Wrexham’s back-to-back promotions mean Phil Parkinson has been forced to make some difficult decisions on popular players.
Just over a year ago, Wrexham were pushed all the way by Notts County in the race for promotion from the National League.
Now, Wrexham are preparing for life in League One having blazed through League Two, straight into an automatic promotion spot.
Phil Parkinson faced some tricky contract decisions after winning promotion and some notable players are moving on.
Goalkeeper Rob Lainton and defender Jordan Tunnicliffe have been let go, as have Ben Tozer and Luke Young.
Tozer and Young have lifted trophies together at Wrexham, so seeing them move on was difficult but ultimately necessary as Wrexham look to continue progressing.
Wrexham’s Rob McElhenney reacts to Aaron Hayden move
Centre back Aaron Hayden was another player to leave Wrexham this summer as his contract comes to an end.
Hayden joined Wrexham from Carlisle United back in 2021 and was a key player in the National League.
The 27-year-old was incredibly prolific for a centre back, racking up 18 goals in 65 National League appearances.
Hayden faded out of the Wrexham first team this past season as injuries prevented him from playing a part in the promotion run-in.
Wrexham allowed Hayden to leave and he completed a return to Carlisle United on Monday evening.
Hayden is back at Brunton Park after three years away and Rob McElhenney has now reacted to the move.
Wrexham co-chairman McElhenney has taken to social media to state that Carlisle have ‘got a good one’ in re-signing Hayden.
McElhenney added that Carlisle just need to get the ball in the air and ‘watch a man fly’, praising Hayden’s aerial ability.
McElhenney saw Hayden pose a major threat going forward and his leap in the air was really something to behold.
Carlisle will be hoping to see plenty of that upon his return to the club and they will believe that Hayden can play a key role under Paul Simpson.
Carlisle have just suffered relegation from League One back to League Two, going down just a year after promotion.
Simpson will surely want to push for immediate promotion back to League One again and Hayden – who has just won back-to-back promotions – could be a vital addition.
McElhenney clearly still rates Hayden highly despite his Wrexham exit, and will join Wrexham fans in wishing him all the best as he makes a return to Cumbria.
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