16-05-2025
Ryan Reynolds axes 14 players from Wrexham squad in major announcement
Ryan Reynolds axes 14 players from Wrexham squad in major announcement
The club have announced their full retained list with a dozen senior and young players set to depart
Ryan Reynolds during the OMR Festival 2025 on May 06, 2025 in Hamburg, Germany
(Image: Tristar Media/WireImage )
Wrexham have announced that a total of 14 players will leave the club after achieving promotion to the Championship.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have overseen back-to-back-to-back promotions from the National League right up to the second tier of the English Football League and now face a crucial summer ahead of what will be another brutal campaign.
The leap from League One to the Championship is a sizeable one and Wrexham will feel they will have to bolster their squad accordingly if they are to compete at the top end for a shot at promotion to the Premier League.
In order to do that, they will have to free up some room in their squad and have taken the decision to cut some senior and some youth players.
In an announcement made on Friday afternoon, the club confirmed that veteran striker Steven Fletcher and experienced goalkeeper Mark Howard will depart.
Homegrown talent Jordan Davies, a product of the youth system at Wrexham either side of a three-year stint at Premier League outfit Brighton, will also leave the club.
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Writing on social media, Davies penned a heartfelt message to the owners and supporters, saying: "My time at my hometown club has come to end, safe to say we've been on a special journey.
"Not in my dreams when I joined back in Covid did I think I'd be leaving here five seasons later with it being a Championship club. With unbelievable achievements right along the way.
"I want to say thank you to all the players and staff that have helped me on the journey. It was a special group of lads the whole time. I especially thank you @vancityreynolds and @robmcelhenney for changing the feel around the whole town. Long may the Wrexham journey continue."
Josh Adam, Harry Dean, Brad Foster and Liam Hall have all departed, while Sam Dalby, who has been on loan in Scotland with Dundee United, turned down a new contract and will also leave.
Callum Edwards has been offered a new contract, while Wrexham have triggered a year-long extension to Aaron James' deal, too.
A decision is yet to be made on James Rainbird, who will remain under contract while he recovers from injury.
A further six players will be released from the list of young professionals at the club, with Keane Hazeldine, Reagan Nicholas, Bryn Owen, Harri Roberts and Anton Tierney all leaving, while Elliot Jones rejected a new offer to pursue a different career.
Both Reynolds and McElhenney have taken to social media to express sympathy for some departing players. Reynolds was effusive in his praise of striker Fletcher and goalkeeper Howard, writing: "Mr @stevenfletcher9official: words aren't agile enough to capture what you've brought to Wrexham, the sport, and the lives of myself and this whole town.
"You aren't a PART of greatness. You ARE greatness. I don't really know what a co-chairmen is supposed to do or say in these moments and I don't much care.
"I'm gonna miss you. I'll miss your leadership and wit and the way you remind everyone — including me — that this is also FUN. Like the first day we met, I'm here for you any time and any place. Always.
"And @markhoward.1— how on earth do we put into words the clutch work you do as a keeper. You have the hardest job in football. And you can't have that ability without being a clutch person in life.
"You have a beautiful family and you have a second family in Wrexham now and always. You're the big beating heart of this team and the reason we have the best locker room in sports.
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"Fletch and Chomp, you've authored some of the greatest moments of my life. And so many others. All I can do is thank you."
