Phil Parkinson will be aware that Wrexham could complete a 43-year first if they manage to beat Preston North End in the EFL Cup.
Wrexham are gearing up to face Preston North End as they look to continue their EFL Cup journey.
The Red Dragons have undergone a difficult start to the 2025/26 Championship season, notching just one point after three games.
Phil Parkinson’s side were expecting to come away with a win against Sheffield Wednesday, but after leading comfortably 2-0 at the break, Wrexham capitulated, with the game finishing 2-2.
Nonetheless, Wrexham’s only win this season has come in the EFL Cup, and they will hope to get a run going as they face Preston North End in the next round.
Whilst a win would be crucial to lift spirits at Wrexham, Red Dragons boss Parkinson will be aware that he can make history if his side win at Deepdale.
Wrexham could reach the EFL Cup third round for the first time in 43 years
Despite the shaky start to the season, Wrexham are on the brink of a new record that could see them reach the EFL Cup for the first time in 43 years.
The last time the Red Dragons found themselves in the heights of the third round, they drew Tottenham Hotspur at the Racecourse Ground in the 1981/82 season.
Since then, 28 EFL Cup campaigns have ended in disappointment for Wrexham, with them being unable to reach the third round in that time.
Wrexham have the opportunity to end that on their travels against Preston North End, a fellow Championship side who have had a bright start to the season, winning two games and drawing one.
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Phil Parkinson’s EFL Cup history
Fortunately, Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has seen more success in the competition compared to the Red Dragons.
During his time at Sunderland, he managed the fourth round, whilst in League One, but his real achievement was when he was at Bradford City.
The 2012/13 season saw Parkinson’s Bantams side record a historic run to the EFL Cup final, where they fell at the final hurdle against a Premier League Swansea City side at Wembley.
In that run, Bradford defied expectations, beating Arsenal and Aston Villa in the quarter-final and semi-final, respectively.
Parkinson knows how to notch a run in this competition, and hopefully he can repeat that feat with this current Wrexham squad.