After one of the most memorable seasons in Wrexham AFC’s 159-year history, the Dragons returned earlier this year to the English Football League for the first time since 2008.
When actors and businessmen Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the seemingly luckless club for $2.5 million in 2021, they became one of the most talked-about teams, not just in the United Kingdom, but globally. The Dragons' gameplay improved, they landed bigger sponsorships and became the subject of the highly rated documentary “Welcome To Wrexham,” which chronicled the co-owners’ purchase and stewardship of the club.
This weekend, Phil Parkinson’s squad will suit up for the second round of the coveted FA Cup and hope to build on its breakout success from last season.
Here's what you need to know about Wrexham’s FA Cup and League campaigns, as well as its key players and what’s at stake for the Dragons this season.
How is Wrexham doing in the FA Cup?
Following a noteworthy fourth-round finish last season, the Welsh club has enjoyed a smooth start to this year’s campaign.
In the first round of the tournament, the Dragons beat Mansfield Town 2-1 at One Call Stadium. Halfway through the first half, Sam Dalby’s powerful strike broke the deadlock, and Paul Mullin’s cultured finish at the 60-minute mark doubled their advantage.
On Sunday at 10:45 a.m. ET / 7:45 a.m. PT, Wrexham will face Yeovil Town at home in the second round of the Cup, a game that can be seen on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
What is Wrexham's key to success in EFL League Two?
The EFL League Two is three divisions below the Premier League. After being promoted from the National League — the fifth level in the pyramid — in April, Phil Parkinson’s side has continued to rise through the ranks of English soccer.
Currently, Wrexham sits second in the league with 37 points, five points behind Stockport County. To already be second in a 24-team league immediately after promotion may seem shocking to those who are unfamiliar with the Dragons’ squad or history.
But for loyal fans or casual viewers who watched Wrexham push Sheffield United to the brink in last year’s FA Cup, the Dragons' quick success in the league should come as no surprise. To force a draw with the Blades, who were ranked 72 places above them at the time, before eventually losing to the now-Premier League club in a replay, proved the Welsh club should not be underestimated.
Tactically, the key to Wrexham’s success is its compact backline and ability to drive attack up the wings. The central presence of defensive midfielder Andy Cannon takes away the opposition’s most direct path to the goal, thus mitigating attempts on the counterattack.
Additionally, the use of two strikers in the Dragons' 3-5-2 lineup has posed problems for their opponents. As the attacking midfielders push up the wings, they draw their opposition’s left and right backs away from goal. This leaves space in the final third for Wrexham’s two strikers to take on the centre-backs in a 2-vs.-2 scenario, which increases the chances of the ball finding the net.
What’s at stake for Wrexham this season?
Despite Wrexham’s fairytale of late, the big question is whether it’ll be able to maintain the momentum and success they’ve experienced in the two years Reynolds and McElhenney have been at the helm.
Moreover, the combination of the documentary, A-List owners and promotion to League Two has catapulted the club from obscurity to the spotlight, amassing over 1.1 million Instagram and 1.5 million TikTok followers in the process. If Wrexham wants to continue its meteoric rise, it’ll need more than good publicity and a winning mentality on their side.
This season, in both the FA Cup and League Two, Wrexham will need to prove to the soccer community that it's not a one-season wonder merely backed by celebrities. The Dragons need to find a way for their tactical persona to take centre stage, and they’ll need to develop a forward-thinking recruitment process for their longevity. They must keep winning games, and they can’t afford to succumb to pressure or lose players to injury.
Who is Wrexham’s player to watch?
Paul Mullin, Striker
Wrexham star striker Paul Mullin is certainly the Dragons’ player to watch. This season, he’s already scored seven goals in 13 games, with no sign of slowing down. The 29-year-old uses his pace and power to drive up the pitch, and his physicality and aggression to finish his chances. During last season’s FA Cup, Mullin won the tournament’s Golden Ball Award for being the top scorer (nine goals) from the extra preliminary round through to the final.
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