BEN FOSTER insists everyone at Wrexham will be targeting another promotion push rather than consolidation on their return to League One - and he believes his former club can do it.
Phil Parkinson's men finished runners-up in League Two this season to make it back-to-back promotions for the first time in the club's history.
The success story began when Wrexham were crowned National League champions following a record-breaking 2022-23 campaign and the Reds quickly adapted to life at a higher level.
It promises to be much tougher in League One next term when they come up against the likes of Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Charlton Athletic.
But with a quality squad already at Parkinson's disposal, and new signings set to arrive at The Racecourse over the summer, ex-England international goalkeeper Foster believes Wrexham can challenge for an unprecedented third successive promotion.
"How are they going to fare in League One? I think they will be fine," Foster, who had two spells at Wrexham, told his Fozcast podcast.
"I don't know if there's every been a back-to-back-to-back promotions before but I would say the odds on Wrexham doing it are not bad at all.
"I am going to say they are going to do it.
"I think they are going to invest in another four or five, maybe half-a-dozen, good players; solid people, solid professionals, that are going to raise the standard just a little bit more.
"But I think what they have got in that team anyway is League One level and if you can add a little bit more quality, a bit more experience, I think they are going to be there or thereabouts again come the end of the season."
When asked whether consolidation, and perhaps a top-ten finish, would be the aim in Wrexham’s first season in the third tier for 19 years, Foster added: “They won’t be thinking that.
"I guarantee you the owners and the manager, all the coaching staff and even some of the players, will not be thinking about solidify.
"They won't be thinking about consolidating in that league for a year or two, no chance.
"They will be thinking realistically, we want to be knocking on the doors of at least the play-offs."
Foster came out of retirement to play the final eight games of the 2022-23 campaign, helping Wrexham clinch the National League title and return to the Football League following a 15-year exile.
Following a mixed start to the League Two season, Foster again called time on his career in August but the Reds came good and secured a top-three finish with two games to spare after hitting top-form in the run-in.
"Back-to-back, what an achievement that is," added the 41-year-old, who first arrived at Wrexham on loan from Stoke City in 2005 and impressed to earn his move to Manchester United.
"There are going to be people saying they have invested and they have got better players but the nucleus of that team, the core of that team, is the same as it was the season before.
"I think the way they have done it with games to spare is really, really impressive.
"When I got there, I saw a team that I thought 'this is a National League team, they are way too good to be a National League team', and back-to-back promotions....it's been an incredible season for them and a fantastic achievement, and I hope they can go and do it again next year."
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