It takes just 10 minutes to walk around Stok Cae Ras in Wrexham. It takes a little longer if you stop and peer at the pitch through various gaps around it. A peephole into a world completely transformed.
Just six days ago, Chelsea played at this once-stagnant venue, a timely indicator of how ready the club is for the Premier League. Three years ago, on the same weekend in March, Wrexham were drawing 2-2 away with Maidenhead in the National League. Time flies.
Despite having a world-famous celebrity owner, huge financial backing and an ever-expanding reach aided in no small part by the Disney+ series Welcome to Wrexham, it is difficult to overstate just how extraordinary the club’s rise to the sporting world has been. There is a possibility that they will play against Chelsea as part of a league match as early as next season.
Friday, March 13th 7pm
Kickoff at 8pm
Wrexham has expended resources to achieve this position in a number of ways. They have signed more than 60 players since Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mack took over at the start of 2021, with 16 joining last summer to build a Championship-ready squad.
But even with big-money contracts on the pitch and big-name customers from across the Atlantic in the stands (most of whom have never even heard of Wrexham), there remains something quite honest and charming about this outpost just over the border in north-east Wales.
It hasn’t forgotten its roots and every player has been remembered and celebrated as part of its unique journey. A graffiti mural of striker Paul Mullin, who scored both goals in Maidenhead’s draw in 2023, still adorns the border of Stock Caelas. Fans hold it and pose for selfies as if it was really him.
Mural of former Wrexham forward Paul Mullin
During this remarkable growth, players like Marin have left, but one thing has remained constant. It’s director Phil Parkinson. Parkinson, a serious player, has never coached in the Premier League but last Saturday drew plenty of praise from opposition number Liam Rosenior – himself a relative newcomer – praising Wrexham’s “fantastic energy” and “brave pressing”.
Perhaps a preview of what’s to come.
Winner Alejandro Garnacho even called it one of Chelsea’s “toughest games of the season”, which is incredible considering they also played against the best teams in Europe this season. Among them are Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Napoli.
Sam Smith beats Robert Sanchez to give Wrexham the lead over Chelsea in the Premier League
Wrexham themselves believe they are knocking on the door of the Premier League’s elite and have made a polite request to join, and if they can pick up three points from Wales’ game against Swansea on Friday, live on Sky Sports, they will be on track for promotion at the end of the season.
Last time I analyzed Wrexham’s Premier League preparations in the early season knockouts, the conclusions were not favorable. Issues included home form, a dreadful defensive record and an injury list of Wrexham’s extensive VIP clientele.
Wrexham have improved significantly since their slot start to the season
Fast forward five months, and the outlook has changed dramatically. Wrexham have won nine of their last 14 Championship games (D2 L3), but all three of their losses in those games have come at home, including Tuesday’s loss to play-off rivals Hull City.
That inconsistency in performance will frustrate Parkinson. Much was gained from Saturday’s thrilling 120-minute game against Chelsea, but the reality of the aftermath is hampering promotional efforts. They lost leading scorer Kieffer Moore to injury, and Parkinson complained of “tension in the dressing room.”
He needed to know quickly who he could trust to lead this ambitious next mission. According to Opta’s predictive model, their chances of finishing in the promotion ranks had risen to more than 60% before the loss to Hull, but have now fallen to 44%.
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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Wrexham and Hull City.
Wrexham have not lost consecutive league games since the opening two games of the season and have not lost two games on the bounce at home since being in League One. A 10-game shootout to clinch a playoff spot is all that’s left in this most unlikely of missions.
However, the form since Christmas suggests it is possible. Since the Christmas period, only Millwall and Norwich have picked up more points than Wrexham’s 29 points, moving them from 15th on Christmas Day to sixth, more than any other team in that time.
Moore’s contribution has been central to that rise, with Wrexham’s goal record from crosses (16 goals) and corners (11 goals) a source of unparalleled strength. Without him, Chelsea goal scorer Sam Smith and club record signing Nathan Broadhead will have to make their mark through less functional means. Chief playmaker Josh Windass also needs to come to the party.
Reynolds and Mack, who commentate on Friday nights, have witnessed some great moments since taking over five years ago. The fortunes of this once down-on-their-luck Welsh club have changed thrice. Once per promotion.
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Simeon Gollum and Gary Weaver are eyeing a championship showdown.
From 15 years of non-league obscurity to the Premier League play-offs seems like a fever dream, yet it’s happening. Naturally, this next step requires the biggest leap forward, given the nuanced ecosystem of the Championship. And, as Sunderland have proven recently, there has been some luck as well.
But even the possibility is a feat in itself, and even if they don’t achieve it this season, it doesn’t mean Wrexham and its famous fans across the Atlantic will disappear anytime soon.
Fans can watch Rob and Ryan live from Wrexham alongside the Wrexham vs Swansea main match coverage on Sky Sports Football from 7pm on Friday. Kickoff at 8pm
