‘My heart was broken’ – Rob McElhenney reveals how he was left shocked by the departure of 'one of his favourite players' and only found out via Twitter

McElhenney was speaking to Pardon My Take, when he opened up on some of the more difficult aspects of club ownership. The 48-year-old expressed gratitude for the older players that have helped the club progress, and says while those stars accept their efforts will ultimately see them replaced, it "doesn't make it easy and it's not fun" to see them leave. He shared one anecdote, without naming the player in question, where he found out that one member of the squad would be leaving over social media. The player had spoken with Phil Parkinson and his teammates, and decided to share the news on his personal channels before the club's hierarchy had been informed. McElhenney said his "heart was broken" over the incident.

The Red Dragons have seen a number of high-profile players leave the club over the past few months. Most notably, Steven Fletcher is now a free agent, while Wrexham legend Paul Mullin has joined Wigan on loan.

McElhenney said: "I found out one of my favourite players was released from the team this year. I found out via Twitter and I was just as shocked as he was. It was his statement, and the manager hadn't told us yet.

"He talked to the player, which is what he should have done, the player talked to his teammates and then put out a statement, which is his right to do. My heart was broken and I did not see it coming.

"The players will often play themselves out of a job. This happened with a few of our players where they gave their hearts, their souls and their effort and helped us get promoted.

"For that, us, the club and the town are eternally grateful. But what winds up happening is, you go up a league, and maybe they're 36 or 37 years old, and you need somebody who's 21 or 22. They accept that, but it still doesn't make it easy and it's not fun."

That turnover of stars, as difficult as McElhenney may find it, is part of climbing the football pyramid. Wrexham have been linked with a move for Sheffield Wednesday's Josh Windass in the past few days. If they are to shake up the Championship, they willl need to secure a few more signings between now and their first game in the second tier; a tricky game away to newly-relegated Southampton on the 9th August.