Can Wrexham make history again?
For the first time in 43 years, Wrexham will play in the Championship
They are preparing for life in the second tier of English football for the first time since 1982.
Author | James Lees
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| Wrexham fans just before promotion was confirmed |
This is is a moment few could have imagined three years ago, when the club were still in the National League and promotion seemed like a distant dream.
Since the arrival of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, expectations at the Racecourse Ground have been completely transformed. The club's rise has been remarkable. After winning the National League with a record 111 points in 2022–23,
Wrexham went on to finish second in both League Two and League One in successive seasons. No club in the history of English football has ever achieved three consecutive promotions. It is a rare achievement that may not be repeated for some time.
The Championship, however, presents a much tougher challenge. The step up in quality and financial strength is significant. Only five clubs have made it from League One to the Premier League at the first attempt, with Ipswich Town the most recent in 2023–24. Ipswich did so with a far larger support base and greater financial resources. Although Wrexham’s Hollywood owners gave the club a competitive edge in the lower leagues, their revenue remains modest compared with the top Championship sides.
One fan perhaps summed up the more realistic expectations, saying: “I would take mid-table safety now. We’re going to lose more often and have longer spells without a win than we’ve been used to.”
Which players have they signed this summer?
To prepare for the challenge ahead, Wrexham have been active in the transfer market. Promotion winners Conor Coady and Kieffer Moore arrived from Leicester City and Sheffield United respectively, with both deals believed to be worth around £2m each.
Lewis O’Brien joined from Nottingham Forest after impressing on loan at Swansea City last season. Wrexham were reported to have outbid their Welsh rivals for the midfielder, with the fee estimated between £3m and £5m.
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Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward returned to his hometown club on a free transfer, while Josh Windass also arrived without a fee following his exit from Sheffield Wednesday. Both players are thought to be on substantial wages.
New Zealand international Liberato Cacace arrived from Empoli following a three-year spell in Serie A. He was joined by Plymouth striker Ryan Hardie and Bolton midfielder George Thomason, with the total outlay for the four signings reportedly around £4m.
