Paul Mullin may have been frozen out in the final months of Wrexham’s promotion-winning campaign, but he still ended the season with an award to his name.
Three promotions in a row leave Wrexham planning for life in the Championship as Phil Parkinson continues to rack up the wins.
Promotions bring changes, though, and Wrexham are expected to spend on new signings this summer.
That is likely to bring departures as Wrexham’s incredible journey means Parkinson must be ruthless at every level.
Paul Mullin has been Wrexham’s goalscoring hero since arriving in 2021, but found himself on the fringes in the second half of this past season.
Mullin didn’t play a single minute of League One action after the January transfer deadline, and his time at the STōK Cae Ras may be coming to an end.
Paul Mullin reflects on Wrexham award win
Rob McElhenney hates the ‘tragic’ nature of Wrexham departures, believing some players ultimately play themselves out of the club by winning promotions.
Any Mullin departure this season would be a tough and emotional one, with the striker ultimately emerging as the Wrexham poster boy in recent years.
Wrexham can’t afford to carry too much sentiment in recruitment, though, and may believe that the time is right for Mullin to move on.
If that is the case, Mullin has at least signed off at Wrexham as an award-winner.
Mullin won Wrexham’s Goal of the Season award for a stunning volley against Blackpool on Boxing Day.
After taking the ball down on his knee, Mullin fired a dipping volley into the back of the net in a real reminder of his quality.
Mullin has now spoken to Wrexham’s YouTube channel, and opened up on his ‘tough’ start to the season.
Mullin underwent surgery last summer and the striker feels that recapturing his fitness was a real challenge.
That day against Blackpool left Mullin feeling that he was getting back to his best for the first time in months, summed up by that stunning volley.
“I think it was a tough start to the season for me and trying to get back to fitness was quite tough,” said Mullin.
“That day, on Boxing Day, I felt like myself again probably for the first time in quite a lot of months, and it was lovely to top it off with a goal,” he added.
Paul Mullin bound to attract interest
Mullin scored just one more goal for Wrexham after that wonder goal, finding the net in the 3-2 home defeat to Stevenage.
That may not only be Mullin’s final goal, but his final league appearance for Wrexham having fallen out of favour.
Wrexham fans serenaded Mullin after the 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic, which secured promotion to the Championship.
Mullin will be a Wrexham hero forever for his part in this rise, and he is bound to have admirers this summer if Wrexham do make him available.
Wigan Athletic have been linked with Mullin and we can imagine many other League One clubs will be sniffing around.
We would certainly back Mullin to score goals wherever he ends up, and will never forget his incredible contribution to this Wrexham journey if a move does materialise this summer.