WREXHAM AFC: Hislop's praise for 'great guy' Parkinson
There's been success after success for Parkinson at the helm at the Racecourse, with him leading the club to back-to-back-to-back promotions from the National League all the way to the Championship.
Hislop, the former Reading, Newcastle and Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper, says a fourth consecutive promotion is a possibility.
Asked if the Reds can go up again, Hislop told ESPN FC: 'Yes, they can. I'm forever hopeful.
'I know Phil Parkinson well. Parky and I signed for Reading at the same time.
'Great guy, great guy. I don't think I've played with anybody who's more different on the field than off it.
'That's Parky, nicest man you've ever seen off the field. On the field, he just turns into some(one) totally different.'
Looking at any potential business the Reds will make over the summer, Hislop said: 'If he has any say (in recruitment), it's not going to be any kind of big-headed superstar, because... there's nothing about Parky that says that and I'm not sure that Parky would go for anybody who, kind of, in any way emulates that.'
Added problems will be coming the club's way with another step-up and Hislop says this is something that Wrexham will relish.
'They've been having to build this squad for some time,' he said.
'You just wonder how much more they need to do to be able to compete. But these are problems that players, managers, the ownership group want to have, want to try to figure out.
'We know all eyes will be on them, not just because of who they are and what they've done, but also, I think a lot of people have bought into this story.
'Bought into how they've progressed through leagues and want to see where they go, and maybe they are able to put together the kind of financing that will see them compete with the big spenders.
'They've shown that they can compete physically with those from lower down. So, it's an interesting prospect for them at this point.'
Ben Foster has also been bragging up his former boss Parkinson claiming the best changing room he has been inside is Wrexham.
Former England keeper Foster had two spells at the Racecourse to bookend his career, helping the Reds to win the LDV Vans Trophy at the Millennium Stadium during a loan spell back in 2005 and he returned in 2023 as Wrexham clinched the National League title in record-breaking fashion.
Foster told Fozcast: 'The way the manager is... allowed total autonomy, total freedom to identify and sign a player. You don't get jobs like that anymore.
'Managers don't get jobs like that where you are the manager, you get to manage everything about the football club.
'Every player that comes in, he has identified them. He knows that person. He knows what their character is.
'He knows they're good at football, obviously, first and foremost, like he's done with everybody he's brought in.
'The best changing room I've ever been in, because everybody is just so down to earth and so respectful, and... I feel like that's the football club in general.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
4 hours ago
- Times
WSL to expand to 14 teams and add promotion-relegation play-off
The Women's Super League is set to expand from 12 to 14 teams and introduce a promotion-relegation play-off in the most radical format changes since the competition was founded in 2010. The restructuring, which is subject to FA approval, will commence next season and be fully implemented by the start of the 2026-27 campaign. Relegation has been preserved after the prospect of scrapping the concept provoked a backlash. Next season is effectively a bridging year between formats. There will be 12 teams in the WSL, as there have been in each campaign since 2019-20. However, there will be two automatic promotion spots from the second-tier WSL2, up from the one there has been in each season since 2018-19. The team that finishes third in next season's WSL2 will play the team that comes bottom in the WSL in a promotion-relegation play-off. This structure will allow the top flight to expand to 14 teams while preserving the jeopardy of relegation. From 2026-27 onwards, the WSL will have 14 teams and one automatic relegation spot. The team that finishes 13th will play the WSL2 runners-up in a promotion-relegation play-off, which is likely to be a one-off game. To keep the WSL2 at 12 teams for 2026-27, it is expected that three will be promoted into the division but only one relegated, with the team that finishes bottom automatically going down. The winners of the third-tier's two regional leagues, the National League North and National League South, would be promoted automatically. The runners-up in these two divisions would have a play-off for the third promotion spot. The location of play-offs has yet to be determined, but they are likely to be one-off games. Both divisions will continue to operate in the traditional round-robin, home-and-away format, with the top three in the WSL qualifying for the Champions League. WSL Football (WSLF), which operates the WSL and WSL2, held a shareholders' meeting on Monday, during which these proposals were approved. It is understood that they required the support of eight clubs in each of the two divisions but were ultimately approved unanimously. WSLF took over the running of the leagues from the FA