standings, fixtures, results & key dates

Ever for the reason that arrival of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as Wrexham AFC’s new house owners, the Welsh membership has loved loads of publicity – and a few success on the pitch to go together with it.

Wrexham made historical past as they secured back-to-back promotions to earn a spot in League One for the 2024/25 season, and now know the way their season might go following the discharge of their fixtures in June.

After all, Wrexham did exist previous to their Hollywood takeover, and certainly have a proud historical past, from making waves within the Soccer League and Europe, to FA Cup giant-killings, to surging up the English pyramid as we speak.

However how did they go from the obscurity of the fifth tier to the verge of turning into EFL heavyweights? And is promotion a practical risk by the tip of the season? Soccer FanCast supplies you with the most recent Wrexham fixtures, outcomes and updates right here.

Wrexham house owners

Actors Reynolds and McElhenney accomplished their takeover of Wrexham in February 2021. They changed the Wrexham Supporters Belief (WST) as house owners of the membership, pledging £2m of their very own cash to imagine management of the Pink Dragons.

It will turn into a watershed second for Wrexham, as together with off-pitch fame and fortune has come loads of success on the sphere. On the time of writing, their footballing achievements for the reason that arrival of the Hollywood duo embrace their astonishing 111-point haul within the Nationwide League to safe promotion, whereas there has additionally been play-off and cup closing heartache alongside the way in which.

They’ve now secured back-to-back promotions, with the Pink Dragons set for the third tier come 2024/25.

Welcome to Wrexham documentary

Having been taken over by performing royalty, the subsequent pure step for Wrexham could be a documentary – one thing everybody appears to be doing lately.

The primary season of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ explored the membership’s journey beneath Reynolds and McElhenney upon their arrival in Wales, in addition to the story of the earlier possession and their 2021/22 marketing campaign, which led to an FA Trophy closing defeat at Wembley and a fascinating play-off semi-final tie towards Grimsby City, with the Mariners popping out on high as they went on to seal promotion.

The second instalment, which was launched in September, chronicled the membership’s 2022/23 season, the place Wrexham broke information and gained followers all around the world – notably throughout the Atlantic.

The collection additionally regarded into the progress of their ladies’s group – one thing Ryan & Rob vowed to spend money on – in addition to trying again on the membership’s giant-killing pedigree within the FA Cup, with Wrexham valiantly bowing out within the fourth spherical correct final time period having begun their journey within the qualifying rounds.

The third season was launched in Might, and is about to chronicle the membership’s most up-to-date season as they returned to the EFL. It is because of conclude later this 12 months, whereas a fourth season has already been commissioned.

Stadium enlargement newest

Reynolds and McElhenney lately said their want to broaden Wrexham’s Racecourse Floor by rising the capability to as much as 55,000 – over 4 occasions what it could possibly presently maintain.

Such plans, if they arrive to fruition, will make the house of Wrexham one of many largest stadiums within the UK, and by the point any growth is accomplished, it might but change into one of many greatest within the Premier League ought to the membership’s trajectory proceed in its present method.

Again in April, McElhenney instructed leisure outlet Collider: “We now have a plan in place proper now that will finally work from stand to face, so finally you get all 4 sides. It is exhausting to say for certain, however we expect we might get between 45 and 55,000 individuals in there.”

An AI program lately imagined what an expanded Racecourse Floor might seem like, providing Wrexham supporters a possible glimpse into the long run, which may be seen within the hyperlink beneath:

Wrexham in 2023/24

Following their record-breaking marketing campaign that noticed them win the Nationwide League, Wrexham capped off a fantastic first season again within the Soccer League by ending second on the ultimate day. The Pink Dragons’ final-day victory over Stockport noticed them finish the marketing campaign 4 factors off the highest.

After a sluggish begin the place they gained simply considered one of their opening 5 video games, outcomes started to select up over the autumn, and Wrexham have been into the promotion spots by October.

They picked up their promotion push after a blip following the brand new 12 months and secured promotion with two video games to spare, managing to remain forward of their rivals all through the previous few months with out operating away with it.

Stockport would march in the direction of the League Two title, that means Wrexham have been left to battle it out with Mansfield City for second, with each golf equipment assured of promotion. Mansfield had the benefit of aim distinction, however dropped factors towards Barrow to drop to 3rd.

Within the FA Cup, the Pink Dragons additionally repeated final season’s feat of reaching the fourth spherical, seeing off Mansfield, Yeovil City and League One’s Shrewsbury City earlier than coming unstuck towards Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers.

Elsewhere, their EFL Cup marketing campaign was over within the second spherical, with Wrexham heading out on penalties to league rivals Bradford Metropolis. There was equally no luck within the EFL Trophy, the place regardless of profitable all of their group-stage video games, Wrexham have been knocked out within the final 32 by Burton Albion.

How League One works

League One consists of 24 groups, with every membership enjoying 46 occasions throughout the league marketing campaign – the identical quantity as in League Two. Nevertheless, there are some notable variations with regards to promotion and relegation.

