Wrexham continue to make huge strides forward under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, relying on experienced players to rapidly rise through the leagues.
From the National League to League One with back-to-back promotions, Wrexham have been simply exceptional over the last year.
Recovering from play-off heartbreak at the hands of Grimsby Town wasn’t an easy task but Wrexham have achieved it admirably.
The plan has been pretty clear; tempt as many proven, experienced EFL players into dropping down and pushing Wrexham up the leagues.
Paul Mullin, Ollie Palmer, Elliot Lee, James McClean and Eoghan O’Connell all spring to mind and have been vital in winning promotion to League One.
That rapid rise will hopefully see Wrexham now take some time to invest in the youth setup and ensure that more talents come up through the ranks.
Max Cleworth is shining and the hope is that more talents of that ilk will emerge in the coming years.
Former Wrexham defender Mark Creighton claims to have heard that Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds intend to invest heavily in the academy side.
Why Nathan Broadhead left Wrexham
The hope is that Wrexham will be able to keep hold of prospects who emerge in the setup.
A number of notable players were with Wrexham at one point, but moved on to achieve success.
Danny Ward left the club for Liverpool without making a senior appearance whilst current Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton started out in the Wrexham ranks.
Then there is Nathan Broadhead, who hails from Bangor and spent time with Wrexham before joining the Everton setup.
The Wales international admitted to TWTD that he was settled at Wrexham as a kid and didn’t actually want to move on to Everton.
Broadhead noted that his parents ‘forced’ him to leave Wrexham, seemingly believing that the chance to join Everton was simply too good to pass up.
“I was only 10 at the time and I didn’t really want to go because I was settled at Wrexham, but my mum and dad forced me to do it,” said Broadhead. “They were right, of course, and I’m very grateful to them. It’s thanks to them that it helped me as a person and not just as a footballer,” he added.
Broadhead didn’t really make the grade at Everton, managing just two first-team appearances for the Toffees.
After loan spells at Burton Albion, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic, Broadhead was sold to Ipswich Town in 2023 – and that move is paying dividends.
Broadhead on the verge of promotion
Now 26, Broadhead has been exceptional for the Tractor Boys this season.
13 goals and four assists in 38 Championship games have helped Ipswich put themselves on the brink of promotion.
Ipswich now just need one point on the final day of the season against relegation-bound Huddersfield Town to book a spot in the Premier League.
Kieran McKenna’s side are set to mirror Wrexham in terms of winning back-to-back promotions and Broadhead has been a vital player.
Primarily operating as a left-sided winger, Broadhead has taken his game to a new level under McKenna and more Wales caps are surely on the way.
Seeing Broadhead finally feature regularly in the Premier League would be a fine sight and a success for the Wrexham youth setup, who put Broadhead on the path to success.
Who knows, maybe Broadhead will be back in a Wrexham shirt one day and finally playing for the first team at the STōK Cae Ras.