Meet Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham squad - from protester to ex-Premier League stars
Wrexham are closing in on their long-awaited promotion from the National League, with Saturday's visit of Boreham Wood set to get the party started.
The Red Dragons came agonisingly close to going up last year after being transformed by the new ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Along with coach Phil Parkinson, the duo have built a star-studded squad.
It is one that looks to have secured their place in League Two for next season, despite the dogged challenge of Notts County. Here, Mirror Football looks at the men who have helped the Red Dragons finally return to the fourth tier.
Mark Howard
Experienced goalkeeper Mark Howard arrived at the Racecourse Ground in the summer from League Two side Carlisle United. He immediately established himself as the first-choice keeper at the Red Dragons.
He has played a key role in their title challenge, conceding just 33 goals in his 33 National League games, as well as keeping 11 clean sheets. Howard started his career at Arsenal and has had spells at St Mirren, Blackpool and Scunthorpe.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
He previously worked under Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson at Bolton, where they won promotion from League One together. The 35-year-old was named Carlisle's Player of the Season last term before moving to Wales on a free transfer.
HAVE YOUR SAY! How will Wrexham do in League Two if they get promoted? Comment below.
Ben Foster
Ben Foster came out of retirement to help Wrexham's promotion push (Getty Images)Ben Foster enjoyed a storied career at the top of the English game before coming out of retirement to join Wrexham. Foster came through the ranks of Manchester United, twice winning the League Cup.
He made his name at Watford and West Brom though, winning the League Cup for a third time with Birmingham in between spells at those two clubs. Foster also earned caps for England as he was regarded as one of the best English keepers in the game.
Foster also developed a reputation as a YouTube star, using GoPro cameras in his goal for his videos. He came out of retirement to join Wrexham, saving a penalty in their title showdown with Notts County.
Callum McFadzean
Fullback Callum McFadzean joined Wrexham in the January transfer window of 2022, having previously worked under Parkinson at Sunderland. The duo won the EFL Trophy with the Black Cats, with McFadzean having previously won League Two with Bury earlier in his career.
He has made 27 appearances so far this season, scoring three goals, though has struggled for game time in recent weeks.
Ben Tozer
Ben Tozer brought his famous long throw to Wrexham in 2021 (Getty Images)Centre-back Ben Tozer is a League Two veteran, captaining Cheltenham Town to promotion from the fourth tier in the 2020/2021 campaign. He is renowned for his long throws, which famously caused major problems for Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Tozer opted to drown down to the National League in the summer of 2021 and has made 43 league appearances this term. He has also had a light-hearted run-in with owner Ryan Reynolds after flirting with the American's mother.
Eoghan O'Connell
Tozer's partner at centre-back has recently been Eoghan O'Connell, who came through the ranks at Celtic. He struggled for game-time at the Scottish giants, though did appear in both the Europa League and Champions League during his spell there.
Everton chiefs face transfer backlash from fans after deadline day disaster
The Irishman left for Bury in 2017, before becoming a key player for Rochdale. He joined League One Charlton last summer, but remarkably decided to drop down two divisions to join Wrexham in January.
Max Cleworth
Youngster Max Cleworth began the season as one of Parkinson's starting centre-backs, but has lost his place in the team in recent weeks. He is the reigning Young Player of the Year at the Racecourse ground, having come through the Red Dragons' academy.
Aaron Hayden
Aaron Hayden has had his season wrecked by injuryAaron Hayden saw a promising campaign ruined by injury, with the Englishman having been in the treatment room since January. The centre-back came through Chelsea and Wolves ' academy before an impressive spell at Carlisle attracted Wrexham's interest.
Jordan Tunnicliffe
A key member of several non-league promotion pushes, Jordan Tunnicliffe also has an FA Trophy win under his belt from his time at AFC Fylde. He then spent three years at Crawley Town, scoring in their famous FA Cup win over Leeds.
