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Leader Live
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham AFC end season in style with celebration event
A 3-0 victory over Charlton Athletic just over a week earlier secured a historic third promotion in a row for the club, who will now go on to spend next season in the EFL Championship. To celebrate a memorable campaign, the club organised a get-together for players, staff and fans at the SToK Cae Ras. During the event, midfielder Ollie Rathbone was voted as the Club's Player of the Season, with fans in the stadium singing his name before it had even been announced. Max Cleworth was voted Young Player of the Season, as well as being named Players' Player of the Season for the first time by his peers. The talented defender has has now won that award three times in the last four seasons. The awards capped an afternoon of celebration, which included live music from The Royston Club as well as Danny Gruff, Rhythm Train and Osian 'Powsy' Jones. Matchday Live presenters Chris Mallaband, Andy Morrell and Mia Roberts also all shared their reflections on the season, before seven awards were handed out in total. RELATED READING Also crowned on the day was Bob Clark Academy Player of the Season, Alex Moore, while Elliot Lee was presented with his Top Goalscorer award – after his final-day goal saw him pip three team-mates to the title. The Steve Edwards Goal of the Season Award was voted on the day, with Paul Mullin's superb strike against Blackpool taking the honours. A great atmosphere building ahead of our 2024/25 Men's End of Season Awards, presented by @MetaQuestVR 🏆 🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC — Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) May 4, 2025 Club secretary Geraint Parry was also given a 'Lifetime Achievement' award for his contribution to the club over the years. The event followed on from Wrexham's 2-0 win at Lincoln on Saturday (May 3). Elliot Lee and Ryan Longman were on target as the club ended their time in the EFL League One.
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Thousands of Wrexham fans celebrate promotion
Thousands of Wrexham football supporters joined players and club officials at an end-of-season promotion celebration at Stok Cae Ras on queues formed outside the ground as the crowd waited for the gates to open before the event to mark promotion to the event featured musical acts as well as the club's annual end of season Ollie Rathbone was named the player of the season with defender Max Cleworth winning the young player award and the player's player of the Mullin won the goal of the season award for his volley in the win over Blackpool on Boxing Day with Elliott Lee the top serving club secretary Geraint Parry was recognised for his contribution with a lifetime achievement won promotion with a 3–0 victory over Charlton Athletic last weekend, sparking huge celebrations with fans thronging the pitch at the end of the were joined after the game by co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, who said Wrexham had made "history" despite people doubting their ambitions were realistic. Wrexham will compete in the second tier next season for the first time in 43 years with eyes on reach the Premier League after three successive promotions.
Leader Live
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Perfect practice for Wrexham against Charlton in League One
The Reds won 3-0 to finish runners-up in League One with a game to go and secure an historic third successive promotion. Wrexham were in control after taking a two-goal lead after just 18 minutes as Ollie Rathbone broke the deadlock before Sam Smith scored with a stunning volley from Matty James' pass. Smith made sure of victory with a late header after getting on the end of Max Cleworth's cross and although all three were well taken goals, Parkinson was particularly pleased with the opener. Captain James McClean played a short corner to James who fed Rathbone and the midfielder found the back of the net from just outside the net. It was something the players had worked on in training ahead of the clash because Parkinson identified something that he felt the Reds could exploit. "That goal was very rewarding," said Parkinson. "We looked at Charlton and the way they defended corners and we felt we could exploit them with that short corner. "We went through it the day before and scored almost the identical goal and when something like that comes off, it's very satisfying for all the stuff. "It got us off to a brilliant start and then Sam's acrobatic finish from Matty's pass got us in a strong position. "From there on in, we were mainly in control of the game and the third goal was the icing on the cake, and the the roof certainly came off!"
Leader Live
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Councillor and Mayor congratulate club on promotion
The Dragons went into the game against Charlton on Saturday (April 26) knowing that a win would seal second place in League One, following Wycombe Wanderers' loss to Leyton Orient in the early kick off. A goal from Ollie Rathbone and a brace from Sam Smith gave the Reds a convincing 3-0 victory and ensured that they would be playing Championship football next season. Councillor Mark Pritchard, leader of Wrexham Council, said: 'What the football club has achieved is absolutely incredible, and this is such an important moment for the club, and for the city as a whole. 'Success on the pitch lifts the entire community, and this amazing journey that the club is on continues to give Wrexham renewed confidence. 'I would also like to say good luck to the women's team, who play in the Bute Energy Welsh Cup final today. 'Let's hope it's double success for Wrexham this weekend.' The Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor Beryl Blackmore added: 'What a fantastic moment! 'Wrexham has been on an incredible journey over the past few years, and I would like to thank the owners Rob and Ryan for their commitment to both the club and our city. 'Their hard work and vision – along with the commitment of the manager, staff, players and fans – has paid off, and to achieve promotion for the third year on the trot is amazing.'
Leader Live
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wrexham secure historic third successive promotion
Saturday's 3-0 home defeat of Charlton Athletic in League One means the Reds have now sealed their third promotion in as many seasons. Parkinson's men started brighter and had a two-goal lead inside the opening 18 minutes. Ollie Rathbone found the back of the net first with a sensational strike from outside the box and Sam Smith soon followed with a volley from close range. Smith got Wrexham's third and final goal in the 81st minute, heading in from a cross. 'The key for me today is how we have done it,' said Parkinson. 'The performance today was really controlled and at times high quality, I am so pleased with that. 'Getting over the line in football is really hard, and having the control and mentality to produce performances of that standard in such a pressured game is enormous credit for everybody. 'Everybody has been talking about making history all season, and right at the start, we knew what was at stake, and nobody can ever take that away from us. 'Every supporter, the owner and everybody connected with the club, such as the staff and players, these medals mean a lot and they're worth a lot. 'We created history today with these three promotions, and hard work has to go in. 'I go into every season thinking we can go in and achieve promotion, but to do it is amazing. 'The trajectory has been a rapid one. We have had to evolve continually, and I think this season we have evolved as a team.'
