Wrexham said goodbye to Paul Mullin over the summer, with Phil Parkinson almost completely rebuilding his attacking options.
Wrexham take on Southampton this weekend, with just days to go until the big Championship kick-off.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ takeover was always likely to help Wrexham move forward, but few could have genuinely expected Championship football after just four years.
Three promotions in a row have catapulted Wrexham into the second tier, just one promotion away from the Premier League.
That may be a lofty goal, but Wrexham have proven that anything is possible.
McElhenney and Reynolds make the big headlines, but manager Phil Parkinson has been the driving force behind this incredible rise.
Mickey Thomas hails Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson
It’s one thing to have backing from Hollywood owners, but it’s another to produce results consistently.
Rival fans can point to the money all they want, but finances do not guarantee anything in this game.
Just look at Manchester United: big spenders for more than a decade since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, but no Premier League title to show for it.
Parkinson has created a winning culture at Wrexham and has consistently proven his ability to keep Wrexham moving forward, even after shaky results.
Securing three promotions in a row is unprecedented success, and Wrexham legend Mickey Thomas has now paid tribute to Parkinson.
Speaking to The Mirror (03/08, p66), Thomas hailed Parkinson as an ‘amazing’ manager and one of the greatest Wrexham managers in history.
Thomas noted that the Wrexham squad really love playing for Parkinson, and praised the boss for having ‘good people’ around him.
Thomas knows that all eyes will be on Wrexham in the Championship, but is backing Parkinson to cope with the biggest challenge yet.
“You have to be prepared for going into the Championship – and you can see they are having a right go,” said Thomas.
“Everywhere you go, people are talking about Wrexham. Without a doubt, the spotlight will be on them again this season in their severest challenge. As we all know, the Championship can be a graveyard for ambitions.
“More managers perish there than in any other division, but, in Phil Parkinson, Wrexham have an amazing manager. He has surrounded himself with good people and has players who really play for him. Phil is one of the greatest Wrexham managers of all time, there’s no question of that,” he added.
Mickey Thomas on Paul Mullin exit
Wrexham’s promotions always bring tough decisions, with fan favourites occasionally let go as the club’s rise continues.
Luke Young’s exit devastated Rob McElhenney in 2024, whilst Steven Fletcher’s release earlier this summer came as a surprise.
Paul Mullin’s move to Wigan Athletic was arguably the most difficult departure so far, though.
Mullin was a goalscoring sensation and the first major signing of the McElhenney and Reynolds era as he joined back in 2021.
Mullin couldn’t stop scoring in the National League and League Two, but his playing time in League One vanished.
The striker was on the sidelines for the promotion run-in, and while his exit was no great surprise, that didn’t make it any easier.
Thomas praised Parkinson for making ‘unpopular decisions’, pointing to Mullin’s exit as a prime example.
Thomas touched on Mullin’s popularity with supporters as well as McElhenney and Reynolds, but believes Parkinson won’t shy away from the tough calls.
The former Wrexham star added that McElhenney and Reynolds are ‘great people’, praising them for allowing Parkinson to get on with the job and make the difficult decisions.
“Phil has managed everything in the right way. Look at the hard decisions he has to make – dropping Paul Mullin, who had become a hero figure with the fans and Ryan and Rob,” said Thomas.
“Phil knows what he wants and he won’t shy away from making what can be unpopular decisions. To be fair to Ryan and Rob, they don’t get involved in that, they leave it to Phil, who they trust. I’ve got to know them and they are great people,” he added.
Thomas is a true Wrexham hero and may have wondered if he would ever see the club at this level.
McElhenney and Reynolds have made a huge impact at Wrexham, but it’s Parkinson who has made this rise happen – and it’s great to see a club legend showing appreciation for the Wrexham boss.