Wrexham boss accuses former Premier League manager of a lack of respect after calling the club a CIRCUS

Daily Mail​

25-04-2025

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson has attacked Charlton boss Nathan Jones for showing a lack of respect for the Welsh side.
Jones, who previously managed Southampton and Luton, described the Reds as a 'circus' ahead of their crucial top of the table clash in League One on Saturday.
Wrexham, owned by A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are looking to clinch a third consecutive promotion and a return to the second tier for the first time since 1982.
Parkinson's men sit in second, four points above fourth placed Charlton, and two points above Wycombe Wanderers in third, with just two games left of the campaign.
Speaking about the Wrexham game, after the Addicks beat promotion rivals Wycombe 4-0 on Monday, Jones said: 'All we do is take a game as it comes.
'We are not looking at the play-offs, we are not looking at Burton at home on the final game.
'We'll finish, we'll debrief, we'll breathe a little bit and then we'll move forward with Wrexham.
'It's a bumper game, we have to go to the circus and see what we can get.'
Parkinson responded by accusing the former Stoke manager of being disrespectful towards his side.
'It is a lack of respect to our owners, the team, the staff, the supporters and the heritage of Wrexham Football Club.
'But we will just concentrate on what we've got to do.'
Jones has since tried to defuse the row and claimed his comments were 'misunderstood'.
'I didn't mean the club or players or anything there because they are a very well run, excellent club,' he added.
'The owners there have done a fantastic job, not only galvanising a club and taking the club forward, they've actually taken a community which needed it as well.
'It's a Welsh community, so one that has heart and they've done a magnificent job.
'What I meant was what follows Wrexham around is a lot of pomp, a lot of ceremony, a lot of cameras, a lot of coverage, a lot of scrutiny.
'They've handled that very well. At times that can be a distraction, and I don't want it to be for our thing, so that's what I meant - hopefully that clears that.'
Wrexham will clinch promotion this weekend if they beat Charlton and Wycombe fail to win at Leyton Orient.
Meanwhile, on Monday, co-owner McElhenney got the full traveling fan experience for his side's huge 2-1 win over Blackpool.
Their trip to the west Lancashire coast saw McElhenney in the away end, though he was without his partner Ryan Reynolds.
The It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia actor was filmed singing with the Wrexham supporters, soaking up the atmosphere on a massive day for their relegation hopes.
The Hollywood star was also pictured meeting fans before the game as he made his way to his spot in the stands.