Even if Rob Edwards’ Luton Town start the season as relegation favourites, their rise from non-league to Premier League in nine years serves as an example to other small clubs with big ambitions. Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has certainly taken note, the Hollywood A-lister quick to congratulate The Hatters and their former Wales defender-turned-manager on social media for their May 27 promotion and adding a watching eyes emoji.

Phil Parkinson insists he will make changes but still respect the tournament when Wrexham return to the League Cup on Tuesday night after an absence of 15 years. The Wrexham manager leads his team back into the competition for Football League clubs on the back of a chastening opening day 5-3 defeat at home to MK Dons in their first League Two match of the campaign last weekend.

The four Welsh clubs in Football League action last weekend are going to have to get used to a heavier match-day schedule this season. Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County and Wrexham all found their games went well over the 90-minute mark as new guidelines on added time and player behaviour were enforced by officials.

Cian Ashford score four times for Cardiff City U21s as Haverfordwest County were brought down to earth with a bump after their European adventure. The Bluebirds youngsters won 4-0 at County’s Bridge Meadow ground, where the home club played a young inexperienced line-up after manager Tony Pennock had criticised the FAW for scheduling the third round round tie of the Nathaniel MG Cup only three days after their European Conference League match against B36 Torshavn.

Erol Bulut admitted he was left feeling frustrated but not unjustly denied after Cardiff City surrendered a two-goal lead at Leeds United. The Bluebirds manager saw his team open up a shock 2-0 advantage at Elland Road, but the club relegated from the Premier League last season struck back and eventually equalised late into stoppage time to draw 2-2.

Carl Rushworth has the building blocks to become a wall of defiance in the Premier League , according to Swansea City head coach Michael Duff. Rushworth was thrown in for his debut for the Swans and recovered from a shaky start to ensure his team earned a 1-1 draw from their opening Championship match of the season at home to Birmingham City. Duff moved for Rushworth earlier in the week in a loan move to help solve something of a problem position for the club over the past couple of seasons.

Like the fresh paint on the touchline dug-outs, you can almost smell the optimism at football clubs at this time of year. Last season’s problems have been forgotten – almost – new faces have arrived, and most players have that two-weeks-in-Ibiza healthy summer glow.

Swansea City head coach Michael Duff has revealed he gained a glowing report from England defender Kieran Trippier before moving for Newcastle United’s Harrison Ashby. Ashby will finalise a loan move on Friday and the Magpies’ wing-back is in line to make his debut for the Swans in their opening Championship match of the season at home to Birmingham City on Saturday.

Tony Pennock insists Haverfordwest County have given themselves an excellent chance of progress in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night. Despite the manager feeling all kinds of dirty tricks were played on his Cymru Premier outfit in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie in the Faroe Islands, Pennock believes a 2-1 deficit against B36 Torshavn can be turned around at the Cardiff City Stadium (7.45pm).

Seasoned Newport County fans are no strangers to tumult: much of the club’s 111-year history has been defined by it. By contrast, the last few years have been a relative sea of tranquillity, with County looking a comfortable resident in the Football League – something which the late David Hando and other dedicated supporters could only have dreamt of following the demise of the old Ironsides, and the reborn club’s painful years in exile and the non-league doldrums.

New Swansea City signing Carl Rushworth insists he was ready for the step up to the Championship after he joined the club, alongside striker Mykola Kukharevych. Brighton goalkeeper Rushworth has moved on a season-long loan, following his loan spell at League One side Lincoln City last season, where he played 46 games.

Injured Wrexham striker Paul Mullin is to convalesce at the home of the club’s co-owner Rob McElhenney for a “couple of weeks” before being able to leave the United States. Mullin suffered a punctured lung on July 26 after colliding with Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop on the Welsh club’s US tour.

The summer-long saga around the future of Joel Piroe has taken another twist with some reports now suggesting the Dutchman will commit to one final season with Swansea City, where he will run down the final year of his contract. Swansea are believed to be seeking a £15 million fee for Piroe whose future has been subject to intense speculation since the end of last season. It is now thought Piroe, who scored 19 goals in 43 league appearances last season, could remain in SA1 beyond the summer transfer window. 

Aaron Ramsey insists he is on board the Bulut train and can ride it towards Championship success with Cardiff City this season. The Wales captain has been written off by some after four years of late departures, leaves on the line and occasional derailments since he left Arsenal in 2019.

Tony Pennock insists Haverfordwest County have given themselves an excellent chance of progress in the Europa Conference League after a battling display in the Faroe Islands. Martell Taylor-Crossdale’s last-gasp goal breathed new life into County’s hopes for the Europa Conference League, even though they suffered a 2-1 first leg second qualifying round defeat against B36 Torshavn.

The domestic Welsh football season is back after Cwmbran Celtic won 3-2 at Goytre United on Thursday night as the Cymru South campaign began. With no sides dropping down from the top-flight, this is one title that is firmly up for grabs.

Wrexham executive director Humphrey Ker says America’s reaction to the team this summer has exceeded their wildest expectations. The Welsh club have become one of the most talked-about teams in the world since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took charge 30 months ago.

Wrexham secured a memorable 3-1 victory against Manchester United’s youngsters but are sweating on the fitness of star striker Paul Mullin. Ryan Reynolds was unable to make the San Diego friendly but fellow owner Rob McElhenney was in attendance as the League Two new boys triumphed at sold-out Snapdragon Stadium.

After Hollywood came to Wrexham and shone the brightest of global spotlights on them, the club returned the favour with a visit to Los Angeles at the weekend. Fans sporting red Wrexham shirts outnumbered those backing MLS reserve team LA Galaxy II at the friendly in Carson, which was won 4-0 by Wrexham in the second of the club’s four-match ‘USA Invasion’ tour.

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney won’t just be seeing a return to the Football League this season, but also a return of international football to their refurbished Racecourse Ground. Rob Page’s Welsh side will return to what is now known as the STōK Cae Ras for the first time in more than four years when they face Gibraltar in a friendly on 11 October.