Wrexham enter into the Championship for next season, the second tier of English football. And with this whole new challenge comes a whole bunch of new and unfamiliar faces that the Dragons will go up against.
Last season, Wrexham finished 2nd place in League One, earning themselves a historic third-straight promotion in the process.
Owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club back in 2021 when they were in the fifth-tier of English football. Now the club stands just 46 games away from potentially becoming a Premier League team.
But it’ll certainly be difficult. Phil Parkinson’s players are, for the most part, inexperienced in the Championship, though there’s names like the 103-cap former Republic of Ireland international James McClean who boasts great experience, along with names like Matty James and more.
And Wrexham have now signed Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle who brings another degree of Championship quality and experience to the first-team squad.
Whether the Dragons will be a match for some fierce Championship competition next season remains to be seen. There’s quality running rife in the league, and some hugely respected and experienced veterans of the game too.
Here are 10 footballing veterans who Wrexham will be going up against, and who Wrexham’s US fans may not have heard of before…
Jonny Howson
Although technically out of contract this summer, Middlesbrough and new manager Rob Edwards are in talks to renew the 37-year-old midfielder’s contract for another season, and so it looks like Wrexham will be going up against Jonny Howson.
Formerly of Leeds United and Norwich City, Howson won Championship promotion with both teams. He’s since made 340 appearances for Middlesbrough since joining in 2017, with a staggering 465 Championship appearances to his name.
- Championship appearances: 465
- Goals: 34
- Assists: 49
Moussa Sissoko
With 71 caps for France, Moussa Sissoko is certainly one of the more decorated players in the Championship. Now captain of Watford, the 35-year-old Sissoko made 133 total appearances for Newcastle United between 2013 and 2016, and then 202 for Spurs between 2016 and 2021.
When Spurs signed him from Newcastle back in 2016, he cost the North London club a staggering £30million.
- Championship appearances: 40
- Goals: 6
- Assists: 1
Matt Ritchie
One player who’s worked his way from the bottom to the top, much like Wrexham, is former Bournemouth player Matt Ritchie.
Another former Newcastle United player, it was on the south coast where the now Portsmouth player made his name. Playing under Magpies boss Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, Ritchie helped the Cherries earn promotion from League One and then the Championship, reaching the Premier League in 2015.
He went on to make 212 total appearances for Newcastle United before joining Pompey last season.
- Championship appearances: 162
- Goals: 41
- Assists: 29
Conor Coady
Centre-back Conor Coady counts Liverpool and Wolves among his former teams, having also played for England 10 times in his career. He’s currently at Leicester City where his contract runs for another year and the 32-year-old could yet play a key role for the Foxes next time round.
Best known for his time at Wolves, Coady made 317 total appearances for the club between 2015 and 2023, winning promotion to the Premier League with the Midlands club in 2018.
- Championship appearances: 179
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 10
Jordan Ayew
As things stand anyway, Jordan Ayew is heading into the Championship with Coady and Leicester City. Though his pedigree is such that he could be snapped up by one of many Premier League clubs before the summer transfer window is out.
Boasting an incredible 113 caps for Ghana, along with 31 goals, the 33-year-old Ayew has played for Marseille, along with Aston Villa, Swansea City and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, and of course Leicester City.
He has a record of 42 goals in 305 total Premier League appearances in his career.
- Championship appearances: 21
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 4
Frank Lampard
A man who likely needs no introduction is Frank Lampard. Former Chelsea and England hero, Lampard has turned to management in his post-playing career, managing the likes of Derby County, Chelsea, and Everton so far. Right now, he’s the manager of Coventry City.
He defied expectations and took Coventry to the play-off semi-finals last season, owing to a superb run of form in the second half of the season after he was appointed midway through the campaign.
- Championship games (manager): 75
- Wins: 36
- Draws: 18
- Losses: 21
Gary Rowett
A Football League legend in his own right, another manager to look out for next season is Gary Rowett. As a player he played for Everton, Leicester City, Birmingham City and Derby County among others.
But he’s arguably best-known for his management expertise. He’s had spells with all of Burton Albion, Birmingham City, Derby County, Stoke City and Millwall, where he was in charge for four years, and now he’s at Oxford United.
Last season he guided the U’s to a very impressive 17th place finish in their first season following promotion.
- Championship games (manager): 395
- Wins: 153
- Draws: 128
- Losses: 114
Nathan Jones
Another who arguably needs no introduction is Nathan Jones. Perhaps less of a Football league stalwart and more of a Football League character, Jones is manager of Charlton.
He watched on last season a Wrexham beat Charlton Athletic 3-0 in Wales to earn promotion. The game was given some extra bite after Jones called Wrexham a ‘circus’ beforehand, and Dragons fans took great pleasure in letting him know he was in the ‘circus’ that game.
Few US fans might remember Jones was manager of Southampton during the 2022/23 Premier League season. He lasted 14 games, clashed with supporters, and later said that managing the club is his only regret.
- Championship games (manager): 157
- Wins: 55
- Draws: 49
- Losses: 53