Wrexham return to League One action once again on Thursday night with Phil Parkinson taking his side to face Shrewsbury Town.
Wrexham are finally back in action once again, nearly two weeks since beating Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough United.
This is a big one for Wrexham as Phil Parkinson takes his side to face Shrewsbury Town away from home.
The Shrews are stuck in the League One relegation zone but Wrexham cannot afford to take this game lightly.
Wrexham’s rivalry with Shrewsbury means fans are desperate to win this one and taste an away league win over the Shrews.
Wrexham did win at Shrewsbury in the FA Cup last season but the last away league win for Wrexham at Shrewsbury came way back in 2007.
This current Wrexham squad will look to emulate the 2007 side on Thursday night, so let’s take a look at who lined up for Wrexham on that day…
Tony Williams
Goalkeeper Williams hails from Maesteg in Wales but only joined Wrexham – initially on loan – in March 2007, aged 29.
Williams arrived from Carlisle United and ended up signing permanently one a two-year deal.
Williams played a handful of games for Wrexham before ending his playing days with Neath and Bury.
Now 47, Williams has recently been appointed as goalkeeping coach of Cymru Premier side Cardiff Met.
Williams previously served as goalkeeping coach with the Wales Under-21’s, Bury and Portsmouth whilst also having a spell as Crawley Town assistant manager alongside Richie Barker.
Williams also served as a scout for Leyton Orient and Stoke City but is now coaching goalkeepers again after a spell as Aberystwyth Town manager.
Simon Spender
Mold-born defender Spender emerged from the Wrexham youth ranks and became a first-team success.
Spender racked up more than 100 league appearances for Wrexham but departed for Barrow in 2009 after a successful loan spell.
Spender saw out his career with The New Saints, playing more than 200 league games on his way to winning six Cymru Premier titles.
Now 39, Spender has become a key part of the TNS coaching ranks, overseeing technical coaching and youth development under Craig Harrison.
Steve Evans
Defender Evans was born in Wrexham but actually started his career with The New Saints in the Cymru Premier.
After becoming a key man for TNS, Wrexham signed Evans in 2006 and he picked up seven Welsh caps during his time at Wrexham.
80 league appearances in a Wrexham shirt was a decent run for Evans before he turned to TNS in 2009, spending eight years back with the club before joining Caernarfon Town and Colwyn Bay.
Evans also turned to coaching with TNS, serving as Scott Ruscoe’s assistant whilst playing elsewhere.
Evans took his first managerial job in 2022 as guided Colwyn Bay to promotion from the Cymru North.
After being sacked in April 2024, Evans is now serving as Flint Town United assistant manager alongside a former Wrexham man in Lee Fowler.
Shaun Pejic
Pejic was another product of the Wrexham youth ranks despite being born in Hereford.
In nine years at Wrexham, Pejic racked up almost 200 appearances in all competitions and scored just the one goal.
Wrexham released Pejic in February 2009 and he quickly joined York City before spells with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Crystal Palace Baltimore, Barrow and Bangor City.
After hanging up his boots in 2009, Pejic coached in the Wrexham Under-13 setup before taking a fascinating step into video game development.
Pejic became a producer of the EA Sports title FIFA before moving on to Playground Games in 2024, with Forza Horizon and Fable among the games they have developed.
Ryan Valentine
Valentine hails from Wrexham but actually started out in the Everton ranks before spending four years as a key player at Darlington.
Forever remembered for scoring the goal which brought Wrexham level against Boston United in 2007, Valentine only spent 18 months at Wrexham.
A return to Darlington materialised in January 2008 before Valentine finished his career with Hereford United, Telford United and Bala Town.
Valentine has turned out in Wrexham ‘Legends’ teams for charity matches but doesn’t appear to have moved into coaching since his retirement.
Chris Llewellyn
A man who enjoyed two spells at Wrexham, Llewellyn started his career with Norwich City.
After starring for the Canaries, Llewellyn joined Wrexham in 2003 but left for Hartlepool United just two years later.
Llewellyn returned to Wrexham in 2006 and also scored in that crucial win over Boston United to achieve survival.
Llewellyn moved on to Grimsby Town before finishing up with Neath, Llanelli, Aberystwyth Town and West End.
