Wrexham players now face another step up after securing promotion to League One just a year after leaving the National League.
Back-to-back promotions is quite the feat and something Wrexham fans probably couldn’t have seriously imagined even just five years ago.
Here we are though; Wrexham will head into pre-season training as a League One club with Phil Parkinson looking to keep the progress going.
Wrexham players must now prove that they are ready for the step up to League One.
Some are looking to prove themselves at this level again with Elliot Lee, Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer among those with something to prove.
Others have never been at this level before and will want to show that they deserve to be part of the Wrexham project for years to come.
Max Cleworth and Ryan Barnett spring to mind as they look to take their performance into League One action.
Jacob Mendy on Phil Parkinson
Another player who fits in that mould is Jacob Mendy.
The 27-year-old had to rise up through non-league action with the likes of Redhill, Carshalton Athletic, Wealdstone and Boreham Wood before joining Wrexham in 2022.
Mendy has taken that platform and fulfilled his dream of becoming a full Gambia international whilst shining for Wrexham.
Mendy will now hope to start next season as Wrexham’s first-choice left wing back and he has now offered up praise to boss Phil Parkinson.
Much of the attention at the STōK Cae Ras falls on Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, but Parkinson is the man who has guided Wrexham to successive promotions.
A promotion-winner with Colchester United, Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers before his time at Wrexham, Parkinson knows what it takes to get results in the EFL.
Mendy has now told The Athletic that he thinks Parkinson is a ‘great gaffer’ and that the swearing we see in his team talks on ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is ‘normal’.
Mendy highlighted the emotional that Parkinson brings on match days and praised his man-management skills, believing that he does a great job of keeping Wrexham players motivated.
“It is normal,” said Mendy. “He only swears in games. In normal conversations, he speaks well. He comes across as a nice person. It is the emotion of football that changes him. When you play football, emotions are high in that heat of the moment. Anything can come out of your mouth. But he is a very good person — a great gaffer.”
“He’s very good at man-managing the squad. His career says it all. He knows how to lead a team and keep them motivated. After you win a few games, you can feel too confident and performance levels drop. But he makes sure we stay at the top of our level. That is a skill that not every manager has. I’ve got a lot to thank Phil for. If it wasn’t for him, I’d not be here at Wrexham,” he added.
Wrexham could sign Mendy competition
Mendy clearly loves life at Wrexham and his time under Parkinson has been a success so far.
The problem for Mendy is that he ended the season with a couple of injury problems, with his last appearance coming in the 2-1 win at Colchester United on the 6th of April.
Mendy’s injuries may just leave Wrexham to go and sign another left wing back – and one name is already on Parkinson’s wish list.
Reports suggest that Wrexham are targeting the signing of Tom Pearce – a proven League One left back or left wing back – after his release from Wigan Athletic.
Mendy would therefore face additional competition for a spot in the side whilst James McClean has also operated at left wing back in a Wrexham shirt.
Mendy has been on quite the journey and he won’t want his Wrexham journey to end just yet, but he will need to step up again next season – and potentially fend off a player like Pearce for first-team action.
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