Latest news with #ex-Wrexham
Daily Mirror
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ryan Reynolds and Wrexham have same golden transfer rule as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
A Wrexham director has lifted the lid on manager Phil Parkinson's stringent player recruitment strategy, which closely mirrors Mikel Arteta's approach at Arsenal Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has a golden rule when signing new players which echoes the approach taken by Arsenal's Mikel Arteta. The former Sunderland and Bradford manager has delivered unprecedented success since taking charge of the Welsh side in July 2021. Backed by the money of Hollwood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Parkinson has achieved three successive promotions, lifting the Red Dragons from the National League to the Championship. Wrexham 's critics often use their riches as a reason to pour cold water on their accomplishments. However, club director Shaun Harvey has now shone a light on the extensive homework Parkinson does before bringing in new recruits. Similar to the strict non-negotiables Arteta has set out in relation to players' personalities at Arsenal, Wrexham have a firm "no d*******s" policy. Harvey lifted the lid on the secret to the club's tried and tested methods in the transfer market while appearing on ex-Wrexham and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster 's Fozcast podcast. "We still have what most people would recognise as a more traditional model, where the manager is all things," said the former EFL chief executive. "He helps recruit players, identify players, and ultimately, from a footballing perspective, Phil has the ultimate sign off. "It's been couched around Wrexham as Phil's d******* test. Is he going to fit in, or is he going to upset the dressing room culture? The dressing room culture plays such a big part in the success of any team so background checks will be done. Some will be good, some will be bad. "The bad ones, you don't take forward and you leave them on one side. The best player signings are those that have probably been discussed that little bit more openly with a group of people who've got no vested interest other than the success of the football club." Wrexham have so far made six signings this summer, initially bringing in Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie, Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward and Empoli left-back Liberato Cacace in the months since gaining promotion from League One. They have also added Bolton captain George Thomason, former Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass and Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien to their ranks this week. Parkinson's stringent focus on prioritising the right type of character is very similar to Arteta's ethos at Arsenal. The Spaniard has explained the high demands he sets for incoming players on several occasions. Speaking to Amazon Prime Sport Video in 2022, he said: "Around the club, we have to make a lot of good decisions and when we talk about non-negotiables, it's about the values that have to be installed. If someone is going to damage those values and environment, they should not be part of the club. "When we set the objectives, we made a compromise that only the best people and the best players are going to come through this door. And when you cannot recruit that, it's better not to recruit." Expanding further on his requirements, Arteta told the Men in Blazers podcast: "I will try to recruit players that we can all feel that they are part of us, and they are able to transmit the values and the ideas that we have at the club. "First of all they have to love the game, and someone that loves winning. They need to love the club, so they need to be willing to join us for the right reasons, and then characters that can complement what we already have and provide what we don't have." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year.
Leader Live
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Fan tribtue to Wrexham AFC and Liverpool legend Joey Jones
Joey most certainly gave the lie to the cliche, 'Never meet your heroes'. I genuinely can't imagine anybody feeling let down after coming across him, unless they were on the opposing side in a football match, of course! (Image: Newsquest) His ferocious will to win was the publicly visible element of his personality, and it was a natural extension of his fundamental desire to never let anybody down. He never did. His loyalty was tied closely to his decency. He was a kind, generous man. If anything, probably too generous. When I interview ex-Wrexham players, especially those who came through our youth system, they always ask me the same questions before we get going: 'Is Joey still there? How's he doing?' They might have long moved on from professional football, but his impact remains fresh. They acknowledge their huge debt to him as a coach or team-mate, tutoring them in the game, but are equally quick to comment on his impact as a man. I've seen him give his time and energy with great generosity, often to complete strangers. Indeed, I've seen people attempt to take advantage of the fact that if Joey could help them, he most certainly would. That's what I mean about his desire to deliver for others. He was selfless to a fault in all aspects of his life. He was an uplifting presence. He seemed to have a terrific facility to remembering people, and it made you feel ten feet tall when he saw you and offered an instant greeting. Imagine how I felt: I went from a kid, worshipping this football legend, to a guy who would hear someone shout: 'Hey, Mark!' and turn to see my childhood hero with that kind grin on his face. That felt special. His sense of humour was legendary, his autobiography is hilarious. He was serious when he needed to be, but unless you'd let his side down, or clobbered one of his team mates, you'd never see that side of his personality. Wingers who'd felt the force of Joey's challenges on the pitch would be astounded to hear that for the rest of us he was a lovably daft, affable guy! His football achievements stack up spectacularly, of course. The first Welsh player to win the European Cup, which now is the Champions League, of course, and a stack of caps for Wales in an era when international matches were less regular. Loyalty was important to him. Barely a year after he'd won the European Cup he left