Wrexham’s rise has left many clubs dreaming of a similarly rapid rise, including Carlisle United and their manager, Mark Hughes.
Rob Mac wanted Championship football inside five years after purchasing Wrexham alongside Ryan Reynolds in 2021.
Many may have scoffed at that idea, but Mac and Reynolds had the last laugh.
Wrexham didn’t even need five years to make it to the Championship, instead making the journey to the second tier inside four years.
Three straight promotions have catapulted Wrexham to being just one promotion away from the Premier League.
Wrexham’s journey has been unprecedented, but other clubs are now dreaming of replicating this incredible rise.
Mark Hughes on Wrexham
One man who has been inspired by Wrexham’s journey is Mark Hughes.
Hughes hails from Ruabon, just south of Wrexham, but was snapped up by Manchester United at a very young age.
Hughes never played for Wrexham, but grew up supporting the club before going on to play for the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
Former United hero Hughes is now in charge of Carlisle United, but couldn’t prevent relegation from League Two last season.
Now looking to forge a way out of the National League, Hughes is drawing some inspiration from Wrexham.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Hughes highlighted that Wrexham were stuck in the National League for a long, long time and simply couldn’t get out.
Hughes feels that the ‘only way is up’ for Carlisle, and thinks his side may have the potential to achieve multiple promotions, just like Wrexham.
However, Hughes noted that Wrexham have spent ‘a few quid’ under Mac and Reynolds, which Carlisle may not be able to replicate.
“Oh, we need to go up,” said Hughes. “I think we all accept that. It’s not easy. It’s difficult because only one goes up by right and then you’ve got a play-off place.
“Listen, I was a Wrexham fan and I watched them toiling for 14 years in the National League. They just couldn’t get out. That’s how difficult it is. But what I felt was the last two years [Carlisle] have had, that’s the bottom. So, the only way is up.”
“Well, I think there’s a potential to certainly do… Listen, I am getting ahead of myself, but a lot of teams have come out the National League and had that momentum of getting used to winning. You can do National League and League Two. But there’s been a few quid [spent] at Wrexham,” he added when asked if Carlisle could mirror Wrexham’s rise.
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Former Wrexham target boosting Carlisle United’s promotion hopes
Wrexham fans may just keep an eye on Carlisle’s fortunes this season, and not just because of Hughes.
Former Wrexham defender Aaron Hayden features for Carlisle, though the centre-back has been in and out of the side this season.
Luke Armstrong is another familiar name to Wrexham fans, having seen a 2023 move to the STōK Cae Ras collapse.
Wrexham set up a deal to sign Armstrong from Harrogate Town, but all formalities were not completed before the transfer deadline, meaning the deal was scrapped.
Steven Fletcher arrived at Wrexham instead, with the Scot becoming a fan favourite in his two years at the club.
Armstrong is now in the National League with Carlisle, having returned from a loan spell with Scottish side Motherwell.
The 29-year-old has hit four goals in eight games this season and could prove to be a key man in Hughes’ push to take Carlisle forward.