
'Phenomenal return' - Parkinson praises Cleworth goals
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has paid tribute to Max Cleworth's finishing ability after the defender scored his seventh goal of the season at Mansfield on Sunday. Cleworth drilled home from 20 yards to secure a 2-1 win at the One Call Stadium. The 22-year-old is now Wrexham's joint leading league scorer with forward Elliott Lee."It's a phenomenal return, he's a great finisher," said Parkinson."Max, Eoghan [O'Connell] and Tom [O'Connor] were great today, not just the defending but the way they stepped in with the ball and started our attacks. "They were progressive with their play and it made a huge difference for us."In January Parkinson hailed Cleworth's "class" after his defensive performance against the "best striker in the division" in Birmingham's Jay Stansfield.And the Welsh defender is equally comfortable whether stopping or scoring goals."I'm just happy to help the team, whether that's goals, clean sheets or making tackles," said Cleworth."It's nice to be in a good goal scoring form, I caught it quite sweet but I should have scored a goal before that." Wrexham host Peterborough in the EFL Trophy semi-finals on Wednesday.

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BBC News
27 minutes ago
- BBC News
Peterborough re-sign Hughes in three-year deal
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Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Four deals Ryan Reynolds should make as Wrexham eye Liverpool starlet and another icon exits
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Sheffield United, who narrowly missed out on promotion last season to Sunderland, and Frank Lampard's Coventry City are also anticipated to be strong contenders. The Red Dragons have already announced their first summer acquisition, securing striker Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle. Parkinson has also demonstrated his ruthless streak, allowing club icon Paul Mullin to join Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan and releasing seasoned forward Steven Fletcher. As his team prepares to return for pre-season assessments this week, the former Bolton and Sunderland boss will face more difficult decisions. A recent insight into the type of player Wrexham will be looking to attract in the coming weeks was provided by an advisor to Reynolds and McElhenney. Speaking to the i Paper, Les Reed from the club's transfer committee outlined the strategy for new signings. "In the Championship, they [new signings] will need to be athletic," he said. "Our ambition will be to drive the average age down, but at the same time remain competitive. "We can't just go 'that's it, we're only going for younger players'. A couple of clubs recently – and I won't mention their names – have done that, and it hasn't worked. It will be a mix." Article continues below The question now is how Wrexham might set themselves up for the next season, aiming for the sweet spot with their recruitment. Here, WalesOnline delves into what we might expect from the club's transfer activity, looking at potential arrivals and departures. Dawson and Beck bolster defence Wolves defender Craig Dawson could join Wrexham this summer (Image: Jack Thomas/WWFC via Getty ) Wrexham turned in some strong defensive performances as they climbed out of League One last term, letting in only 34 goals. could be seeing some key additions and changes. But they will still need to bolster their defence, with some of their backline having followed them all the way from the National League. Among those speculated to join is Wolverhampton Wanderers' seasoned defender Craig Dawson, who is reaching the end of his contract this June. With experience at clubs like West Brom, Watford, and West Ham, the 35-year-old's availability has reportedly caught the eye of Wrexham officials. Reed emphasised the significance of blending experience with youthful talent in his interview, and the potential loan acquisition of Liverpool's promising young player Owen Beck would contribute to this balance. The Red Dragons are eager to secure the services of the 22-year-old left-back, who impressed during his loan spell at Blackburn Rovers last season, and it would be a strategic move to improve their future prospects. Sheffield Wednesday captain joins to strengthen midfield Strategically, weakening your rivals can enhance your competitive edge. And Sheffield Wednesday find themselves in a precarious position with several players unpaid for May, leading to a transfer embargo on the club. Sheffield Wednesday star Barry Bannan has yet to sign a new contract and is another target for Wrexham (Image: Getty Images ) The precarious situation has raised concerns about key players departing, and Wrexham could capitalise by luring Owls skipper Barry Bannan to North Wales. With a wealth of Championship experience, Bannan has made 447 appearances for Wednesday since his arrival in 2015. The 35-year-old midfielder's contract at Hillsborough is set to expire at the end of June. Despite his age, Wrexham are reportedly prepared to offer him a "top salary", a move that could prove astute as they aim to cement their status at a higher level. Parkinson to let go of another club icon Wrexham supporters are bracing themselves for a summer of emotional farewells, with key players such as Fletcher and Mullin moving on. The latter's loan move to Wigan has been particularly tough for fans to swallow, given his 110-goal contribution and pivotal role in the club's recent successes. Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. Yet, more departures could be on the horizon, with Ollie Palmer, Mullin's partner in attack, tipped to be next in line to leave. Palmer, hailed as a "legend" by manager Parkinson in a BBC interview, has been a stalwart for the club, netting 44 goals over four seasons. Despite playing a vital part in the 2022-23 National League triumph, Palmer's age and reduced goal tally of three last season suggest that his exit may be both imminent and necessary for the team's evolution. Resist splashing out on big names As the transfer window unfolds, Wrexham have been associated with high-profile figures like Leicester icon Jamie Vardy, former Liverpool forward Danny Ings, and even Christian Eriksen. These rumours underscore the club's growing stature. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here Article continues below With the 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary potentially influencing decisions, the club might feel the pull towards signing a blockbuster name. However, there are compelling arguments for Wrexham to resist such temptations and steer clear of marquee signings. To begin with, the team's recent triumphs have largely been thanks to Parkinson placing a premium on securing individuals with strong moral fibre rather than chasing mega stars. Similarly, luring talents such as Vardy, who is understood to pull in £140,000 weekly at Leicester, poses quite the financial challenge for Wrexham. In a telling interview, transfer adviser Reed laid bare the financial realities facing the club, saying: "We are a million miles away from [paying] that because we don't get Premier League revenues or broadcasting money. We will have a decent budget. Everyone externally thinks we've got an unlimited budget because of our owners, but that's not true."


Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
The totally different Lions team Andy Farrell is now likely to pick
The totally different Lions team Andy Farrell is now likely to pick The British and Irish Lions landed in Australia earlier this week as their tour Down Under begins properly Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly in training (Image: Getty Images ) With the tour warm-up out of the way and the British and Irish Lions now Down Under, the 2025 tour of Australia is well and truly underway. The 28-24 defeat to Argentina would have offered a lot to head coach Andy Farrell, with his side showing promising signs in attack but ultimately proving wasteful with their execution. Still, having carried the ball more than any Lions team since the 2013 warm-ups, it was a clear indication of how Farrell's Lions are going to play. After three tours with Warren Gatland in charge, this is a very different Lions team when it comes to gameplan. Possession-based rugby, with multiple carrying options off four-man pods and flankers holding their width on the edges, is straight out of Farrell's Ireland playbook. Unsurprisingly, given the Ireland-heavy squad, the tour is likely going to be defined by which players from the other home nations fit best into that system. That is where the first match on Australian soil will be interesting, as Farrell now has a number of his Leinster contingent available. Article continues below Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and full-back Garry Ringrose were injury doubts as the tourists landed in Perth earlier this week, ahead of their Saturday clash with the Western Force. But, while a decision will have to be made on those two later in the week, it seems likely Farrell's Leinster Lions, as well as others involved in domestic finals with Bath and Leicester Tigers, will feature this weekend. The Lions have a number of forwards who didn't feature in Dublin last Friday after joining up late due to club commitments, so it's just a question of whether Farrell chucks them straight in or hands them a bench slot. An all-new front-five of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Joe McCarthy and Ollie Chessum seems feasible, while Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan should feature in the back-row - with the Lions perhaps needing just a little more directness in the defeat to Argentina. Bath fly-half Finn Russell, widely tipped as the favourite to start the Tests against the Wallabies, seems perfect for Farrell's system. The pod system will allow him to sweep behind the bank of options and dictate play with his wide range of passing. It seems likely he'll start this weekend, with Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams - having been on the bench against Argentina - likeliest to partner him if Gibson-Park isn't fit. Farrell might even decide it's sensible to start Williams regardless of any late fitness test for the Ireland half-back. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. In midfield, Farrell went for two 12s in Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu against Argentina. Rather than double up on outside centres this time around, he might be tempted to move Tuipulotu back to inside centre and partner him with Scotland team-mate Huw Jones. In the back-three, it could feasibly be an all-Ireland affair. James Lowe and Mack Hansen could start on the wings. If Keenan is fit, he's the only out-and-out full-back currently with the Lions - with Scotland's Blair Kinghorn still with Toulouse. If not, Elliot Daly seems a sensible option to start there, unless Farrell wants another look at Marcus Smith in the role. If Farrell also wants to look at Smith as a fly-half option, then a bench place alongside Ringrose could be an option. Then it's probably a case of looking at a number of the forwards used on Friday night. Tadhg Furlong needs minutes, having barely featured off the bench before being forced off against Argentina. Wales captain Jac Morgan, having been taken off after 49 minutes, makes sense to provide back-row cover this weekend. Possible Lions team to face Western Force: Elliot Daly/Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Tomos Williams; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Henry Pollock, Josh van der flier, Jack Conan. Article continues below Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Jamison Gibson-Park/Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose.