One Swansea journalist has discussed any uncertainties around the ‘rivalry’ with Wrexham.
Wrexham have notched three successive promotions, with the Red Dragons undergoing a meteoric rise from the National League to the Championship.
Since Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac took over at the club, there has been plenty of growth, both on and off the pitch.
Wrexham have since captured an international audience, with US fans making up the majority of supporters, whilst the recent pre-season tour has also attracted Australian Red Dragons fans.
After all the success that Phil Parkinson’s side have achieved in the last three seasons, they now face their biggest challenge yet in the Championship. They will notably face off against fellow Welsh side Swansea City, a team that will be hoping to get one over the Red Dragons in the upcoming campaign.
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Wrexham and Swansea City rivalry clarified by journalist
There has been plenty of debate as to whether Swansea City can be considered a rival of Wrexham.
The Red Dragons’ most bitter rivalry stands with Chester in what is called the cross-border derby. However, Chester find themselves in the National League North, one division below the National League, meaning that Wrexham’s bitter rivals would have to notch four promotions to join them in the Championship.
Due to Wrexham outgrowing their noisy neighbours, many have asked whether Swansea can be referred to as a rival, but one Swans journalist suggests that it has not reached that point, yet.
Speaking to The Athletic, Swansea Oh Swansea fanzine editor Steve Carroll said: “For us, the rivalry will always be Cardiff. Make no bones about that.
“I’ve never had a problem with Wrexham, even when they were the best team in Wales during the 1990s.
“That might change, of course, now we’re in the same division, and they’ll have a bigger budget than us.”
Wrexham will be Swansea City’s key game this season
Swansea City fans often look ahead to their clash with Cardiff City as their main rivalry, but following the Bluebirds’ relegation to League One, all attention surely turns to Wrexham.
There is also a dislike from Swans fans directed towards Bristol City, but because of Wrexham’s dramatic rise through the divisions, they will no doubt be keen to silence the Red Dragons.
In fact, Wrexham will be a team that the majority of Championship clubs will be looking to, something that could make Phil Parkinson’s job more difficult this season.
Like teams have often done with Leeds United in previous Championship seasons, clubs will no doubt be up for facing Wrexham because of the extra publicity surrounding their games, something that could prove to be a double-edged sword for the Red Dragons this season.