Wrexham are set to face rivals Stockport County in a highly-anticipated League Two clash, and manager Phil Parkinson has welcomed the challenge of the rivalry.
There is plenty of history between the two sides, who have not faced each other since Stockport pipped Wrexham to promotion two seasons ago.
Parkinson has now told The Leader why he enjoys the rivalry between the clubs ahead of today’s kick-off, which could see Wrexham go top of League Two with a victory.
“It is good to have rivalries,” Parkinson stated.
“We know our squad wasn’t good enough that season leading into January. We then made improvements and we had a real go at it, we gave everything we could, but Stockport probably had a little bit more strength in depth at the time.
“We got to the summer and reviewed how we could improve it again with the staff and owners and then we got promotion.
“We are continually evolving as a team, not just bringing new players in but working with the ones we have got to keep getting better, and we have got to keep striving for that.”
Wrexham’s recovery
Wrexham suffered heartbreak at the hands of their rivals Stockport in 2022, as they finished six points below in the National League, which meant Stockport achieved promotion ahead of them.
This was in Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ first season as owners, and as Parkinson has stated, they helped drive a recovery in the club to storm their way to promotion in the following season.
Wrexham are now in a healthier position than their rivals, and a win today would be an excellent way of achieving revenge and making a statement about the club’s promotion chances, with Parkinson’s side unbeaten in the League since the opening day.