Laidlaw, Kirby and Ward agree new deals with Hull FC
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Defeat but 'plenty of positives and a proud day' for Wrexham
In December 2019, Wrexham reached their nadir, bottom of the National League and having to apologise to their fans for the worst league position in their 155-year existence, before a midweek trip to Saturday, they were back in the same part of the world – but what felt like a different Mary's is only five miles down the road from Eastleigh but, whereas 56 Wrexham supporters made the long trip south six years ago, more than 3,000 were at ever there was a yardstick for Wrexham's extraordinary rise, it was this curtain-raiser for their first season in the second tier of English football for 43 recently as 2023, Southampton were four divisions higher than after Saints' relegation from the Premier League last season and the Welsh club's historic three successive promotions, they are Championship was a moment to savour for Wrexham's fans, even in defeat, basking in the south coast sunshine and making a racket all afternoon in a carnivalesque away end."It was a very proud moment for everyone connected with the club today," said manager Phil Parkinson."I took a moment when the lads ran out for the warm-up and just reflected because where we've come from to be playing on a stage like this today was very special. We had outstanding support." It was those supporters who saved Wrexham from extinction back in 2011, raising the funds to buy the club and nurse it through the draining non-league years before Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Hollywood takeover has been well documented, the cameras following Wrexham's every years in and three promotions later, they are just one step away from the ultimate goal that their celebrity owners boldly laid out on their first day in north Wales: the Premier notion of a fourth straight promotion might be fanciful but Southampton – who were in the top flight last season – offered a useful starting point for Wrexham, a barometer for the challenges to Wrexham's net spend so far this summer is the highest in the Championship, they have had to radically upgrade a League One are operating from a different position, still boasting several Premier League players despite a raft of off-season well as the quality in their starting line-up on Saturday, Saints were able to turn to a bench that included the likes of Mateus Fernandes, new signing Damion Downs and Ryan Manning, who scored a brilliant equaliser and created the winner. "Southampton brought subs on today who were worth £30m or £40m – that was the difference," said been the main attraction in lower leagues, Wrexham will have to get used to playing against teams with greater are certainly looking to mix it with their new rivals, though. Their eight signings – many of them for club-record fees – are evidence of their of the most encouraging aspects of Wrexham's performance at Southampton was the impact of their new recruits, six of whom started at St Mary's."I think when we reflect, it's a very proud day for the club playing at this level and there was a lot of positives for us," said Parkinson."The new lads came in and have done really well but the existing players as well, I thought they were really good. That gives us great heart for the season ahead."Parkinson is a phlegmatic character who has kept a steely focus on the job in hand throughout his time at Wrexham. It is not that he is unmoved by the club's dizzying ascent through the divisions but rather that he is able put the celebrity attention and global interest to one side and simply get on with his work."The message was quite simple today in the dressing room," he said."It's important that we play in a manner throughout this season which we have done over the last four years and we keep representing the club in the way we've done. The honesty and endeavour out there I thought was different class."Having endured their fair share of lows, Wrexham have enjoyed the highs that the past four years have by their start to life in the Championship, there will be more to come.
BBC News
3 minutes ago
- BBC News
Countdown to 2025-26 season is on - but are the Whites ready?
Pre-season is completed and the countdown to the 2025-26 season is been a very quiet summer at Craven Cottage with just one signing so Whites start the season at Brighton on Saturday - but are they ready?Get in touch
BBC News
3 minutes ago
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Fulham end pre-season with win over Frankfurt
Fulham rounded off their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at Craven Cottage on Jimenez's fine first half free-kick was enough to secure a third win in three pre-season friendlies after victory over Nottingham Forest and Al-Ittihad.
