‘Unaware of that rule’ - Why Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney & Wrexham had to let eight players go in order to be competitive in League One

The Red Dragons have announced their retained list for 2024, with it revealed who will be heading out of SToK Racecourse and where new contracts have been offered. Steven Fletcher, Mark Howard and Aaron James have been presented with fresh terms, but Ben Tozer, Luke Young, Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Callum McFadzean, Dan Davies, Rob Lainton and Owen Cushion are being released.

Wrexham can only work with a 22-man squad in League One next season, with Parkinson using that point to explain why a number of promotion-winning heroes are departing. He said: “People are not completely aware of that rule. We have got to work towards the 22-man squad and inevitably, the only way we can bring players in is by letting people go. The aim has always been to improve what we have got in each transfer window but also maintaining our key players. That's what we will be aiming to do this time. It is going to be an interesting summer, we have got ideas how we would like to see the squad shape up. We will take our time and hopefully get a squad which can be competitive.”

Parkinson added on the process of having to pass bad news on to those that are being let go – with long-serving club captain Young among those dropping into the free agent pool: “It was difficult because all the lads have made contributions over the last few years. I wish all the lads all the best and I am sure they will all get fixed up with good clubs, ready for the next challenge in their careers.”

Wrexham’s squad are currently enjoying a post-season party in Las Vegas, courtesy of Hollywood co-owners Reynolds and McElhenney, but plans are also being drawn up for the summer transfer window as the Red Dragons return to the third tier of English football for the first time in 20 years.