Wrexham face Colchester United this weekend for the first time since 2005 and both sides obviously have a very different look to them now. Phil Parkinson was even in the opposite dugout.
The last time that Wrexham faced Colchester United was 2005 and League One football was taking place at The Racecourse.
Nowadays things are a bit different. The Reds have spent a long time in the National League but are back in the EFL again.
Under the management of Phil Parkinson, he currently has his side sitting in second place in League Two this season.
Cast your mind back 18 years to 2005, and let’s take a look at the teams the last time Wrexham met this weekend’s opponents.
Familiar Face in the Wrexham XI vs Colchester
Looking at the team sheets for the day, there is one name that stands out on the page amongst the others. That name is Ben Foster.
Having started his career at Racing Club Warwick before a move to Stoke City, the Englishman joined the Reds on loan in 2005. In his time with the club, he won the Football League Trophy, keeping a clean sheet in the final.
Following 17 appearances and a trophy, a move to Manchester United was on the cards for the shot-stopper. He has since made a much-spoken-about return to Wrexham.
Last season completed a free transfer to the club with the remit of getting the club promoted from the National League. He helped to do just that as his ‘Hand of Foz’ save secured an all-important three points over Notts County.
After a shaky start to this season, Foster retired which saw Wrexham sign Arthur Okonkwo on loan as a replacement.
What has Phil Parkinson said?
In the last clash with Colchester, it was Parkinson in the dugout facing Wrexham as a manager. As everybody knows, he has since gone on to be Reds manager.
Following his retirement as a professional player for Reading in 2003, he was hired as manager by The U’s for the first time.
Discussing that with Leader Live, he said: “It’s incredible to think it was 20, 21 years ago. When you get that first job in management – and it was a shock to get it – you want to be successful straight away.
“We won promotion to the Championship in 2006 – the first time Colchester had played in that division. They were great times.”
18 years on Wrexham meet Colchester United and the Reds can be hopeful of maintaining their great form.