Liverpool to return to his beloved Wrexham. Even now, in our gloriously ambitious current state when we've been given permission to dream, it's hard to imagine Dani Carvajal ditching Real Madrid for a stint at the Racecourse! Joey Jones (Image: Newsquest) All this adds up to a remarkable man. He was able to deliver the iconic moments too, in a way which little clubs like Wrexham rarely experience. It's only recently that the proliferation of high quality images that drive social media has truly caught up with clubs like us. So many memorable moments have evaporated into the ether if Les Evans didn't happen to capture them. Yet Joey's iconography sticks in the mind. No doubt there will be a groundswell of opinion to name the new Kop after a man who was known as the 'King of the Kop', not just at the Racecourse, but also at Anfield. I'm not going to jump on that particular bandwagon, but I do want to make an observation. Read more As we travel around the championship, discovering grounds the club has never been to before, we'll notice a trend. There were signs of it last season, when we hit League One, but in the Championship it's much more pronounced. All of a sudden, football clubs are building statues. Some of them are great. Some of them are moving. Some of them are not. Sunderland somehow managed to encapsulate both ends of the spectrum. There's a beautiful tribute to the fans who have come together to share the game down the generations at one end of the stadium, and an effigy of their FA Cup winning manager, Bob Stokoe, galloping onto the pitch with glee at the other. It's a great image, but the way his teeth have been rendered is a bit too realistic! (Image: Newsquest) Joey, as I said, was one for the iconic gesture. He didn't set out to do it, but that's the thing about people who are genuine. Their sincerity affects you. He was a master of the touching gesture because they came from the heart. So, when he ran to the Kop, whether it be in North Wales or Merseyside, and gave his traditional pre-match salute, it was natural. He would not have been one for manufactured photo opportunities. He'd wave his fist to the fans that he would be amongst himself if he wasn't on the pitch, exhorting them to put in the sort of effort he was about to. It sums him up that he endeared himself to everyone with this natural, but passionate gesture. Maybe someone should make a statue of it.
Powys County Times
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Newtown snap up teenager Starkey-Jones after Shrewsbury exit
NEWTOWN Football Club has completed the signing of teenage midfielder Findlay Starkey-Jones. The 18-year-old attacking has joined Newtown following his release from Shrewsbury Town this summer. During his time at Shrewsbury, Starkey-Jones was part of the club's youth setup and featured as a trialist in pre-season friendlies, including a match against Brackley Town in July 2024. In the 2023–24 season, Starkey-Jones gained senior experience on loan at OJM Black Country, a club competing in the Midland Football League. Meanwhile midfielder Rob Evans has committed to the Robins for another season. The 30 year old ex-Wrexham and AFC Telford United players' decision provides a boost to manager Nathan Leonard as he strives to ensure experience in the ranks following the departure of a host of key players following relegation from the JD Cymru Premier. A club spokesman said: "Robbie has become a key figure in the heart of Newtown's midfield since joining the club, and his decision to commit his future to the Robins is a huge statement of intent. "His experience, work ethic, and passion for the badge continue to make him a fan favourite and a respected presence in the dressing room."
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes receives telling message from ex-Man Utd star after £300m snub
A former Manchester United star has reacted after Bruno Fernandes rejected a big-money move to Al-Hilal after the Saudi outfit made a staggering £300million offer Bruno Fernandes has been praised by former Manchester United star Ben Foster for snubbing a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia. The United skipper disclosed this week that he had rejected the chance to exit Old Trafford for Al-Hilal. The decision came despite the Saudi Pro League club's willingness to fork out an eye-watering £300million package, which included £100m for United and a £200m contract for the Portuguese midfielder. The 30-year-old playmaker turned down the offer after stating his desire to maintain his career "at the highest level". Ex-United goalkeeper Ben Foster has now voiced his joy at Fernandes' decision to stay put, despite questioning his sanity with a tongue-in-cheek remark. Sharing his thoughts via his Cycling GK Instagram account, the ex-Wrexham shot-stopper said: "I'm so happy about it, because it just goes to show that some footballers actually do it for the love of the game - it's not all about money." "Not only that, we want to see the best players playing in the Premier League week in, week out, and Bruno Fernandes is one of those players." Speaking directly to Fernandes, Foster said: "Bruno, I don't know whether you're a little bit mad or just madly in love with football, either way, I love it, mate. I'm all over it and looking forward to watching you playing in the Premier League next season." Fernandes revealed at a press conference on Tuesday why he turned down a move to Al-Hilal as United plan for a rebuild under manager Ruben Amorim. Speaking while on international duty with Portugal, he said: "There was an opportunity. The [Al-Hilal] president called me and asked if I wanted to go there. "They were waiting for me. I spoke to coach Amorim. He asked me not to go. Manchester United didn't want to sell me. They don't need the money. If I had wanted to leave, they would have made it happen. "It [would have been] an easy move, even at a family level. I had João Cancelo there, my children are used to playing with him in the national team. We have a great friendship. But I want to maintain myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions and I feel capable of it." After a disappointing season which saw United finish 15th in the Premier League, Amorim, who succeeded Erik Ten Hag last November, is aiming to revamp his squad. The club has already made one major signing after bringing in Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5million, while interest has also been shown in Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. Ex-United defender Gary Neville has lauded Fernandes' commitment to the club during a challenging period. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "He's so important. It would have been easy for him at the end of this season to say, 'Look, I'm done here'. This will endear him towards Manchester United fans even more. "To turn that money down at a point where Manchester United are at their lowest ebb and say, 'No, I want to fight through this, I want to see it through the other side, I want to come out and achieve things', I think it says a lot about him as a person, as a character. The club needs people who are going to run through a brick wall for them." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Wales Online
