Amid all the expensive signings and experienced heads in the side, Wrexham have someone in Max Cleworth who’s come through the academy and has become a key player.
Max Cleworth is only 22 years old. But already he’s racked up 135 total appearances for Wrexham, playing his part in all three promotions under owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The 2024/25 season just gone was his most involved season. Cleworth featured 42 times in League One and scored an impressive seven goals, with two assists on top of that, earning a spot in the League One Team of the Season.
The fans and indeed Phil Parkinson have praised Cleworth’s performances throughout the course of the 2024/25 season and now he and his teammates too have the chance to test themselves against Championship opposition next season.
And it’s not just the fans and Parkinson who admire Cleworth, but co-owner Ryan Reynolds too.
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Ryan Reynolds hails Max Cleworth’s work ethic at Wrexham
Speaking on Fearless In Devotion, Wrexham co-owner Reynolds was asked to name the most underrated player at Wrexham. His initial answer was Eoghan O’Connell which might come as little surprise to many. But Reynolds then gave a shoutout to Cleworth, adding that the youngster’s work ethic is ‘bloody obscene’.
Reynolds said: “Max Cleworth, I know he’s getting it now, he’s getting the love… He’s one of the originals, I think there was five or six, that are from that, and the fact that Max has adapted the way he’s adapted, and grown the way he’s grown, and his work ethic is bloody obscene.”
Playing as one of the three centre-backs in Parkinson’s Wrexham set up, Cleworth plays in an adaptable position that allows him to get up the pitch and contribute to the scoring. But he’s also shown that he’s a very capable defender too.
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Wrexham have already been sent a transfer warning about Max Cleworth
Given the fact that Cleworth is a young and exciting player, he could soon become someone who attracts some serious transfer interest, either from teams at the top end of the Championship or even in the Premier League, especially if he can settle into the second tier next season.
Speaking at the start of the 2024/25 campaign journalist Rich Fay predicted that Cleworth could attract transfer interest if Wrexham’s rise up the Football League were to hit a snag, saying: “It’s going to be interesting to see how Wrexham deal with it.
“As long as we’re doing well, it’s not a problem, but if we did have a season of stability, I’m sure Max will be getting offers from everywhere.”
For the time being it looks like Cleworth is safe at Wrexham. He’ll want to represent the club in the Championship like everyone else. But a poor season, even relegation, could easily see him sold on.