Wrexham are now in Australia to kick off Phil Parkinson’s pre-season preparations, though fans would love an appearance from Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.
The Championship season gets underway in just over a month, and Wrexham are gearing up for a tough opener.
Wrexham take on Southampton on the opening weekend of the season, as Phil Parkinson faces the club where he started his career.
Parkinson’s pre-season preparations ramp up this week, as Wrexham start the pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Wrexham take on Melbourne Victory on Friday before heading to take on Sydney FC next week.
Wellington Phoenix are the final leg of the trip as Wrexham end the pre-season tour in New Zealand before jetting home.
Phil Parkinson responds to Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds questions
Parkinson named his Wrexham squad for the journey and is now preparing for three strong tests ahead of the Championship campaign.
Wrexham players and staff set off from Manchester on Sunday and are now settling into Melbourne life ahead of Friday’s game.
Speaking to ESPN, Parkinson was asked whether co-chairmen Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are planning to travel over as well.
McElhenney has been seen at Wrexham’s pre-season games over the last couple of years, but those tours were in the United States.
A journey to Australia is a different matter and Parkinson admitted that he is not aware of any plans for the Hollywood duo to arrive.
Parkinson did note that Wrexham often don’t find out until fairly late when McElhenney or Reynolds arrive in town, but there has been no such communication about them heading Down Under.
“Well, I don’t know about that,” said Parkinson.
“When they come over to Wrexham, sometimes we don’t find out until a couple of days before! But I don’t know anything about that at this stage,” he added.
Parkinson on Wrexham fans watching from home
Wrexham’s games will take place in the mornings, with the Wellington Phoenix clash taking place at 6:00am UK time.
Games in Australia will take place mid-morning, so that isn’t too bad for some Wrexham fans who will still be able to watch from home.
Parkinson touched on the ‘huge passion’ from Wrexham fans in the local area, and believes some fans will be staying up until the early hours to watch Wrexham in action.
“There’s a huge passion for the football club in Wrexham, as you can imagine with what’s happened over the last few years,” said Parkinson.
“Yeah, I would imagine there will be a lot of bleary-eyed Wrexham supporters staying up to watch the games!” he added.
The kick-off times this summer may actually be favourable to some fans after the United States tours, but the game in New Zealand will be a test for even the most passionate Wrexham supporter.