Introduction to Wrexham Legendary Players
The Legacy of Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C., founded in 1864, is not only the oldest football club in Wales but one of the oldest in the world.
Throughout its long history, the club has played a crucial role in the development of football across Wales and beyond. While the club spent decades in the lower reaches of the English Football League system, it has enjoyed memorable cup runs, historic European nights, and more recently, global attention thanks to its Hollywood-backed resurgence. From legendary Welsh internationals to heroic promotion-winning captains, Wrexham’s rich tapestry of talent is deeply woven into British football’s fabric.
Criteria for Ranking the Best Players
In compiling this list, several key factors were considered to ensure a fair and balanced evaluation. Longevity at the club and total appearances formed the core criteria, alongside impact in major competitions such as the FA Cup, League Cup, and European fixtures.
International honours while at the club, goal-scoring records, leadership roles, and fan legacy were also integral. Both modern and historic players were assessed, ensuring this ranking reflects the full spectrum of Wrexham’s footballing heritage across eras and divisions.
Top 10 Greatest Players in Wrexham History
10. Aly McGowan (1953–1963)
Aly McGowan was a stalwart of Wrexham’s defence during a decade-long spell that saw him make over 300 Football League appearances for the club. The Scottish full-back signed from Southampton in 1953 and quickly established himself as a dependable and composed presence in the back line. McGowan was ever-present during the 1957–58 campaign, a key contributor to Wrexham’s promotion from the old Third Division North.
Known for his positional awareness and consistency rather than flashy play, McGowan became a firm favourite at the Racecourse Ground during an era that demanded physical resilience and discipline. His ability to neutralise wingers and play with understated efficiency typified Wrexham’s gritty defensive style in the post-war years. After leaving Wrexham in 1963, McGowan later played for Rhyl, but it was his long and loyal service in North Wales that earned him lasting admiration from fans who valued reliability in their club legends.
9. Carlos Edwards (2000–2005)
Carlos Edwards brought flair, pace, and an attacking instinct to Wrexham’s right flank during his five-year spell at the club from 2000 to 2005. Signed from Trinidadian club Defence Force, Edwards made over 160 league appearances for Wrexham and quickly became a standout performer in the lower divisions. His marauding runs and technical ability made him a threat in both open play and set-piece situations, often operating as a right midfielder or wing-back in various systems.
Edwards was instrumental in Wrexham’s 2002–03 promotion campaign, contributing both goals and assists as Denis Smith’s side secured a top-three finish in Division Three. During his time at the Racecourse Ground, he earned regular call-ups for Trinidad and Tobago, later representing them at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
8. Paul Mullin (2021–Present)
Paul Mullin has become a modern Wrexham icon since arriving in 2021, playing a central role in the club’s remarkable resurgence under new ownership. Signed from Cambridge United after winning the League Two Golden Boot, Mullin made an immediate impact in the National League, combining work rate with a clinical eye for goal. His 32 league goals in the 2021–22 season nearly fired Wrexham to promotion, but it was the following year that etched his name in Racecourse Ground folklore.
Mullin scored 38 league goals in 2022–23 as Wrexham clinched the National League title with 111 points, ending a 15-year absence from the EFL. Known for his energy, sharp movement, and clutch finishing, Mullin has delivered on the biggest stages, including a vital FA Cup brace against Coventry and key performances in the title run-in.
7. Darren Ferguson (1999–2007)
Darren Ferguson spent the longest spell of his playing career at Wrexham, where his technical quality and leadership shaped the midfield for nearly a decade. Joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1999, Ferguson made over 300 appearances for the club, many as captain. A composed central midfielder with an eye for a pass and a dangerous left foot, he played an influential role in the 2002–03 promotion campaign and was a standout during the club’s 2005 Football League Trophy win, where Wrexham beat Southend United 2–0 at the Millennium Stadium.
Despite challenges off the field—including financial issues and points deductions—Ferguson remained a consistent and composed figure. He was known not just for his skill, but also his professionalism and football intelligence, traits perhaps inherited from his father Sir Alex Ferguson.
