Humphrey Ker has now revealed how his ‘eyebrows shot up’ in shock when a ‘phenomenal’ player chose to join Wrexham.
Wrexham have become a force to be reckoned with since Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds tookover the club.
The Reds have shot up from the National League to League Two, all while improving their global status as a team and growing their fanbase.
The ambition shown by the Hollywood owners, who have outlined their ambition to reach the Premier League, has also seen them attract many talented players.
In the National League, they were able to prise goal machine Paul Mullin to the Racecourse Ground despite him just firing Cambridge United into the third tier.
Elliot Lee’s decision to join the Welsh side a year later was met with a similar shock and they aren’t the only ones.
Humphrey Ker was shocked when James McClean wanted to sign for Wrexham
James McClean shocked the footballing world when he signed for Wrexham in the summer of 2023.
Phil Parkinson’s men had just been promoted from the National League, so to sign an ex-Premier League player was a show of their intent to battle at the top.
That is what they managed to do as McClean helped them on their way to a second-place finish and a return to League One, with the 35-year-old playing 37 times in League Two, predominantly as a left wing-back or central midfielder.
Admittedly, eyebrows were raised when the former Sunderland winger dropped down to the fourth tier, including from executive director Humphrey Ker.
Speaking on season three, episode seven of Welcome to Wrexham, Ker said: “James McClean is an iconic figure.
- READ MORE: Welcome to Wrexham Season 3: Release Date, How to Watch, Trailer, Episode Schedule and More
“When his name was first mentioned to me, my eyebrows shot up that a player like that would be interested in coming to us.”
James McClean has been an incredible signing
McClean may be approaching the end of an illustrious career but the Irishman is still in peak physical condition.
Ben Foster recently said he trains the hardest of any footballer he’s played with while Parkinson described his energy and mentality as “phenomenal”.
McClean could have easily announced his retirement after leaving Wigan Athletic and no one could have complained however, he still has the desire and hunger to win.
He likes the idea of proving people wrong and during a successful first campaign at Wrexham, he’s more than done that.
Whether he’s been deployed as a wing-back or central midfielder, McClean’s impact on matches has been incredible, with the veteran scoring three and assisting 10 in the league.
He’s now poised to play a pivotal role in the Reds’ first campaign back in the third tier for almost two decades, and that is music to the ears of every single Wrexham supporter.