Wrexham aiming to keep the bandwagon rolling in League One

After winning back-to-back promotions in the last two seasons, Wrexham will be eager to make their mark during the 2024/25 League One campaign.

Wrexham’s climb from the National League to the third tier has been dubbed a feelgood story by Football Today, and it’s impossible to argue with that viewpoint.

The North Wales club have been preparing for the new season on tour in North America, and their performances suggest another promotion could be on the cards.

Wrexham have drawn with Premier League clubs Bournemouth and Chelsea in California to highlight their progress over the past couple of years.

Manager Phil Parkinson was particularly proud of the 2-2 draw against Chelsea, claiming his side should have beaten the ‘billion-pound team’ in Santa Clara.

Christopher Nkunku put the Blues ahead, but goals by Jack Marriott and Luke Bolton turned the game on its head after the break. Lesley Ugochukwu’s late equaliser rescued a draw for Chelsea.

“I am absolutely delighted,” Parkinson told the BBC. “You’ve got to put it into context. We’ve played a billion-pound team – they’ve spent so much money, and two years ago we were playing in the National League.

“To go toe-to-toe with Chelsea tonight, you can understand what an effort that was from the lads and we could and should have won the game.

“We are disappointed [Sam] Dalby got fouled that the linesman is flagging frantically, and the ref didn’t know and the ball is in the back of our net.

“The new players have come in and slotted in really well for us so far. We are not going to moan too much. It was a proper shift from our boys, and we played with belief in the second period and really took the game to them.”

Wrexham have a couple of other friendlies lined up ahead of their season opener against Wycombe Wanderers on August 10.

Parkinson’s side will be keen to hit the ground running as they embark on what promises to be a hugely competitive campaign in League One.

While Wrexham are rated as the fourth favourites to win the title, it would be foolish to think they will find it easy to breeze straight into the Championship.

Over-confidence is a trait which can be hugely damaging in live sports today, and Wrexham fans would be well advised to avoid falling into the trap.

League One looks particularly strong this season, with relegated clubs Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United all expected to challenge for promotion.

Their respective squads boast players with plenty of higher-level experience, and they will rightly fancy their chances of making an immediate return to the second tier.

Having been swept aside by Championship strugglers Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup in January, Wrexham can ill-afford to take the relegated trio lightly.

The third tier is also packed with other clubs who expect to fight at the top end of the table including Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Peterborough United.

Blackpool, Barnsley, Wigan Athletic and Lincoln City add further depth to a division that can be fiendishly tricky to get out of.

Wrexham have made moves to strengthen their squad this summer, axing several players from their promotion-winning squads and signing a handful of new faces.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has joined on a permanent deal from Arsenal after a loan spell with the club. Fellow goalie Callum Burton has also signed after being released by Plymouth Argyle.

Defenders Lewis Brunt and Sebastian Revan have been snapped up from Leicester City and Aston Villa respectively. Former Charlton Athletic midfielder George Dobson is another new recruit.

Parkinson has urged the club to add more quality to his squad before the transfer window closes to ensure Wrexham can cope with the rigours of League One.

While a handful of teams have climbed from League Two into the Championship in two years, recent history is undoubtedly against Wrexham.

Burton Albion were the last club to achieve the feat (2014/15 & 2015/16), highlighting the size of the task facing the Welsh club this season.

However, with Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bankrolling the club, another promotion-winning campaign is not beyond the realms of possibility.