Wrexham have ticked another country off their pre-season list as they departed Australia following two friendly matches.
It was mixed fortunes for Phil Parkinson’s side as they produced an excellent start to their campaign in a 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory. New signing Ryan Hardie impressed Wrexham fans with a goal on his debut.
However, that was followed by a sluggish performance against Sydney FC, which saw the Australian side run out 2-1 winners.
Wrexham now head to New Zealand for their final match of the tour in Wellington but chief executive Michael Williamson has spoken honestly about the reception the club has received down under.
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Michael Williamson has been thanked by Australian fans for bringing Wrexham down under
Speaking to the Athletic, Williamson has revealed that he has ‘lost count’ of the number of fans thanking him for bringing Wrexham to Australia.
Williamson stated: “I’ve honestly lost count of the number of people who have come up to me and said, ‘thank you for bringing Wrexham here.’ So, so many. All I can say in reply is ‘no, it’s me who should thank you for supporting us.”
The popularity and worldwide reach of the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series has gripped a new audience for the club and Williamson has praised the impact he has seen down under.
“The turnout- and not just at the matches, I’m talking the kit launches and other promotional events – shows how the storytelling element of Welcome to Wrexham resonates over here as much as anywhere.
“As a show, it’s as much about the people of Wrexham as it is the football club. People such as Wayne Jones, the landlord of The Turf. He’s out here with us, and you can see the connection the fans have with Wayne.
“At the stadium, they all wanted to meet him and visit the pop-up version of his pub.”
Wrexham now need to prepare for Championship campaign back in the UK
Whilst the tour down under has been a success off the pitch, Parkinson will return to the UK with a number of injury concerns.
Ollie Rathbone will miss at least two weeks in a protective boot with an ankle injury, whilst Jack Marriott has had his appendix removed.
Parkinson is planning more friendlies but as it stands, Wrexham’s next competitive match will be their season opener at Southampton.
It is now imperative that upon return to the UK, the Red Dragons arrange a couple of competitive pre-season friendlies and ramp up their preparations.
Players will need to be at their very peak physical condition from the first whistle of the season and any new signings will need time to settle into their new surroundings.