Wrexham have relied heavily on experienced players under Phil Parkinson and nobody sums that up quite like James McClean.
Wrexham’s rise up the leagues has been a real team effort.
Yes, the backing of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds has certainly helped, as has the increased exposure around ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.
Phil Parkinson still has to knit everything together and produce a winning team and he has done that masterfully.
Parkinson has guided Wrexham to back-to-back promotions and proven performers were brought in to make that happen.
The likes of Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee, Eoghan O’Connell, Jack Marriott and Steven Fletcher all fit the mould of experienced performers who can make an immediate impact.
Rob McElhenney on James McClean
One man who certainly fits the bill is James McClean.
The 35-year-old joined Wrexham from Wigan Athletic in 2023 and played a vital role as Wrexham won promotion from League Two.
A former Premier League player with Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion, McClean was a real statement signing in the third tier.
McClean proved that he is far from past it, racking up 44 appearances in all competitions whilst turning in superb displays.
McClean has now become captain at Wrexham and he has certainly made himself a leader in Parkinson’s squad.
McElhenney has now commented on McClean whilst speaking to Men in Blazers.
McElhenney noted that Wrexham deferred entirely to Parkinson over a deal for McClean and for any other signings for that matter.
The Wrexham co-owner added that he instantly felt an affinity with McClean as he bore resemblance to people he knew in Philadelphia.
McElhenney also feels that fans take McClean’s antics a little too seriously and believes the Wrexham ace brings ‘fun’ to the game.
“First of all, as far as what we saw in him, we listen to Phil and in Phil we trust,” said McElhenney. “If Phil says he wants to sign a player, then we have full faith and trust in him. We ask very few questions about that, if there’s somebody he wants to go after then we go after tea with everything we can.
“I took an instant liking to James, he just reminds me of so many people I grew up with in a staunch Irish catholic neighbourhood in South Philadelphia. I just saw a lot of people I know reflected in him and I think he brings a lot of fun to the sport.
“I think people tend to take it a little too seriously and I do understand, when it gets into socio-politics, it gets a little dicey, however, in terms of the way he riles up fans, I just think it’s part of the fun. As long as that does not extend into the parking lot or outside of the football grounds, I just think it’s a bit of fun,” he added.
McClean incredibly popular at Wrexham
Everybody knows that McClean divides opinion.
Most Wrexham away games feature the home crowd chanting at McClean, but the Wrexham skipper loves it.
Wrexham fans love him and it’s clear that players do as well having seen him take on such a big leadership role at the STōK Cae Ras.
Ryan Reynolds has admitted his love for McClean thanks to his scrappy nature on the pitch.
Humphrey Ker was even stunned that McClean would even consider joining Wrexham given his standing in the game.
McElhenney has joined in the praise for McClean too and even if other fans don’t like him, there is more than enough love around Wrexham for him.