The Red Dragons might be dreaming of another promotion, but a campaign of consolidation seems more likely
The Wrexham fun bus is careering into League One this season after Phil Parkinson led his charges to their second-successive promotion three months ago. But now the champagne from another trip to Las Vegas to toast the team's success has dried, minds are focused on the colossal task that awaits.
Since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took control of the club in 2021, the Red Dragons have enjoyed a noisy ascent up the football pyramid, but the third tier represents their biggest test by some margin. Getting promoted out of League One is not easy. Just ask Portsmouth, Derby or Ipswich, all storied clubs who ended up spending far longer than they would have wanted in the division, before eventually finding the winning formula.
Patience has not typically been a quality you'd associate with this Hollywood-backed project, but it may be a virtue Reynolds and McElhenney will need to learn over the coming seasons. Saying that, the Red Dragons have enjoyed another progressive transfer window, possess a manager who knows his surroundings and have been able to keep hold of their best players. They couldn't actually repeat the promotion trick again, could they?
Below, GOAL has taken a look at what could lie in store for Wrexham as they prepare for their first season in the third tier since 2005…
GettyMood around the SToK Racecourse
We're now three-and-a-half years into the high-profile owners' tenure, but there are few signs of the feel-good factor around Wrexham fading. Winning helps, obviously, but the affection the supporters feel towards McElhenney and Reynolds runs deeper than that.
When they completed their takeover, the pair made a string of bold promises, vowing to: "grow the team and return it to the EFL in front of increased attendances, and in an improved stadium, while making a positive difference to the wider community in Wrexham."
And they've been true to their word. Not only are the men's team going for a third-straight promotion, the women's side have also benefited from considerable investment, while the capacity of the SToK Racecourse will swell significantly once a resolution can be reached on the redevelopment of the Kop stand.
The football club's success has created ripples that have benefited the North Wales town as a whole too. The two A-listers have donated to various local charities, while the general buzz around Wrexham has even caused a spike in house prices.
So, yeah, the fans are pretty happy – even if the media attention the Red Dragons continue to receive has rubbed rival clubs up the wrong way on occasion.
AdvertisementGettyTransfer business
Wrexham's summer started off by saying goodbye to several club stalwarts. Captain Luke Young, beloved long-throw specialist Ben Tozer and goal-scoring centre-back Aaron Hayden were among those released upon the expiration of their contracts. The trio had played significant roles in Wrexham's journey up through the leagues and their departures showed the club would not be ruled by sentimentality in the transfer market.
It did not take long for the reinforcements to arrive, though. The signing of George Dobson represented an early statement of intent. The ex-Charlton Athletic captain was a near ever-present for the Addicks over the past few seasons, with Wrexham batting away competition from Tom Brady-owned Birmingham City to secure his services.
Dan Scarr will provide a significant boost to the backline, too. He was a big part of the Plymouth Argyle side who won promotion from League One in 2023 and he went on to feature regularly in the second tier last campaign, before opting to depart Wayne Rooney's side for a new challenge in North Wales.
Scarr is not the only centre-back Wrexham have snapped up either. Twenty-three-year-old Lewis Brunt impressed on loan at Mansfield from Leicester City last season, with the Red Dragons beating their rivals to his permanent signing. Sebastian Revan has a similar story. After featuring for Rotherham last campaign, the versatile left-back was released by Aston Villa and has earned a permanent contract at Wrexham.
The most impressive new arrival of all, though, is Arthur Okonkwo. Following Ben Foster's shock retirement after just a few games last season, Wrexham found themselves in a bit of a bind. Fortunately, they were able to seal a quick deal to bring Okonkwo to the club on loan from Arsenal. It soon became clear that the goalkeeper was playing below his level, with the 22-year-old being voted into the League Two Team of the Season. There was reported Championship interest in him this summer, with Wrexham's successful pursuit representing a serious statement of intent.
Parkinson isn't done there either. "We are working on a couple of other things to add a bit more quality to what we have already got to make sure we can compete at this level," he said recently.
Another striker would be welcomed, with Millwall's Tom Bradshaw among those linked, while Wrexham also look a little light in attacking midfield should anything happen to the talismanic Elliot Lee.
GettyPre-season performances
Wrexham kicked off their pre-season with a 5-1 victory over Hanley Town. They had pencilled in a behind-closed-doors clash with Liverpool, but the non-league side stepped in at short notice after the Reds pulled out.
After that, their pre-season got a lot more glamorous, especially compared to their League One contemporaries, with Reynolds and McElhenney once again treating the squad to a trip to North America. This time, the women's side joined them too, and following a glitzy welcome party, the real business kicked-off.
Things began with a highly credible 1-1 draw against Premier League Bournemouth in California. They then faced off against Enzo Maresca's Chelsea and once again held their top-flight opposition, with Jack Marriott and Luke Bolton getting the goals.
Things got even better when Wrexham crossed the border to take on MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps. Revan, Lee, James McClean and Jordan Davies were the scorers in a comprehensive 4-1 win, with Reynolds and McElhenney even being reunited in the stands to watch the goal fest.
Wrexham were sent crashing back down to earth for their final friendly, as they welcomed Fleetwood Town to SToK Cae Ras, but they still picked up a 1-0 win. Overall, Parkinson will be encouraged with what he's seen from his team ahead of the new season. Not only did the club further build their brand in North America, they also look well organised and clinical in each of their warm-up games.
GettyTalking tactics
Since taking over at Wrexham, Parkinson has remained fervently committed to his 3-5-2 formation. And, judging by the transfer business completed thus far, it seems unlikely that this will be changing over the coming months.
Once he's fit again, Mullin will be tasked with the bulk of the goal-scoring, with one of Sam Dalby, Ollie Palmer, Steven Fletcher or Jack Marriott playing the role of facilitator. Lee will be the most advanced of the midfield three, with Dobson likely to be fielded behind him alongside one of George Evans, Andy Cannon or Jamie Jones.
Parkinson also loves attacking wing-backs. Revan adds to his strength in that area, with James McClean, Jacob Mendy, Luke Bolton and Ryan Barnett all capable of fulfilling these roles, too. His options for the back three have been bolstered by the arrivals of Scarr and Brunt, but Max Cleworth, Will Boyle, Thomas O'Connor and Eoghan O'Connell will all be confident of staking their claim for the first-team spot.
In terms of style, Parkinson has been derided for an overly-direct approach during his career. And while his side is not shy about hitting the channels, they are capable of mixing it up by keeping hold of the ball and probing their opposition more patiently. It's probably most accurate to paint Parkinson as a pragmatist, with his side capable of causing problems going forward in several different ways.
