Wrexham defender Will Boyle may not have played much football this season but his career off the pitch has taken a considerable step.
Wrexham continue to chase promotions with Phil Parkinson in the mix for a third in a row.
Currently sitting third in the League One table, Wrexham are chasing an automatic promotion spot and a place in the Championship.
This journey under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds has been remarkable but the journey through the leagues mean some difficult goodbyes.
Ben Tozer joined Forest Green Rovers last summer but has also gone down the media route, often offering punditry alongside his playing duties.
Tozer’s former teammate Will Boyle has taken an interesting step this season as he takes a different route for his role off the pitch.
Will Boyle comments PFA role
Defender Boyle joined Wrexham from Huddersfield Town in 2023, playing 24 League Two games last season as Wrexham secure promotion to League One.
The 29-year-old hasn’t played a key role this season but has taken on a vital role with the Professional Footballers’ Association.
The PFA confirmed earlier this season that Boyle has been elected to the Players’ Board and will act as the ‘voice of the changing room’.
Elections to the Players’ Board see players from the Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two, as well as the Women’s Super League, all working together to help fellow players.
Boyle joins the likes of Omar Beckles, Conor Coady, Wales international Ben Davies, Steve Cook and Lucy Bronze on the Players’ Board.
The Wrexham defender has now reflected on his role, admitting that he is ‘massively proud’ to take this step.
Boyle noted that he is excited about the ability to take questions from teammates at Wrexham and hopefully advance the game and help those around him.
“Being elected to the PFA Players’ Board, first of all I’m massively proud,” said Boyle.
“To be able to represent all professional players is an honour, really, that I’m not going to take for granted.
“I’ve personally had the opportunity to develop myself personally away from just a player, the identity issues et cetera and that, for me, has been massive.
“We’re all talking constantly in the dressing room, you see your teammates more than you do your loved ones. When there’s conversations around the broader issues in the game, being able to have a platform to take them, further ask questions that people might have consistently, is something that I’m excited about,” he added.
Will Boyle’s time at Wrexham may be coming to an end
Seeing Boyle take this role just goes to show the kind of character Boyle is and Phil Parkinson no doubt values that highly even if he isn’t playing regularly.
Boyle hasn’t played a single minute of league football this season and has only played three times in all competitions.
Parkinson hinted at letting Boyle leave before the January transfer deadline with the defender ultimately needing minutes.
Boyle does still have more than a year to run on his contract though, meaning a summer exit would need to be facilitated somehow.
Wrexham fans can certainly appreciate the work Boyle is doing off the pitch and at just 29, he no doubt still has plenty to offer on the pitch – but that is likely to be away from Wrexham come the end of the season.