Wrexham spent a long time fighting to escape the National League but one player could be back there very soon.
When Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds purchased Wrexham in February 2021, the club had spent over a decade languishing outside of the EFL.
No team, at the time, had endured more consecutive campaigns in the fifth tier of English football than the Red Dragons.
Dean Keates failed to clinch a play-off place in 2020/21 and was swiftly replaced by Phil Parkinson, who then tasted play-off defeat the following season.
However, 2022/23 saw Wrexham locked in an intense battle with Notts County before eventually ending the campaign as champions with 111 points.
The Welsh team haven’t looked back since that promotion and are now in contention to secure a place in the Championship for 2025/26.
However, one former player is now in danger of returning to the National League for the forthcoming season.
Former Wrexham star Aaron Hayden in danger of relegation to National League
Wrexham released a number of players during the summer of 2024, one of which was Aaron Hayden.
Hayden joined the Holywood-owned club in August 2021 from Carlisle United for an undisclosed fee.
The 28-year-old was key to Wrexham winning promotion from the National League, scoring a staggering 12 goals in 2022/23 despite being a centre-back.
He then had a bit-part role in the season the Red Dragons finished second in the fourth tier before being let go in the summer.
The defender has rejoined Carlisle but things aren’t really working out for the former Wrexham ace.
Hayden has made 17 appearances this term and his squad on the whole are in dire form, currently sitting 24th in League Two and already nine points from safety.
As a result, unless Carlisle can mount a miraculous comeback, he will be back plying his trade in the National League once more next term after working so hard to help Wrexham escape it.
Rob McElhenney reacted to Aaron Hayden Wrexham exit
Given his importance to the club previously, fans are no doubt heartbroken to see the defender struggling this season.
McElhenney may be as well given the American clearly liked the player despite him being released by Parkinson over the summer.
Wrexham owner McElhenney reacted to Hayden’s exit at the time, penning a message to his new club on X/Twitter.
He wrote: “You got a good one there. Get him in the air and watch a man fly…”