Latest news with #Windass
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Josh Windass "looking forward" to West Brom atmopshere
After joining from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, the midfielder, who can also play as a striker, scored on his debut at Southampton last Saturday. He also made an appearance off the bench against Hull City on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup, where he scored in the shootout. When asked about how he's settling into life in North Wales, he said: "Enjoying it, still living in a hotel at the minute, that part needs sorting out but apart from that I've fully enjoyed it. "The lads have took me in amazingly, the management staff have welcomed me with open arms, so couldn't have asked for a better transition. "It's a big changing room now, but the transition I've made coming from one club to another has been seamless and I can't thank the lads enough for accepting me into the group." Ahead of the visit of West Brom tomorrow, Windass said he is looking forward to getting out in front of the crowd at the SToK Cae Ras. He added: "I keep getting told how good the atmosphere is so I'm looking forward to sampling it for a proper league game, I'm going to go out and give the best performance I can give like I always do and hopefully we can come away with a good result." Following the announcement of Nathan Broadhead, Windass said new additions can only strengthen the group ahead of a tough Championship season. Windass said: "The more quality, the more people coming into the group is the better for the team. We want to be fighting as high up as we can. "The season's long in the championship, the games come thick and fast, so you need everybody to be 100% all year round."
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wrexham make another signing as son of Premier League cult hero joins Ryan Reynolds & Co on free transfer
Wrexham ramp up their recruitment plans Sign Windass on a three-year deal Third signing in a space of five days Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? Windass' deal with Wednesday was mutually terminated, allowing Wrexham to swoop in and bolster their midfield ahead of their return to the Championship. The signing is seen as a major coup for Phil Parkinson's side, who continue to strengthen their squad following back-to-back promotions. THE BIGGER PICTURE Windass began his football journey in humble surroundings, featuring for non-league side Harrogate Railway Athletic in 2012. His performances caught the attention of Accrington Stanley, where he signed a professional contract in 2013. Over the course of three seasons, he scored 22 goals in 75 league games for Accrington before earning a move to Rangers in the summer of 2016. During his time at Ibrox, Windass played a key role in the Scottish Premiership, ending the 2017-18 season as joint top scorer alongside Alfredo Morelos, with 18 goals in all competitions. In August 2018, he made a switch to Wigan Athletic, tallying nine goals across 54 league appearances. It was from Wigan that he joined Sheffield Wednesday, where he would go on to enjoy the most prolific and high-profile period of his career to date. WHAT WINDASS SAID On signing for Wrexham, Windass told the official club website: 'I'm looking forward to getting going. I've spoken to the manager, who has showed me his plans for the season and what he expects from the group, and I've really bought into that. I'd describe myself as honest and hard-working, I like to contribute goals and assists from midfield and that's what I'm looking to bring to Wrexham. 'First and foremost, I want to get into the team and earn the respect of my team-mates – I want to be professional, be someone to look up to and then get the team as high up the league as possible.' DID YOU KNOW? Windass was Wrexham's third signing in the summer after Liberato Cacace and George Thomason. The Italian was signed in a club record deal of €2.5 million (£2.16m/$3m) from Empoli, whereas Thomason joined from Bolton Wanderers in a £1.2m move. WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM? Wrexham's Championship return kicks off with a testing encounter away to Southampton on August 9. The Saints, having recently dropped out of the Premier League, are widely expected to be contenders for an immediate return to the top flight. The clash at St. Mary's will serve as an early litmus test for Parkinson's squad, offering insight into how the newcomers stack up against seasoned opposition.
Powys County Times
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Southampton stun Wrexham with late comeback to win opening game
Wrexham suffered a double gut punch as Southampton struck twice late on for a dramatic 2-1 victory at St Mary's. Josh Windass put Wrexham ahead on their return to the second tier of English football after a 43-year absence, converting a 22nd-minute penalty when fellow summer recruit Kieffer Moore was fouled. Southampton – two divisions higher than Wrexham last season – pushed furiously throughout for reward, but they were fast running out of time when substitute Ryan Manning dispatched a superb 90th-minute free-kick. Saints were not done, though, as Manning burst down the left in the sixth minute of added time to deliver a cross that Jack Stephens lashed in off the crossbar at the back post and floor the club owned by Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. HE'S WON ITTTTTTTT — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 9, 2025 This was the first league meeting between the two sides for 65 years and a tale of two very different managers. Southampton boss Will Still – the youngest manager in the Championship at 32 – was in charge of his first game in English football after working in Belgium and France. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who began his career at Southampton before being released without making a single appearance, is the oldest manager in the division and has over 1,000 games under his belt and three successive promotions on his CV. There was no Tyler Dibling in the Saints squad with the teenage winger linked to Premier League clubs as Parkinson handed debuts to six of his eight summer signings. Windass and Conor Coady had shooting opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes after Ryan Fraser had home fans off their seats inside 45 seconds by curling wide. Chances came thick and fast as Saints wing-back Welington fired into the side netting and Windass clattered the crossbar from 25 yards after being set free by Moore. Wrexham went ahead after 22 minutes as Moore broke through before being blatantly pushed in the back by Ronnie Edwards. Parkinson might have wondered why there was no red card to accompany the spot-kick, but Windass coolly converted the penalty. Lewis Brunt spurned a free header to double the lead and a pulsating contest saw Parkinson join his defender Max Cleworth in referee James Bell's notebook. Saints finished the half strongly and Wrexham were fortunate to stay ahead as Adam Armstrong's shot on the turn went straight at Danny Ward. The Wales goalkeeper's shoulder kept out Fraser and the increasingly influential Jay Robinson stretched to turn the ball against the far post with Coady twice denying Armstrong profiting from the rebound. Saints maintained the pressure at the start of the second half and Cleworth escaped sanction after his outstretched arm blocked Shea Charles' effort in the penalty area. Wrexham lost Moore after he was injured in the act of shooting and Saints continued to press, with substitute Mateus Fernandes' shot lacking the power to trouble Ward. The Red Dragons wanted a second penalty when Lewis O'Brien went down after Stephens placed an arm on his shoulder, and Ryan Hardie's failure to beat Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu one-on-one proved costly.
