Wrexham’s rise from the National League has seen the club’s reputation grow and new rivalries emerge.
Traditionally Wrexham’s rivals have been local foes Chester but with the English side in the National League North and Wrexham in League One it is unlikely they will face off anytime soon.
Since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have taken over, Wrexham have been noticed with more rivalries forming season on season.
After being promoted last season this campaign will be filled with new challengers but also an old local rivalry being re-ignited.
The local derby – Shrewsbury Town
Wrexham’s closest foes in League One will be Shrewsbury Town.
The two sides met as recently as January 2024 in the FA Cup where Wrexham were able to advance into the next round with a 1-0 victory at Croud Meadow.
Historically it has been a closely contested rivalry with 54 fixtures played. Wrexham have had 22 victories and 21 losses with the sides drawing on 11 occasions.
No doubt heading into the League campaign Shrewsbury will be looking to ruin the Red Dragon’s first League One campaign since the 2004/05 season.
The promotion rivals – Stockport County
Since the Hollywood takeover attention has been on Wrexham’s rise from the National League.
Alongside Wrexham’s journey has been Stockport County, who have become one of Phil Parkinson’s biggest rivalries in recent times.
During the 21/22 season, Stockport were Parkinson’s biggest promotion rivals and eventually became champions of the National League securing promotion back to the Football League.
Wrexham ultimately lost to Grimsby in the play-offs and had to wait another year before securing a return to League football.
Stockport handed Wrexham a harsh welcome back to League Two with Phil Parkinson’s side suffering a 5-0 defeat in their visit to Edgeley Park in September.
Wrexham did get revenge in the reverse fixture with a 2-1 victory at the StoK Cae Ras.
Interestingly there has been a mini goal-scoring rivalry between Wrexham’s Paul Mullin and Stockport’s Macaulay Langstaff.
Both strikers hit form last season but it was Langstaff who finished as top goal scorer with 28 goals while Mullin netted on 24 occasions for the Red Dragons.
Ryan Reynolds vs Tom Brady – Birmingham City
Similarly to Wrexham Birmingham City have an eyebrow-raising owner with a minority investment made by American Football star Tom Brady in August 2023.
The handling of the club has come into question with the former Premier League club being relegated from the Championship last season, accompanied by an unpopular and short-lived managerial tenure of former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney straining relations with the fans further.
Ryan Reynolds and Wrexham will be hoping they can make a statement of intent showcasing that they can battle against the likes of Birmingham next season.
Wrexham are reportedly battling Birmingham for 22-year-old Brighton midfielder Marc Leonard who is seen as a key target for Phil Parkinson’s side.
Wrexham being in the race for the Scottish midfielder alongside Birmingham and several other clubs shows the intent and the trajectory of the club to challenge former Premier Clubs.
It will be a tough season ahead for the Red Dragons but the Hollywood owners will be hoping they can come on top of their rivalries this season as the Wrexham journey continues.