PHIL PARKINSON believes supporters have had such a good connection with Luke Young because the Wrexham captain always gave his all for the club.

Young is one of eight out of contract players who have been released along with club captain Ben Tozer, goalkeeper Rob Lainton, and defenders Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe and Callum McFadzean. Young professionals Dan Davies and Owen Cushion will also leave.

The longest serving player in the squad after arriving at The Racecourse from Torquay United in the summer of 2018, midfielder Young made 259 appearances and scored 22 goals. 

He also won back-to-back Player of the Season Awards in 2019-20 and 2020-21, and was captain of Wrexham who have secured two promotions in a row for the first time in the club's history, earning praise from Parkinson.

"Luke has been a good servant to Wrexham," said the Reds' boss.

"I gave him the armband and he made a great contribution on and off the pitch.

"I think the supporters have had such a good connection with Luke because he was here through some tough times at the club and he always wore his heart on his sleeve.

"Wrexham supporters identify with that and I think they have enjoyed watching him progress with the club as it has grown."

Tozer, brought in from Cheltenham Town in August 2021, was a highly influential figure in the squad and played every single minute of Wrexham's record-breaking 2022-23 National League title-winning campaign. 

"Ben has been with me here right from the start, he was one of our first signings," said Parkinson.

"He has been great on the pitch and off the pitch, he has been a great role model for our younger players."

Goalkeeper Rob Lainton has been with the Reds for six years but has struggled with injuries and didn't make a single appearance this season when Wrexham finished runners-up in League Two.

"Rob had various injuries over the last few years and you have got to feel for him," said Parkinson about Lainton, who has been struggling with a knee problem.

"It must have been really tough at times for him but he has always remained positive in and around the group.

"Steve Parkin and I always appreciated that, the challenge for Rob now in the next few months is can he get himself closer to fitness and go and be someone's number one."

Centre-backs Aaron Hayden and Jordan Tunnicliffe also battled with injuries this season, although Parkinson says the duo are fit but just couldn't get into the side with Max Cleworth, Eoghan O'Connell and Tom O'Connor forming the defence during the run-in which finished with five successive wins.

"Both of them have been fit for a considerable part of the season," he said.

"Jordan had his problem from last season but they have both been fit and available for selection. The form of the back three has meant they couldn't get in the team which was a shame for those two.

"Jordan was probably a bit unlucky not to have played more games this season but it is about getting in the team and that competition drives standards. The lads who have got in the team have done really well.

"Likewise with Aaron. Max emerged as the season has gone on and he found it difficult to get back in the team, but both lads have been great for us."