in August 2024 and has pledged to grow the English women's club game through innovation. The FA holds a 'golden share' in WSLF and still runs the women's pyramid from the National League downwards. It has the power to veto any changes to the pyramid's structure, and has yet to confirm how promotion into WSL2 may be influenced by the format changes from 2026-27. However, it is likely to approve the WSLF's proposals. WSLF considered several format changes in its quest to boost finances and increase jeopardy. Options included play-offs for the WSL title and the leagues splitting in half for their climax, but neither reached the proposal stage. Although the possibility of pausing relegation was considered, this concept was criticised by fans and also discarded. The greatest issue with the WSL's present structure was the lack of jeopardy for mid-table teams. With the traditional 'big four' (Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United) generally out of reach, several sides found themselves neither pushing for one of three European spots nor battling relegation for much of the campaign. There has been more jeopardy at the top of the table. Although Chelsea have won six titles in a row, four were not sealed until the final day. The growing quality of the Championship, now renamed to WSL2, has convinced WSLF to increase the number of promotion spots. Last season's final-day game between Birmingham City and London City Lionesses, which was a winner-takes-all match for promotion, was the first second-tier game broadcast on live TV and displayed the appeal of play-offs. Nikki Doucet, chief executive of WSLF, said: 'Over the past few months, WSL Football has led a thorough and robust, consultative process backed by research and analysis which explored multiple options that could drive the game forward and help it reach its Potential. 'Our priority was to find a route that would benefit the whole women's game pyramid, and we believe this next evolution of women's professional football will raise minimum standards, create distinction and incentivise investment across the board. 'Subject to the approval from The FA Board, expanding the BWSL to 14 teams will stimulate movement between leagues and through the pyramid which increases opportunities. The introduction of a promotion/relegation playoff creates distinction for the women's game and introduces a high-profile, high stakes match.'
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
Kwame Poku tipped for Rangers stardom as Peterborough chief reveals destiny and truth behind Celtic rumours
Peterborough legend and current director of football Barry Fry is tipping his star man to go right to the top Kwame Poku's numbers speak for themselves after a season where he tore League One apart down south. In fact the only figures that won't stack up relating to the departing Peterborough winger will be the ones relating to a compensation fee, according to Posh director of football Barry Fry. The 80-year-old London Road legend insists Poku is destined for the Premier League one day such is his ability on the wing. Fry just fears losing the 23-year-old for next to nothing should he chose to leave England in the course of the next few weeks with Rangers keen - along with clubs from Portugal, Belgium and Germany. Anything other than a move to another English club would see Peterborough resigned to accepting a compensation fee under the lower rate FIFA guidelines. But Fry knows he's worth so much more than that. In 27 league games for Darren Ferguson's side last season Poku produced 12 goals and eight assists. He was a key man as they beat Birmingham City at Wembley to lift the Vertu Football League Trophy for the second time in as many years - with the Blues now among the clubs keen on taking the player and taking him with them into the Championship. In the four seasons since his move to the Weston Homes Stadium the former Colchester United winger has scored 30 times in 147 appearances. But the last campaign was the standout, despite missing over three months from December to March after surgery on his hamstring. Fry reckons he's one of the best he's seen at Posh. And he's been there long enough. Speaking to Mail Sport, he said: 'Kwame's top drawer. The Rangers fans would absolutely love him if he went up to Scotland. 'He's a very, very skilful player. A very exciting player. He gets the ball and you get on the end of your seat. You expect things to happen when he is in possession. 'I think wherever he goes, he'll be a fan's favourite because he's such an exciting player. But he scores goals too and creates them. He's a lovely lad and I've really enjoyed him being at the club. 'In truth I could have sold him on January 1. There was a dozen top clubs in the Championship, wanted him then to push forward, but he was injured. He never played until the end of March. 'He still got in the League One Team of the Year - and he missed almost half the games through injury. So it just shows you what an outstanding player he is at our level.' Destined for the English Premier League one day? Fry said: 'One million percent. He's only 23 so I've no doubt he'll get there. 