PAUL MULLIN has become the first player to win the Player of the Season award three times but Max Cleworth will also need to make room on his mantlepiece after scooping another gong.
Mullin picked up his accolade for a record-breaking third consecutive year while centre-back Cleworth landed the Young Player of the Season award for a second time.
The 21-year-old produced a series of impressive performances in defence, helping Wrexham secure a top-three finish in League Two to make it back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club’s history.
Cleworth was delighted to win the accolade for a second time on the back of his 2021-22 award but insists team success, and clinching a place in League One, comes before individual recognition.
“I was buzzing to get it,” said Cleworth, who came through the youth ranks at The Racecourse.
“I knew Arthur Okonkwo could have got it as well because he has had an unbelievable season.
“Having come all the way through the academy, to get it again means a lot to me.
“It is quite an achievement but one my family probably think about more, although I was buzzing to win it.
“But obviously it is about the whole season as a team; individual awards are nice but the collective is the most important thing.
“To even be a small part of the last three years, but especially the last two, and be able to experience it is something I will never take for granted.
“Back-to-back promotions don’t happen a lot in football so it is something I am really grateful to be a part of.”
Cleworth became a regular in the Wrexham defence in the second half of the season and scored his first league goal in the 2-1 victory at Colchester United on April 6.
He made 31 appearances and becomes a two-time promotion winner after helping Phil Parkinson’s side win the National League title following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign.
“When I was in the under 12s or 13s, to say I’d have got to this stage with back-to-back promotions and played a decent enough part, I probably wouldn’t have believed you,” he added.
“I am just trying to enjoy the ride and let’s see where it takes us.”
A punctured lung sustained in pre-season meant Mullin missed the start of the campaign but he still went onto score 26 goals in all competitions, with 24 coming in the league.
He claimed the Player of the Season award ahead of Andy Cannon who was voted second, with Elliot Lee finishing third.
There was more recognition for Mullin who also took home the Top Goalscorer award.
The 29-year-old has now passed the century mark of goals for Wrexham since arriving at The Racecourse from Cambridge in the summer of 2021.
Elliot Lee scooped the Players’ Player of the Season Award voted for by his team-mates.
The playmaker was the only Wrexham player who featured in all 46 league games and he played a key role in the promotion campaign, scoring 16 goals.
The Steve Edwards Goal of Season award went to Ryan Barnett for his strike in the 6-0 victory against Forest Green Rovers at The Racecourse on April 13, the game where Wrexham secured a top-three finish.
The Wrexham Women’s Player of the Season Award winner was prolific striker Rosie Hughes. Like Mullin, Hughes scooped the award for a third consecutive year.
Lili Jones finished second in the supporter vote and Amber Lightfoot was third.
Hughes was also Top Goalscorer after helping Steve Dale’s side finish third in the Genero Adran Premier and reach the Welsh Cup final.
Jones, ever-present in the league, scooped the Young Player of the Season accolade for the first time and versatile defender Phoebe Davies landed the Players’ Player of the Season Award.
The Wrexham AFC Community Player of the Season for 2023-24 was Erin Lovett while Harry Ashfield is the Bob Clark Academy Player of the Season.
As well as making his first-team debut this season, Ashfield is the top goalscorer for the Academy team who sit top of the EFL Youth Alliance North-West table with one game remaining.
The Service and Support Award was given to long-serving staff member Mike Matthews.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here