WREXHAM AFC: Where next on the Reds amazing tour of duty?

Leader Live

a day ago

A return to the second tier seemed an impossible dream during the Reds' decade-and-a-half non-league exile, however Phil Parkinson's side will be tackling the likes of Southampton, Sheffield United and Leicester City on an equal footing during the forthcoming campaign.
Since being appointed into the hotseat by co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in July 2021, Parkinson has led Wrexham to three successive promotions and they are now preparing for a first tilt at the second tier in more than four decades.
The Reds have hit the headlines across the globe - just as McElhenney wished for when he first visualised his Wrexham dream.
Wrexham have since conquered The States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand while there's talk of Asia next on the horizon.
But as far as Humphrey Ker is concerned, the Championship is new territory for the club.
Looking ahead to the step-up to the Championship, Reds' community director Ker told Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman on The Sports Agents podcast: 'That was the Wild West for us! We always thought, League Two, League One, that's within our powers to deliver.
'But, kind of, Championship... that's when you're swimming with the really big fish and Rob and Ryan - well, particularly Rob - had been going on about the Premier League.
'Of course, we say... we talk about the Premier League, but really, you know, League One, let's focus on that and then, suddenly, here we are.
'One promotion away from the Premier League. It's quite daunting in many respects.'
While the promotions have been celebrated by fans and players alike, they've also been well deserved, with plenty of hard work taking place behind the scenes.
Ker added: 'I think we do, collectively, pinch ourselves a lot.
'But then, ultimately, you find yourself going 'well yes, but of course we did work very hard' and we put the time in and we put in place our structure that we thought would get us to where we wanted to go.
'You select the right people, you empower them, you support them and then, actually, it's not that surprising that they deliver in a way.'
Parkinson was one of those top selects that the owners plumped for and the Reds boss has been reflecting on Wrexham's latest tour success.
He reckons Wrexham players have made memories that will last a lifetime from their pre-season tour Down Under.
Matches in Australia against Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC and one game in New Zealand against Wellington Phoenix have helped increased Wrexham's worldwide appeal.
'The tour's been amazing, it really has,' Parkinson told the club's YouTube channel.
'The experience we've had, I don't think anyone who's on the tour will ever forget.
'Obviously, Melbourne was a great experience for us. The first few days, obviously, everyone's recovering from the jet-lag! But training was good there, despite that. The game was decent.
'We had a bit of free time and then, obviously, Sydney, you know, really blew everybody away being in the city and, again, the welcome we had there, like Melbourne, was extraordinary.
'Over to New Zealand and we've come to this facility, which is used by the All Blacks, and what an honour that is to be using the same pitches and the gym as such a prestigious team as the All Blacks.
'The pitches are real quality. The gym facilities and everything, and these surroundings, has been outstanding for us. The sun's been shining as well, which we didn't expect here at Wellington. So, yeah, that part of it has been great.'
The Wrexham Down Under Tour followed on from two highly successful pre-season tours to the USA, the first in 2023 which included a clash against Manchester United, followed by the Wrex Coast Tour in 2024 with the headline fixture against another Premier League side in Chelsea.
The club has become a global sensation under Hollywood owners Reynolds and McElhenney and Parkinson feels Wrexham are much-sought after opponents for high-profile friendlies.
'Wrexham is an attractive proposition, hence the reason we have been able to agree to the friendlies,' added the Reds' boss.
'I couldn't have imagined that a few years ago but it is where the profile of the club is now, and obviously we are Championship standard as well.'