Wrexham - the Year in Review and Hopes for 2026

Wrexham's Kieffer Moore. Pic. Alamy

Wrexham's Kieffer Moore. Pic. Alamy

A third successive promotion ensured 2025 was yet another fruitful year for Wrexham.

The Red Dragons now find themselves in the second tier for the first time since the 1981-82 campaign and, to their credit, have shown themselves to be competitive in the division.

But what do the scriptwriters have in store for the New Year? DragonSports’ Ian Mitchelmore takes a closer look.

READ MORE: Wrexham Braced for Bad News on Lewis O’Brien

 

New Year's resolution 

To keep progressing.

How exactly that looks remains to be seen, although Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have consistently laid the foundations for future growth since taking charge in February 2021.

Play-off aspirations have briefly been a topic of discussion, particularly after the enthralling 3-2 victory over league leaders Coventry City - the standout performance and result during what was an impressive nine-game unbeaten League run.

But certain matches have highlighted that Wrexham - understandably, given that they were a National League club as recently as 2023 - are still transitioning and adapting following a hefty squad overhaul in the summer.

The rapid rise under Phil Parkinson has brought with it increased expectation, although the reality is, this is a club that has already made vast strides in such a short space of time.

Patience will be key as the Red Dragons bid to maintain their upward trajectory when it comes to their long-term ambition of reaching the Premier League.

 

January sales priority

While the transfer window itself will be quieter than the summer, the re-shaping of the squad could yet be significant.

The likes of Danny Ward, Jay Rodriguez and Andy Cannon are all close to returning to action, while others such as Elliot Lee, now omitted from the 25-man squad, and Lewis Brunt are continuing their respective recoveries.

But there is no doubting Wrexham are significantly weaker without wing-back duo Liberato Cacace and Issa Kabore.

Cacace has been plagued by injuries since joining the club from Empoli while Kabore was desperately unfortunate to have his progress halted.
Their situations may determine if Wrexham look to strengthen out wide in January, and similar could apply to the centre-back positions with Brunt sidelined and Conor Coady firmly on the fringes.

So, fans can expect a window of tweaking and adjusting rather than wholesale changes.

READ MORE: Wrexham Point the Way with Ownership, but Swansea City Already Have a Strong DNA

 

Re-gifting?

The aforementioned Coady has been heavily outshone by deadline day arrival Dom Hyam, while Max Cleworth has played more Championship minutes than any other Wrexham player this season.

It has helped to ensure ex-England international Coady's Wrexham career so far has been immensely underwhelming.

Whether or not Coady has a desire to play regularly elsewhere and is willing to take a wage cut to do so, remains to be seen.

Ryan Hardie - his sublime goal at Preston North End in the League Cup aside - is another who has been unable to show his worth.

The striker is proven at Championship level but finds himself behind Kieffer Moore, and to a lesser extent, Sam Smith, in the pecking order. 

Rodriguez is also back in the squad to add to the striker selection debate, so up front is another area where there may be some alterations.



 

New Year fireworks 

Nathan Broadhead became the club's record signing in August and returned to the Stok Cae Ras with huge expectations on his shoulders.

And while he has four goals and an assist to his name so far this season, it feels as though the Wales international is yet to ignite in the red of Wrexham.

The 27-year-old has started just seven Championship matches since joining from Ipswich Town and will be looking to deliver the kind of consistency shown in spells in Suffolk that led Wrexham's Hollywood owners to sanctioning such a hefty outlay for the versatile forward in the first place.

Broadhead has the talent to dramatically influence proceedings and be a match-winner. In time, he really could become a key cog in the Wrexham attack.

READ MORE: Phil Parkinson Claims Wrexham Owners Provide Play-Off Boost

 

One to watch in 2026

Academy product Harry Ashfield has been dipped in and out of the limelight this season as he looks to find his feet in senior football.

However, it appears unlikely that the 19-year-old will be a prominent figure any time soon.

To that end, Callum Doyle could be the man to watch next year.

Given that Doyle had four loan spells prior to leaving Manchester City permanently in the summer, it is easy to forget that the central defender is just 22 years of age.

He has shown plenty of glimpses of his talents, and like others, Doyle will be seeking consistency as the campaign progresses having worked his way back into the fold of late.

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