Callum McFadzean was one of several who departed Wrexham upon the expiry of their contracts, and he’s now revealed what Phil Parkinson told him.
Wrexham are preparing for their biggest challenge yet as they enter League One.
Not only do they have to compete against some big clubs such as Huddersfield and Birmingham City, but Phil Parkinson also has to make some crucial decisions.
Whilst he’s currently eyeing up players in the window, already missing out on Wigan’s Jason Kerr and former Derby County midfielder Conor Hourihane, the 56-year-old has had to offload some of his players.
Luke Young, Ben Tozer and Aaron Hayden made the biggest headlines after being released while not many mentioned Callum McFadzean’s name.
The 30-year-old defender was also released at the end of his contract and is currently looking for his next challenge.
Callum McFadzean reveals what Phil Parkinson told him in private
McFadzean was a regular under Parkinson after signing from Crewe Alexandra in January 2022.
The Scottish stalwart made 42 appearances across the two National League campaigns he featured in, which included 27 in 2022/23 as Wrexham were promoted to League Two.
Sadly, McFadzean had to have a hernia operation last summer and was left out of the 22-man squad by Parkinson, with Jacob Mendy and James McClean the options available to him in the left wing-back role.
READ MORE: James McClean: Profile, Height, Transfer, Salary, Net Worth and More
Luckily, he was named in the updated squad in January and made two substitute appearances during the run-in, appearing in wins over Grimsby and Crewe.
Despite playing just five times across the season, McFadzean has left the Racecourse Ground in good spirits and has sung the praises of Parkinson, who felt his defender had been ‘great’ and was ‘unlucky’ to miss out.
Speaking to The Leader, he said: “The gaffer said to me that I’ve been great. People might not see it but behind the scenes and in training, he said the standards I kept was one of the reasons why he put me back in the 22-man squad.
“He said I’d been unlucky to miss out but those are the decisions he has to make. But it was great to be back involved at the end and get another promotion.”
The right decision to offload Callum McFadzean
It was ultimately the correct decision to offload McFadzean who rarely played in League Two.
With strong competition from Mendy and McClean, he was never getting any minutes and as Wrexham make the step up to League One, they can ill-afford to carry passengers.
McFadzean should have no trouble finding a club in League Two or the National League having made over a century of appearances for the likes of Bury, Sunderland and Plymouth in the football league.
Although not the most talented, he’s never let Parkinson down in terms of effort, always giving 100% on the pitch and never complaining when he’s left out.
Those attributes will stand him in good stead as he looks for his next chapter, in what he hopes will be as successful as the last.