Wrexham have been the side that everyone has been talking about over the last couple of seasons and rightly so given that they have achieved back-to-back promotions from the National League and League Two.
The Red Dragons will be gracing the third tier next season for the first time since the 2004-05 season and they’ll be expected to be one of the favourites despite being a newly-promoted side.
Back-to-back promotions obviously plays a part in their hope for a strong showing next term but likewise does their budget, which is one that can contend at the very top of the League One table.
It’s fair to say that the club has undergone a vast change in fortunes since the ‘Hollywood’ takeover of the club by duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Not only have they been incredibly successful on the pitch during that time, but the Welcome To Wrexham documentary has gained worldwide viewership and they’re now one of the most followed clubs in the EFL as a result.
There has however been plenty of backlash from rival fans due to the takeover. Plenty of hostility has been thrown at the club and its players by opposition fans but according to goalkeeper Mark Howard, that’s not affected the players and has actually benefitted them at points.
Howard, who has been the second-choice ‘keeper over the past two seasons has become a real fan favourite at the Racecourse Ground and has signed on with the club for a further season despite now being 37-years-old.
Experience certainly counts for a lot, and the veteran goalkeeper has plenty of that with just under 250 EFL appearances to his name. Speaking to The Leader, Howard emphasised that hostility from rival fans doesn’t frustrate the players.
“There is a lot from opposition players, staff and fans. We hear it and see it. But we like it.
“We know it’s already in their heads, we know we have a slight edge on them as we have rattled them before the game starts.
“The comments are going on weekly. We find it a bit funny that we have got to people. It’s a motivational tool that people try to throw in our faces but we are accustomed to it.
“For this level it’s been a bit of a media circus but it’s something as players, and I will include the staff in that, that we are all used to.
“We have all embraced it. A lot of players use that against us. For the documentary style show, they all want to be the villain who ruins the episode of Welcome to Wrexham. A lot of the away teams want to ruin the party.”
Writer’s View
There’s a certain element of jealousy that many fans will have towards Wrexham with many asking why it couldn’t be their club who were taken over by the Hollywood duo.
Nonetheless, despite all the financial backing, they’ve still had to perform on the pitch and have done just that over the last two seasons. Howard knows the importance of that and he himself has been a great servant to the club during that time despite not getting loads of playing opportunities.
Another strong showing will be expected with the club now pitched into League One and their goal will be to make it three promotions in a row next term.
Senior Editor
