Wrexham has confirmed their ninth departure even before the transfer window opens, signaling early preparations as Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds gear up for League One.
Phil Parkinson’s team is set to compete in the third tier for the first time in almost twenty years, and he acknowledges the need for a significant squad overhaul. Despite having several long-serving players during their promotion-winning season, such as Luke Young, Ben Tozer, and Aaron Hayden, Wrexham has announced the departure of eight players from their released/retained list following the conclusion of their League Two campaign, with the announcement of a ninth exit.
Wrexham’s released/retained list mentioned that a decision regarding Scott Butler’s future would be made after his loan spell at Marine. Despite the 21-year-old’s contribution to Marine’s promotion to the National League North, he did not fit into Parkinson’s plans. Butler, a former Swansea City youth player who rejoined Wrexham during the 2022/23 season, made his senior debut in the FA Trophy in January 2023 and represented Wrexham Red Dragons at TST last summer.
With the competition Parkinson boasted defensively, the chances of the young defender ever making a breakthrough – similar to Max Cleworth – were slim.
And although his departure won’t leave a giant hole in Wrexham’s squad, it’s still reinforced the need to strengthen their rearguard.
At present, Parkinson has Tom O’Connor, Cleworth, Eoghan O’Connell, and Will Boyle as center-back options, with George Evans capable of filling in if necessary. While Cleworth, O’Connell, and O’Connor are capable performers in League One, there’s a noticeable lack of depth that Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are keen to address.
It’s clear that Wrexham crave the added experience at this level defensively, as the old saying goes; attack wins you matches, but a strong defence wins you titles.
Reynolds and McElhenney would love to exercise that saying next season and if they can improve their squad with the right personnel, a promotion charge wouldn’t be out of the question.
