Wrexham host Stockport County this weekend, and Dave Challinor will be eager to stage a major plot twist in the Red Dragons’ promotion-chasing fairytale.
Ever since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over at Wrexham, Stockport’s own fate has been intertwined with the Hollywood story playing out in Wales.
Dave Challinor’s side won the National League title in 2021/22, when Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham fell short in the play-offs.
Two seasons later, Stockport stormed to the League Two title, pipping the Red Dragons to the post by four points.
With the two teams strutting their stuff in League One this season, there’s a good chance both could end up in the Championship next year. But, the upcoming game between Wrexham and Stockport could be make-or-break for promotion hopes for both teams.
- READ MORE: Phil Parkinson shares his clear dressing room message straight after Wrexham beat Wycombe Wanderers
Dave Challinor has no interest in Welcome to Wrexham spotlight
It’s safe to say Challinor is not exactly a fan of all the fuss and furor around Wrexham. Speaking to the press (via The Sun) about Stockport’s noisy rivals back in 2024, he revealed he has not even watched the Welcome to Wrexham docuseries, and is glad that there are no cameras following him around on a daily basis.
He said: “I’ve never met their owners. They were at one of the games once but our paths didn’t cross. And I’ve never watched an episode of Welcome to Wrexham. There are lots of these type of documentaries and I’ve watched little bits around them.
“All that stuff is an eye-opener but I’d still question myself whether it would be something I’d like to do in terms of the cameras being in and around you 24-7.
“So I’m happy we don’t have that following us about. However, every credit to them if it gives them the chance to put their ambitions into place.”
Looking at the Wrexham squad and Parkinson and the pressure they are under, Challinor clearly isn’t envious. But, he also admits he respects what they have managed to achieve of late.
“There is big expectation and pressure on Phil and his players,” he added. “They have a plan to move through the leagues, which has been successful. Some people look at them in a jealous sort of way because their clubs haven’t been taken over by Hollywood stars. But, personally, you have to look at it and admire what they’ve done.”
Stockport County will be desperate to beat Wrexham this weekend
The two teams go head-to-head this weekend with Wrexham looking to build on that important win over Wycombe Wanderers, and Stockport hoping to cement their place in the play-off zone.
It’s tight at the top of the League One table right now. While Birmingham City look to have got the title wrapped up, any of the teams in the top six could still usurp Wrexham and grab second spot.
| Pos | Team | Played | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Birmingham City | 36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 35 | 83 |
| 2 | Wrexham | 37 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 21 | 71 |
| 3 | Wycombe Wanderers | 36 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 27 | 68 |
| 4 | Charlton Athletic | 37 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 17 | 66 |
| 5 | Stockport County | 37 | 18 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 65 |
| 6 | Huddersfield Town | 37 | 18 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 61 |
Wrexham will go into the upcoming clash at the Racecourse Ground having potentially been pegged back into third if Wycombe can beat Rotherham United on Tuesday night. But, the Red Dragons know that a good run, and lots of goals, will put their fate in their own hands come the end of the season.
Stockport won the last time they met in November, with Louie Barry scoring the decisive goal. The loanee superstar is no longer with Challinor’s squad, though, which will be a relief to Wrexham.
Still, Challinor and his players have enough about them to ruin Wrexham’s party this weekend. Given the manager’s aversion to the way things operate across the way in Wales, you just know he’ll be eager to put a big dent in Wrexham’s chances of a successive promotion, while enhancing his own hopes of similar success.