Wrexham had to make difficult decisions after winning promotion from League One, including allowing Jordan Davies to leave the club.
Wrexham have become used to winning promotions, but securing a spot in the Championship was always going to bring the biggest summer of change yet.
Phil Parkinson understood that Wrexham needed to make major changes to adjust to life in the second tier.
10 signings have arrived at Wrexham, and Parkinson has said some difficult goodbyes over the course of the summer.
Goal hero Paul Mullin joined Wigan Athletic on loan, while Wrexham released Steven Fletcher in an early sign of the ruthless decisions to come.
Mark Howard secured a move to Salford City, and another released player has now found a new club in Jordan Davies.
Ex-Wrexham star Jordan Davies signs for Fleetwood Town
Davies spent last season out on loan at Grimsby Town, but seeing him leave Wrexham for good still hurt.
The Wrexham-born midfielder came up in the club’s ranks before being plucked by Brighton and Hove Albion as a teenager.
Come 2020, Davies was back at Wrexham, and he surely couldn’t have predicted playing a starring role in the new-look Wrexham under Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds just a year later.
Davies racked up 15 National League goals in the first season under Mac and Reynolds, emerging as a real hometown hero.
Davies has gradually slipped out of Wrexham’s plans, and Parkinson made the tough decision to let him go at the end of his contract.
The 27-year-old has spent all summer as a free agent but is now back in the game, penning a one-year deal with League Two side Fleetwood Town.
Speaking on Fleetwood’s official website, Davies admitted being ‘thankful’ to Fleetwood for the opportunity, and believes the ambition and the facilities at Fleetwood make this the right move for him.
“It’s been a long summer being out of contract, so I’m really thankful to Fleetwood for showing their interest and bringing me here,” said Davies.
“As soon as I spoke to the gaffer and saw the facilities, I knew this was the right move. Everything about the club feels ambitious, and I want to play my part in helping us have a successful season,” he added.
Jordan Davies on Wrexham rise
Davies also spoke about his second spell with Wrexham, admitting that he could never have expected to go on such a journey.
The midfielder added that it was ‘really special’ to enjoy so much success with his boyhood club, and left having enjoyed more ups than downs at the STōK Cae Ras.
“I could never have imagined the journey when I re-signed,” said Davies.
“To be part of that success at my boyhood club was really special. There were ups and downs but mainly ups, and to leave Wrexham as a Championship club says everything about how far they’ve come,” he added.
Davies has dazzled with the PFA this summer, scoring goals on a regular basis as he featured for a PFA team in a number of friendlies.
The midfielder backed himself to shine and his self-belief has paid off, with Fleetwood handing him a chance to get back to first-team action after leaving Wrexham.