Wrexham had to make some difficult decisions after winning promotion to League One as Phil Parkinson freshened up his squad.
Wrexham secured back-to-back promotions in April with the Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds project contributing to advance rapidly.
In order to compete in League Two, Wrexham had to make some changes.
McElhenney’s favourite player left Wrexham in Luke Young, securing a move to Cheltenham Town.
Ben Tozer joined Forest Green Rovers whilst Rob Lainton, Callum McFadzean and Jordan Tunnicliffe moved on too.
Aaron Hayden bottom of the table
Wrexham also decided to let defender Aaron Hayden move on at the end of his contract.
Hayden joined Wrexham from Carlisle United in 2021 and ended up being a serious goalscoring threat despite being a centre back.
Hayden racked up 20 goals in 95 games but a lack of first-team action last season meant his exit seemed inevitable.
The 27-year-old became a free agent but decided to return to familiar surroundings.
Hayden signed for Carlisle United once again in the hope of getting his career back on track, but this has been a tough season so far.
Carlisle sit rock bottom of the League Two table despite only suffering relegation from League One at the end of last season.
Paul Simpson – the man who signed Hayden – was sacked earlier this season and replacement Mike Williamson has yet to turn the fortunes around.
Hayden endured a particularly difficult outing on Saturday as Carlisle were beaten 2-0 at home by Chesterfield.
Will Grigg wrapped up Chesterfield’s win with a second goal with Hayden first losing a header to diminutive attacker Armando Dobra.
That left one Carlisle coach stunned on the sidelines but Hayden then ended up losing possession in his own box with Grigg firing home.
Carlisle are only two points adrift of safety but 11 defeats in 19 this season leaves them in a tough spot at the bottom of League Two.
Rob McElhenney prediction yet to come true
One aspect of Hayden’s game at Wrexham was his goalscoring quality.
11 goals in 31 games during the 2022-23 season was the kind of record a striker would be proud of racking up.
Hayden’s aerial ability made him a constant threat and McElhenney suggested that Carlisle would reap the benefits.
McElhenney predicted success if Carlisle got the ball on Hayden’s head in the final third, just as Wrexham enjoyed.
So far though, Hayden has played 12 times in all competitions for Carlisle this season and is yet to score.
Carlisle will hope to see Hayden find the net soon and Wrexham fans will be looking for him to avoid the drop after leaving the STōK Cae Ras.