6. Mickey Thomas (1972–1978, 1991–1993)
Mickey Thomas is one of Wrexham’s most charismatic and gifted players, remembered for his flair on the pitch and magnetic personality off it. A product of the club’s youth system, Thomas made his debut in 1972 and quickly became a fan favourite for his pace, dribbling, and fearless attacking style. He was a key part of the side that won promotion to the Second Division in 1977–78 under Arfon Griffiths, scoring seven goals in that campaign.
After spells with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Everton, Thomas returned to Wrexham in the early 1990s for a second stint, where he achieved cult status. In 1992, aged 37, he famously scored a stunning free-kick in Wrexham’s legendary FA Cup giant-killing of Arsenal. His impact spanned two decades, combining success, showmanship, and an enduring connection with the fanbase. Few players embodied the club’s spirit with such energy and flair as Mickey Thomas.
5. Phil Hardy (1990–2001)
Phil Hardy was a model of consistency and longevity during his 11-year career at Wrexham, amassing over 400 Football League appearances as a left-back. Signed as a teenager, Hardy debuted in 1990 and soon cemented his place in the side with his steady defensive work and reliability in possession. He played a crucial role in Wrexham’s 1992–93 promotion-winning team and featured prominently during the club’s memorable FA Cup runs in the mid-1990s, including the 2–1 win over West Ham in 1997.
Hardy was not flashy, but his professionalism, stamina, and positional discipline earned the respect of fans and teammates alike. Despite being linked with moves elsewhere during his career, he remained loyal to Wrexham, eventually leaving in 2001. His quiet dependability, remarkable appearance tally, and key role in one of Wrexham’s most stable periods make him one of the club’s all-time great defenders.
4. Arfon Griffiths (1959–1979)
Arfon Griffiths is often referred to as “Mr Wrexham” – a title earned through two decades of service as both a player and later as manager. The Welsh international midfielder made over 550 league appearances for Wrexham, scoring 120 goals across a remarkable playing career that began in 1959 and spanned 20 years. Known for his vision, creativity, and leadership, Griffiths was instrumental in guiding Wrexham to multiple promotions, including the club’s ascent to the Second Division in 1978.
He also played in European competition, representing the club in the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Griffiths earned 17 caps for Wales while playing for Wrexham, a rare feat at the time. After hanging up his boots, he managed the club from 1977 to 1981, overseeing the promotion-winning campaign in 1977–78. His immense contribution on and off the pitch has made Griffiths arguably the most influential figure in Wrexham’s long history.
3. Bert Goode (1910–1926)
Bert Goode was one of Wrexham’s earliest attacking stars, a prolific forward whose contributions helped shape the club’s reputation in the early 20th century. Joining from Chester in 1910, Goode played for Wrexham across two stints, separated by the First World War, and was known for his consistent goalscoring in both the Combination and later the Football League following Wrexham’s admission in 1921. He was the club’s top scorer in multiple seasons and played a pivotal role in their transition to professional football.
Goode’s record in the FA Cup was especially impressive, netting in several important cup ties, including giant-killing efforts that bolstered the club’s national profile. Though statistics from the era are less detailed, his impact is well-documented and revered among Wrexham historians. Goode’s longevity, striking prowess, and influence during a foundational period for the club place him firmly among its all-time greats.
2. Gareth Davies (1967–1983)
Gareth Davies is one of Wrexham’s most iconic central defenders, known for his composure, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to the club over a 16-year career. He made 490 Football League appearances for Wrexham after debuting in 1967, captaining the side during their most successful period in the 1970s. Under his leadership, Wrexham won the Welsh Cup multiple times, enjoyed several FA Cup and League Cup runs, and reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1975–76.
His performances in Europe were particularly lauded, helping raise the club’s international profile. Davies was capped three times for Wales and was named in the PFA Fourth Division Team of the Year in 1977–78—the season Wrexham secured promotion to the Second Division. A model professional and a true leader, Davies’s influence extended beyond the pitch, and he remains one of the most respected and beloved figures in Wrexham’s history.