North Wales Chronicle
09-08-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Southampton stun Wrexham with late comeback to win opening game
Josh Windass put Wrexham ahead on their return to the second tier of English football after a 43-year absence, converting a 22nd-minute penalty when fellow summer recruit Kieffer Moore was fouled. Southampton – two divisions higher than Wrexham last season – pushed furiously throughout for reward, but they were fast running out of time when substitute Ryan Manning dispatched a superb 90th-minute free-kick. Saints were not done, though, as Manning burst down the left in the sixth minute of added time to deliver a cross that Jack Stephens lashed in off the crossbar at the back post and floor the club owned by Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. HE'S WON ITTTTTTTT — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 9, 2025 This was the first league meeting between the two sides for 65 years and a tale of two very different managers. Southampton boss Will Still – the youngest manager in the Championship at 32 – was in charge of his first game in English football after working in Belgium and France. Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson, who began his career at Southampton before being released without making a single appearance, is the oldest manager in the division and has over 1,000 games under his belt and three successive promotions on his CV. There was no Tyler Dibling in the Saints squad with the teenage winger linked to Premier League clubs as Parkinson handed debuts to six of his eight summer signings. Windass and Conor Coady had shooting opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes after Ryan Fraser had home fans off their seats inside 45 seconds by curling wide. Chances came thick and fast as Saints wing-back Welington fired into the side netting and Windass clattered the crossbar from 25 yards after being set free by Moore. Wrexham went ahead after 22 minutes as Moore broke through before being blatantly pushed in the back by Ronnie Edwards. Parkinson might have wondered why there was no red card to accompany the spot-kick, but Windass coolly converted the penalty. Lewis Brunt spurned a free header to double the lead and a pulsating contest saw Parkinson join his defender Max Cleworth in referee James Bell's notebook. Saints finished the half strongly and Wrexham were fortunate to stay ahead as Adam Armstrong's shot on the turn went straight at Danny Ward. The Wales goalkeeper's shoulder kept out Fraser and the increasingly influential Jay Robinson stretched to turn the ball against the far post with Coady twice denying Armstrong profiting from the rebound. Saints maintained the pressure at the start of the second half and Cleworth escaped sanction after his outstretched arm blocked Shea Charles' effort in the penalty area. Wrexham lost Moore after he was injured in the act of shooting and Saints continued to press, with substitute Mateus Fernandes' shot lacking the power to trouble Ward. The Red Dragons wanted a second penalty when Lewis O'Brien went down after Stephens placed an arm on his shoulder, and Ryan Hardie's failure to beat Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu one-on-one proved costly.
USA Today
09-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wrexham's Hollywood script spoiled by Southampton in season opener
Southampton denied Wrexham a fairytale return to England's second tier as two late goals snatched a 2-1 home win on Saturday and ruined what looked like a Hollywood script written by the Welsh club's celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Josh Windass put Wrexham ahead with a 22nd-minute penalty, and they looked like enjoying a dream comeback to the Championship after 43 years until Ryan Manning levelled in the 90th minute and Jack Stephens got the winner deep in added time. "I was actually shattered, Ryan's been whipping in 25 crosses in the last 10 minutes, so there's always a chance to get on the end of it, so, I'm really pleased," Stephens told Sky Sports. Southampton, relegated from the Premier League last season, are one of the favorites for promotion, but they were almost stunned by a Wrexham side back at this level for the first time since 1982 after an unprecedented three consecutive promotions. Wrexham vs. Southampton highlights The home side enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the match, but it was Wrexham who created the more clearcut chances, and Phil Parkinson's side, which included six new signings, took a deserved lead. Experienced Welsh striker Kieffer Moore beat the offside trap and was charging through on goal when a nudge in the back from Ronnie Edwards was punished, and Windass drove his penalty low and past Gavin Bazunu. Windass saw an earlier effort bounce off the crossbar, while Southampton almost snatched an equaliser in added time before the break when Jay Robinson, sliding into the six-yard box, hit the upright. Southampton appealed for a penalty when Shea Charles' shot struck defender Max Cleworth's hand, but with no VAR in the Championship, Wrexham escaped. Wrexham's promotion from League One last season was built on defensive strength, keeping 24 clean sheets across 46 games, and it looked like they would begin this campaign in similar style. But Manning struck a beautiful free kick into the top corner and although Cameron Archer missed Manning's ball across goal, Stephens was at the back post to smash a shot into the roof of the net. St. Mary's Stadium erupted, as the Southampton fans who had endured a dismal campaign last season with only two league wins to celebrate, belted out "When the Saints go marching in". Wrexham may have been brought back down to earth by the loss after their meteoric rise since Reynolds and McElhenney took over in 2021, but they showed they may have what it takes to cause plenty of problems to the big clubs this season.
