Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson set Manager of the Month challenge as Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney prepare for biggest test of League One season in ‘Hollywood derby’ with Tom Brady’s Birmingham

The Red Dragons are off to a flying start in League One in the 2024-25 campaign as they remained unbeaten in August claiming 10 points from the possible 12. Head coach Phil Parkinson, who spearheaded the near-perfect start to the club's season was named League One's Manager of the Month for August.

Parkinson's recognition comes days before the club's upcoming crucial league fixture against Birmingham City. Both Wrexham and Birmingham have attracted plenty of headlines in recent years due to their celebrity owners, and are now set to do battle on the pitch on Monday. While the Welsh side are co-owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the Blues brought in NFL legend Tom Brady as a stakeholder last summer.

Ahead of the mega clash in the English third division, Wrexham defender Eoghan O'Connell hailed his coach's achievement while claiming their next target is to beat the Blues. Speaking to reporters, O'Connell said: "The award is well deserved for the start we have had. A lot of it is down to the gaffer. I know he will say that it is a collective effort but he has a huge influence on all of us."

He added: "We all love playing for him, he is someone you want to run for and do the dirty side of the game for so it is well deserved and hopefully he can win the next one as well."

A mouth-watering clash is on the cards on Monday night as the Hollywood rivals lock horns at the St. Andrew's @Knighthead Park. Interestingly, the Red Dragons and the Blues are the only teams in League One who have yet to taste defeat this season.