02-08-2025
Dutch trip is nothing new for Wrexham AFC coach Jones
Wrexham fly off to the Netherlands today and will take on Groningen tomorrow in their final pre-season friendly ahead of next week's Championship opener at Southampton.
Jones had a successful spell in Holland at NEC Nijmegen while on loan from Manchester United, scoring six goals in 17 appearances - and one of those strikes came against Groningen.
'It will be an excellent game for us in preparation for the Championship,' said Jones. 'Groningen are a good side with some decent players.
'They finished last season quite strongly and had some big results in the run in, including a 2-2 draw with Ajax, which was the game that handed the advantage to PSV in the title race.
'They have goals in their team from all areas so it's a test we're looking forward to as we get closer to the start of the season.
'It's always beneficial to play different types of teams in pre-season as each week the Championship presents a new challenge'.
Jones was only 22 at the time and went on to have a top career at Derby, Wolves, Wigan, Blackburn, Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday.
'It was a great move for me as a young player,' he added. 'The league is highly competitive and very tactical with some big European clubs so it was the ideal place for me to go at the time.
'Making my debut in a 1-1 draw against Ajax in the Amsterdam Arena was a memorable occasion and then only a few weeks later, I was man marking Philip Cocu against PSV Eindhoven.
'These experiences are invaluable when you are making your way in the game and you learn so much from playing against top players on a regular basis.'
Reds boss Phil Parkinson says the club's pre-season schedule proves Wrexham are an attractive proposition after a trip to the Netherlands to face FC Groningen in a friendly was added to the list.
As part of the preparations for the 2025-26 Championship campaign, Parkinson's men will face the Dutch top-flight side at De Langeleegte in Veendam (3pm kick-off local time).
'We're playing two games so all players will get a run out,' said Parkinson ahead of his team's final friendly before the season starts at Southampton. 'One will be in the morning and then one in the afternoon.'
Away supporters are not allowed to attend the game at the request of the local authorities.
The Dutch trip follows on from Wrexham's Down Under Tour while the club has enjoyed two highly successful pre-season tours to the USA and North America.
The club has become a global sensation under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and Parkinson feels Wrexham are much-sought after opponents for high-profile friendlies.
'Wrexham is an attractive proposition, hence the reason we have been able to agree to the friendlies,' added the Reds' boss.
'I couldn't have imagined that a few years ago but it is where the profile of the club is now, and obviously we are Championship standard as well.'
