Wrexham drew Sheffield United in the first round of the Carabao Cup in what is a repeat of their FA Cup fourth-round tie in 2023.
It’s all starting to feel real for Wrexham supporters ahead of their first League One campaign in 19 years.
The Reds received their fixture list on Wednesday morning while goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was announced as their first signing of the summer over the weekend.
The 22-year-old will be one of several players signed by Phil Parkinson this summer as he aims to flesh out a squad capable of challenging the division’s powerhouses.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds instant expectation is to win promotion for a third year running and a great test of their credentials will be how they fare in cup competitions.
Wrexham draw Sheffield United in Carabao Cup first round
The first round draw of the Carabao Cup was made on Thursday and Wrexham drew Sheffield United away from home.
For many, this was a dream fixture as the Reds now have a chance to avenge their previous heartbreak against the Blades.
During their title-winning campaign in the National League, Wrexham played against United in the FA Cup fourth round. Parkinson’s men were moments away from wrapping up a famous victory at the Racecourse Ground until John Egan’s dramatic equaliser late on took it to a replay at Bramall Lane.
Wrexham were drawing the match in South Yorkshire before 94th and 96th-minute strikes from Billy Sharp and Sander Berge ended their fairytale journey in the competition, which saw them overcome Blyth Spartans, Oldham Athletic, Farnborough and Championship side Coventry.
In their replay against the Blades, though, it was Sharp who dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons as he fired criticism at McElhenney and Reynolds, saying: “Stick that up your documentary’s a***”.
Sharp’s comments towards the Hollywood owners left a bitter taste, and although he no longer plays for United, Wrexham will still be out for revenge against Chris Wilder’s side.
How much prize money could Wrexham earn from the Carabao Cup?
Wrexham will be seeking revenge for their defeat in the FA Cup last year whilst earning important prize money for the club.
Unfortunately, unlike in the FA Cup, the Reds would have to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup before they see any prize money, as per the Sunderland Echo.
The EFL doesn’t offer any prize money until the last four, where the clubs will earn £25,000, though it is worth noting that each club receives 45% of the gate money from all matches, with the other 10% going to the EFL.
This means if Sheffield United pull in a gate of 20,000 against Wrexham and charge £10 a ticket on average, for instance, the total revenue from the tickets alone would be £200,000.
So, that means the Reds could pocket £90,000, which isn’t the biggest chunk of money but it would taste even sweeter if they secured victory over the Blades.