The 45-year-old has turned to coaching, managing Swansea City’s Under-21’s and Under-18’s before moving on to Colchester United in 2017.
Llewellyn returned as Swansea City Ladies boss in 2021 and whilst he only held that role for a month, he is now a development coach with the Swans once again.
Jeff Whitley
Zambia-born Northern Ireland international Whitley was best known for his time in the Manchester City first team, but he did have a loan spell at Wrexham back in 1999.
After a stint with Sunderland, Whitley returned to Wrexham on loan from Cardiff City in 2007 – and did enough to earn a permanent return in January 2008.
Whitley only made 11 appearances after signing permanently before ending his career with Woodley Sports, Northwich Victoria and Droylsden.
In October 2024, Whitley told BBC Sport of his problems during his career, ranging from alcohol to bankruptcy.
Whitley came out the other side and now worked as a Player Welfare Executive for the PFA, attempting to help players who encounter similar issues in the game.
Danny Williams
Another Wrexham-born player, Williams actually started his career at Liverpool but joined Wrexham in 1999.
Williams’ first spell at the club didn’t last too long and he joined Kidderminster Harriers after just two years at the STōK Cae Ras.
Williams racked up more than 100 appearances for Kidderminster and, after a loan to Chester and a brief stint with Bristol Rovers, returned to Wrexham in 2004.
This was a much better spell for Williams as he played more than 100 times for Wrexham in a four-year spell.
Williams turned out for Rhyl, Droylsden, Bala Town, Denbigh Town and Rhos Aelwyd before hanging up his boots.
Now 45, Williams seemingly hasn’t moved into coaching but still keeps tabs on his hometown club having discussed Wrexham’s fortunes with The Leader in 2020.
Lee McEvilly
Liverpudlian forward Roberts arrived at Wrexham in 2005 having previously turned out for Burscough, Rochdale and Accrington Stanley.
McEvilly’s record of 14 goals in 51 league games wasn’t terrible by any stretch but he returned to Accrington in 2007.
McEvilly became a real journeyman in his later years, signing for Stanley, Rochdale, Cambridge United, Rochdale again, Barrow, Grays Athletic, Marine, Barrow, Sligo Rovers, Burscough, Droylsden, Chorley, Colwyn Bay, AFC Fylde, Warrington Town, Barrow again, Droylsden again.
There was even a spell as a player-coach with Litherland REMYCA though there is little information on other coaching roles.
The former striker recently spoke on The Football Historian Podcast and highlighted how an injury just days into his Wrexham career ultimately set him back.
McEvilly didn’t have the best things to say about his time at Wrexham, similar to comments made to the Daily Post back in 2007.
“It will be a nice night if we stuff them,” joked McEvilly. “But it’s not about me, it is about two teams going head-to-head for the three points on offer.
“I left the club on very good terms, it was just the fans getting on my back all the time. I had a good goal scoring ratio in the games I played in, but I was told my future didn’t lie at the club, so I left to come back to Accrington,” he added.
Michael Proctor
Proctor was the goalscorer on the day at Shrewsbury and actually finished his carer with the club back in 2009.
Proctor hails from Sunderland and came up in the Sunderland youth ranks, managing 38 league appearances for the club.
After spells at Rotherham United and Hartlepool United, Proctor joined Wrexham on loan in 2007.
Proctor not only scored the winner at Shrewsbury but also scored as Wrexham beat Boston United to avoid relegation.
Wrexham signed Proctor permanently that summer but transfer-listed him just a year later due to dropping out of the Football League.
Proctor left by mutual consent in 2009 and the 44-year-old is now a key part of Sunderland’s coaching staff in the Championship, assisting boss Regis Le Bris.
Neil Roberts
A proper Wrexham hero, Roberts was born in Wrexham and started his career with the club, emerging as a talented young striker.
After catching the eye in the Wrexham attack, Roberts joined Wigan Athletic and helped the Latics win the old Second Division title.
Roberts joined Doncaster Rovers in 2004 but found his way back to Wrexham in 2006, spending two more years back with his hometown club.
Roberts scored 11 times in 55 league games in his second spell at Wrexham before finishing career with Rhyl.
Manchester City came calling for Roberts in 2009, handing him a role in recruiting young players from around the world.
Roberts now owns the Vault 33 wine bar in the heart of Wrexham, with his venture shown on ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.