Latest news with #StevenFletcher
Scotsman
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Ryan Reynolds sends former Hibs man transfer message, ex ace seals Premiership return
Here are some of the latest Hibs headlines as the club enter the off season. Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's time for relaxation and pondering on success for Hibs after a terrific Premiership campaign drew to a close at the weekend. A 2-2 draw with Rangers ended the term for David Gray's side, who already knew they were finishing third ahead of the game at Easter Road. They now look ahead to next season, where if Celtic win the Scottish Cup on Saturday, at least eight European games will be played next season with a league phase spot banked in the Conference League through entry to the Europa League play-off. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Summer brings with it plenty of rolling headlines for players past and present at the club. Here are some of the latest when it comes to Hibs. Ryan Reynolds Wrexham message to former Hibs star Steven Fletcher is now a free agent after his exit from Wrexham. The Welsh side are now in the English Championship, backed by their Hollywood owners, and one of them in Ryan Reynolds has come out and personally thanked the man who scored 52 times in 189 Hibs outings. Fletcher netted 16 times in 77 Wrexham appearances. Reynolds said: "Mr Steven Fletcher: 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-chairman 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." Hibs star lands international call Jordan Obita has joined Hibs' growing contingent of players set for international duty this summer. He has been called up for the first time for Uganda's friendly double-header against Cameroon and the Gambia in Morocco, both matches taking place in June. It's Obita's first involvement with the Cranes and he has represented England at U18, U19, U20, and U21 level. Obita has fought for his place at left wing back with Nicky Cadden this season and has also won Player of the Year for 2024 while at Easter Road. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Falkirk sign up ex Hibee Sean Mackie will get another chance at Premiership level after signing a new deal with Falkirk. The Hibs youth academy graduate who featured 21 times in Leith has helped the Bairns back to the top flight and has now penned a new one-year deal to ensure his place in John McGlynn's squad. The boss said: 'More good news, we're delighted that Sean Mackie has decided to extend his contract with us. Sean's had another good season, even with the competition at left back between him and Leon McCann. He's a very solid player who's picked up the way we play and is getting better and better. I'm very much looking forward to working more with Sean in the exciting Premiership season ahead.'
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Is ruthless streak key to Wrexham's success?
It was a case of Las Vegas and bust for a string of Wrexham stalwarts who have been shown the door by the club ahead of next season's Championship sooner had several stepped back onto UK soil following a lavish promotion party in the American casino capital, than they found out they would have no stake in the club's Fletcher headlined a list of fans' favourites who have been released by Wrexham following their promotion to the second tier, the 38-year-old former Scotland striker revealing he was leaving "with a heavy heart" and "not by choice".Other key figures in Wrexham's rise through the leagues - or some with strong attachments to the club - have followed Fletcher out of the Stok Cae Ras, including goalkeeper Mark Howard and hometown hero Jordan recent history tells us this apparently ruthless culling of popular players is nothing new - and is only likely to help their bid to be a force in the 12 months and it was Red Dragons captain Ben Tozer who was ditched by manager Phil Parkinson, despite being a crucial part of Wrexham's rise from National League to League One. Tozer was joined on the exit list by club captain Luke Young - a hugely popular figure with fans and another key component of their back-to-back promotions - while Welshman Davies never got to play in League One for his local club, spending the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Grimsby than stay loyal to everyone who helped Wrexham reach League One, Parkinson chose to roll the dice and upgrade his squad. And, of course, it has paid off handsomely with another step up the Football League ladder. So perhaps it should come as little surprise to see the likes of Fletcher departing this summer, despite the Scot scoring eight goals for the club in 2024-25 and his invaluable heroics from the subs' that is the plan once more, to free up space in the squad for better - and, in Fletcher's case, younger - players who can help Wrexham thrive in the second course, that ruthlessness is not just a summer thing - Parkinson showed plenty of it in the January transfer window by signing strikers Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez in the belief it would help get Wrexham over the promotion meant goalscoring heroes Paul Mullin, who is still contracted to the club until 2027, and Oli Palmer, who has a year left on his current deal, were frozen out for the last few months of the perhaps now comes the ultimate test of Parkinson's ruthlessness - is Mullin, the club's seventh highest goalscorer of all time, having netted 110 times since joining from Cambridge United in the summer of 2021, really still part of the manager's plans? Or would he encourage the striker to find a new club? Parkinson said earlier this month that 30-year-old Mullin and Palmer, 33, would return for pre-season, but even if there is still room in the squad for them once any new strikers arrive, how much game time would they get?Ruthless business, football. Watch this space.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Vegas party over: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney axe 8 Wrexham players days after lavish promotion bash