There are solely two automated promotion slots, with groups ending between third and sixth qualifying for the play-offs. Down the underside, there are 4 relegation spots, that means anybody ending twenty first or beneath can be demoted to League Two.

Final season, sixth-placed Barnsley earned 76 factors to qualify for the play-offs, whereas Portsmouth and Derby County – who have been promoted mechanically to the Championship – each accrued over 90 factors in the course of the 2023/24 season.

On the different finish, Burton Albion survived with 46 factors, simply two greater than relegated Cheltenham City.

A 3rd successive promotion is uncommon, and has not been executed at this stage of English soccer. And whereas there may be loads of soccer to be performed between now and this time subsequent 12 months, it may very well be argued that the preliminary indicators are in Wrexham’s favour.

If the pre-season betting markets have been something to go by, Wrexham may very well be set for one more promotion bid. Certainly, as of July 2024, Wrexham have been fourth-favourites to flee League One, priced at 7/2. Clearly, the expectation is for the Pink Dragons to be nearer the highest of the desk come subsequent Might fairly than within the thick of a relegation combat.

A win on the opening day will assist to intensify these expectations, however there’s a lengthy street forward.

Wrexham pre-season fixtures and outcomes

Wrexham acquired their pre-season preparations underway with a 5-1 win away at non-league aspect Hanley City. Jordan Davies scored a brace and was joined on the scoresheet by James McClean, Sam Dalby and Jake Bickerstaff.

Their American tour noticed the Pink Dragons start with a draw towards Bournemouth. Phil Parkinson’s aspect led going into the break because of an personal aim, however a swift equaliser within the second half levelled issues as each side performed out a stalemate.

The glamour tie of their pre-season programme led to a 2-2 draw with Chelsea. The match was marred by an altercation between James McClean and Blues defender Levi Colwill, with each groups getting concerned to calm tensions.

Christopher Nkunku put the Premier League aspect forward, however Wrexham got here again within the second half to steer after objectives from Luke Bolton and Jake Marriott.

Enzo Maresca’s aspect scored a late equaliser by means of Lesley Ugochukwu, capping an entertaining night for the 32,000 followers at Levi’s Stadium – together with Rob McElhenney.

The Pink Dragons then headed to Canada to face MLS outfit Vancouver Whitecaps, the place they ensured they ended their pre-season journey unbeaten with a 4-1 victory. Seb Revan, James McClean, Elliot Lee and Jordan Davies have been all on the scoresheet.

Of their closing pre-season conflict, Wrexham beat Fleetwood City 1-0 because of a second-half winner from Max Cleworth.

Season 2024/25 key dates

There are just a few key dates for the diary from the outset forward of Wrexham’s first League One sport in 20 years, with the EFL releasing the season’s fixtures final month. The FA Cup will return in November as Wrexham enter within the first spherical correct, whereas the summer time switch window will shut in 5 weeks’ time, whereas there could also be one eye on potential dates for a promotion get together in early Might subsequent 12 months…

Wrexham fixtures, outcomes and standings

Wrexham’s path to League One glory (and Championship promotion) was mapped out in June, with the Pink Dragons handed journeys to 2 of final season’s promotion challengers in Bolton Wanderers and Peterborough United inside their first 5 video games.

The third-tier newcomers opened up their account for the season with a 3-2 win over Wycombe Wanderers. Wrexham have been forward inside ten minutes earlier than an early Objective of the Season contender from Jack Marriott doubled their lead. It was a nervy second half regardless of Steven Fletcher stretching their benefit late on, because the guests gave themselves far an excessive amount of to do.

Their midweek EFL Cup conflict towards Sheffield United led to a bruising 4-2 defeat, with the Championship promotion challengers displaying their class by coming from behind to knock Wrexham out on the first hurdle.

Elsewhere, the draw for the EFL Trophy sees Wrexham compete in a bunch containing Port Vale, Salford Metropolis and Wolves Below-21s. The highest two make it by means of to the spherical of 32. The ultimate is normally held in early April at Wembley Stadium.

Wrexham’s pre-season and best begin to the league marketing campaign leaves them in a fantastic place heading into the tough-looking fixtures forward. Wrexham are unbeaten within the league since early April – their cup defeat to Sheffield United was their first in 11 video games.

A visit to Bolton is up subsequent, and with the Trotters defeated in final season’s play-off closing, it’s set to be one other robust process and an attention-grabbing take a look at for the League One new boys.

Wrexham transfers 2024/25

Wrexham have been busy strengthening their squad this summer time, as Phil Parkinson has introduced in 5 new gamers with a month remaining within the switch window. Arrivals embrace a return for goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who joins completely having been on mortgage from Arsenal final time period.

In the meantime, their most up-to-date signing, midfielder Ollie Rathbone from Rotherham United, is believed to have been for a club-record sum, which was beforehand the £300k charge paid for Ollie Palmer two years in the past.

There have been quite a few departures too, together with veterans Ben Tozer and Luke Younger. In the meantime, the likes of Callum McFadzean and Jordan Tunnicliffe have been launched.