Wrexham said goodbye to Ben Tozer last summer and the defender has now decided to hang up his boots.
Wrexham’s remarkable journey up through the leagues has been incredible to witness, with Phil Parkinson now preparing for life in the Championship.
We love the celebrations and all the buzz from the promotions, but the rapid progress means some difficult goodbyes.
Rob McElhenney accepts the ‘tragic’ nature of Wrexham’s exits, feeling some players ultimately play themselves out of the club by helping Wrexham win promotions.
Luke Young was McElhenney’s favourite player but Wrexham still let him go last summer, and we could see both Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer move on this summer.
Ben Tozer announces retirement
Young was not alone in leaving Wrexham last summer as Ben Tozer also departed.
Tozer joined Forest Green Rovers having played a key role in Wrexham’s rise through the leagues.
Tozer chased promotion with Forest Green Rovers but ultimately came up short in the National League play-offs.
Forest Green finished third in the National League table, only to lose out to Southend United in the promotion shoot-out.
Tozer has now decided to call time on his career, hanging up his boots at the age of just 35.
Speaking on Ben Foster’s Football Fill-In, Tozer admitted that the time had come for him to call it a day.
“I think you realise… I think when you know, you know,” said Tozer.
“If you’re honest with yourself, then that’s when you’ve got to look at yourself and think… yeah, it’s too much to go again and, yeah, I’m just ready to finish,” he added.
Long throw specialist Tozer was truly vital to Wrexham’s promotion out of the National League and fans will certainly join together to wish him the best of luck with what comes next.
Tozer has been prominent in the media of late and is likely to continue that journey as he hangs up his boots.
Wrexham send message to Ben Tozer
Wrexham supporters will be sharing their support for Tozer and the club have followed suit.
The official Wrexham Instagram account have sent Tozer a heartfelt message, stating ‘a fantastic career and wishing you the very best in your retirement’.
Tozer also sent a message to Wrexham on his Instagram story, stating ‘thank you Wrexham for the memories’.
It’s a shame Tozer didn’t manage to sign off with another promotion to his name, as Forest Green Rovers just came up short.
Tozer’s time at Wrexham will live long in the memory, though, and his role in the rise under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds will not be forgotten quickly.