Ollie Rathbone has outlined his long-term Wrexham plan, but Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee are proof that the midfielder may not get what he wants.
On the back of a long-term injury, Rathbone has made his Wrexham return this week and could feature against Stoke City on Saturday.
The midfielder had a prolific debut campaign at the Racecourse Ground, scoring eight League One goals and winning the Dragons’ 2024/25 Player of the Season award.
However, success in lower divisions does not guarantee a long-term place in this Wrexham side, no matter how much a player wants it.
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Ollie Rathbone wants to stay at Wrexham for a long time
As per the Leader, Rathbone has been discussing his Wrexham stint so far and admitted he wants to stay in North Wales for a long time.
He said: “I thought I had a really strong season, especially towards the end.
“I’m really happy, I really enjoy it. I love working with the staff and I love working with the squad.
“I feel really at home. I want to stay here for a long time so for me, I just want to do my best all the time and help this club be successful.”
No player scored more League One goals than the 28-year-old at Wrexham last term, with Steven Fletcher and Elliot Lee also netting eight.
Rathbone has over a year and a half left on his current contract, but Phil Parkinson has made a habit of pushing aside previously key players following each promotion the Dragons achieve.
Ollie Rathbone will want to avoid the same fate as Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee at Wrexham
Paul Mullin was Mr Wrexham for three and a half years, finishing as their top goalscorer from the 2021/22 campaign to 2023/24.
However, Parkinson dropped Mullin in late January 2025, freezing him out of the matchday squad completely before shipping him off to Wigan Athletic this past summer.
Meanwhile, Lee was the Welsh outfit’s top goalscorer last term, notching nine goals across all competitions.
Despite this, Wrexham told the midfielder he could leave during the 2025 summer transfer window.
Lee stayed put, but he is yet to make an appearance in the Championship, failing to make the bench in the last five gameweeks.
Rathbone may face a similar fight to keep his place at Wrexham over the next year or so, following an influx of new signings this summer.
In the long term, Josh Windass and Nathan Broadhead could become the primary attacking midfielders in Parkinson’s new system, while Lewis O’Brien and Ben Sheaf will likely take up the deeper roles.