logo
Ker says Wrexham are all set to head to 'the Wild West'

Ker says Wrexham are all set to head to 'the Wild West'

Leader Live4 hours 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 promotions and they are now preparing for a first tilt at the second tier in more than four decades.
Looking ahead to the step-up to the Championship, Reds' community director Humphrey 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.
"Then (we) have been rewarded by, you know, 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."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Nicolas Jackson says he is ‘so angry at myself' after red card in Flamengo loss
Nicolas Jackson says he is ‘so angry at myself' after red card in Flamengo loss

BreakingNews.ie

time34 minutes ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Nicolas Jackson says he is ‘so angry at myself' after red card in Flamengo loss

Nicolas Jackson apologised after his costly sending-off in Chelsea's Club World Cup implosion against Flamengo. The Senegal striker was shown a straight red card – just four minutes after coming off the bench – for an aggressive studs-up challenge on Ayrton Lucas in Friday's 3-1 defeat in Philadelphia. Advertisement It came amid a calamitous six-minute spell in the second period in which the Blues also conceded two goals to surrender their half-time lead. Jackson (centre) was dismissed after fouling Ayrton Lucas. Photo: Chris Szagola/AP. It was also Jackson's second dismissal in just four appearances having also been given his marching orders for a forearm crack on Newcastle's Sven Botman in a Premier League match last month. 'I want to say sorry,' Jackson wrote on Instagram on what was a 24th birthday to forget. 'To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. 'Another red card… And honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. Advertisement 'I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a moment in football that went the wrong way. 'No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. 'Sorry. Sorry, Sorry.' 🔴⚫️ A comeback win for @Flamengo ! #FIFACWC — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 21, 2025 Jackson's moment of madness, in which he forcefully caught Lucas on the shin, effectively ended Chelsea's hopes of getting back into the Group D contest at Lincoln Financial Field. Advertisement Enzo Maresca's side were already reeling after Pedro Neto's well-taken 14th-minute opener was cancelled out by Bruno Henrique after 62 minutes and quickly followed by another goal for veteran Danilo. Wallace Yan wrapped up the scoring seven minutes from time, putting Flamengo in charge of the group and potentially making Chelsea's route through the tournament complicated. Defender Marc Cucurella suggested discipline was an area Jackson needed to work on. The defender told DAZN: 'He is young player, he has a lot of quality, he maybe needs to improve this a little bit. We are here to improve, we are not perfect so it is part of the game.' Advertisement Maresca did not deny the sending-off was damaging, though he tempered criticism by claiming it was not a clear-cut decision. Maresca said: 'Those six minutes completely changed the dynamic of the game. 'I'm not 100 per cent sure that it's a red card compared to the Newcastle one, but it can be and the referee decided it. 'It's a little bit of a bad moment for Nico in these things. He knows very well that both situations were not something good for the team.' Advertisement Former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis, now the manager of Flamengo, backed Jackson to bounce back. 'It was a little mistake,' he said. 'It was a clear red for me but it is a small detail for a player who can be one of the biggest strikers in the world.' Chelsea, who now have three points from their opening two games, face ES Tunis in their final group game on Tuesday night (2am Wednesday BST).

Rennes 'flooded' with Kyogo offers as stance revealed
Rennes 'flooded' with Kyogo offers as stance revealed

The National

time42 minutes ago

  • The National

Rennes 'flooded' with Kyogo offers as stance revealed

The Hoops hero has had a nightmare time of it since moving to France in a £10million deal in January and was frozen out for much of the latter part of the season. The manager who signed him was quickly sacked and later admitted he didn't have a say in the signing of the Japan international. His replacement, Habib Beye, ended up freezing Kyogo out and he wasn't seen towards the end of the campaign. A return to Celts has been floated and would be almost unanimously welcomed by supporters, but it would seem there is plenty of other interest. Read more: Birmingham City were strongly linked having returned to the Championship after promotion and have a track record of signing plyers who are proven in Scotland, including ex-Hoops midfielder Tomoki Iwata. But French outfit L'Equipe say they are far from the only ones with a string of enquiries are claimed. The reports adds Rennes would prefer to sanction a permanent exit but may be willing to green light a temporary one.

Rennes 'flooded' with Kyogo offers as stance revealed
Rennes 'flooded' with Kyogo offers as stance revealed

The Herald Scotland

timean hour ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Rennes 'flooded' with Kyogo offers as stance revealed

The manager who signed him was quickly sacked and later admitted he didn't have a say in the signing of the Japan international. His replacement, Habib Beye, ended up freezing Kyogo out and he wasn't seen towards the end of the campaign. A return to Celts has been floated and would be almost unanimously welcomed by supporters, but it would seem there is plenty of other interest. Read more: Birmingham City were strongly linked having returned to the Championship after promotion and have a track record of signing plyers who are proven in Scotland, including ex-Hoops midfielder Tomoki Iwata. But French outfit L'Equipe say they are far from the only ones with a string of enquiries are claimed. The reports adds Rennes would prefer to sanction a permanent exit but may be willing to green light a temporary one.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store