20 November 2023 , 12:49
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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson believes the perks of playing for the club are summed up by the international call-ups in his squad
With Hollywood owners in 'Deadpool' star Ryan Reynolds and 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' creator Rob McElhenney, Wrexham are like no other League Two club. The actors' investment – and the subsequent 'Welcome To Wrexham' documentary series – has put the club on the map in all corners of the globe, meaning the profile that comes with being a Wrexham player is not the norm for players in the fourth tier.
The Red Dragons endured a frustrating weekend, losing 2-0 to Accrington Stanley, with Parkinson unable to call on key players James McClean and Jacob Mendy. Republic of Ireland winger McClean was called up to represent his country for the final time before retiring from international duty after winning more than 100 caps.
The 34-year-old was an unused substitute in a 1-0 defeat to the Netherlands on Saturday, with ex-Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst scoring the only goal, and he will have his swansong in the famous green shirt on Tuesday when Stephen Kenny's side play the Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium.
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Full-back Jacob Mendy, meanwhile, is at the opposite end of his career, playing in the EFL for the first time this season, and his fine form for Parkinson's side earned him first call-up for The Gambia in the summer. He was on the bench for an African Cup of Nations qualifier defeat to Burundi on Thursday, but he could face the Ivory Coast on Monday.
Although Parkinson would have loved to have both men available for the trip to Accrington, the former Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers boss believes Mendy and McClean's international adventures are evidence of the spotlight that comes with playing for Wrexham since Reynolds and McElhenney took ownership of the club.
James McClean will play for the Republic of Ireland for the final time this week. (Icon sport)"It just shows that playing for Wrexham you're getting recognition, irrespective of being in League Two," Parkinson said. "The profile of the club, it's kind of a different level for a normal League Two club because of the reasons that everybody knows."
Wrexham have made a solid start to their first season back in the EFL after 15 years marooned in the National League, but Saturday's defeat at the Wham Stadium saw them lose possession of the third and final automatic promotion place to Notts County, their rivals from an epic title battle last season.
And Accrington owner Andy Holt rubbed salt in the wounds shortly after the final whistle. A ticketing row had dominated the build-up to the game, with Wrexham fans left angry that their hosts had hiked ticket prices by £5. Holt claimed the rise was due to higher demand leading to the need for more security staff, but Wrexham responded by lowering the price for the return fixture in March by £5.
Holt said the move was "stupid" and "mistimed" in a social media outburst before the game, and he revelled in the opportunity to poke fun at Wrexham's owners after the game. "Accrington 2 Hollywood nil," Holt wrote on X. "I think @VancityReynolds should cut prices by a tenner. Safe journey home folks. Get that on Netflix Ryan lad.