TIME flies when your having fun and Phil Parkinson is plotting more success in the Wrexham hotseat.
It’s two years tomorrow since Parkinson took charge at The Racecourse, with the 55-year-old becoming the first manager brought in by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds after they completed their takeover of the club in February 2021.
Parkinson, who boasts two decades’ experience as a manager, was previously at the helm of six different clubs and won promotion on three occasions before arriving in north Wales.
Another never arrived in his first season when Wrexham were pipped to the title by Stockport County and lost in the play-off semi-finals but the Reds enjoyed a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign, clinching the National League title and return to the Football League following a 15-year-old absence.
Parkinson is now planning for the new League Two season which kicks-off with a home game against MK Dons on Saturday August 5 and he is delighted with the progress made since he came in.
“It is amazing just how quick the two years have gone,” said Parkinson, who won the National League manager of the season award following the title triumph.
“So many memorable moments and talking points across the two years.
“It has been such an exciting journey to see the club evolve and the gradual improvements in the squad as we have gone along.
“I am pleased with a lot of the work which has gone on in building the squad to get it where it is today.
“Like everybody, I am so excited about going into an EFL season.”
Wrexham re-wrote the history books after coming out on top following a thrilling title race with Notts County, finishing with a best-ever 111 points haul.
The Reds also set a new fifth tier record for most wins in a season (34 from 46 games) and equalled the record for fewest defeats in a campaign after losing just three matches.
“It was a special season,” said Parkinson.
“Everybody knows - Wrexham fans more than anybody - how hard the National League is to get out of for many different reasons, obviously just the one automatic promotion place being the biggest challenge.
“The league presents its own challenges but we got the job done and now we are looking to continue building the club going forward.”
Parkinson wants to build on the club’s first promotion for 20 years when the League Two season gets underway in just over a month’s time.
The Reds are being backed to continue climbing the divisions under multi-millionaire actors Reynolds and McElhenney, with Parkinson aiming to add to what is already a strong squad.
“It is a huge step for the club to get back into the EFL,” he added.
“I feel there is a lot of growth in the club now and we are all working really hard behind the scenes to make sure the squad is ready, and to tackle the season ahead.”
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