ANDY DIBBLE was in the team the last time Wrexham clinched promotion to the third-tier and he believes his former club are destined for bigger and better things.

Former Wales international Dibble helped the Reds, managed by Denis Smith, go back up to Division Two at the first time of asking in 2002-03.

The club fell on hard times both on and off the pitch, with Dibble leaving The Racecourse in the summer of 2005, and Wrexham endured a lengthy spell in the non-league wilderness.

However, Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney completed their takeover of the club in February 2021 and Phil Parkinson led Wrexham to the National League title in 2022-23 and return to the Football League following a 15-year absence.

Wrexham have adjusted well to life at a higher level and the Reds go into Saturday's game at Accrington Stanley - where Dibble is goalkeeping coach - sitting second in League Two.

The 58-year-old believes his former club are more than capable of clinching two more promotions to reach the Championship.

"Somebody reminded me the other day that I was part of the last Wrexham team that was promoted to League One," said Dibble, whose son Christian spent five-and-a-half years at Wrexham before leaving in January.

"It was a nice achievement and I will never forget it. 

"It is fairytale what has happened at Wrexham.

"It is a club I loved dearly when I was a player there, obviously I saw my son play for them - I got to see him play for Wrexham at Wembley - and I was really proud of his time at the club as well, and I am also pleased with the on-going success story.

"I think it is fantastic what's happened there and I would love to see Wrexham challenging for the Championship.

"I can see Wrexham's destiny being the Championship if they keep going the way they are and I think it will be fantastic for the town, the people, manager, players, owners, everybody.

"They have got the support and the backing which does help and they are going in the right direction which is brilliant to see."

Wrexham are five points behind leaders Stockport, who clinched automatic promotion to the EFL in 2021-22, while Notts County have also made a strong start to the campaign after coming up with the Reds through the play-offs last term.

Dibble believes all three teams will be in the promotion mix come April and he also hopes Accrington, relegated last season but currently eighth in the standings, can also challenge for a play-off berth.

"Those three look very strong," said Dibble, who played for the likes of Cardiff, Manchester City and Luton Town in an illustrious career.

"We all know they have got good backing and a good fanbase as well.

"We will be disappointed if we are not knocking on the door of the play-offs because we have done brilliantly.

"It was disappointing to come down, injuries cost us big time but we have started this season not bad."