The EFL fixtures were announced two weeks ago but Wrexham have already discovered one of their matches will change, and it’s not because of Sky Sports.
Phil Parkinson is preparing his Wrexham squad for their first League One campaign in 19 years and planning has gone swimmingly well so far.
Parkinson has relieved several fringe players of their duties and added real quality, including Arthur Okonkwo, Lewis Brunt and George Dobson.
Wrexham have also been hard at work securing the futures of their most talented players, with Max Cleworth, George Evans and Tom O’Connor earning new contracts.
That will fill supporters with confidence in achieving a third promotion in a row when the Reds kick off their campaign against Wycombe Wanderers on August 10th.
Given their heightened profile, Wrexham expected some of their fixtures to get moved due to the lucrative Sky Sports TV deal however, in this instance that isn’t the case.
Why Peterborough vs Wrexham is set to be moved
The National League fixtures were announced this afternoon and it became abundantly clear that no discussions were had with the EFL.
On August 31st, Wrexham travel to Peterborough United and that now coincides with a National League North fixture between Peterborough Sports and Chester FC on the same day.
Wrexham’s biggest rivals are Chester and it’s a fixture that has produced some horrifying moments, including the time when former player Sean Newton was threatened outside of the ground by a man in a balaclava wielding a knife.
It’s an intense rivalry and given both sets of supporters would be in Peterborough at the same time, a lot of police presence would be required to ensure that nothing kicks off.
Instead, it has been suggested that one of the fixtures gets moved to avoid any trouble while journalist Dave Powell has aimed a humourous dig at those who decide the fixtures.
Wrexham’s biggest rivalries in League One
Wrexham will be gunning for promotion straight to the Championship, so their rivals in that regard will be Peterborough United, Bolton Wanderers, Huddersfield Town, Rotherham and Birmingham City, who are all expected to battle near the top.
It remains to be seen whether Wrexham are in the promotion picture next but judging by their signings so far, Carlton Palmer believes the Reds are making a statement of intent.
Parkinson’s closest foes in the third tier, though, will be Shrewsbury Town, who the Welsh side last played against in January 2024, prevailing into the next round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory.
Separated by just 28 miles, the Shrewsbury vs Wrexham derby is a fixture every supporter will be marking in their calendar, facing them in September at home and in January away.