Wrexham AFC releases 8 Players/ Image: Composite -Wrexham AFC, File (AP) Just days after celebrating their remarkable rise to the Championship with an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas, Wrexham AFC have confirmed that eight players will be leaving the club following the expiry of their contracts this summer, The announcement comes after their automatic promotion from EFL League One to the EFL Championship , marking the club's first appearance in the second tier of English football since 2004–05. Under the leadership of manager Phil Parkinson , Wrexham have achieved three successive promotions. The latest promotion was sealed on April 13, when Wrexham secured a 6-0 win over Forest Green Rovers at the Racecourse Ground. The victory guaranteed a second-place finish behind Portsmouth in League One, completing a rapid rise that began in 2021–22 when the club was still playing in the National League (fifth tier). Wrexham earned promotion to League Two at the end of the 2022–23 season, before climbing to League One this past season, and now head into the Championship (second tier) for the 2024–25 campaign. This latest step marks their third promotion in four years under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney , who took over in 2020 and have backed the club with significant investment and global attention through the Disney+ series Welcome to Wrexham . Fletcher among 8 players departing The released/retained list was made public on May 14,confirms the exit of Steven Fletcher , Mark Howard , Jordan Davies , Sam Dalby, and four academy players: Josh Adam, Harry Dean, Brad Foster, and Liam Hall. Welcome to Wrexham hero, Steven Fletcher, 37, joined in September 2023 and scored 8 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions. The former Scotland international and ex-Premier League striker saw his role reduce toward the end of the campaign. In an Instagram post, he called Wrexham 'the most magical club I have ever played at,' adding the decision to leave was 'not by choice.' Goalkeeper Mark Howard, 37, departs after three seasons. He made 54 appearances in total, including 10 games this season across the EFL Trophy, League Cup, and League One. He had been the starting keeper during the 2022–23 National League title-winning season before being replaced by Ben Foster and then Arthur Okonkwo. Speaking to Wrexham's media team, Howard said: 'I've been given some of the best team-mates I could've asked for. I'll leave with a smile, proud to have helped us take this club to where it belongs.' Jordan Davies, 26, exits after two spells at the club. A former academy graduate and key figure during the club's non-league years, Davies spent this season on loan at Grimsby Town in League Two. He had been with the senior squad since 2020, scoring over 25 goals in more than 100 appearances. Sam Dalby, 24, also departs after rejecting a contract extension in January. He scored 7 goals in 47 games in 2023–24 and joined Dundee United on loan in March. He had been instrumental in Wrexham's 2022–23 promotion campaign, often coming off the bench behind Paul Mullin. The four released youth players, Adam, Dean, Foster, and Hall, did not make first-team appearances this season. Next stop: Championship, but eyes already on Premier League-calibre talent With promotion to the Championship confirmed, Wrexham are expected to bolster their squad significantly. As reported by The Telegraph, the club has made an approach for Fulham captain Tom Cairney, whose contract expires this summer. The 33-year-old midfielder has been with Fulham for nearly a decade, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League multiple times. Wrexham are also anticipated to recruit other high-calibre players to ensure they're competitive in the second tier. The club's rise has so far been strategically backed with experienced signings like Ben Foster, James McClean, and Eoghan O'Connell to balance out younger talents like Elliot Lee and Jacob Mendy. The team is expected to report back for pre-season in July, with the 2024–25 Championship season kicking off in August 2025. While surviving the Championship will be the immediate aim, the long-term goal—openly hinted at by the owners—is a push toward the Premier League. Also read: How Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took Wrexham to £150M and just 46 games away from the Premier League Owners' ambitions remain sky-high Reynolds and McElhenney, who bought Wrexham in 2020 for £2 million, have transformed the club's profile and infrastructure, including improvements to the Racecourse Ground, global commercial deals, and increased investment in the women's team, which also secured back-to-back promotions. After Wrexham's win over Forest Green Rovers, McElhenney posted on X: 'We're not just going to the Championship. We're going all the way.' Following the promotion, the owners flew the team to Las Vegas for a celebratory trip, mirroring the one they gifted the squad last year after promotion to League Two. The gesture has become symbolic of the club's bold, big-dreaming spirit. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Vegas party over: Wrexham axed eight players days after lavish promotion bash
Wrexham AFC releases 8 Players/ Image: Composite -Wrexham AFC, File (AP) Just days after celebrating their remarkable rise to the Championship with an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas, Wrexham AFC have confirmed that eight players will be leaving the club following the expiry of their contracts this summer, The announcement comes after their automatic promotion from EFL League One to the EFL Championship , marking the club's first appearance in the second tier of English football since 2004–05. Under the leadership of manager Phil Parkinson , Wrexham have achieved three successive promotions. The latest promotion was sealed on April 13, when Wrexham secured a 6-0 win over Forest Green Rovers at the Racecourse Ground. The victory guaranteed a second-place finish behind Portsmouth in League One, completing a rapid rise that began in 2021–22 when the club was still playing in the National League (fifth tier). