CALLUM MCFADZEAN described the competition for a starting place at Wrexham in his position as "top class" and he was pleased Phil Parkinson made him part of his plans when the promotion challenged began to hot-up.

The 30-year-old became a regular after signing from Crewe Alexandra in January 2022 but he had a hernia operation last summer and was not named in Phil Parkinson's 22-man squad for the first half of the 2023-24 season, with Jacob Mendy and James McClean the options available to the Reds' boss in the left wing-back role.

After playing in three cup games, McFadzean earned a place on the updated squad list after the January transfer window closed and he made two substitute appearances during the run-in as Wrexham finished runners-up in League Two, securing a second promotion in a row for the first time in the club's history.

McFadzean was restricted to five appearances all season and had been released but even though he found himself playing a bit-part, the defender was just pleased to be back involved as Wrexham clinched a place in League One.

"When I first got to Wrexham there was no competition for me and by the end of it, there was Jacob and James," said McFadzean. 

"It was top class competition by the end of my time there.

"I took a bit of a backseat and supported the boys to get us over the line.

"I played a little bit towards the end of the season and played a little part in us getting promoted again.

"The gaffer said to me that I've been great.

"People might not see it but behind the scenes and in training, he said the standards I kept was one of the reasons why he put me back in the 22-man squad.

"He said I'd been unlucky to miss out but those are the decisions he has to make.

"But it was great to be back involved at the end and get another promotion."

McFadzean hopes Wrexham continue the success story under Parkinson when they step up to the third tier.

"I said to the gaffer, you've had a lot of success and I hope it continues," he said.

"I wish them nothing but the best; it's a great place with great people."

After coming out on top in a thrilling title race with Notts County to clinch  a return to the Football League following a 15-year absence, the players continued the title celebrations on an all-expenses-paid lavish bash in Las Vegas, with Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney funding the trip.

McFadzean wasn’t in America with his team-mates after having his operation but he was present when the Reds returned to Sin City last month after winning promotion to League One.

“It wasn’t a bad way to go out!” added McFadzean, who is one of nine players released by Parkinson to make room for new signings ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.