The centre-back was also named in the League Two team of the season in the 2020/2021 campaign. His final season with the Red Devils was hampered by injury and he moved to Wrexham on a free transfer last summer.
Jacob Mendy
Spanish left-back Jacob Mendy spent time at Atletico Madrid before finding a home at Boreham Wood. After an impressive season with Luke Gerrard's side, he joined Wrexham on a free transfer.
Luke Young
Luke Young has wracked up a long list of awards over his careerMidfielder Luke Young has wracked up a long list of awards since first breaking through at Plymouth Argyle. He won Young Player of the Season at Argyle, Player of the Season at Torquay three times and National League goal of the season twice.
Those goals came at Wrexham, who he joined in 2018, and he has twice been named the Red Dragons' Player of the Season. Parkinson named him captain in 2021 and he made more appearances than any other player last term.
Anthony Forde
Winger Anthony Forde came through the ranks at Wolves, making six Premier League appearances before their relegation from the top-flight. Since leaving Molineux, he has mostly played in the lower leagues, playing a key role in Rotherham's promotion from League One in 2018.
Andy Cannon
Andy Cannon made his name at Rochdale, capped by a man of the match performance against TottenhamAll-action midfielder Andy Cannon started his career at Rochdale, putting in a man of the match performance as they drew with Tottenham in the 2018 FA Cup. He moved to Portsmouth a year later, becoming a fan favourite at Fratton Park.
While Pompey missed out on promotion in the 2020/2021 season, Cannon did find himself playing in the Championship the following campaign as he joined Hull. After struggling for game-time he went on loan to Stockport County.
He played a key role as the Hatters won promotion from the National League, beating Wrexham to the title. Cannon joined Wrexham permanently in December and has since been a regular starter.
James Jones
James Jones is a product of Crewe Alexandra's famous academy, winning promotion from League Two in 2020. He then had a spell at Lincoln, before joining Wrexham in the summer of 2021.
Jordan Davies
Nicknamed the Coedy Assassin, Jordan Davies came through the ranks at Wrexham before joining Brighton in 2017. After struggling for game-time at the Seagulls, he returned to Wrexham in 2020 and has since become a fan favourite.
Tom O'Connor
After coming through Southampton's academy, Tom O'Connor established himself at Gillingham and Burton Albion. He spent just six months with the Brewers before joining Wrexham in the January of 2022.
Ollie Palmer
Ollie Palmer became Wrexham's record signing in January 2022 (Getty Images)Striker Ollie Palmer became Wrexham's record signing when he joined from AFC Wimbledon in January 2022. His goals for Havant & Waterlooville earned him a move to Mansfield Town in 2013.
He then became somewhat of a journeyman, with spells at Grimsby, Leyton Orient, Luton Town, Lincoln and Crawley. Palmer has been a regular scorer at each of his clubs and has formed a devastating partnership with Paul Mullin at the Racecourse Ground.
Paul Mullin
Paul Mullin has fired Wrexham to the brink of promotion (PA)Former Liverpool academy star Paul Mullin struggled for goals in the first seven years of his professional career. But a move to Cambridge United in 2020 proved to be a career-changing decision for the Englishman.
He scored 32 goals in his sole season at the Abbey Stadium, breaking the record for League Two since its 2004 rebranding. Though Cambridge were promoted to League One, Mullin opted to instead drop down to join Wrexham.
He won a plethora of awards in his first season with the Red Dragons, including the National League's Golden Boot and Player of the Season. Mullin has continued to hit the goal trail, but attracted controversy in Octotber when he wrote an anti-Conservative Party message on his boots.
Sam Dalby
Sam Dalby worked his way up the footballing ranks with spells at Leeds and Watford after breaking through at Leyton Orient. He dropped back down the pyramid to join Southend in 2021 before joining Wrexham a year later.
Elliot Lee
West Ham youth product Elliot Lee scored a Europa League goal for the Hammers, but truly established himself at Luton Town. After five years with the Hatters he joined Wrexham in the summer and has scored 13 goals in all competitions so far.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
