Phil Parkinson hailed Wrexham’s remarkable third consecutive promotion and vowed to stick to the club’s values as they prepare for life in the Championship.
The Dragons sealed their place in the second tier for the first time in 43 years with a dominant 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic, sparking wild celebrations at the Racecourse Ground.
But amid the euphoria, Parkinson remained grounded — determined to ensure that Wrexham’s rise remains built on unity, hard work, and the right culture.
"We're going into one of the most competitive leagues in world football, it's going to be a huge challenge," said Parkinson.
"We're going to do what we've done this year, sit back, recruit the right players and try to get the squad as strong as we can and enjoy the ride.
"We're going to go into the Championship, tackle it full on and keep representing the club in the way we've done in the last few years."
With the club’s Hollywood-backed owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney dreaming of reaching the Premier League, Wrexham are set to benefit from a significant financial boost, including £8 million in additional TV revenue.
Yet Parkinson insisted he would resist the temptation of throwing money at big names.
"I think that a lot of tough decisions will be made this summer, in terms of who we bring in and how we add to this fantastic squad of lads we've got, but let's see if we can build a squad to compete at that level," said Parkinson.
"I think it's interesting because the jump in salaries is incredible, mind-blowing. Even coming up to this level [League One], the jump to get players of Championship quality is expensive but obviously with the next level, I don't think people outside football quite realise.
"They think players in League One must be multi-millionaires, but the drop-off from what people read about Premier League players when they come down, is huge.
"That is a challenge, but what we've always tried to do is make sure the culture in the club is right and I think that's key - no superstars, no egos in the dressing room and we've got to try and get that balance right again.
“You always need extra quality when you go up a level to make sure the right people come into the building."
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The Wrexham boss, who previously led Bolton Wanderers into the Championship in 2017, knows the importance of smart recruitment — and made it clear that discussions about summer targets are still ahead.
"We haven't really spoken about anything," Parkinson admitted.
"We've always got our eye on players who are free transfers and are going to be available and will continue to do that but I think in football, recruitment it is about getting a lot of tight decisions right.
"To hold our nerve and get the right players in made the difference. I'm very pleased with that.
“We need to evaluate in terms of the budget, the level of wages that players are going to demand and enhance that quality with the culture and what we have built here."
Despite the magnitude of the achievement, Parkinson made sure to highlight the vital role played by Reynolds and McElhenney, who took over the club in February 2021 and have overseen Wrexham’s rise from the National League.
"I think it's about the collective. The owners have come in and done an amazing job," said Parkinson.
"I'm so pleased for them because they deserve it.
"There's lots of ways you can be supportive as owners. It can be making sure we get a key player when it matters the most.
"But it can also be support when the results don't go quite as well as you want them to, but still allowing us to do our jobs.
"That's what they've always done. They're invested in all of the decisions, but they trust us in our decision making and that's why we've had success over the last three years."
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On the pitch, Wrexham ensured there were no nerves. Ollie Rathbone fired them into an early lead before Sam Smith volleyed home a second just minutes later.
Smith added his second late on to cap a convincing win, sending fans pouring onto the pitch when the final whistle blew.
Parkinson, typically focused, allowed himself a rare pause to savour the celebrations.
"The club's all about the community, I think everyone could see that today," he said.
"Seeing the fans on the pitch at the end means a lot. I was just stood in the technical area savouring it, looking at people enjoying it.
"The area has had an incredible lift with the team's success over the last few years.
"This is for those supporters who followed the team through those 15 years in the National League in really tough times.
"They stood strong behind their club. They deserve tonight."
As the celebrations swept through north Wales, Reynolds spoke passionately about the transformation he has witnessed since arriving at the club — and the growing belief that Wrexham’s impossible dream could yet take them to the very top.
"It just seemed like an impossible dream," said Reynolds.
"We're story-tellers, and when you're story-tellers you look at the macro view of this history. Folks who are all for one, and one for all. This community. I'm speechless with their passion, emotion and transformation.
"There are so many beating hearts of this club, but it all comes back to Phil and that leadership in the locker room.
“We don't make football decisions, thank God! The faith the club has in Phil and the community that speaks volumes.
"We said five years ago our goal was to make it to the Premier League. There were understandably a lot of laughs but it feels like a thing that could make it to fruition right now."
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