MARK HOWARD believes he could continue playing until the age of 40.

The experienced goalkeeper, who joined Wrexham in the summer of 2022, has enjoyed a successful career and played for the likes of Sheffield United, Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and Carlisle United.

Now aged 37, Howard was restricted to seven League Two appearances this season after Phil Parkinson brought in Arthur Okonkwo on a season-long loan when former England international Ben Foster went back into retirement in August.

But the Reds' boss has offered Howard, who has helped Wrexham clinched back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history, a new contract and it seems the stopper is in no mood to hang up his gloves just yet. 

"Everyone knows about the club’s story but you ask any of the lads who joined the club in the National League, none of us wanted to drop down to that level," said Howard, who will celebrate his 38th birthday in September.

"We had all played a lot higher. But we wanted to be part of that journey. 

"To say we helped the club win one promotion and then another, we are history-makers. You can’t take that away from us. 

"I wanted to join a progressive club, it’s been beyond my wildest expectations. 

"At 37 I feel I have two or three more years left in me and I just want to continue this journey at Wrexham."

Parkinson announced his retained list on Friday and decided to release eight out of contract players, including first team captain Luke Young - the longest serving player in the squad - and club captain Ben Tozer.

Howard, along with striker Steven Fletcher and young defender Aaron James, have been offered new deals while utility player James McClean has had his contract automatically extended and will remain with Wrexham for the 2024-25 campaign in League One.

Okonkwo has returned to parent club Arsenal while fellow keeper Luke McNicholas, who played in three Football League Trophy games this season, remains at The Racecourse and the club has exercised the option to extend the contract of young stopper Liam Hall.

* Howard was speaking to OLBG - https://www.olbg.com/