Phil Parkinson has been no stranger to making history since taking charge of Wrexham.
Three successive league promotions are the standout headlines from his astonishing reign as manager to date, although the 58-year-old's cup record with the Red Dragons has been remarkable, too.
In beating Ipswich Town 1-0 courtesy of Josh Windass' ninth goal of the campaign in all competitions last Friday night, Wrexham reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
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Their reward came on Monday evening when they learned they had been given a dream last 16 draw - a home tie against eight-time winners Chelsea.
That match will be played on the weekend of 7-8 March.
The prize comes after Wrexham over-achieved significantly by reaching the fourth round in each of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.
Following the triumph over Ipswich - which followed a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Premier League Nottingham Forest in round three - Parkinson was the recipient of gushing praise from former Wales international and current Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage.
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"Probably one of the most underestimated managers. Every time Wrexham get promoted or have a Premier League side, people are underestimating them and the manager," Wrexham-born Savage told TNT Sports.
"He's done an unbelievable job at this football club and he's proving people wrong that he can do it against Premier League sides.
"He's done it for Bradford against Chelsea, and he's doing it in the league.
"Every season they go up, (they say) 'he can't do it at that level', but he's proving everybody wrong.
"I think he’s one of the best right now, because of what he’s achieving."
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With Wrexham still well placed to challenge for a play-off spot in the Championship in addition to being in the last-16 of the world's oldest national football competition, the 2025-26 campaign could yet be another memorable one for the Wrexham faithful under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac.
And having seen Tractor Boys boss Kieran McKenna make 10 changes for the cup contest at the Stok Cae Ras, Parkinson may well have to juggle numerous selection headaches over the coming months himself as he bids to give his side the best shot of achieving their goals in the latter stages of what is their first campaign in the second tier since 1981-82.
By the time the fifth round tie comes around, he will hope to have the likes of midfielder Matty James, left wing-back Liberato Cacace and, potentially, centre-back Lewis Brunt available for selection to bolster his options.
New recruits Zak Vyner and Bailey Cadamarteri will also hope to get minutes after fellow January signing Davis Keillor-Dunn made his debut against Millwall earlier this month.
The league will undoubtedly be the priority for the Red Dragons as they go in search of an unprecedented fourth consecutive promotion in the English Football League.
"Our main focus is the league but these nights are nice to win and get through,"
goalscorer Windass said after the victory against top-two hopefuls Ipswich.
But further cup progress - and particularly the scalp of Chelsea - will be a tantalising prospect for Wrexham's squad, their high-profile owners, and indeed for Parkinson - a man who has time and time again shown he can produce a team capable of challenging on several fronts.
The rewards that come with cup wins are not to be sniffed at either, with a prize sum of £238,500 awarded to teams who progress into the quarter-finals in addition to the broadcast money and gate receipts on offer.
Even the dreamers among Wrexham's fanbase, of which these days there are likely to be more than there have ever been, could not have envisaged their side would be in such a strong position with around two-thirds of the season gone, with such monumental rewards in their sights.
Regardless of what happens from here on in, the club is in an incredibly strong state.
As a result, and given his track record, Parkinson has earned the right to have the full faith of the Wrexham fans when it comes to guiding his team through the remainder of both the league run-in and the FA Cup.