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wrexham's ex-Arsenal goalkeeper gets warning from David Raya - 'It's so much different'
Wrexham's ex-Arsenal goalkeeper gets warning from David Raya - 'It's so much different' Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has outlined the difficulty of life in the Championship as Wrexham prepare to play in the second tier for the first time in 43 years Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has spoken about the brutality of playing in the Championship ahead of Wrexham's next campaign (Image: Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images ) David Raya has issued a warning which former Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo would do well to heed ahead of Wrexham's Championship campaign next season. Okonkwo made his name after rising up through the Gunners' academy during his youth career. He made his first senior appearances on loan at Crewe Alexandra in League Two during the 2022/23 season and also spent time in Austria with Sturm Graz. The talented shot-stopper then joined Wrexham on loan from Arsenal in September 2023 and impressed as Phil Parkinson's side secured automatic promotion from the fourth tier. Okonkwo then signed permanently for the North Wales outfit, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney last summer. The 23-year-old was a key part of the team that achieved a third successive promotion from League One in April, recording 19 clean sheets during the 2024/25 campaign. However, current Arsenal No. 1 Raya has now cautioned over the difficulty of playing in the Championship after describing it as being tougher for keepers than even the Premier League. The Spanish international knows those challenges only too well after starring in the second tier with Blackburn Rovers and Brentford. Raya discussed the mental and physical tests while appearing on the Fozcast podcast, hosted by ex-Wrexham and Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster. "It's so much different [playing in the Championship] and you get kicked everywhere," he said. "Every throw-in is going into the six-yard box, with eight or nine monsters just going straight into you. Obviously in the Premier League there are more quality players but when it gets to physicality, there's a lot more games [in the Championship] as well. Article continues below Former Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has played a big role in Wrexham's recent success (Image: Ben) "That mental and physical side of playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday for the whole season is so, so tough and it's one of the hardest leagues in the world." Foster, who played for Wrexham over two spells and helped them win the National League title in 2023, backed Raya's frank assessment of playing in the Championship. The former England international said: "I totally agree. I think, as a goalkeeper, playing in the Championship is harder than playing in the Premier League. You need to have more about you. You've got to be physically stronger and physicality comes into it a lot more in the Championship. Watch Welcome to Wrexham season 4 on Disney+ This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more from £4.99 Disney+ Get Disney+ here Product Description Welcome to Wrexham is back on Disney+ for a fourth season. Fans can watch the series with a £4.99 monthly plan, or get 12 months for the price of 10 by paying for a year upfront. "If you go further down the leagues into the National League, League Two, even League One, I think there's Premier League goalkeepers right now that would not be able to play in those leagues. Even in the Championship, I think you've got to be more rounded to survive." Okonkwo's experience with Wrexham in the lower divisions of the EFL should stand him in good stead for the next level. He has quickly become a fan favourite at the club and features regularly in the Welcome to Wrexham docuseries. While his surroundings are now very familiar after helping his team win two promotions, Okonwko recently admitted that it wasn't always that way when he first joined Wrexham. Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage Wrexham AFC is the arguably the fastest-growing club in the world at the moment thanks to a certain Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Dragons have achieved two consecutive promotions and are cheered on by crowds from not only North Wales but also from all over the globe, thanks to the success of the Disney+ documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham'. But does it have a dedicated, quality source of information piped through to your inbox each week, free of ads but packed with informed opinion, analysis and even a little bit of fun each week? That's where Wrexham is the Game steps in... Available every Wednesday, it provides all the insights you need to be a top red. And for a limited time, a subscription to 'Wrexham is the Game' will cost fans just £15 for the first year. Sign up for Wrexham is the Game here Article continues below Speaking on the Amanpour and Company TV series on PBS, he said: "When my agents told me about the opportunity, I did have to search 'where is Wrexham' and that's me being honest. I knew they were in the EFL and I knew a bit about the club, but I didn't know how well they were doing. "The owners are so well known and when they're calling you, it still feels surreal. It's all been an interesting, and slightly weird, journey. "I always knew that Wrexham was the right move for me [last summer]. The fans wanted me back, the players wanted me back and they couldn't tell me any more."