'He's a lovely boy, and he's got tremendous potential to go to the top. But wherever he goes next, he's got to play.' Birmingham appeared to be leading the chase for Poku as Chris Davies looked to tool up for the Blues' return to the second tier next season. But the League One champions are reported to have grown frustrated with the length of time the player is taking considering his options and are now assessing other targets. That, and the prospect of European football, could yet play into Rangers' hands for Poku, whose one cap for Ghana came in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Just like Vaclav Cerny, the Croyden-born winger plays on the right but is stronger with his left foot and a real threat cutting in off the wing. Cerny, who spent last season on loan at Ibrox from Wolfsburg, has a £9m price tag on his head and a list of suitors across the continent. That's led new Ibrox boss Russell Martin - himself a former Peterborough player - to look elsewhere. Poku, should he choose Ibrox, would likely cost closer to the £300,000 Rangers paid Charlton for Joe Aribo six years ago under the same FIFA tribunal system. Should he choose to stay in England then, if no fee was agreed, the Professional Football Compensation Committee would decide on a price. And that panel are known to take a far broader range of factors into account when setting the fee, such as the player's stats, interest from other clubs, the contracts on offer, previous fee, age and time with the academy. That's why Posh are desperate for Poku to choose another English club as his next destination. But Fry admitted: 'Well, I would, but then again, it's not up to me. It's up to his agent and what Kwame wants to do. 'I know Russell Martin very well, because we bought him from Wycombe, and we sold him to Norwich, before he helped Norwich get up to the Premier League. 'I haven't seen much of Rangers, but I know Russell likes football players. And Kwame is a very good football player. 'I've not heard from Russell. But he's got no need to ring me, in all honesty. I'd heard before that Celtic were in for him too. 'But I know Brendan very well, and I know Gavin Strachan, who used to be Darren's assistant down here. None of them phoned me about him.'
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Milos Kerkez contract details and likely shirt number as Liverpool finalise deal
Milos Kerkez is set to join Liverpool in the coming days after the Reds reached a breakthrough in their talks with Bournemouth, with the Hungary international in line for a bumper contract Milos Kerkez is edging towards a £45million move to Liverpool as the Reds' busy summer window continues. They have already signed Jeremie Frimpong and are closing in on his former Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Florian Writz. Frimpong arrives to help replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has joined Real Madrid. But boss Arne Slot has also been keen to add a left-back to his squad this summer to provide better competition for Andy Robertson. Though he has played a key role in two Premier League title wins and the 2019 Champions League win, Robertson's performances have suffered a downturn. His back-up is currently Kostas Tsimikas. But the Greek international has never really convinced that he can be a long-term option. Instead, the Reds are now set to close a deal for Kerkez, who has impressed at Bournemouth. Whether Kerkez comes in as competition for Robertson or to directly replace him remains to be seen, with the Scotland captain the subject of increasing interest from Atletico Madrid. It appears Liverpool certainly see Kerkez as being a long-term player, with iNews reporting he will be handed a five-year contract. The 21-year-old can also expect a major pay bump by joining the champions. Kerkez has made it clear that Liverpool is his preferred destination. Talks have been ongoing for three weeks, with Reds sporting director Richard Hughes taking the lead in the negotiations. Bournemouth have stood firm on their valuation and there is said to be 'growing optimism' a deal will be agreed in the coming days. Liverpool are set to pay £45m to get hold of Kerkez, with the Cherries having already signed a replacement in Adrien Truffert. One matter that does remain to be settled is the shirt number Kerkez will take on at Anfield. The Hungary international currently wears No.3 at Bournemouth, though that is occupied by Wataru Endo at Liverpool. Endo has struggled for game time since Klopp arrived though and could well depart this summer. If he leaves or even moves over to the unoccupied No.6 shirt, then Kerkez could take hold of the No.3 jersey. For his part, Robertson has insisted he is ready to face the challenge Kerkez will bring. He told BBC Scotland earlier this month: "We're not daft, it looks as if a deal could potentially be done. But, until that is done, I've not even given that a second thought. "I back myself, I've got confidence in my own ability and that drives me forward. I've had eight fantastic years at Liverpool in terms of winning trophies, being a mainstay in the team, which I'm incredibly proud of. I'm not getting any younger, I can't change my age. "But I still believe I've got a lot to give and that's what I focus on. I focus on myself - you can't focus on other people or who you're competing with. I still believe I have a hell of a lot to give for however many years I can keep going. My body feels good at the minute."
