in Tuesday’s EFL Cup first-round tie at Sheffield United.

Midfielder Rathbone joined the Dragons from Rotherham United last Friday.

The fee was undisclosed, but Wrexham said it was bigger than the previous record sum paid out by the north Wales club, for Ollie Palmer in 2022.

The fee for Palmer was also undisclosed, but is understood to have been in the region of £300,000.

Rathbone signed too late to be involved in last Saturday’s League One victory over Wycombe, but is in contention for the trip to Bramall Lane.

“We are delighted with Ollie Rathbone - he is energetic but he has real craft as well,” said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

“We will get him ready for Tuesday night if he is selected.”

Wrexham go to Yorkshire in buoyant mood after the rousing Wycombe triumph.

United will begin as favourites, though Wrexham proved they could compete with the Blades in two memorable FA Cup ties against in 2023 – and Parkinson’s side have won two promotions since then.

“It’s a great game to look forward to,” he added.

“There’s nothing better than going into the first round of the cup with a first league win behind you. We are really looking forward to it.”

Image source, Getty Images

Wrexham travel to Bramall Lane on Tuesday for a first-round EFL Cup tie against Sheffield United - a match that rekindles memories of the two clubs' memorable FA Cup meetings in 2023.

Then a National League club, Wrexham gave the Blades a real scare before the Championship side progressed to the fifth round.

Phil Parkinson's Wrexham had already beaten Blyth Spartans in the fourth qualifying round, before comfortable victories over Oldham and Farnborough in rounds one and two.

The Dragons then produced one of the season's big upsets with a 4-3 third round win at Championship Coventry City - and came within minutes of repeating the feat at home to United in round four.

There was plenty more drama to come in the replay - and a little bit of needle.

After United won 3-1, goalscorer Billy Sharp criticised the match officials as well as some of Wrexham's players.

"They thought we would just roll over when they got back in it and I think the referee was helping them as well, I don't think he gave me one foul all night," Sharp said at the time.

He was fined by the FA for his comments.

The gap between the two clubs is now much narrower, with Wrexham having enjoyed two successive promotions to reach League One while United are back in the Championship having played in the Premier League last season.

But if there is half as much drama on Tuesday as the two FA Cup ties 19 months ago produced, then fans are in for a treat.

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Marriott has matched his tally of goals for Wrexham in the second half of last season after only one game of the 2024-25 campaign.

Marriott, 29, scored only once in 17 League Two appearances – though just three of those were starts – after joining Wrexham from Fleetwood Town last January.

For a player of Marriott’s calibre, that was a disappointing return.

Yet he started the new season in style, scoring a fabulous goal as Wrexham marked their return to the third tier – after 19 years away – with a 3-2 victory over Wycombe.

“Jack has had a good pre-season - he was superb [in the friendly] against Chelsea,” said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.

“The goal [against Wycombe], I don’t think you will see too many better in the EFL.

“You could sense our supporters warming to him because of his work for the team. He is a team player but all strikers want to put the ball in the back of the net and he has done that.”

Marriott has vast experience of League One and Championship football after spells with Peterborough United and Derby County.

He also played in the third tier for Fleetwood before moving to the Stok Racecourse.

“Jack has got good pedigree. He has scored goals in the Championship and at the top end of this division,” Parkinson added.

“He has moved into the area now which is great. We have got him settled, where we want him, so we can really work with him. He is not travelling too much.”

Parkinson also praised veteran former Scotland forward Steven Fletcher after he scored what proved to be the match-winning third goal against Wycombe.

“Fletch has missed a bit of pre-season because his groin tightened up in San Francisco,” Parkinson explained.

“He has only trained two days, but in those two days he has shown what he is all about. He is a maestro, he really is. What a player to come off the bench.”

Fletcher could be a contender to start when Wrexham go to Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup first round on Tuesday.

Wrexham Women have signed forward Abbie Iddenden on a one-year deal.

Iddenden, 24, arrives after two years at Stoke City, having previously spent time playing in the USA.

“I’m excited to see her play her part over the season as we look to build on our progress in the Genero Adran Premier,” said Wrexham boss Steve Dale.

Image source, Getty Images

Jobi McAnuff expects Wrexham to thrive in League One this season but feels a third straight promotion may be a tall order for Phil Parkinson’s team.

Wrexham begin their first season in the third tier in 19 years when they host Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

The north Wales club finished second in League Two last term having won the National League in 2022-23.

Despite their rapid rise, Wrexham will start the new campaign with high hopes thanks to the continued backing of Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

But EFL pundit McAnuff has warned that the step up to League One is bigger than the change Wrexham faced when starting out in League Two last season.

“I think there may need to be a bit of time for them to consolidate at this level,” McAnuff said.

“You've got some big, big clubs with lofty ambitions in League One. Birmingham have come down, Bolton I expect to be up there, Charlton will be a lot better this season under Nathan Jones, Huddersfield - there's some really good teams in there.

“I wouldn't put it past them [to win promotion] just because they're Wrexham and everyone knows what their ambitions are. I just think it'd be a bit much for them to expect to get up straight away.”

McAnuff says Wrexham will have no issue establishing themselves in a new division because they have a number of players with experience of playing at the higher level.

He also feels that despite the arrival of some notable signings this summer, Reynolds and McElhenney could spend again in the mid-season transfer window.

“With Wrexham, we know if they are in with a sniff [of promotion] in January, then maybe that's the time they go, ‘right, who's going to be the player or two that can come and really get us over the line?’” he added.

“I wouldn’t write them off, not at all. I just think there's some other very, very good teams at that level this season.”