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like サントリーロコモアが５,９４０→１,０８０円で試せる ロコモア こちらをクリック Undo Wrexham earned promotion to League Two at the end of the 2022–23 season, before climbing to League One this past season, and now head into the Championship (second tier) for the 2024–25 campaign. This latest step marks their third promotion in four years under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney , who took over in 2020 and have backed the club with significant investment and global attention through the Disney+ series Welcome to Wrexham . Fletcher among 8 players departing The released/retained list was made public on May 14,confirms the exit of Steven Fletcher , Mark Howard , Jordan Davies , Sam Dalby, and four academy players: Josh Adam, Harry Dean, Brad Foster, and Liam Hall. Welcome to Wrexham hero, Steven Fletcher, 37, joined in September 2023 and scored 8 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions. The former Scotland international and ex-Premier League striker saw his role reduce toward the end of the campaign. In an Instagram post, he called Wrexham 'the most magical club I have ever played at,' adding the decision to leave was 'not by choice.' Goalkeeper Mark Howard, 37, departs after three seasons. He made 54 appearances in total, including 10 games this season across the EFL Trophy, League Cup, and League One. He had been the starting keeper during the 2022–23 National League title-winning season before being replaced by Ben Foster and then Arthur Okonkwo. Speaking to Wrexham's media team, Howard said: 'I've been given some of the best team-mates I could've asked for. I'll leave with a smile, proud to have helped us take this club to where it belongs.' Jordan Davies, 26, exits after two spells at the club. A former academy graduate and key figure during the club's non-league years, Davies spent this season on loan at Grimsby Town in League Two. He had been with the senior squad since 2020, scoring over 25 goals in more than 100 appearances. Sam Dalby, 24, also departs after rejecting a contract extension in January. He scored 7 goals in 47 games in 2023–24 and joined Dundee United on loan in March. He had been instrumental in Wrexham's 2022–23 promotion campaign, often coming off the bench behind Paul Mullin. The four released youth players, Adam, Dean, Foster, and Hall, did not make first-team appearances this season. Next stop: Championship, but eyes already on Premier League-calibre talent With promotion to the Championship confirmed, Wrexham are expected to bolster their squad significantly. As reported by The Telegraph, the club has made an approach for Fulham captain Tom Cairney, whose contract expires this summer. The 33-year-old midfielder has been with Fulham for nearly a decade, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League multiple times. Wrexham are also anticipated to recruit other high-calibre players to ensure they're competitive in the second tier. The club's rise has so far been strategically backed with experienced signings like Ben Foster, James McClean, and Eoghan O'Connell to balance out younger talents like Elliot Lee and Jacob Mendy. The team is expected to report back for pre-season in July, with the 2024–25 Championship season kicking off in August 2025. While surviving the Championship will be the immediate aim, the long-term goal—openly hinted at by the owners—is a push toward the Premier League. Also read: How Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took Wrexham to £150M and just 46 games away from the Premier League Owners' ambitions remain sky-high Reynolds and McElhenney, who bought Wrexham in 2020 for £2 million, have transformed the club's profile and infrastructure, including improvements to the Racecourse Ground, global commercial deals, and increased investment in the women's team, which also secured back-to-back promotions. After Wrexham's win over Forest Green Rovers, McElhenney posted on X: 'We're not just going to the Championship. We're going all the way.' Following the promotion, the owners flew the team to Las Vegas for a celebratory trip, mirroring the one they gifted the squad last year after promotion to League Two. The gesture has become symbolic of the club's bold, big-dreaming spirit. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
National Post
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Wrexham star leaving, but 'not by choice' as ambitious team rebuilds for life in Championship
Wrexham continued its squad reconstruction ahead of a season in the second-tier Championship by releasing one of its most renowned players — against his will. Article content Article content Steven Fletcher, a former Premier League player who scored some crucial goals to help Wrexham earn a third straight promotion, took to social media to say he'd be leaving the ambitious Welsh club. Article content 'It's with a heavy heart, and not by choice, that I unfortunately have to announce my departure from what I can only describe as the most magical club I have ever played at!' Fletcher posted on Instagram. Article content The 38-year-old striker said he fell back in love with soccer by joining Wrexham, a club whose notoriety has rocketed since being bought by Hollywood celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and becoming the subject of a fly-on-the-wall documentary Welcome to Wrexham. Article content Article content View this post on Instagram A post shared by Steven Fletcher (@stevenfletcher9official) Article content 'In my 22 years of stepping onto a pitch, I have never experienced anything like this club,' the former Scotland international wrote. Article content 'To my teammates — you are family!' he added. 'I have never experienced a dressing room like it in my career, and I can't believe I don't get to walk in there every day next season.' Article content Fletcher finished a long message by thanking Reynolds and McElhenney for the opportunity to play for Wrexham. Article content Reynolds responded on Instagram, saying: 'I don't really know what a co-chairman is supposed to do or say in these moments and I don't much care. I'm gonna miss you. I'll miss your your leadership and wit and the way you remind everyone — including me _ that this is also FUN. Article content 'Like the first day we met, I'm here for you any time and any place. Always.' Article content Wrexham will need to improve the quality of its squad after rising to the second tier, a level the club hasn't played since the 1980s and just one more promotion away from the Premier League. Article content
