Wrexham fans have seen some players become fan favourites at the STōK Cae Ras, but few could have expected three to come from Trinidad and Tobago.
Wrexham are now global news under Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds with their Hollywood status taking the club to a new level.
Now back in the EFL once again, Wrexham are eyeing up a third straight promotion into the Championship.
Phil Parkinson has brought together a new team of heroes with Paul Mullin, Elliot Lee and James McClean among those who will be remembered for this successful period.
They will be considered alongside some former fan favourites such as defender Dennis Lawrence.
Lawrence was part of a Trinidadian triumvirate at Wrexham, so let’s dig into his career at Wrexham and where he has been in recent years.
Who is Wrexham hero Dennis Lawrence?
Brian Flynn’s recruitment turned Wrexham into a home away from home for three Trinidadian stars.
Hector Sam and Carlos Edwards arrived in 2000 with centre back Lawrence following in 2001.
Lawrence was a towering presence in the Wrexham back line, standing at an enormous 6ft 7in tall.
Lawrence, Sam and Edwards all racked up more than 100 appearances for Wrexham with Flynn finding some absolute gems.
Centre back Lawrence played nearly 200 league games for Wrexham and certainly made himself a cult hero.
The 2006 World Cup saw Lawrence become the first Wrexham player to feature in a World Cup as he played all three of Trinidad and Tobago’s group stage games against Sweden, England and Paraguay.
Lawrence left for Swansea City in August 2006 before a loan spell with Crewe Alexandra and a return to Trinidad and Tobago with San Juan Jabloteh.
Why was Lawrence blocked from managing Wrexham?
After hanging up his boots at 36, Lawrence moved into coaching.
Lawrence was part of Roberto Martinez’s coaching staff at Wigan Athletic and Everton before becoming Trinidad and Tobago boss in 2017.
Come 2018, speculation linked Lawrence with an emotional return to Wrexham as manager.
Sam Ricketts controversially quit Wrexham for Shrewsbury Town in 2018 and Lawrence emerged as a top target.
However, the Trinidad and Tobago FA blocked any move, as noted by BBC Sport, refusing Lawrence permission to even speak to Wrexham about a comeback.
Lawrence did return to the STōK Cae Ras just three months later though as his Trinidad and Tobago side lost 1-0 to Wales.
Ben Woodburn scored the only goal at Wrexham’s home with Lawrence summing up his feelings perfectly.
“Trinidad and Tobago is my home, it’s my country, but Wrexham is my heart,” Lawrence told BBC Sport.
Lawrence added that the job offer to manage Wrexham was on the table, but admitted that he was comfortable with staying put in the end.
“It was there [the Wrexham job offer] but being in the Trinidad and Tobago job it was a difficult position to be in. It’s like your brother and sister having an argument. At the end of the day I had to make a decision to continue with the job I started with Trinidad and Tobago.
“I was comfortable to make that decision but it was a difficult one for me,” he added.
Where is Dennis Lawrence now?
Maybe Lawrence ends up back as Wrexham manager one day but the club is in a completely different position to the one which came calling for him six years ago.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ takeover has helped catapult Wrexham up the leagues and Lawrence is surely proud watching from afar.
Lawrence joined Coventry City’s coaching staff in 2021 and saw Wrexham dump them out of the FA Cup in a 4-3 thriller back in 2023.
Lawrence is now coaching over in Major League Soccer, serving as Eric Ramsay’s assistant with Minnesota United.
“I am excited to welcome Dennis to Minnesota United, first and foremost, he is a great person. Along with his character, he brings a wealth of experience in coaching at nearly every level in soccer,” said Minnesota United’s Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Khaled El-Ahmad after hiring Lawrence last year.
“His perspectives coaching for both club and country will provide the club valuable insight that will continue to set our players up for success each week. Dennis and Eric Ramsay know each other well, and are fully aligned in the way we want to play. I look forward to experiencing their chemistry as they continue building on our overall vision for the club,” he added.
The early results have been positive with Minnesota United losing just seven times in the 2024 MLS regular season.
Lawrence and Minnesota United lost to LA Galaxy in the Conference Semifinals, falling just short of MLS Cup glory.
Wrexham fans will always want Lawrence to thrive and he will forever be welcome back at the STōK Cae Ras – no matter the capacity.