1. Tommy Bamford (1928–1934)
Tommy Bamford is Wrexham’s all-time leading goalscorer and widely considered the greatest player in the club’s history. Signed in 1928, Bamford scored an astonishing 175 league goals in just 204 appearances, with 209 in all competitions. His goalscoring exploits were prolific and consistent, including a then-club record 44 goals in the 1933–34 season alone. Bamford’s instinctive finishing, pace, and sharp positional sense made him a nightmare for defenders across the Football League’s lower divisions. His goals played a major role in establishing Wrexham’s competitiveness during the interwar years, and he remains a benchmark against which all Wrexham strikers are measured.
In 1934, he earned his sole cap for Wales while still at the club—a rare honour for a Third Division player at the time. Bamford’s enduring legacy is felt not just through records, but through the reverence in which he is held by generations of Wrexham supporters.
Comparison of Wrexham Legends
Playing Styles and Contributions
Wrexham’s greatest players span over a century, and their styles and required attributes reflect the evolution of football across different eras. In the early 20th century, players like Bert Goode thrived in physical, less structured systems that emphasised direct play and individual grit. By contrast, someone like Carlos Edwards in the early 2000s relied heavily on pace, technique, and tactical flexibility, reflecting the modern emphasis on athleticism and systems-based football.
The contrast between Gareth Davies and Darren Ferguson also highlights a generational shift—Davies’ no-nonsense defending in the 1970s helped Wrexham in European competition, while Ferguson, a composed midfield technician, led the team through tactical transitions in the Football League’s lower tiers during the 2000s. Some legends, like Mickey Thomas, bridged eras, having featured in both the old Second Division and later the fourth tier, adapting their styles to remain influential in vastly different footballing landscapes.
Impact on Club Success
Each of the ten players made significant contributions to Wrexham’s fortunes, though the nature of that impact varied. Arfon Griffiths and Gareth Davies were central figures in the club’s golden 1970s era, guiding Wrexham to European football and domestic honours. Griffiths, uniquely, also managed the team to Second Division promotion. In contrast, Tommy Bamford’s prolific goal tally in the interwar period helped stabilise Wrexham in the Football League, setting scoring records that still stand today.
More recently, Paul Mullin’s exploits in the National League have propelled the club into a new era, helping secure promotion in 2022–23 under immense pressure and expectation. From promotion campaigns to historic cup victories, these legends were pivotal to Wrexham’s most memorable achievements, whether in front of thousands at the Racecourse Ground or during crucial away days across the divisions.
Records and Achievements
Individual Honours and Awards
Tommy Bamford’s record as Wrexham’s all-time leading scorer, with 175 league goals, remains unmatched nearly a century later. Paul Mullin has begun to chase his legacy, setting single-season scoring records in the National League. Gareth Davies was honoured with Welsh international caps while still at the club—a rare achievement for a lower-division defender.
Similarly, Carlos Edwards’ rise from Wrexham to the World Cup with Trinidad and Tobago is a unique testament to the club’s scouting success. Mickey Thomas’ long career included top-flight experience and iconic FA Cup moments, while Darren Ferguson’s leadership earned praise for his role in a Football League Trophy win. Though honours vary by era and competition, all ten players demonstrated exceptional ability in their respective contexts.
Club Milestones and Championships
Many of Wrexham’s top legends were directly involved in landmark moments for the club. Arfon Griffiths captained and later managed the side during the 1977–78 Second Division promotion, arguably the pinnacle of Wrexham’s domestic league success. Gareth Davies was central to their European adventures and multiple Welsh Cup triumphs. Phil Hardy’s consistency helped the club achieve promotion in 1992–93 and reach the later rounds of the FA Cup in the mid-1990s.
Carlos Edwards and Darren Ferguson played key roles in Wrexham’s 2003 promotion and 2005 Football League Trophy win. More recently, Paul Mullin spearheaded Wrexham’s 2022–23 National League title charge, securing a long-awaited return to the EFL with 111 points. These players were not only great individually—they were foundational to the club’s greatest team achievements.
