'Always been playing catch up' - Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson praises support from Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney as Red Dragons continue heavy summer of spending

Wrexham have splashed the cash this summer, breaking their transfer record to sign Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich Town in a deal that could be worth in excess of £10 million. He became their ninth summer signing in the process and Parkinson has explained that the club have had no choice but to spend big to stay competitive in the Championship. 

Wrexham have had three successive promotions, coming out of the National League, and Parkinson believes that, in every season, they have had to lean on Reynolds and McElhenney's vast reserves of cash, and has hailed their willingness to spend as the club prepare for their first season in the second-tier since 1982. 

Parkinson told reporters: "The backing [from owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney] is key.

"There's a lot of spending power in the division. Really since day one, because we've moved so quickly as a club, we've always had to work hard to fast-track the quality level to the first team.

"We've always been playing catch up, even in the National League we were behind a lot of clubs development-wise -- the structure, academy, players coming through.

"We had to improve the standard and that filters down. The structure behind the first team has become stronger with the formation of the academy a couple of years ago.

"We've come into this division very quickly and it's important we've brought in Championship standard players to help us on this journey. Also, to help the existing players who have do so well over the last few years."

Wrexham face West Brom this weekend in their first home game of the campaign.