All in all, Wrexham have had a pretty brilliant 2024, but the work doesn’t stop there for Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as we head into 2025.
Over the last 12 months, Wrexham have secured a triumphant return to the third tier of the Football League, and are right up there now challenging for another promotion this season.
Phil Parkinson’s side are now exceeding expectations rather than feeling burdened by them, but Wrexham’s owners still have lots of work to do to achieve their ‘ultimate goal’ for the club.
So, what New Year’s resolutions should Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds set for 2025?
Wrexham need long-term successors to Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer
While both Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer forged a prolific and highly-successful forward partnership through the National League and League Two campaigns, they’ve not found it as easy to work their magic in League One.
It would be foolish to write off the pair already, but it has become clear that Wrexham must consider their striker options in January.
| Statistics | Paul Mullin | Ollie Palmer |
|---|---|---|
| Wrexham appearances | 157 | 142 |
| Wrexham goals | 103 | 42 |
| Wrexham assists | 12 | 5 |
Rob and Ryan can go a long way to ticking one of their major priorities off the list in the New Year by signing a proven goalscorer who can guide them to glory in League One.
Mullin and Palmer are 30 and 32, respectively, and it goes without saying that they are now past their peak years. If Wrexham are to be a sustainable force in the Football League, a plan needs to be put in place to freshen up the forward line.
- READ MORE: Phil Parkinson shares Wrexham transfer latest, discussions with McElhenney, Reynolds and agents
Phil Parkinson needs a squad that’s ready for the Championship
On that same front, the Wrexham squad will need fresh blood all over the field if they are to compete in the Championship, whether that be in the 2025/26 campaign, or further down the line.
Wrexham are in a ‘very good’ position right now, but Parkinson knows how hard it will be to secure promotion this season.
Still, that dream has to be achieved at some point in the near future. Rob and Ryan promised Wrexham would make it all the way back to the top, eventually, and while they’ve made incredible progress so quickly, the club has to keep pushing for that next step.
The back-to-back promotions from National League and League Two were largely down to the fact Wrexham were able to assemble a League One-standard playing squad. Now, the Red Dragons have to look at their players and determine whether they are truly Championship quality.
Some are, and some definitely aren’t. Either way, that needs resolving over the next two transfer windows.
Remember, the Racecourse is Wrexham’s home, not a tourist attraction
There can be no denying that Rob and Ryan have always have Wrexham’s best interests at heart in every decision they have made for the club.
Preserving Wrexham’s history is just as important to them as is helping the club evolve and find a sustainable future. But, with every commercial move and famous guest that arrives at the Racecourse Ground, there is the risk that the club’s heritage can be harmed.
The heightened reputation and significant revenue stream generated by the Wrexham project under McElhenney and Reynolds is no doubt beneficial, but they have to remember who they are doing all of this for.
We are sure the pair are well aware of the answer to that question, and their recent decision to backtrack on fan zone pricing proves they are not ignorant to the feelings of the Wrexham supporters.
They tread a very difficult tightrope, though, and one wrong move could spoil all the good will they have racked up over the years. Rob and Ryan haven’t done anything to sour things so far, but they have to ensure they keep it that way in 2025 and beyond.