Few strikers have been around as long as Steven Fletcher. The Wrexham frontman is now in his 20th season as a professional player.
In what is an incredible 739 career appearances, Steven Fletcher has 186 goals having played for some huge clubs throughout his career, including Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland, and Marseille to name but a few.
Fletcher, now 38, joined Wrexham as a free agent ahead of the 2023/24 season. He scored eight goals in 33 League Two games in his maiden season and currently has eight in 36 League One games this time round, albeit having played more of a bit part role since January.
Wrexham signed Sam Smith for £2million in the winter window, also signing Jay Rodriguez, and so Fletcher has seen his game time limited along with the likes of Paul Mullin who’s been completely exiled at Wrexham.
But if nothing else, Phil Parkinson has some very good options up top now. With four games left Parkinson and the Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be hoping that they have enough firepower to get them over the promotion line this season.
David Prutton has ‘heard’ good things about Steven Fletcher at Wrexham
Wrexham have plenty of experience in their first-team and that’ll be vital in these final few games. Players like Rodriguez and Fletcher have been there and done it all before and their influence off the pitch may be as important as their influence on it.
And speaking to Football League World, pundit David Prutton has revealed how he’s heard only positive things about Fletcher, backing him to earn a new deal with his contract expiring this summer.
Prutton said: “I think Steven, given his experience at the highest level, would be a key member of that [Wrexham’s 2025/26 season], if it is about bringing younger players through that don’t have that much experience at that level.
“From what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard, he is a good teammate. He is a good member of any squad that he has been a part of, and he is part of a Wrexham side that is really endearing itself to their fans.”
What’s been said about Steven Fletcher’s future at Wrexham
At 38 years old, now playing a back up role for a team that could be about to get promoted, it would make sense, on the surface at least, for Fletcher and Wrexham to part ways when the player’s contract expires this summer.
But it’s not so straight-forward. Fletcher spoke out about his Wrexham future recently and made it clear that he has not intentions of retiring anytime soon, saying: “When you’re enjoying something so much and you still feel like you’re making an impact when you’re playing, I don’t see why you would want to stop.”
Parkinson though seemed a bit more resistant. Parkinson said on Fletcher’s Wrexham future: “He brings us so much,” said Parkinson. “He understands where he is in his career… I think he was fifty-fifty but he’s had a real lift from coming here. He’s enjoyed it and I’ve really enjoyed having him.”
All he can do is play his part in the final four games of the season and then reassess in the summer. But no doubt he’s been one of the many players who’s helped get Wrexham into this incredible position.