Never going anywhere! Transfer relief for Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney & Phil Parkinson as Paul Mullin & Elliot Lee bring exit rumours to a close

The Red Dragons opened 2024 by announcing that two talismanic figures at SToK Racecourse have committed to fresh terms through to 2027. There had been talk of goal-getting midfielder Lee attracting interest from the Championship, while prolific striker Mullin has earned plenty of plaudits during his time in North Wales.

Parkinson never expected either to move on, with both buying into the project pieced together by co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but he has told the club’s official website of seeing new paperwork signed: “We’re delighted we’ve agreed deals with Paul and Elliot. They are two really key players for the club moving forward. There’s always a lot of talk going into a transfer window, but the most important thing is to keep hold of your best players – they are two very important signings for us, and we’re very pleased to have agreed deals with them.”

Wrexham enjoyed a memorable 2023, as they returned to the Football League following a 15-year absence, but Parkinson wants to enjoy more highs in the new calendar year. He has said of collective ambition: “We are not patting ourselves on the backs too much. We had the plaudits for the promotion which was terrific, and a cup run, but now it is concentrating on having a real good charge in the second half of the season to stay right up where we are. It is going to be competitive but I believe we have got the squad and the quality capable of doing that.”

Wrexham suffered a shock 3-1 defeat to Walsall last time out, but they remain third in the League Two table and are determined to finish inside the automatic promotion places as they look to take another step towards hitting their ultimate target of reaching the Premier League.