Wrexham have ended 2024 on a major high after going up to second in the League One table but one former talent may be feeling even better.
Wrexham fans have been treated to another great year.
April saw Wrexham secure a spot in League One, achieving back-to-back promotions under Phil Parkinson.
Wrexham have now won two home games in a row over this festive period, beating Blackpool and Wigan Athletic.
That leaves Wrexham second in the League One table heading into 2025 with a third straight promotion a serious possibility.
Troy Deeney thinks Wrexham can’t reach the Premier League but the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds project shows no sign of slowing down in 2025.
Former Wrexham talent beats Chelsea in first Premier League start
Wrexham will be dreaming of the Premier League but one former talent from the club’s ranks was handed his first top-flight start on Monday night.
Wrexham never really came close to seeing Nathan Broadhead break through at the STōK Cae Ras.
The Bangor-born attacker joined Wrexham from Bangor City as a kid but was whisked away from Wrexham at the age of just 10.
Everton lured Broadhead away from Wrexham but he wasn’t actually interested in the move at the time.
Broadhead admitted to TWTD that he was settled at Wrexham but his parents ‘forced’ him to take the chance at Everton.
“I was only 10 at the time and I didn’t really want to go because I was settled at Wrexham, but my mum and dad forced me to do it,” said Broadhead. “They were right, of course, and I’m very grateful to them. It’s thanks to them that it helped me as a person and not just as a footballer,” he added.
Premier League starts never came for Broadhead but after leaving Goodison Park for good in January 2023, Broadhead helped Ipswich Town win back-to-back promotions and he will have been desperate for a chance in the top flight.
Up until the end of November, Broadhead hadn’t featured at all but has recently been coming off the bench in games against Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and Arsenal.
The opportunity finally arrived for Broadhead on Monday night as he started a Premier League game for the first time at 26.
Broadhead turned in a strong display to produce one of the most famous results in Ipswich’s recent history, beating Chelsea 2-0 at Portman Road.
Broadhead may have only passed through Wrexham, but we can jokingly claim that he learned it all during his brief stint with the club.
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Wrexham should keep tabs on Broadhead
Wrexham have managed to attract players to join the McElhenney and Reynolds project, often either fending off rival interest or tempting players down divisions.
McElhenney tempted Paul Mullin to Wrexham back in 2021 and promotion to the Championship this season would only make Wrexham even more appealing.
Broadhead is one player who should be on the Wrexham radar as a long-term target who could be approach down the line if this rise continues.
The Welsh international could have already been a Wrexham star in another world, but he is the kind of talent who could make a big impact in the Championship.
Luring Broadhead to Wrexham won’t be easy – and nor will tempting Ipswich to sell after a strong Premier League display – but finally turning out for the club at senior level should appeal.