Following a trio of successive promotions, the evolution of Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham has reached new heights already this summer.
Preparing for life in the second tier for the first time since the 1981-82 campaign, the matchday squad is set to appear dramatically different for what will be Parkinson’s fifth season at the Stok Cae Ras.
Under the ownership of Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the north Wales outfit have consistently boasted an impressive knack of recruiting from above their level - a pivotal factor in their surge from the fifth tier National League to the Championship.
They have also shown a cut throat nature when required - with the likes of Jordan Davies, Ben Tozer, Steven Fletcher and, more recently, club legend Paul Mullin being deemed surplus to requirements at various points of the journey.
However, that particular process has been accelerated since that memorable 3-0 triumph over Charlton in April - a result that guaranteed Wrexham automatic promotion from League One.
International players including Danny Ward, Kieffer Moore and Conor Coady - who all have Premier League experience - have made the switch to north Wales, as has 33-cap New Zealand left-back Liberato Cacace.
Then you have highly sought after central midfielder Lewis O’Brien - an arrival from Nottingham Forest - who will undoubtedly be a huge figure in the latest chapter of Wrexham’s headline-catching journey.
Chuck in striker Ryan Hardie - scorer of 10 Championship goals in a Plymouth side that were relegated last season -, versatile forward Josh Windass - who scored 13 times in all competitions for financially-troubled Sheffield Wednesday last term - and midfielder George Thomason, there is suddenly a vast step up in quality and high-level nous in Parkinson’s ranks.
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Unfortunately, it does of course mean more key figures who have played such pivotal roles over the course of what has been a glorious three-year period and became household names via the Welcome to Wrexham documentary will find game time tougher to come by at Wrexham, or even be thanked for their services before heading through the exit door.
Ruthlessness has been one of the keys to Wrexham’s success, and put simply, it’s only going to put an even greater spotlight on the already well lit up club as they go head-to-head with more and more established sides this season.
Fortunately as far as the Wrexham faithful - who have witnessed their fair share of trepidation over the years - are concerned, it is being done in sustainable fashion - much to the envy of clubs throughout the EFL pyramid, and even among some of those in the top-flight.
And even following such exciting talent acquisition, Wrexham were given a timely reminder of the levels they will need to consistently hit this season as they were beaten 3-1 by Eredivisie side Groningen in their final pre-season fixture.
Speaking after the loss to the top tier Dutch side, Parkinson said: “That’s the niceties of pre-season suddenly now out of the window as we go into the league season and we’ve got to have that edge about us to defend the goal better than we did today.”
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He added: “There’s more to come from all of the players. We’ve had a decent pre-season and now we look forward to the start of the season.”
As a manager who has six promotions to his name and has been an underdog in the Championship during his time with Bolton, Parkinson will be under no illusions as to the reality of the jump his side need to make in 2025-26.
Given the financial clout Wrexham carry these days, you also cannot rule out further big-name additions prior to the transfer deadline - with Wales wingers Nathan Broadhead and Lewis Koumas among those on the club’s radar.
So while this season could feel very different for the first time in the Parkinson era, it could be the very reason supporters can rest assured the club continues on the right path to their ultimate aim of reaching the Premier League at some stage in the not-too-distant future.
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