Phil Parkinson has now explained the key reasons why Wrexham striker Steven Fletcher was handed a new contract.
Wrexham announced on Tuesday that Steven Fletcher had signed a new one-year contract with the club.
The 37-year-old arrived at the STōK Cae Ras last summer as a free agent and quickly became a fan favourite as the news of him committing his short-term future to the Reds was well received.
Fletcher played an important role as Phil Parkinson’s men sealed promotion, sharing responsibilities with record-signing Ollie Palmer and showing a clinical edge in and around the box.
The veteran forward made 33 appearances in the league, although only 10 were starts, scoring an impressive eight times. Only Paul Mullin in the Wrexham squad (126 mins) had a better goal-per-minute ratio than Fletcher (142 mins).
Phil Parkinson reacts to Steven Fletcher’s new contract
Parkinson rates the former Premier League striker highly, saying the impact he’s made at Wrexham has been “immense” on and off the pitch.
The Scottish striker hasn’t just shown his class on the field, becoming an important mentor for the younger players in the squad such as Arthur Okonkwo and Max Cleworth.
For Parkinson, giving Fletcher a new one year contract with the club felt like a no-brainer, explaining his reasoning to The Leader.
“I am pleased we have agreed a deal with Fletch,” he said. “He made a really good contribution for us last season, on and off the pitch.
“Not only his goals but his influence on the training ground. It is great to have a player of his experience and calibre, and I am looking forward to working with him again.
“He has got real quality. He missed the whole of pre-season last year and we had to gradually get him up to speed when he came to us but he showed what a really good professional he is all the way through the season, and he is a big help with the younger players as well.
“He is a good player to have for our League One campaign.”
Steven Fletcher’s role in League One
Wrexham currently have seven strikers on their books and 21 players contracted to the club for next season.
The max Parkinson can name in his squad is 22, meaning he’ll be looking to offload some of the forwards who won’t get much game time.
Youngster Jake Bickerstaff and Sam Dalby should head out on loan while Billy Waters needs to be sold since his contract expires next summer.
That leaves Mullin, Fletcher, Palmer and Jack Marriott fighting for the two starting spots.
Mullin is the only nailed-on starter currently while Fletcher and Palmer battle it out for the second striker spot, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Parkinson sign a long-term heir to the former Scotland international.
In League One, it’s unlikely Fletcher will rack up over 30 appearances – as he did in League Two – but he’s an invaluable figure to have around the dressing room and his performances warranted a short-term deal.
The ex-Sunderland marksman turns 38 in March next year, so once his contract comes to an at the Racecourse Ground, it’s unlikely he’ll be given another year, although supporters would love for him to retire at Wrexham.
The post 'He showed...': Parkinson shares the key reasons why Steven Fletcher was handed new Wrexham contract appeared first on The Wrexham Insider.