Wrexham have had to let go some fan favourites this summer, bringing yet more of the difficult decisions that comes with promotion.
After three-straight promotions, Wrexham now find themselves with some inevitably difficult decisions to make, as Phil Parkinson looks to improve the squad with new quality each year.
Already this summer, Wrexham have released eight players including goalkeeper Mark Howard and Steven Fletcher: the latter’s exit sparked a bit of fury among the Wrexham supporters who wanted him to stay for another year.
On top of all of that, Parkinson has said Wrexham will sell players this summer as well, highlighting just how rapid their rise has been, but also being a reminder of how brutal football can be.
Now, co-owner Ryan Reynolds has revealed the personal connection that he has with some of the players of old, one being Luke Young.
Ryan Reynolds says he still talks to former Wrexham player Luke Young
Young, now 32 and playing for Cheltenham Town, left Wrexham in 2024. Young was released by Wrexham following their promotion to League One in what must have been a very difficult decision for those behind the scenes.
But Reynolds has revealed how he’s stayed in contact with Young and all of those players from the League Two promotion-winning campaign in 2024. Speaking in a recent interview on Men in Blazers, Reynolds explained: “I mean, that whole team I still talk to. All those the players that have gone I still talk to, Luke Young.”
Reynolds later added: “That guy has the heart of a lion, and his leadership by example, not by words, is what I found to be beautiful.” With Cheltenham, Young went on to play 34 times in League Two last season, scoring four goals as his side achieved a 15th place finish.
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What Rob McElhenney said about Luke Young leaving Wrexham
Young was certainly a fan favourite, and a favourite among the club’s owners too. Speaking last summer, Rob McElhenney spoke about Young leaving Wrexham, and he said: “We have had so many valleys along the way, in so far as we started the conversation talking about Ben Tozer and Luke Young, who is my favourite player – and I was very public in stating that!
“That’s not a slight to the other players, I just loved Luke, he was our longest-tenured players, he was with us from the very beginning, so to say goodbye to him was devastating – devastating.”
McElhenney also shared his devastation at Fletcher’s exit this summer too, highlighting once again the tough decisions that the club has to make, but also shining a light on the unique relationship that McElhenney and Reynolds manage to build with the players.
Wrexham certainly have a lot to be envious of. But next season in the Championship will be the truest test of their mettle so far, and all their hard work could easily come undone if they’re not prepared.